Discover Chile (2025)

Experience Overview

Chile’s narrow coastal strip stretches for 2,670mi (4,300km) and is dominated by the towering peaks of the Andes. Covering over half the length of South America, Chile has an unparalleled range of environments, from the highest, driest desert in the world, the dramatic Atacama, with its geysers and salt flats, to the fertile valleys and vineyards of central Chile. To the south lies the Lake District with picturesque, snow-capped volcanoes, deep-blue lakes and gushing waterfalls. Further south still, we reach Patagonia, a land of ice fields, mountains, glaciers and immense solitude.
Profile
— Accommodation: 12 Classic nights (hotels) — Travel by internal flights, bus/minibus and boat — Time spent at altitude in Atacama — Some long drives and early starts — Easter Island extension available
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 12 Classic nights (hotels) — Travel by internal flights, bus/minibus and boat — Time spent at altitude in Atacama — Some long drives and early starts — Easter Island extension available
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. This is a busy itinerary that visits the highlights of Chile. We travel by private minibus and take five internal flights to allow you to experience as much as possible of this beautiful and diverse county in a short time. As such, there are some long travelling days on this trip.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts and two dinners are included. All areas offer good quality local and international meals. Beef is very popular in Chile, especially steak, and most dishes tend to be quite meaty. In Patagonia, lamb is the most popular meat. There is also delicious, freshly caught fish and seafood in areas closer to the coast. Service can be slow in restaurants. Vegetarian food is available in many of the restaurants, but options may be limited, especially in Patagonia. Please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.
Transportation
We use comfortable buses or minibuses throughout the trip. Most of the roads are well maintained. There are five internal flights included in the itinerary, normally using the services of LAN Chile or SKY Airline. Please note, the timings of these internal flights can be quite erratic and there can often be unforeseen delays. Depending on the schedules and availability of these flights, changes to the itinerary are possible.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Panamerica Hotel Providencia, Francisco Noguera 146, Providencia, Santiago Phone: +56 2 2863 2300 Recommended arrival time:  You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately. Airport: Santiago de Chile Airport (SCL) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are: Take an Exodus transfer  Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. Once you pass the customs check head to the exit.  Due to the large number of people in arrivals area, you may not see your guide or driver at first sight holding an Exodus sign (you may have to check twice).  Stay close to La Picá Restaurant (between Gates 3 & 4) if you do not find your guide (they will find you). Our drivers and tour guides always wait for guests with a corresponding Exodus sign. Make your own way  If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the start hotel at your own expense. The taxi is likely to cost about 20,000-30,000 Chilean pesos (US$30-45) – you should not pay more than this. Please be aware there is a taxi scam operating at Santiago Airport. Our on-the-ground partners have advised: If the tour guide and guest do not meet at the airport, the guest should call our 24-hour emergency phone: +56-9 9883 7834. Guests should save this phone number on their mobile phone before they travel. The number is also accessible via WhatsApp on the free wifi at the airport. Under no circumstances should clients accept phone calls from the taxi driver’s mobile phone. Also, the taxi ride should not be paid in cash to the driver. Our services are already paid. If our driver is not at the airport, guests should only book a taxi in the office of an authorized taxi company inside the airport building. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Transfer Details
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. Once you pass the customs check head to the exit.  Due to the large number of people in arrivals area, you may not see your guide or driver at first sight holding an Exodus sign (you may have to check twice).  Stay close to La Picá Restaurant (between Gates 3 & 4) if you do not find your guide (they will find you). Please be aware our drivers and tour guides always wait for the guests with a corresponding Exodus sign. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. The cost of a taxi is likely to be about 20,000-30,000 Chilean Pesos (US$30-45) should you decide to make your way independently. You should not pay more than this for a taxi to your hotel! Please be aware there is a taxi scam operating at Santiago Airport! This is the information provided by our ground partners in Santiago: In case that the tour guide and guest do not meet at the airport, the guest will personally call our 24-hour emergency phone: +56-9 9883 7834. Guests should save this phone number on their mobile phone before they travel. The number is also accessible via WhatsApp on the free Wi-Fi at the airport!Please note that guests under no circumstances should accept phone calls from the pirate taxi driver's mobile phone. Also, the taxi ride should not be paid in cash to the driver. Our services are already paid! If our driver is really not at the airport, guests should only book a taxi in the office of an authorized taxi company inside the airport building. This cost should not exceed more than 20,000 to 30,000 Chilean pesos (US$30-45).
Weather Information
Chile is in the southern hemisphere, so our trips run between October and March, to take advantage of the longer, warmer days in the rather brief summer period. During these months, temperatures in Santiago reach a maximum of 35C (95F), while in Puerto Montt they are more likely to be around 20C (68F).  Patagonian summers tend to be dry although rain cannot be ruled out, particularly in the mountainous regions along the Chile-Argentina border where you might experience all four seasons in one day!  Patagonia is renowned for being windy...and sometimes very windy (dress accordingly and watch your step).  In Patagonia the changing weather is part of the adventure, however in extreme wind/weather conditions our Tour Leader may modify the days itinerary in favor of passengers safety.
Spending Money
Chilean pesos are the national currency of Chile and therefore what you would use for spending money.  Credit cards are widely accepted (Visa & Mastercard are the most popular). If bringing a foreign currency to exchange, we recommended US dollars. You can exchange British pounds in cash easily upon arrival in the airport, but once you have left Santiago, they can be difficult to exchange and the rates are not as good. Please ensure you do not have any torn or damaged bank notes, as these are often not accepted in Chile. The exchange facilities should be used on arrival at the airport in Santiago. Exchange facilities are available in the centre of Santiago and some of the main towns throughout Chile, but these services are not guaranteed and opening/closing times can be erratic and not fit into the itinerary. Chile is an increasingly popular country and is steadily getting more expensive. We recommend that you allow US$25-US$35 per meal for lunches and dinners, with higher prices in Patagonia. International and domestic departure tax is usually included in the price of the ticket. Optional excursions The following optional excursions are available for your trip (weather and timing dependent).   Due to high seasonal demand, we recommend our guests purchase these excursions with us at the time of booking to ensure your space on the excursion. Grey Glacier Navigation in Torres del Paine National Park: This three-hour boat excursion takes you to Grey Glacier, the largest in Torres del Paine National Park. You cruise up the Grey lake toward the glacier, which reaches 30m (100ft) in height and 3.7mi (6 km) in width at its terminus. Pieces of ice both large and small regularly break off from the front of the glacier, falling into the water with a crack and a splash. It is a unique opportunity to get a close-up view of this amazing blue glacier. (as of October 2025, this is included in the itinerary). Star Observation tour from San Pedro de Atacama: There are few places in the world where the sky is as clear and the view of the stars so good, as in northern Chile.  During your visit, you will learn the basics of astronomy and the special features of the southern hemisphere (highlighted via laser pointer). You will also get an unforgettable glimpse of the distant stars and galaxies by looking through a telescope.  The tour takes place outside and warm clothing is highly recommended. Tours are shared with the public and limited to maximum of 16 people. NOTE: This tour does not operate during the 7 nights around the full moon and will not operate during the following departures: 2025 (3-Feb. 24-Nov). Discovering Mother Moon tour from San Pedro de Atacama: This tour is a great alternative and operates on departures where the Star Observation tour is not available.  On this tour, you will have the chance to observe some of the brighter celestial objects and visible constellations, focusing mainly on the moon. This tour includes a presentation on local astronomy, as well as time spent observing the night sky, and the opportunity to look at the moon and other celestial bodies through a telescope. You will also receive a photo of the moon taken through the telescope as a souvenir from this excursion. NOTE: This tour is offered in place of the Star Observation tour on the following departures: 2025 (3-Feb. 24-Nov). Note - Please speak to your Sales representative for details on including excursions. Cancel without penalty 14 days prior to departure for full refund, after that full penalty rate of excursion will be forfeited.  Full refund will apply in case of supplier cancellation due to local weather conditions.  Prices noted are subject to increase by local tour provider beyond price/dates listed and will be invoiced to our guests accordingly.
Tipping
To show your appreciation for local staff that accompany the trip, you may want to tip when good service has been delivered. Tipping is entirely at your discretion, but has become customary in Chile. We suggest around 4,750 Chilean pesos (US$5) per day for the guide and 1,900-2,900 pesos (US$2- US$3) per day for the drivers.

Highlights