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Lake District & Patagonia

Chile Cultural Walking Tour

8 DaysStarting at $9,495

Overview

Chile is a gorgeous spectacle. Spaghetti-thin, up to half of this country’s slim width is covered by the stratospheric Andes. Glaciers calve. Penguins mix with flamingos. Vineyards knit mild valleys into a neat green patchwork. Sharp spikes of snow-capped rock bite into the sky. At least that’s what your photos will say. It’s harder to capture how it feels to be wrapped in raw wilderness or to scan the expansive pampas from the porch of a secluded estancia. Many travelers plan tours in Chile just to experience the awesome variety of nature. But we also bring you into the fascinating array of local cultures strung the length of the country. We meet the urbanites of Santiago, experts in the Maipo Valley vineyards, the hardy islanders of Chiloé and, of course, the gauchos who ride the pampas. North to south, mountaintop to seashore, you’ll get a carefully curated up-close look at this vast and varied country. 

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.”
Travel + Leisure

Itinerary Highlights

Download Full Daily Itinerary
  • Exploring the lively capital city of Santiago, on foot at eye level
  • Sipping and strolling through vineyards in the Maipo Valley
  • Experiencing the picturesque Lake District to see Petrohué Falls
  • Enjoying a curated walk along the slopes of Osorno Volcano
  • Ferrying to Chiloé Island to see rare Magellanic and Humboldt penguins
  • Savoring a mountaintop picnic with the chance to spot guanaco, condors and rheas
  • Joining a local family for a feast of meat and seafood in a covered pit
  • Following scenic footpaths in Patagonia's scenic Torres del Paine National Park
  • Boating across an ice-studded lake to the face of Grey Glacier
  • Spending the day on a working estancia with friendly gauchos
Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Santiago – 10:00 am – Lobby of Singular Santiago
  • Ending Point:

    Santiago – 6:30 pm – Santiago Airport (SCL)
Itinerary Map

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Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-8 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of paved and cobblestone streets in Santiago, as well as well-maintained vineyard, mountain, countryside, lakeside and riverside trails of compressed dirt and stone, and even crushed lava rock on the volcanic paths. The footpaths offer a selection of level, rolling and hilly terrain; there will be elevation gain and loss.

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won’t be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

Talk to an expert
Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Internal Air

$995: This trip includes flights between cities & towns in Chile for a supplemental cost. (price subject to change)

Hotels

We spend years cultivating personal relationships with our hoteliers to provide you thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Here is a sampling of our favorite hotels on this tour. 

Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Chile; Remota Hotel, designed by German del Sol

Remota Patagonia

Remota Hotel is a remarkable blend of luxury and sensitive, sustainable architecture. Its low profile hugs the grassy hills outside Puerto Natales. There’s a heated infinity pool, outdoor Jacuzzi and spa for your comfort.

Wyndham Puerto Varas Pettra

Perfectly located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, this 5-star property offers dramatic views of Osorno volcano. Enjoy your upscale room along with a visit to the spa, heated pool, or sauna during your relaxing stay.

Singular Santiago

In an elegant city neighborhood, but bounded by a lush forested park, this recently opened hotel has rooms decorated with a sophisticated blend of classic and contemporary style. Check out the spa and rooftop pool.

What’s Included

  • Meals: All breakfasts, six lunches, and three dinners.
  • Perfect Pairings Dinner: A special dinner prepared by one of our favorite chefs with a procession of wines tailored to each course.
  • Hotels: Award-winning boutique properties, thoughtfully selected for their exceptional location, design, history, and regional character.
  • Tour Leader(s): Expert guides who are your well-connected local friends and provide you access to people and places you wouldn’t find on your own.
  • Supplemental Experts: Additional regional guides and specialists on select tours.
  • Transportation: All land transportation as listed in the daily itinerary, including fares for trains, ferries, and other modes of travel.
  • Privileged Access Events: One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places, and experiences arranged just for you, as noted in the daily itinerary.
  • Admissions & Entry Fees: Entry to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled activities listed in the daily itinerary.
  • Baggage Transfers: Upon arrival, we whisk you and your bags directly to your room—no waiting, no tipping.
  • Gratuities : All gratuities at hotels, restaurants, and for baggage handling.
  • Dedicated Guest Services Coordinator: Your pre-trip concierge and tour expert, available to answer questions and ensure you’re fully ready to get the most out of your tour.
  • Equipment: Premium gear and expert guides for kayaking, rafting, glacial hiking, and snorkeling as outlined in the daily itinerary on select tours.
Not Included: Tour Leader gratuities, travel to and from your trip’s start and end points, and any meals or activities taken independently.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

Travel + Leisure has named Classic Journeys the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times and says, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you.

  • Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
  • Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
  • Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
  • Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
  • Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
  • Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

 

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FAQs

Why is Classic Journeys the best tour company for Chile tours?
If you want to walk into the heart of Chile, Classic Journeys is your answer. You’ll join small groups guided by expert locals, meet artisans from Santiago to Chiloé Island, and stroll unforgettable trails in Patagonia and the Lake District. From private tastings in Maipo Valley to spotting penguins in Chiloé and hiking dramatic Torres del Paine, every moment is handcrafted and curated for the trip of a lifetime.
What is the best time of year to visit Chile?
November through March is the sweet spot for exploring Patagonia and the Lake District—you’ll enjoy long daylight hours, mild weather, and prime visibility for wildlife and landscapes. Classic Journeys times your curated walks for cinematic scenery and fewer crowds, so you experience the best of Chile, on foot at eye level.
What does the Classic Journeys Chile itinerary include?
Your Classic Journeys Chile itinerary is packed with the country’s highlights: strolling Santiago’s vibrant streets, sipping wine in the Maipo Valley, walking volcanic trails to Petrohué Falls, spotting penguins on Chiloé Island, and hiking through Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park. Every day is curated for authentic encounters—with local winemakers, chefs, gauchos, and guides who make Chile come alive.
How challenging are the walks and hikes on the Chile cultural walking tour?
Most walks and hikes on your Classic Journeys tour are designed to be rewarding and doable for travelers of all levels, with daily routes ranging from gentle paths to moderate trails and adjustable mileage. Torres del Paine’s footpaths and Osorno Volcano slopes offer rolling terrain and cinematic vistas—your guides ensure every hike is tailored for comfort and adventure along the way.
How many travelers are in each group on the Chile Patagonia tour?
Small groups are the Classic Journeys way and our Chilean tours usually welcome 8 to 12 guests. Led by an expert local guide, this small group creates a friendly vibe and ensures you’re part of every experience. It’s the perfect size for sharing vineyard lunches and Patagonia’s big-sky moments, and getting you “only with Classic Journeys experiences” that larger groups don’t have access to.
Can I book a private Chile tour?
Absolutely! You can customize a private Chile journey—blending Maipo Valley vineyards, lakeside adventures, and Patagonia’s iconic Torres del Paine. Local guides will shape each itinerary to your interests, ensuring everyone from young explorers to seasoned travelers feel right at home while exploring Chile, on foot at eye level.
How does Classic Journeys’ Chile & Patagonia tour compare with other Chile tours?
Classic Journeys gives you unmatched value with our small groups, expert local guides who are your well-connected friends, access to places and people most tours miss, and a focus on regenerative travel that sustains Chile’s extraordinary cultures and landscapes. Every day immerses you in authentic Chile—whether you’re picnicking with gauchos, toasting at wineries, or hiking world-renowned trails. And with our well-traveled and friendly staff to help get you reserved and answer any questions along the way, our commitment to service and quality will impress you.