Do you dream of traveling to Chile but don’t know how to organize the trip and what places to visit? This country, full of landscapes and stories of explorers who wanted to reach the end of the world, marks a new destination on our route, a new adventure that you won’t be able to resist. To put the finishing touch on 2026, EL PAÍS Viajes will take you to Chile in November. Chilean Patagonia, the path of explorers is a trip guided by Sebastián Álvaro, an authentic expeditionary and master of adventures, perfect for exploring the country for 14 days.
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“This trip to Patagonia is special for many reasons, but I would highlight two mainly. On the one hand, the geographical and landscape aspect of the area we are going to visit, which is, in my opinion, the most beautiful and wild of a region that is still remote and very sparsely populated. This gives it exceptional value, as it still maintains its natural values intact. At the same time, its landscapes are unique and, in many aspects, different, and perhaps superior, to those of Antarctica. The union of estuaries, glaciers, forests, and impetuous seas are represented here like nowhere else in the world, giving rise to a unique and unrepeatable geographical and landscape confluence. The changing lights of Patagonia, due to unpredictable winds and capricious clouds that make all four seasons possible in a few hours, contribute to this landscape,” he explained a few months ago to EL PAÍS Viajes.
In this itinerary, which we will now outline, we will be able to locate those points of the route that have been designed for the trip and that you will be able to visit. These are jewels of Chile that should be in any itinerary you might make to the southernmost country in South America. Shall we pack our bags?
Santiago de Chile, a vibrant city
A trip to Chile must begin in Santiago de Chile, the capital and largest and most populated city, an authentic metropolis full of life that is not oblivious to nature, as it is surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Andes and the Chilean coastal mountain range. The city, founded in 1541, has a historic center full of history and places to visit: the Plaza de Armas, the great nucleus of the city’s old colonial center, the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral, and heritage buildings such as the Palacio de La Moneda, Cerro Santa Lucía, the exact site of its foundation in 1541, and the Palacio de la Real Audiencia from 1808, where the National Historical Museum is located. To see the city from above, you have to go to Cerro San Cristóbal, the city’s great green lung. And, to savor its rich and varied gastronomy, head to the bohemian Lastarria neighborhood.
Valparaíso, a World Heritage city
We arrive at the Chilean coast, to a city declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2003. Due to its proximity to Santiago de Chile, it is always recommended to visit it on the same itinerary. It is a coastal but tremendously creative city. Here, you will also find La Sebastiana, the house-museum of the poet Pablo Neruda, undoubtedly a must-visit place for literature lovers.
Cerros Alegre and Concepción stand out for their cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and art galleries, as well as their historic cable cars, such as Reina Victoria and El Peral, for spectacular views of the bay. And, of course, Plaza Sotomayor, which is the civic and historical heart of Valparaíso. The Monument to the Heroes of Iquique (1879) dominates this space, flanked by the imposing headquarters of the Chilean Navy.
Viña del Mar, the garden city
Many agree in describing Viña del Mar as one of the most beautiful cities north of Santiago with the best atmosphere in the country. Known as the “Garden City,” it stands out for its gardens and beaches, as its nickname indicates. In this sense, it is a coast full of contrasts, with the lively Reñaca, with nightlife and a youthful atmosphere, and the family resort Las Salinas, ideal for tranquility and sports. In the center, there are beaches such as Caleta Abarca and El Sol, with their summer atmosphere, while Castillo Wulff, the Flower Clock, and Muelle Vergara offer the best views of the Pacific.
Aikén del Sur Park and its native forests
Heading towards Chilean Patagonia, in the Aysén region, we stop at Puerto Chacabuco and Aikén del Sur Park to explore its native forests full of birds. In total, the Patagonia Parks Route, an adventure for lovers of the outdoors, connects 17 national parks in Chilean Patagonia, and is home to more than 60 communities, 150 bird species, and 46 mammal species. With 11.5 million protected hectares between Puerto Montt and Cape Horn, the parks that make up this route are: Pumalín Douglas Tompkins, Alerce Andino, Hornopirén, Corcovado, Queulat, Melimoyu, Isla Magdalena, Cerro Castillo, Patagonia, San Rafael, Bernardo O’Higgins, Pali Aike, Kawésqar, Alberto de Agostini, Torres del Paine, Yendegaia, and Cape Horn.
Specifically, Aikén del Sur Park is an ecotourism reserve within the Carretera Austral —the legendary 1,200-kilometer route of Patagonia— that was formed to protect the local flora and fauna. It has more than 250 hectares with trails and routes that showcase the great natural diversity of Chilean Patagonia. What is most striking are its large forests and the thaws that form channels and rivers, as it is one of the coldest jungles in Chile.
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San Rafael Lagoon National Park and its glacial nature
If Chile stands out for anything, it is for its wild nature. It boasts ancient forests, beautiful lakes, hills, glaciers, volcanoes… In short, it is a destination for those who enjoy the outdoors. This national park, in the Aysén region, is known for its namesake glacier that flows into a lagoon, offering magical and hypnotic views of ancient ice calving. It was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 1979, and is popular because many visitors take navigation routes, observe marine wildlife, and trek on the Exploradores Glacier. It makes sense, it covers over a million hectares, making it one of Chile’s largest protected areas.
In the case of EL PAÍS Viajes, this adventure is part of the itinerary because there will be an unforgettable excursion to San Rafael Lagoon where you will navigate the glacier. In fact, if the weather permits, travelers will be able to approach the glacier by zodiac. On board, they will also enjoy an all-inclusive service.
Puerto Natales, the gateway to the end of the world
The gateway to Torres del Paine National Park should not be underestimated; it is also a top-tier destination where you can spend a couple of days and enjoy yourself. Before embarking on a hiking trail through the park, it is worth discovering its charms: Cerro Dorotea, Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, the Southern Ice Fields, and the Milodón Cave, named after the gigantic mammal that inhabited it in the past. Don’t miss the Costanera Pedro Montt, which offers spectacular views of the Última Esperanza Sound and the Patagonian Andes. And, above all, recharge your energy with its lamb and king crab dishes.
Torres del Paine National Park, a natural wonder
At EL PAÍS Viajes, it is not the first time we highlight the beauty of Torres del Paine National Park, a natural area of over 200,000 hectares, protected by Unesco since 1978. The national park, with numerous enabled trails that traverse its virgin nature, receives more than 650,000 visitors each year. One of its greatest jewels is the Grey Glacier. In the adventure planned for this trip, three days will be dedicated to trekking through the French sector and the Grey viewpoint. “We will walk along the tranquil shore of Lake Nordenskjöld and at the foot of the astonishing Mount Almirante Nieto and its hanging glaciers. Once at the highest viewpoint, we will be able to see the lake in its entirety and the French Glacier on Cerro Paine Grande,” they explain in the itinerary.
Punta Arenas and Strait of Magellan
Patagonia meets the sea in Punta Arenas, located next to the Strait of Magellan. This port and livestock city has much to explore, starting with its museums where we can discover the history of great explorers and the numerous expeditions that have been made to Antarctica from here. Its viewpoints and magical landscapes of Tierra del Fuego captivate any traveler. Here, you will also find the strategic base for Antarctic exploration, with the San Isidro lighthouse, Francisco Coloane Marine Park, and Pali Aike National Park, among others. You can also sail to Isla Magdalena and Isla Marta, home to penguins, sea lions, and seabirds. Within the city, highlights include the impressive municipal cemetery and the Nao Victoria Museum, a full-scale replica of Ferdinand Magellan’s ship.
*If you want more information about this and other similar trips, visit our website EL PAÍS VIAJES.
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