Welcome to this Chile itinerary I’ve carefully planned for you!
As you plan a trip to Chile it makes sense to get ideas from people that have already step foot on the trodden path.
If you are still in the planning stages of your trip to Chile and are on the hunt for new ideas, this guide should be just right for you.
With the Andean mountain range and its slithery shape that flows the line of the Pacific ocean, this is a country for the more refined or adventurous backpacker.
Table of Contents
Chile Itinerary
Whether visiting for the world-class wine vineyard or to experience the heat of the Atacama Desert or just to learn more about the culture in Chile, you’ll find so much to do here if time permits.
Two Weeks In Chile
🇨🇱 Route: San Pedro de Atacama > Santiago > Valparaíso > Torres del Paine
Chile is easily by far the most narrow country in the world, with more than 6,000km of Pacific coastline on one side, and the towering Andes range on the other.
As a result of its length, it stretches from the harsh desert in the north, mountainous in the middle, to freezing, icy conditions at the southern tip. It’s a Geography fanatic’s dream!
San Pedro de Atacama
Duration: (3 Days) > Time: Day count: 42
Having arrived from your tour of Bolivia, you will have seen some out-of-this-world-style landscapes.
However, this was just the start. From San Pedro, you can take a trip to Moon Valley, and also the Hand of God that sits in the desert.
The next leg to Santiago will take about a day by bus, so make sure you are all geared up as the desert will get quite cool during the night portion of the traveling. You should be well used to the buses by now!
Santiago
Duration: (3 Days) > Time: Day count: 45
Despite being the furthest (geographically) capital in South America from Europe, it will feel a lot more like the “New World” compared to the others you have already visited.
You can decide where to stay in Santiago then head to nearby Valparaíso (below) to see some cool buildings and murals.
From Santiago, you can fly to Easter Island in the South-pacific, however, due to the nature of this itinerary, it won’t be included. Look it up if you have the time (and cash) to make it happen!
Valparaíso
Duration: (3 Days) > Time: Day count: 45
The port town of Valparaíso is located around one hour away from Chile’s capital, Santiago. Here you can see some of the most colorful street art on this side of the continent.
There are plenty of free walking tours you can join which are a great way to save on cash and learn from a local. I recommend giving a tip, though, no matter how small.
Also, with the city’s large student population you’ll have the option to mingle in one of the many vibrant cafes or bars!
From here you should be about ready to adventure back into the finer landscapes that nature has to offer. Even if you’re short on time and only have one week in Chile, I highly suggest not missing this town.
Torres del Paine
Duration: (5 Days) > Time: Day count: 48
Now the real adventure begins! Well, a different kind, especially if you’re bringing a tent. Here you’ll see some of the most beautiful locations on Earth.
Whilst Patagonia is made up of lots of little sites (as mountain national parks tend to) we will base ourselves in Torres del Paine.
Spend your time hiking around, and enjoying some of the purest air you will have ever breathed in your life (no jokes here).
You’ll find many tours and excursions but if you have experience why not hike Torres del Paine as part of your own self-guided tour?
Chile: Extremely Useful Links
Are you ready to start booking your trip to Chile?
My #1 goal is to help you get deals and discounts no matter where you’re from or where you’re going in Latin America.
In this Extremely useful links section, I share a list of companies, hostels, and tour providers that I’ve personally used or done extensive research on and will be using in the near future.
Why reinvent the wheel? I spend 40% of my current day-to-day planning travel in and around Latin America.
Whether backpacking in Chile, South America, Central America, or on an island in the Caribbean (usually Jamaica) you can rely on me to give you a great starting point for booking your trips to the continent.
Planning a Trip to Chile
Here is my first port of call no matter where I’m going to I start by looking at these sites for ideas:
- Hostel World – A reliable platform for review and booking
- Booking – Great for discounts on accommodation
- World Nomads – Travel insurance market leaders
- Get your Guide – My go-to site for cultural tours
As you begin to refine your Chile itinerary you’ll have a better idea of the landmarks and accommodation you’ll visit.
Time is of the essence when backpacking and the idea are to put yourself in the best possible position to see everything you planned for yourself.
As you probably will already know, staying safe in Chile is a big deal and not to be underestimated.
Safety concerns are one of the main reasons why people shun the idea of backpacking the continent and will choose continents such as Asia or Europe instead.
Safety in South America
Keeping travel gear locked up and deterring theft is a must.
- For Securing – My backpack gets locked securely with this
- Hidden Wallets – Carry a wallet that conceals your cash
- Hidden Pockets Pants – Perfect for hiding cash and phones etc
I have created a specific page below for those who are concerned about lugging their belongings around and are in need of a backpack that is designed to conceal valuables.
When planning a trip to Chile I recommend you consider packing the following items I have noted below. Some of which you can buy whilst in the country too if you decide to.
What to pack for Chile:
You’ll that depending on which countries you visit on your South America backpacking journey the climate will change drastically.
It’s smart to think about this before leaving your hometown!
South America is not all beaches and palm trees, in fact, I have some of the coldest nights in the mountain regions of Colombia or in other countries such as Argentina and Peru.
Winter in the southern hemisphere is not to be underestimated.
Finally, when staying in a hostel, here a few link that I recommend you check out before booking anything:
Chile Hostel Checklist:
Travel Insurance for Chile
Whilst traveling around Chile I recommend World Nomads insurance for an adequate cover. Get a Free Quote below:
On more than one occasion World Nomads has proved to be the best insurance for travel in Latin America.
**This list will get updated regularly: See my Travel Gear Page in the Main Navigation for even more ideas 🙂
Chile Itinerary
We have now arrived at the end of this Chile itinerary!
if you’re thinking about backpacking Chile soon, this guide has covered some of the best tourist attractions Chile has to offer. Not to mention, given you insights into what to anticipate.
You should now have an idea of the best places to visit in Chile, along with useful links to do extra research.
When it comes to safety in Chile, though, stay on the trodden backpacking routes and you’ll be good to go.
The scenery is magnificent here! Please be sure to use caution when lugging your belongings around and plan ahead for the road when doing long trips.
Take a look at this full backpacking South America itinerary I did to get more ideas on how to plan your trips and get more inspiration.
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