A Chilean Adventure Itinerary in Nine Nights: Desert, Culture, and Mountains

Welcome to the high desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, your base for the next few days. Decompress after your journey with a pisco sour and a view of the Licancabur Volcano. If you stay at Tierra Atacama, don't miss the guided stargazing excursion, a mind-blowing experience of the desert night sky.

Uncover the wonders of the otherworldly Atacama. Feast your eyes on the Tatio Geysers at sunrise, visit the Rainbow Valley with its copper, jade, and violet stripes, witness the past through ancient petroglyphs, or spend the day lagoon hopping in the high plains.

Climb the Cerro Toco volcano, hike to the confluence of two rivers, or discover why they call it "Devil's Canyon." An expert local guide will tell you the desert's secrets, teaching you about the region's flora, fauna, and history.

Journey from the desert to the port city of Valparaiso. After a flight to the capital and a drive to the Pacific coast, unwind with dinner at the well regarded La Concepcion. Join the hippest people in town and taste a flight of local craft beer at Altamira, or sip cocktails with house-made gin at Bar del Tio, or both.

Explore the colorful hills of Valparaiso. If you stay at the boutique Augusta Hotel, you'll wake up to the best view in all of Valparaiso. The top floor suite is worth the extra couple bucks. Have brunch at the exceptional Maria Maria where everything made with bread, their specialty, is phenomenal. By now, you've noticed the incredible street art on every building and around every corner. Learn about the artists, styles, and history of the city on a private walking tour. If you feel inspired, make your own mark with the help of a local artist. Have dinner at Fauna, whose seafood risotto you'll be dreaming about for months to come.

Take a flight from Santiago to the southern Magallanes region. Check in to your remote luxury lodge and enjoy a front-row seat to the Torres del Paine National Park.

Immerse yourself in the land at the end of the earth. If you stay at Awasi Patagonia, you'll have a personal guide and 4x4 vehicle dedicated to you for your entire stay. These gauchos are true experts of the region and you'll be able to explore secret spots and iconic locales at your own pace.

This is sure to be an epic end to an epic journey. Take a boat across Grey Lake, strap on some crampons, and go ice climbing on the receding Grey Glacier.

A must on your way out of Patagonia before flying back to Santiago is a stop at Last Hope Distillery, owned by an Australian couple who fell in love with Patagonia on a visit and decided to stay. Take home a bottle each of their classic dry gin and the deep purple version made with Patagonia's native calafate berry.