Chile: Santiago to Patagonia
Raft the rapids of the Petrohue River, learn the ways of a gaucho at a remote estancia & hike to Las Torres Base Lookout in Patagonia
What's included
- Accommodation in twin rooms
- Max 14 travelers per group
- Exclusively for people in their 30s & 40s
About your trip
Dive headfirst into a land of colossal natural wonders on this 10-day Chile escape – the very definition of adventure.
Beginning in pacy Santiago, you’ll eat your way around famed Lastarria, where hip restaurants and craft cocktail bars thrum with life that spills out onto leafy avenues. You’ll get to drink in Chile’s endlessly epic scenery with a bike ride to a traditional winery in Casablanca, conquer the roaring rapids of the Petrohue River, traverse the verdant Alerce Andino National Park and feast on traditional barbecues. And let’s not forget your time at a remote Estancia where you’ll live out the gaucho dream, horseback riding across the wilderness with a local rancher.
Asado feasts, local wine and lashings of pisco will fuel you on your voyage, while anything from design-led enclaves surrounded by wilderness to welcoming wood-panelled lodges will welcome you home each night. Chile is built for adventure. Perfect for a Flashpacker like you, then?
- Touch down in Santiago, Chile’s vibrant capital, where a private Flash Pack transfer will whisk you to your boutique hotel in one of the city’s coolest neighborhoods
- Get your bearings with a sunset walking tour through the backstreets of bohemian Lastarria, full of boutique bars and boho cafes
- Spend a fun-filled evening sampling local tapas dishes and learning how to mix a signature pisco sour; raise a toast with your group
- Take a cycling tour of Santiago’s highlights, including Forestal and Bustamente parks, the GAM Cultural Centre, Santa Lucia district and La Moneda presidential palace
- Pedal through the stunning vineyards of the Casablanca Valley, stopping for a picnic lunch packed with local specialties, accompanied by plenty of wine tasting
- Hike through the hills of Valparaiso, a Unesco-listed site famous for its kaleidoscopic houses, vertiginous stairway and abundance of street art
- Fly south from Santiago to Puerto Montt and check in at your hotel in Puerto Varas, the ‘City of Roses’, by glistening Lake Llanquihue
- Take a walking tour through the picturesque streets lined with traditional German-style architecture and backed by still-active snow-capped volcanoes
- Sit down for a southern style “tea”, a Chilean twist on the tradition brought over by the British in the 19th century
- Tackle swirling class III and IV rapids on an adrenalin-filled whitewater rafting adventure down the Petrohue River, complete with stunning Andean vistas
- Enjoy an asado-style barbecue feast in a lakeside restaurant, feasting on marinated anticucho skewers and shish kabobs, cooked on a traditional parilla grill
- Lace up your hiking boots and prepare for your full-day trek through Alerce Andino National Park, framed by fiery volcanoes, serene icy-blue lakes and native larch forests
- Keep your eyes peeled for native wildlife, including colocolo opossum, pudú deer, grey fox and the chingue (hog-nosed skunk) as you trek through the Patagonian wilderness
- Rest your weary legs and enjoy a free evening to relax at your lakeside hotel in Puerto Varas
- Fly south and travel to Puerto Natales on the Strait of Magellan; this colorful seafaring town has long been a jumping-off point for exploring the Patagonian fjords
- Soak up some maritime history on a walking tour of the city, stopping at a trattoria for a hearty local dinner; seafood is a specialty here
- Saddle up for your horseback trek to remote Pingo Salvaje ranch, riding through breathtaking landscapes of waterfalls, towering rocks and beech forests
- Embrace the freedom of gaucho life as you spend a day in the saddle alongside these real-life cowboys, learning about traditions of cattle farming, sheep herding and more
- Round off your day with a mate masterclass (a traditional gaucho drink) and typical Patagonian barbecue feast
- Take a challenging 10-hour hike through Unesco-protected Torres del Paine National Park, a dazzling world of towering peaks, azure lakes, glaciers and pampas
- Enjoy a picnic box filled with local treats, ending your journey with a well-deserved view of Las Torres Base Lookout, an iconic landmark on the world hiking list
- Refuel with a traditional dinner, raising a toast with your fellow Flashpackers to your epic achievement
- Fly back to Santiago for a farewell dinner in Chile’s buzzing capital city; celebrate your final evening with tapas and cocktails, raising a toast to the adventures you’ve shared
- Say farewell to your fellow Flashpackers and make your way to the airport for your onward flight home; your Pack Leader will be on hand to help you arrange a local taxi
- And then, just like that, you’re home. Except, you’ve changed. The drama, the intrepid adventures and endless accomplishments, the wonder and the friendships, all marking you for a lifetime. If you can hike, climb, raft, feast and dive into the unknown like you’ve done here, you really can achieve anything
Our favorite hotels
Here's a taste of the hotels we sometimes use on this adventure. The hotels you'll stay in for your departure will be shared with you one month before you go.
Cumbres Lastarria, Santiago
This avant-garde boutique hotel takes up residence in one of the capital’s most artistic neighborhoods, captivating guests with its geometric exterior, rooftop restaurant and infinity pool overlooking the Andes.
Pampa Lodge, Patagonia
Tear yourself away from the incredible views here, and you’ll notice minimalist Scandi design notes that only serve to hero the landscape of rivers, forest and cloud-tinted peaks.
Cumbres Puerto Varas
Echoing the inviting ambience of rural Chilean homesteads, Cumbres Puerto Varas integrates indigenous woods with animal hides, antler wall hangings and floor-to-ceiling windows. With commanding views of Lake Llanquihue, the hotel’s offerings centre on relaxation with a heated pool, sauna and gym.
Important notes
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Which airport do I need to fly into and out of? Plus airport code
Fly into and out of Santiago International Airport (SCL).
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What time should my flight arrive in time for the welcome meeting?
Ideally no later than 2pm. Check-in at the hotel is from 3pm and the welcome meeting will start at 5pm.
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What time should my flight depart on the last day?
You can depart at leisure on the last day as there are no activities. Check-out of your hotel will be at 11 am.
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Are airport transfers included?
If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.
Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.
We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. We will offer you support with finding a local taxi.
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Do I need a visa?
Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.
You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:
- UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
- US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
- Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
- Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.
Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.
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What vaccinations and medication will I need?
While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalized medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare.
1. Consult with a healthcare professional
We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.
2. Up-to-date medical advice
- UK residents: visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for the latest medical advice.
- US residents: check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for specialized health information.
- Australian residents: refer to the Smart Traveler Health website for current medical advice.
3. Government travel advice
- UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
- US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
- Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
4. Medication tips
If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire adventure, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.
We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure.
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Are tips included?
Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:
- Pack Leader: 20 USD per day
- Drivers: 15 USD per day
- Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.
However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.
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What fitness levels do I need for this trip?
This is one of our more challenging trips due to the amount of hiking involved. Due to the degree of effort and difficulty for the hiking excursions, we do not recommend this trip to pregnant women or anyone unfit, or with severe health problems.
We recommend having a read through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.
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What are the transfer times like?
Chile is a huge (and particularly long) country so long travel days are to be expected. They are, however, exceptionally scenic and we’ve added some great stops along the way to break up longer drives. There are also three domestic flights included, which may require early starts on flight days.
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Will my itinerary change?
Due to seasonality, there are a few scheduled changes to this itinerary worth noting.
If departing on 27/28 April or 4 May, on Day 5 you’ll go trekking in the stunning Lahuen Ñady Natural Monument as the Alerce Andino National Park will be closed to the public. Also, if Day 1 of your adventure falls on a Sunday, rather than a walking tour of Lastarria, you’ll enjoy the bohemian delights of Santiago’s Bellavista neighborhood.
If departing on our 9 November 2024, please note that you’ll be staying three nights in Puerto Natales instead of two nights in Puerto Natales plus one night in Torres del Paine, due to limited availability within the national park.
Please be aware that other elements of the itinerary, activities and hotels are also subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control. From time to time we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh.
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