Chile is one of South America's most singular destinations — a ribbon country 4,300 km long and 180 km wide on average, bordered to the west by 6,435 km of Pacific coast and to the east by the Andes (Ojos del Salado, 6,893 m, the Americas' second-highest peak). From this spine springs a rare variety of landscapes: Atacama desert in the north, central wine valleys, southern volcanoes and lakes, Patagonian fjords and glaciers. The flagship sites unfold from north to south — the Atacama, the world's most arid desert, with its lunar landscapes, El Tatio geysers and world-class astronomical observatories; Torres del Paine and its three 2,850-m granite towers; Easter Island (Rapa Nui, UNESCO 1995), 887 moais sculpted between 1100 and 1680, 5 h by air from Santiago; Colchagua Valley with its 250 wineries, nicknamed « Chile's Bordeaux »; Santiago the capital; Valparaíso (UNESCO 2003), a picturesque port of historic elevators beloved of Pablo Neruda; and Chiloé (UNESCO 2000), with its sixteen 17th-18th-century Jesuit wooden churches and Mapuche-Huilliche culture. Allow 14 to 21 days to combine Atacama, Patagonia and Easter Island. A fundamental destination for lovers of extreme landscapes, astronomy and geographic diversity.
Duration : 12 days
Route : Santiago (2 nights, capital, Mistral) → Calama-San Pedro de Atacama flight (4 nights, desert) → Punta Arenas-Torres del Paine flight (4 nights, Patagonia) → return Santiago (1) → Valparaíso (1)
Duration : 14 days
Route : Santiago (2) → Atacama (4) → Easter Island (4 nights, UNESCO moais) → Patagonia Torres del Paine (3) → return Santiago (1)
Duration : 21 days
Route : Santiago (2) → Colchagua Valley vineyards (3 nights) → Valparaíso (1) → Atacama (5) → Easter Island (4) → Patagonia Torres del Paine (5) → return Santiago (1)
October-April is the best period (austral summer). PATAGONIA Torres del Paine: NOVEMBER-MARCH (austral summer, 10-20 °C, long days 16-18 h, tourist peak December-February). ATACAMA: YEAR-ROUND (dry stable climate, but tourist peak November-March). EASTER ISLAND: OCTOBER-APRIL (austral summer, warm waters for snorkeling, Tapati Rapa Nui festival February). VINEYARDS Colchagua: MARCH-MAY (harvest, pleasant temperatures). Avoid June-August for Patagonia (austral winter, closed lodges, some impassable trails) — except PUMA SAFARI which is at its peak in austral winter May-October.
One of Latin America's SAFEST countries (low crime rate comparable to Europe). Vigilance downtown Santiago (pickpockets), Valparaíso favelas (peripheral 'cerros'). No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months). No mandatory vaccine. Antimalarial NOT necessary (no malaria in Chile). Avoid tap water in north (Atacama). Cards accepted everywhere in hotels and restaurants. Spanish omnipresent (limited English outside tourist hotels). Tipping: 10% in restaurants (often included 'propina sugerida 10%' on bill), $5-$10/day for guides and drivers.
October-April (austral summer). Patagonia: November-March. Atacama: year-round. Easter Island: October-April. Avoid June-August for Patagonia.
12 days for essential Chile (Santiago, Atacama, Patagonia). 14 days with Easter Island. 21 days for complete version with vineyards.
€4,800-€6,500 per person for 12 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €9,500-€13,000. Flights: €1,100-€1,600.
No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months).
One of Latin America's safest countries. Vigilance downtown Santiago and some peripheral Valparaíso cerros.
Ideal for families (Atacama landscapes, Patagonia moderate excursions). Torres del Paine W trek from age 14 (4 sustained days). Easter Island all ages.
LATAM domestic flights ESSENTIAL (country is 4,300 km long). 4×4 with Spanish-speaking driver at Santiago, Atacama, Patagonia.
Minimum 4 nights to visit 13 major sites (Tongariki sunrise, Rano Raraku quarry, Akivi, Anakena beach, Rano Kau Orongo).
Yes: Chile + Argentina (Patagonia El Calafate Perito Moreno, Buenos Aires), Chile + Bolivia (Uyuni Salt Flat 200 km Atacama), Chile + Peru (Cusco).
10% in restaurants (often included). $5-$10/day for guides and drivers.