Things to do in
North Chile

Our most recommended things to do in North Chile

Santiago: Cajon del Maipo & Embalse El Yeso Trip with Picnic

Santiago: Cajon del Maipo & Embalse El Yeso Trip with Picnic

Discover the magnificent Andes Mountains on a guided day trip from Santiago. Pass by the Tinoco Tunnel, admire the picturesque Cajón del Maipo gorge, and enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the El Yeso Dam. Start your tour early in the morning with a convenient pickup directly from your accommodation. Hop into the air-conditioned van and set out towards the Maipo Canyon. As you travel, admire the wonderful views of this natural landscape full of high mountain passes, lakes, and forests. Hear about the area's traditions and listen to folktales told by your guide. Along the way, you'll pass the Tinoco Tunnel, a dark disused train tunnel that runs along the Camino Al Volcán, a remnant from the region's railway days. Listen as your guide tells you about the history of this unusual attraction and the tragic story behind the shrines located at the tunnel's entrance and exit. Not far from here, you'll reach the El Yeso Dam. This large reservoir was created in 1964 by damming the Yeso River and now serves as one of the major sources of water for Santiago. Stop here to enjoy a picnic-style lunch served with a glass of wine and some juice. Then, sit back and relax as you set out on your return journey to Santiago, where your driver will drop you off directly at your accommodation.

San Pedro de Atacama: Valle de la Luna Sunset Tour

San Pedro de Atacama: Valle de la Luna Sunset Tour

Meet your group at the meeting point and travel to Valle de la Luna, located 13 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama. Explore the lunar-like landscape which will mesmerize you with its colorful geology. Discover interesting rock formations composed of natural minerals, including Las Tres Marías created by wind erosion over many decades. See other sights such as the Grand Dunes, the Salt Cave, the Amphitheater, and the Coyote Stone. At the end of the day, admire the sunset from an exceptional lookout point overlooking the valley. Enjoy a panoramic view of the rugged beauty of the Atacama desert, and see the beautiful colors of the sky as the sun gradually sets.

San Pedro de Atacama: El Tatio Geysers Tour

San Pedro de Atacama: El Tatio Geysers Tour

Discover the third largest geothermal field in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere in the Atacama Desert. At 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level, the Tatio Geysers are a natural marvel that will take your breath away, in more ways than one. Leave early in the morning, before sunrise, after pickup from your hotel. Arrive at the geysers early to have the opportunity to observe the contrast between the sunrise and the steam from the heat of the magma-affected waters. After sunrise, savor a complete breakfast with bread, cheese, ham, scrambled eggs, coffee, chocolate, milk, and jam. Once you've eaten, spend some more time exploring the 80 geysers around the national park. From there, ride through the Putana Valley. See endemic flora and fauna and stop at a lagoon to see flamingos before returning to your hotel.

Puerto Natales: Torres del Paine Full Day Tour

Puerto Natales: Torres del Paine Full Day Tour

Start the tour with pick up from your accommodation and set off for the Torres del Paine National Park. After arriving access the park through Portería Laguna Amarga, where you will be able to get an excellent view of the Paine Towers. As you venture through the park, observe a wide variety of native fauna and flora. Make several stops at the main viewpoints to appreciate the uniqueness of the landscape and the magnitude of the Paine Massif from different perspectives. At Midday, stop for lunch before continuing the itinerary toward Grey Lake. Here, enjoy a 1-hour hike through an ancient Lenga forest and along Grey Lake Beach. From this side of the park, it is possible to enjoy the view of the West face of the Paine Massif and the intense blue hues of Grey’s glacial ice. Once your adventure in the park is over, drive back to Puerto Natales. On the way, stop by the Mylodon Cave Natural Monument, of the Pleistocene era. Return to the city by about 7 PM.

Santiago: Viña Del Mar, Valparaiso, Casablanca & Reñaca Tour

Santiago: Viña Del Mar, Valparaiso, Casablanca & Reñaca Tour

Head out from Santiago to some of the most emblematic destinations within Chile, like Valparíso and Viña del Mar, as well as stopping by one of the best wine markets in Casablanca on your way and a visit to the famous Reñaca beach. Marvel at the towering Andean mountains that flank the road to your full-day tour outside of Santiago. You will stop at Río Tinto in the town of Casablanca, a wine market in the middle of Chilean wine country, for a complimentary glass of wine and an olive oil tasting. Afterward, visit Valparaíso and its city center which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Your next stop is Viña del Mar, famed for its music scene and its numerous parks and gardens, which have earned it the nickname of the Garden City. Head along the coastline northwards to visit Reñaca, the most popular beach area in the region.

Calama Airport: Shared Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama

Calama Airport: Shared Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama

Start or end your time in San Pedro de Atacama stress free with a reliable shared transfer service between your accommodation and the airport. Please confirm the departure time with your airline at least 24 hours before your service to avoid any delay, and keep in mind that the distance between Calama airport and San Pedro de Atacama is 1.5 hours. Some of the drivers speak little or no english, so please ask for assistance over the phone in case of any miscommunication. Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will be waiting by the exit door to greet you with a card that says your name. If you are traveling from your hotel to the airport, you will usually be picked up at least three hours before your flight departure. On the way between the airport and your hotel, enjoy comfortable and air-conditioned transport, listen to music, or ask your driver about things to do during your stay in San Pedro de Atacama.

San Pedro de Atacama: Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer

San Pedro de Atacama: Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer

Enjoy two different views of the night sky during your tour. The first will be the Western vision, which studies the universe, the brightness of the stars, and their planets. You can observe, with a telescope, objects in the solar system, deep space, and constellations. Learn about the cosmos and its formation.  Then, go on an ethnic astronomical journey to understand how the ancient inhabitants of the Andes interpreted the universe, the milky way, and the night sky. Many centuries before the arrival of the Spaniards, in the indigenous settlements of America, many wise observers of the universe interpreted the objects of the night sky. In all the black spaces, they observed figures that gave them information about their daily life including animals, water, rivers, schedules, and life after death. 

Punta Arenas: Walk with Penguins on Magdalena & Marta Island

Punta Arenas: Walk with Penguins on Magdalena & Marta Island

After check-in at the meeting point, transfer to Laredo Bay port to board speedboats for a 45-minute trip to Magdalena Island. Once there, enjoy 1 hour with a guide to discover the habitat of the Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island, the second largest Magellanic penguin colony in South America that receives more than 120,000 penguins every year. Next, if the weather conditions are good, continue your journey to Marta Island, which hosts a colony of more than 1000 Patagonian sea lions, as well as copious bird life. Keep an eye out for cormorants, skuas, austral seagulls, Antarctic pigeons, and the occasional elephant seal. If you're lucky, see southern dolphins, piebald dolphins, and sei whales during your trip. The tour includes with return to Laredo Bay port and transfer back to the original meeting point.

Piedras Rojas, Altiplanics Lagoons & Salar Full-Day Tour

Piedras Rojas, Altiplanics Lagoons & Salar Full-Day Tour

Be collected from your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama around 6:30 AM. Your first stop, after an hour, will be at the Miscanti and Miñiques highland lagoons, located at 4,200 meters above sea level. In these lagoons, enjoy breakfast and admire the fauna and flora here.  The next visit is to the Salar de Talar, known as Piedras Rojas or purple stones. The beauty of this place will leave you speechless. Continue to your next stop at the Atacameño village of Socaire, where you can observe the terraces of cultivation and the village church. Then visit the Salar de Atacama, Chile's largest salt lake. Here are the national flamingo reserve and the Chaxa lagoon, which is home to three types of flamingos as well as other species. Return to San Pedro de Atacama around 5:00 PM. 

Bariloche: Circuito Chico with optional Cerro Catedral

Bariloche: Circuito Chico with optional Cerro Catedral

The trip begins with pickup from your hotel in central San Carlos de Bariloche and then embarks on a sightseeing tour of the city’s highlights. Visit some of the most iconic landmarks that San Carlos de Bariloche has to offer, and learn about this vibrant city from your local guide. Next, travel along the edge of the stunning Nahuel Huapi Lake, one of the most beautiful places in Patagonia. Admire the stunning views of the deep-blue water and the contrast against the rugged mountainous region that surrounds it. The tour continues along Bustillo Avenue, where you can marvel at panoramic views across Huemul Island and Playa Bonita. Arrive at Llao Llao village on the shore of Lake Moreno, set amongst picturesque rolling green landscapes. Visit the traditional Llao Llao Hotel, which founded the village in the 1990s, and gaze upon the vast natural scenes that surround it. Then head to Saint Edward's Chapel to see its quaint wooden architecture before traveling to the foothill of Cerro Campanario. Take an optional cable car ride to the summit to admire National Geographic’s ‘eighth best view in the world’, before the tour returns to Bariloche.

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What people are saying about North Chile

Overall rating

4.5
(819 reviews)

Fully packed itinerary which was efficiently scheduled although not entirely in the order as described. Slow and uncommunicative start on the first day, and disorganised. However once the activity properly started, everything was fine-non-stop. We were served excellent food although, in some parts very traditional. Enthusiastic, friendly, and knowledgeable staff. However you will need a fair amount of cash, (especially for toilets and other commodities and entry’s to various destinations on the trip). We advise taking around 350 bolivianos. Hostel on the second night, was slightly unfinished, compared to the first hostel. However it was improved by the food & drink served Okey dokey karaoke!

The coordination is excellent and the charisma of Rodolfo and Patricio is incredible, always attentive and providing a lot of detail and interesting information about the place.

Fantastic! By far the best tour. It's so worth it!!! Catterina is a very enthusiastic and good guide, she knows a lot. The sunset is simply moving!!! A 10 out of 10 👌

The tour guide was very engaged and enthusiastisch. He made our last evening into a highlight and most memorable experience. We were flabbergusted.

The guide Daniel was very friendly and helpful. It’s good to travel in a van so that I can see most of the viewpoints in the park in one day