The Ultimate Chile Itinerary From Top to Bottom

Stretching from Antarctica to the tropics, Chile covers just about every climate and biome that exists on Earth. The whole country is like a living nature documentary from the Atacama Desert up north all the way down to Chilean Patagonia, offering some of the most striking natural wonders on the planet. Back in the cities, the avant-garde vibe that inspired the poetry of Neruda is still tangible in colorful street scenes, inescapable art, and pioneering restaurants.

This isn’t a different planet, although no one would blame you for believing that since the landscapes of northern Chile’s Atacama Desert look like nothing from this world. Martian-red mountains and lunar salt flats dominate the arid terrain, where life thrives despite the extreme conditions (just look at ancestral settlements like San Pedro or grazing flamingos). But you’ll truly feel in the cosmos come nighttime when the sky lights up with far-off stars and galaxies.

Nayara Alto is an adobe-walled wilderness lodge that is a haven of cool interiors, warm service, and gourmet cooking in the Atacama Desert. Geothermal spa treatments and a tranquil location only add to the rarefied ambiance of this hotel. Stargazers and those with a sense of adventure are especially smitten with this one-of-a-kind property.

Sipping on a pisco sour in a trendy cocktail bar or stumbling upon a hidden garden patio off a busy boulevard, it’s jarring to remember that democracy is still considered recent history in Santiago. The city has modernized into one of Latin America’s hottest hubs without losing the colonial charm of its historic center. But what truly makes Santiago special is what’s right at its doorstep: the Andes Mountains, the Maipo Wine Valley, and the Pacific Ocean beaches.

This is a stunning boutique haven in the heart of Santiago’s hip Lastarria district, which is also home to a pulsating array of cafés, bars, shops, art galleries, and restaurants. It's the perfect mix of cozy interior design and a show-stopping rooftop pool and bar. All rooms feature king-sized beds, tactile fabrics, and a soothing color scheme.

Travel to the most extreme points on Earth and, naturally, the landscape is transfigured to suit. Just look at Torres del Paine National Park for proof, a sprawling reserve that verges on the southern tip of the Americas. The granite fang-like peaks are the park’s centerpiece, but take your time exploring the glaciers, lakes, steppes, and fjords. After the long journey getting there, you’ll welcome lingering among the foxes and guanacos in this magical place.

This nature reserve specializes in sustainable tourism and travelers can choose their own adventure style, from rugged camping immersed in nature to private hotel rooms for unwinding after a day on the trails. While still a physically and mentally demanding experience, the W Circuit offers luxuries like comfy beds, hot showers, warm meals, and pitstops along the way.

After four days of hiking and sleeping in the national park, take a couple of days to luxuriate in the beauty of Patagonia while getting pampered in one of the region’s top hotels.

Occupying a former cold storage warehouse on a remote fjord, The Singular is an architectural landmark and one of Chile’s most impressive hotels. It’s impossible to pick one stand-out feature, as the food, the service, and the views are all equally breathtaking. The hotel has a library and reading room for winding down in the evenings, as well as a large spa, a heated pool, sauna, and steam room.

Transfer to the Puerto Natales airport located a few minutes away from the hotel and board your flight to Santiago before heading home. It’s not goodbye, just until next time.

Chat with an Origin Curator today and we can start planning your trip to Chile, fully customized to your desires and preferences.

Property photos courtesy of Nayara Alto Atacama, The Singular, and Reserva Las Torres. All other photos are courtesy of Unsplash.