Chile: Central Valley and The Atacama Desert

Begin your stay in Santiago with a journey through the history, architecture, and food of Santiago. Traverse the historical city centre and get to know the best that Santiago has to offer.   

You will stay at The Singular in the centre of town. The interiors are simple and contemporary with muted colours and soft lighting. In the evening, the rooftop bar is a fantastic place to enjoy a sundowner and the spa provides an extensive menu of wellness therapies. 

Start off at the historic “La Vega Central” market, where colourful vendors converge with buyers, a place full of restaurants and local flavour. In recent years ex-pats from all over Latin America have added their particular foods and spices to this bustling market, making for an even warmer and cheerier atmosphere. 

Cross the Central Market and continue on to the picturesque Plaza de Armas town square. Visit the pre-Columbian Art Museum, the Plaza de la Constitución, and the La Moneda Government Palace. Head up San Cristobal Hill where you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the city and the majestic Andes mountains in the background. 

The next day the adventure continues with a drive on Route 68 to reach the city of Valparaiso. Here you will encounter colourful houses clinging to the hills and narrow streets that tell a story on every corner. The city is well-known for its food and art scene – those with time to spare will not regret spending a night or two here to allow time to dig deeper. 

Once there you will be able to admire the nostalgia of the old neighbourhoods, ride the centennial funiculars up and down the undulating city, and stroll around the fabulous historic quarter, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afterwards, relax and have a three-course lunch at a restaurant critics have described time and again as Chile’s best. Then take a gentle stroll in the beautiful harbour, which offers up some truly stunning views.

On your way back to Santiago, stop at Casablanca to visit a boutique winery, where you will learn about its history, explore its vineyards and taste some delicious, award-winning wines.

Discover the rugged beauty of the driest desert on earth with flamingo-filled lakes, volcanic peaks and soft sandy dunes. 

The Tierra Atacama is a boutique lodge with an enviable view. Relax in the infinity pool or the Uma spa and gaze at the volcanic horizon. The property was designed by some of Chile’s most renowned architects with regional culture, eco-friendly design and welcoming comfort firmly in mind. The food is excellent with a menu inspired by local cuisine. 

Whether you prefer to explore on foot, horseback, bike or by vehicle, Tierra Atacama has an extensive list of well-researched activities to get you to the depths of the desert. From world-class hiking tours to desert bike rides, horseback riding and stargazing experiences, there is no end to adventures to be had. 

From The Atacama Desert, you can either fly back to Santiago and connect with your onward international flight home or continue the adventure to Patagonia or Easter Island. Between May and August, the drive across the Andes into Salta in Argentina is one of the most beautiful road trips in the world and a unique way to cross the border.