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Atacama & Patagonia
Atacama & Patagonia
Chile
The driest desert on earth in the north. The wildest mountains on earth in the south.
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The driest desert on earth in the north. The wildest mountains on earth in the south.
Chile runs 4,300km from north to south and the geographic range is extraordinary. The Atacama Desert in the north is the driest non-polar place on earth, at altitude under skies so clear that the world's major observatories are built here. Patagonia in the south contains the most dramatic accessible mountain landscape on earth.
Torres del Paine's W Circuit is one of the world's great treks. The Carretera Austral is one of the world's great road trips. Between them, Chile offers two completely different versions of extraordinary.
The Atacama has the clearest skies on earth — the world's major observatories are built here and public stargazing tours are extraordinary.
Torres del Paine's W Circuit, the Carretera Austral hiking and the Villarrica volcano crater walk are among South America's best.
The Carretera Austral (1,200km unpaved southern highway) and the Icefields Parkway approach on the Patagonian roads are two of the world's great drives.
The base town at 2,400m — day trips to the flat, Moon Valley and El Tatio.
The W Circuit gateway — book all accommodation months ahead.
Chile's capital and the chaotic hillside port city — both worth 2–3 days.
Torres del Paine refugio accommodation books out completely from October — book at fantastico.cl as early as possible
Patagonian wind is extreme in December–February — a proper windproof jacket is non-negotiable
Altitude acclimatisation in the Atacama — rest the first day in San Pedro before any excursions above 3,000m
The Carretera Austral requires 4WD and careful fuel planning — fill up every time you see a station
Chilean Carménère and Sauvignon Blanc wines are world-class value in-country — buy from a winery
Tell us your dates, budget and travel style — we'll handle every detail.
Curated activities worth booking in advance — via GetYourGuide.
The 5-day circuit with guide and all refugio accommodation.
El Tatio at dawn and Valle de la Luna at sunset.
World's clearest skies with professional telescopes.
The 887 statues with a guide from the original Rapa Nui people.
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Daily budgets, hostel picks, transport tips and no-fluff advice.