TRAVEL IN CHILE

Options before or after the main trip

We know Chile very well (Open Sky owner Alex Ros spent his most formative years there, and has been taking groups to Chile since 2004), so it would be a particular pleasure to help you experience even just a tiny bit of it.

The options outlined below— which we would be happy to set up for you—include a practical response to the new arrival procedures plus some ideas on how to explore further. If you're interested in other regions of Chile, don't hesitate to let us know.

WINE COUNTRY & SANTIAGO

With the new entry rules that require a PCR test on arrival (with an expected result within 12 hours), we strongly recommend at least one night in or around Santiago when you arrive. After the overnight flight in Chile, a day of rest & relaxation should also be quite welcome.

Below are a few options we gave careful thought to and can easily facilitate for spending that time in beautiful wine country adjacent to Santiago, with the opportunity to also experience it further and/or enjoy time visiting in Santiago with an extra night or two before flying south.

We can also tailor any of these options to your particular interests.

1 night in wine country by Santiago

This would be the quickest of these options, allowing for departure from the U.S. as late as the evening of December 4th.

Sample schedule:

Sun, December 5 | Arrive & relax in wine country

Arrive SCL in the morning after your overnight flight. PCR test at the airport.

Private transfer with a professional english-speaking driver from the airport to Pirque, beautifully set in the Maipo Valley wine region south of Santiago, abutting the towering Andes Mountains.

Rest & relax the remainder of the day in your comfortable hotel. We'll make sure you have a room has an open-air terrace, and that it is available for early check-in.

Overnight at Las Majadas in Pirque (FYI: This is the private 25-hectare park accessible via this hotel, and this is what the area around it looks like).

Mon, December 6 | Morning flight to Punta Arenas

After breakfast, transfer back to the airport in time for a morning flight to Punta Arenas. Of the various available options, the 8:50am-12:05pm direct flight LATAM is our current top recommendation.

Antarctica21 representatives will pick you up at the Punta Arenas airport on arrival for a transfer to the hotel for the beginning of the main trip.

Let us know if you may be interested in this option. The cost depends on the # of travelers, and we can advise on request.

1st night in wine country by Santiago + next day wine tour

To flow directly into the main trip to Antarctica, this option entails departure from the U.S. on December 3rd.

In this version, the first day is the same, except one day earlier.

Sample schedule:

Sat, December 4 | Arrive & relax in wine country

Arrive SCL in the morning after your overnight flight. PCR test at the airport.

Private transfer with a professional english-speaking driver from the airport to Pirque, beautifully set in the Maipo Valley wine region south of Santiago, abutting the towering Andes Mountains.

Rest & relax the remainder of the day in your comfortable hotel. We'll make sure you have a room with an open-air terrace, and that it is available for early check-in.

Overnight at Las Majadas in Pirque (FYI: This is the private 25-hectare park accessible via this hotel, and this is what the area around it looks like).

Sun, December 5 | Wine country day tour

Together with a professional English-speaking private driver, enjoy a full day exploring and experiencing Maipo Valley wine country, with a delicious wine-tasting-paired lunch included at the world-renowned Santa Rita winery.

In the late afternoon, this could go one of two ways.

VERSION 1: If you decide to fly down south tonight:

Transfer back to the SCL airport in time for an evening flight down to Punta Arenas. There are various options available; to make the most of the day we may suggest the direct 8:03pm-11:27pm LATAM flight.

Antarctica21 representatives will pick you up at the Punta Arenas airport on arrival for a transfer to our hotel for the main trip, for an extra night before the trip officially begins.

Overnight at the Cabo de Hornos hotel in Punta Arenas

Mon, December 6 | Punta Arenas (with leisurely AM)

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Punta Arenas before the main trip with Antarctica21 begins this afternoon.

Alternatively, from late afternoon on December 5:

VERSION 2: If you instead stay a 2nd night in wine country:

End the day on a more leisurely note.

Overnight at Las Majadas in Pirque

Mon, December 6 | Morning flight to Pta Arenas

After breakfast, transfer back to the Santiago airport in time for a morning flight to Punta Arenas. Of the various available options, the 8:50am-12:05pm direct flight LATAM is our current top recommendation.

Antarctica21 representatives will pick you up at the Punta Arenas airport on arrival for a transfer to our hotel for the beginning of the main trip.

Let us know if you may be interested in this option. The cost depends on the # of travelers, and we can advise on request.

Wine country experience + Santiago sightseeing

Here's an example that includes BOTH the experience in wine country AND a tour of Santiago. To flow directly into the main trip, you would fly out of the U.S. on December 2nd.

In this version, the first two days are the same as the previous option, except a day earlier.

Sample schedule:

Fri, Dec 3 | Arrive & relax in wine country

Arrive SCL in the morning after your overnight flight. PCR test at the airport.

Private transfer with a professional english-speaking driver from the airport to Pirque, beautifully set in the Maipo Valley wine region south of Santiago, abutting the towering Andes Mountains.

Rest & relax the remainder of the day in your comfortable hotel. We'll make sure you have a room with an open-air terrace, and that it is available for early check-in.

Overnight at Las Majadas in Pirque (FYI: This is the private 25-hectare park accessible via this hotel, and this is what the area around it looks like).

Sat, Dec 4 | Wine country day tour

Overnight at Las Majadas in Pirque

Sun, Dec 5 | SANTIAGO | evening flight south

An expert guide will come pick you up in the morning together with your driver for the day, and continue on for a day visit in Santiago. The driver & guide can be at disposal, or we can arrange a comprehensive guided city tour including the new Sky Costanera 360 (for a view of the city & Andes from atop the tallest building in South America), top historic sites, and lunch in one of the top gourmet restaurants in the city's trendy Vitacura District.

In the late afternoon, transfer back to the Santiago airport for an evening flight down to Punta Arenas. There are various options available; to make the most of the day we may suggest the direct 8:03pm-11:27pm LATAM flight.

Antarctica21 representatives will pick you up at the Punta Arenas airport on arrival for a transfer to the hotel for the main trip, for an extra night before the trip officially begins.

Overnight at the Cabo de Hornos hotel in Punta Arenas

December 6, Monday:

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Punta Arenas before the main trip begins this afternoon.

The 2nd or 3rd nights can also alternatively be spent in Santiago, with only slight itinerary modification. If you may be interested in this option, let us know and we will advise cost based on the number of travelers and which version is preferred.

Or simply focus on Santiago

We can also of course simply focus on Santiago and include a hotel night in the city. Keeping in mind the 12-hour wait period for the PCR test results, and if you plan to fully isolate while waiting, we will make sure your hotel room has a terrace for open air. If you actually intend to visit Santiago with a guide, we recommend staying at least two nights.

Santiago

Pirque (Maipo Valley wine region)

Las Majadas in Pirque (see park & vicinity)

Alternatively, if for whatever reason you are not interested in wine country or the city, and you like the idea of not even having to get into a vehicle, there is one *simplest* option:

1 night at the one airport hotel we recommend

The Santiago Airport Holiday Inn has been a key logistical piece on many of our Chile group trips when flights don't quite line up (as is often the case when flying between, say, Easter Island and the Atacama Desert or Patagonia) thanks to its very comfy rooms, excellent service, and the following key component: that it is just steps from the main airport terminal (the only airport hotel that is).

If you fly out of the U.S. evening of December 4...

Sun, December 5 | Arrive & rest

Arrive Santiago/SCL in the morning and take your PCR test inside the airport. Once you've collected your bags, simply walk across to the Santiago Airport Holiday Inn where a comfy room awaits for you to rest after your overnight flight.

While this should be easy to book directly, if we arrange on your behalf we'll make sure that your room is available for check-in on arrival, and someone will escort you from baggage claim to the hotel.

Overnight at the Santiago Airport Holiday Inn

Mon, December 6 | Morning flight to Punta Arenas

After breakfast, walk back to the terminal for a morning flight to Punta Arenas. Of the various available options, the 8:50am-12:05pm direct flight LATAM is our current top recommendation.

Antarctica21 representatives will pick you up at the Punta Arenas airport on arrival for a transfer to the hotel for the beginning of the main trip.

TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Torres del Paine National Park is the jewel of southern Patagonia, and it's just a 3.5-4 hour drive away from Punta Arenas, where our Antarctic trip starts & ends. We've been there countless times (can vouch that it's worth it!), and would love to help you explore it. It's possible to fly in or out of Puerto Natales (PNT), a pretty Chilean town at the end of a fjord less than an hour away from the park that has direct flights to/from Santiago.

Though we've done it even faster in a pinch, we recommend allotting at least 3 nights for Torres del Paine to get a sense of the park. Time permitting, a 4th or 5th night may even be welcome as there is so much to do & appreciate.

The options below can be added to any of the Santiago/wine country options mentioned above, if going before Antarctica.

SAMPLE SCHEDULES:

Torres del Paine National Park BEFORE Antarctica

SAMPLE SCHEDULE with 3 NIGHTS allotted for Torres del Paine N.P.

(with one night in Santiago en route in this example)

Wed, December 1 | Depart US on overnight flight to Chile

Thu, December 2 | Arrive Santiago & relax for the day

Fri, December 3 | Fly to Puerto Natales & drive up to Torres del Paine NP

In the late morning, fly from Santiago direct to Puerto Natales (of the two available flights today, we recommend the 11:15am-2:29pm direct with LATAM). From here the drive up to the National Park is less than an hour, but the scenery en route is already spectacular so expect to make several photo stops and take your time en route. As you near the Park, herds of guanacos will likely start becoming a regular sight, a preview of the wonderful fauna you'll encounter in the days ahead.

Check-in to your hotel in the Park for the new few nights. Keep in mind the sun sets late this far south in December, close to 10pm, so there can even be post-dinner outing opportunities in beautiful late day light.

Overnight in/by Torres del Paine N.P. (see hotel options below)

Sat, December 4 | TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy a full day to explore glorious Torres del Paine National Park, choosing from a variety options ranging from scenic drives to some of the most special places in the Park, to optional nature walks or hikes with incredible vistas, and more. Depending on your particular interests & the day's weather conditions, this may be via two half-day outings, with lunch in between at the hotel, or with a full-day of exploration, taking a picnic lunch out to enjoy in nature. Your guide and/or the expert excursions team at the hotel will brief you the night before in order to make a final plan.

Overnight in/by Torres del Paine N.P.

Sun, December 5 | TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy a second full day to explore the national park, choosing from a variety of options including scenic drives, walks, hikes, and more.

*Depending on a few variables, we may offer you the option of spending this final overnight in Puerto Natales after a full day in the Park.

Overnight in/byTorres del Paine N.P. or in Puerto Natales

Mon, December 6 | Drive to Punta Arenas to start the trip

After breakfast, drive to Punta Arenas for the official beginning of the main trip.

ALTERNATIVES:

If you add a 4th night to Torres del Paine, the flight from Santiago to Puerto Natales would be on December 2. Flights depart earlier that day as you can see here.

The above is intended as a template to present the overall structure of the visit. If you are interested, let us know and we will prepare a personalized quote for you.

Torres del Paine National Park AFTER Antarctica:

SAMPLE SCHEDULE with 4 NIGHTS allotted for Torres del Paine N.P.

Mon, December 13 | Drive from Punta Arenas up to TORRES DEL PAINE

This morning drive up from Punta Arenas up to Torres del Paine National Park, checking out the cute town of Puerto Natales, enjoying lunch, and making various photo stops en route. As you near the Park, herds of guanacos will likely start becoming a regular sight, a preview of the wonderful fauna you'll encounter in the days ahead.

Check-in to your hotel in the Park for the new 4 nights. Keep in mind the sun sets late this far south in December, close to 10pm, so there may even be post-dinner outing opportunities in beautiful late day light.

Overnight in/by Torres del Paine N.P. (see hotel options below)

Tue, December 14 | TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Overnight in/by Torres del Paine N.P.

Wed, December 15 | TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy a second full day to explore the national park, choosing from a variety of options including scenic drives, walks, hikes, and more.

Overnight in/by Torres del Paine N.P.

Thu, December 16 | TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Make the most of a third full day to explore the national park, choosing from a variety of options including scenic drives, walks, hikes, and more.

Overnight in/by Torres del Paine N.P.

Fri, December 17 | AM options | PM Fly Puerto Natales to Santiago & onwards

Enjoy a final morning either at leisure or of final activities in the Park. Around midday, transfer back to Puerto Natales in time for the afternoon flight up to Santiago (of the two available flights today, we recommend the 3:03pm-6:06pm direct with LATAM). Late tonight, connect with international flights back home.

Sat, December 18 | Arrive home

ALTERNATIVES:

If you keep it to 3 nights in Torres del Paine, the flight from Puerto Natales to Santiago would be on December 16. Flights depart earlier that day as you can see here.
If you extend to 5 nights in Torres del Paine, the PNT-SCL flight would be on Dec 18, direct with LATAM 1:08pm-4:13pm (the one available that day).
- With 5 nights, we may recommend doing part of your stay in the western side of the park (at Lago Grey or Rio Serrano) and then the other part in the eastern side of the park (at Estancia Cerro Guido).

The above is intended as a template to present the overall structure of visiting Torres del Paine. If you are interested, let us know and we will prepare a personalized quote for you.

HOTEL OPTIONS:

(with photos)

Hotel Rio Serrano

One of our favorites, at the southern edge of the Park, great value, and with impressive views of the massif. We've had several groups stays here in the last decade and each has been fully satisfied with the experience.

Estancia Cerro Guido

Convenient access to “Pumaland” off the Park’s eastern entrance is what initially put Estancia Cerro Guido on the radar for us (for interested photographers before our December 2019 Antarctica trip)… but boy are we glad to have discovered this gem for way more than that. With its own spectacular views of the “Torres” and rest of the surrounding landscape, this estancia (functioning ranch) truly stands apart. It offers something the vast majority of accommodations in or around the park lack: intimacy + a living window into traditional Patagonian life.

On the estancia, you’ll find gauchos (the Patagonian equivalent of cowboys) shearing sheep, riding horses, and the like...carrying on the traditions of their forefathers: settlers that came north from Tierra del Fuego looking to expand their network of cattle ranches. Its beautifully restored farmhouses have been transformed into 12 supremely comfortable rooms. Nature walks directly from the estancia are available as well, with local flora & fauna as rich as inside the Park. Plus, the food is superb, with three-course meals using organic produce from the estancia's gardens, delicious lamb cooked in the traditional al palo style, and some of Chile’s finest wines served alongside.

Simple Patagonia (Puerto Natales)

Depending on a few variables, we may propose spending a final night in Puerto Natales, and this boutique hotel is our new favorite spot. Built & run by a Magellanic family that makes you feel at home, the space is intentionally reminiscent of the traditional farmsteads of the Chilean Patagonia countryside, which are known for their simplicity and open, comfortable spaces.

A SPECIAL OPTION

Of particular interest to photographers, but appreciated by all:

PUMA TRACKING in Torres del Paine

We've been doing this since 2018 and the experience is always exhilarating. Together with a very specialized local partner company that is serious about conservation—and whose experience & passion show—we primarily explore an area just east of the national park border that they discovered to be the only place in the world where pumas can be reliably spotted in the wild on over 90% of days.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse