DAY 1 •  Santiago

Arrive in the morning on your international flight and get settled into the pedestrian-friendly neighborhood of Lastarria, close to cafés, restaurants, parks, museums, and more.

• Magnolia Hotel

DAY 2 •  Santiago

Explore Santiago’s neighborhoods, both old and new, to learn about its turbulent political history and enjoy views from its iconic Cerro San Cristobal hill.

• B – Magnolia Hotel

DAY 3 •  SANTIAGO – BALMACEDA – PUERTO RIO TRANQUILO

Fly from Santiago to the Balmaceda airport, located roughly 50 km outside of Coyhaique, the capital of the remote Aysén region. Upon arrival, transfer 4 hours south by car along Chile’s Austral Highway to the village of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, located on the banks of the General Carrera Lake, the largest in Chile and second largest in South America. Explore the town and views of the lake.

• B – El Puesto

DAY 4 •  Exploradores Glacier or San Rafael Glacier

Take a full day to explore the immense glaciers in the vicinity of Puerto Rio Tranquilo. For the more adventurous, head to the Exploradores Glacier. Start with a walk through an evergreen forest, surrounded by native flora and fauna, to then reach a panoramic viewpoint which overlooks the glacier, Bayo Lake, and Patagonia’s highest peak, Cerro San Valentine. From there, descend and strap on crampons to explore this ice landscape with its lakes, streams, and caves.

Alternatively, you can navigate in a small, covered boat to the San Rafael Glacier. Drive from Rio Tranquilo to Explorers’ Bay and start navigating the river delta to the Laguna San Rafael National Park, where you can take in this immense ice structure and the many hues of blue in a magnificent scene.

• B, Box L – El Puesto

DAY 5 •  MARBLE CAVES – PUERTO GUADAL

This morning, explore the marble caves. As the surrounding glaciers have melted over thousands of years, the water has carved a fascinating system of tunnels and crevices in this rock structure, and the mineral rich glacial water has left it with a beautiful array of blue, green, black, and yellow hues. Paddle out on a kayak (weather permitting) or visit in the comfort of a small, covered boat.

After this visit, depart south on the Austral highway to Puerto Guadal. Upon arrival at your next accommodation, drop your bags and then take a short walk to the El Maqui waterfall at the mouth of the El Maqui river in Lake General Carrera.

• B – Borde Baker Lodge

DAY 6 •  PATAGONIA NATIONAL PARK

Visit Patagonia National Park, heading to the Tamango section, home to some of the area’s unique wildlife, like the Huemul miniature deer, as well as the tallest peaks of the park. Appreciate the views, looking down on the Patagonian steppe of the Chacabuco Valley, and enjoy a full day of trekking, finishing with a visit to the confluence of the Baker and Neff rivers on the way back to the lodge.

Alternatively, for fans of river rapids, get onto the Baker river for a morning of rafting or floating, and then visit the Baker and Neff confluence lookout.

• B, Box L – Borde Baker Lodge

DAY 7 •  PATAGONIA NATIONAL PARK

Visit the Chacabuco Valley of Patagonia National Park. This scenic portion of the Patagonian steppe is where Doug and Kris Tompkins purchased their first track of land in 2004, restoring it after years of ranching, and positioning it as a standard for conservation and land stewardships in Chile and beyond. It’s now the heart of the national park and home to one of the highest rates of biodiversity in the Aysén region. Wildlife, the Chacabuco river, Lake Cochrane, scenic lookouts, and a museum on this area’s legacy can be worked into a full-day excursion, which will inevitably be a highlight of the trip.

• B, Box L – Borde Baker Lodge

DAY 8 •  CERRO CASTILLO NATIONAL PARK

Set out in the early morning and head back north to Villa Cerro Castillo, roughly a 4-hour drive. Upon arrival, embark on a scenic hike in Cerro Castillo National Park, one of Chile’s under-the-radar national parks that boasts beautiful trekking circuits and scenic day hikes. Hike to either Laguna Verde or the Duff Lagoon and admire this theatrical Patagonian mountainscape before lodging in the local Villa Cerro Castillo town for the night.

• B, Box L – Refugio Cerro Castillo

DAY 9 •  COYHAIQUE

Drive roughly 90 minutes to Coyhaique, the capital of Chile’s Aysén region and its political and economical center. After arrival, take the day to visit some of the landmarks of the gateway to the Aysén region, possibly the Coyhaique Natural Reserve for some hiking.

• B, L – Dreams Coyhaique

DAY 10 •  COYHAIQUE – BALMACEDA – MAIPO VALLEY

Transfer to the Balmaceda airport for your flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, drive just south of the city to the Maipo Valley, the growing region of Chile’s big red wines. Here, stay at a historic restored mansion, Casa Real, set on the Santa Rita vineyard. Enjoy a sunset tasting and a full-course dinner.

• B, D – Casa Real

DAY 11 •  MAIPO VALLEY – ONWARD

Continue to enjoy the wine hotel in the morning, perhaps taking a tour of Santa Rita’s cellars or its extensive pre-Columbian art museum. After a leisurely lunch, transfer to the Santiago airport for your overnight flight home.

• B, L