Self-drive road trip · Chile
From Santiago and the Atacama Desert to the glaciers, mountains and open roads of Patagonia
Per person, estimatedUS$550
Experience two of Chile’s greatest contrasts in one carefully designed journey. Begin with Santiago before flying north to the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert, where guided excursions reveal salt flats, high-altitude lagoons and steaming geysers. Continue by air to Punta Arenas and collect your rental car for an unforgettable one-way drive through southern Patagonia. Explore the Strait of Magellan, Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine at your own pace, with time for boat excursions, wildlife and some of South America’s most dramatic scenery.
Every stop has a hotel already chosen for you. Open a stop to swap the hotel, add activities or stay longer. The price updates as you go.
Want more time somewhere? Open any stop and tap Add a night. Every day after it moves back, and your dates and price update automatically.
Days 1–2: Arrive in Santiago and transfer independently or by prearranged service to your hotel. Discover the historic centre, Lastarria, Bellavista and the city’s panoramic viewpoints. The second day can be used for a private city tour or an excursion to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Two nights in Santiago.
Stay longer or shorter in San Pedro de Atacama
Your stay in San Pedro de AtacamaDays 3–5
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Day 3: Fly from Santiago to Calama and continue by transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Settle into your hotel and, depending on the flight schedule, visit the sculpted landscapes of Moon Valley for sunset. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.
Overnight: Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama, night 1 of 2
Days 4–5: Explore the Atacama Desert with organised local excursions. Suggested highlights include the Altiplano lagoons, the Atacama Salt Flat, flamingo habitats and the Tatio geysers. High altitude and remote terrain make professional local transport preferable to self-driving. Two further nights in San Pedro.
Overnight: Diego de Almagro San Pedro de Atacama, night 2 of 2
“Discover exceptional value in the heart of San Pedro de Atacama at this well-loved hotel. Guests rave about the outstanding staff hospitality, prime location near local attractions, comfortable accommodations, refreshing pool perfect for desert heat, and generous breakfast buffet—making it an ideal base for exploring the region.”
Included in your trip2 Nights, Toconao 460
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let San Pedro de Atacama surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Punta Arenas
Your stay in Punta ArenasDays 6–7
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Day 6: Transfer to Calama Airport and fly back to Punto Arenas
Overnight: Hotel Mercurio
“Discover a charming, centrally-located hotel with spotless rooms and genuinely warm, helpful staff who go the extra mile. Guests consistently praise the excellent value, convenient city-center location, and cozy atmosphere perfect for travelers seeking authentic character and reliable comfort.”
Included in your trip1 night, Fagnano N 595
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Punta Arenas surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Puerto Natales
Your stay in Puerto NatalesDays 7–9
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Day 8: Join an optional boat excursion to Magdalena and Marta islands for penguins and other marine wildlife, subject to weather and seasonal operation. Return to Punta Arenas for a second night.
Overnight: Hostal Alamo Patagonico, night 1 of 2
Day 9: Drive north across the open Patagonian steppe to Puerto Natales. Stop at viewpoints and estancias when time permits. Explore the waterfront and prepare for the next day’s excursion. Overnight in Puerto Natales.
Overnight: Hostal Alamo Patagonico, night 2 of 2
“Discover a sparkling new hotel where guests rave about pristine rooms, exceptional hospitality from the welcoming staff, and an outstanding breakfast—all just steps from the city center and local conveniences. Its peaceful location, comfortable accommodations, and genuine personal service make it an ideal choice for travelers seeking warmth and quality.”
Included in your trip2 Nights, Balmaceda 254
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Puerto Natales surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers
Your stay in Balmaceda and Serrano GlaciersDays 9–11
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Day 10: Take a full-day boat excursion through the fjords to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, subject to weather and operating schedules. Return to Puerto Natales for a second night.
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Puerto Natales
Your stay in Puerto NatalesDays 10–11
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Days 11–12: Drive into Torres del Paine National Park and spend two days exploring at your own pace. Follow scenic roads to viewpoints over the Paine Massif, Lake Pehoé, Salto Grande and Grey Lake. Choose walks suited to the weather and your fitness level. Two nights inside or near the park.
Overnight: Hostal Alamo Patagonico
“Discover a sparkling new hotel where guests rave about pristine rooms, exceptional hospitality from the welcoming staff, and an outstanding breakfast—all just steps from the city center and local conveniences. Its peaceful location, comfortable accommodations, and genuine personal service make it an ideal choice for travelers seeking warmth and quality.”
Included in your trip1 night, Balmaceda 254
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Puerto Natales surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Torres del Paine National Park
Your stay in Torres del Paine National ParkDays 12–14
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Day 13: Enjoy a final morning in Torres del Paine before driving back to Puerto Natales. Refuel the vehicle, enjoy a relaxed farewell dinner and stay one final night in town.
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Torres del Paine National Park surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Departure from Puerto Natales
Your stay in Departure from Puerto NatalesDays 13–14
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Day 14: Drive to Puerto Natales Airport, return the rental car and check in for your onward flight. Allow additional time for changing Patagonian weather and road conditions.
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Departure from Puerto Natales surprise you.
Operated by Avia Travel & Tours.
Download this tour's PDF brochure and plan offline: every day, your hotels, the car and our phone numbers.
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Estimated total, 2 travelersUS$1,100
How this road trip stacks up against similar self-drive tours, side by side.
| Tour | |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price, per person | ||||
| From | US$550 | US$1,166 | US$3,442 | US$1,496 |
| Per night | US$42 / nightBest | US$83 / night | US$382 / night | US$115 / night |
| The trip | ||||
| Duration | 14 days, 13 nights | 15 days, 14 nights | 10 days, 9 nights | 14 days, 13 nights |
| You're viewing this tour | View tour | View tour | View tour |
"From" prices are per person for 2 travelers sharing, at the cheapest hotels. Driving is estimated from the stop locations.
| Stops | 3 | 6 | 4 | 7 |
|---|
| Places | San Pedro de Atacama, Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales | Santiago, Hanga Roa, Santa Cruz, Pucón, Puerto Varas | Quito, Cotopaxi, Banos, Cuenca | Nungwi, Bologna, Florence, Siena, Lucca, Parma, Milan |
|---|
| Start and finish | Santiago International Airport – Puerto Natales Airport | Santiago – Puerto Montt | Quito | Milano |
|---|
| On the road |
|---|
| Total driving | About 4,455 km | About 10,550 km | About 400 km | About 845 km |
|---|
| Longest drive day | About 4215 km | About 4705 km | About 225 kmBest | About 290 km |
|---|
| Car included | Yes | Economy | Mini | Intermediate |
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| Stays and extras |
|---|
| Hotels included | 3-star hotels | 3 to 4-star hotels | 3-star hotels | 1 to 4-star hotels |
|---|
| Hotel choice | About 7 hotels per stop | About 6 hotels per stop | About 8 hotels per stop | About 12 hotels per stopBest |
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| Airport transfer | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
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