From Desert to Glacier

An Immersive Journey Through Atacama & Patagonia

This immersive journey takes you to the breathtaking landscapes of the Atacama Desert and Patagonia National Park. Explore geysers, salt lagoons, and starry skies in the Atacama Desert, then hike, bike, and discover pristine wilderness in Patagonia, guided by expert explorers.

Your ten-day adventure begins in Santiago before heading to the Atacama Desert for three nights at Explora Atacama. Your days are filled exploring surreal landscapes. You can choose from guided hikes, bike rides, or horse riding excursions to salt flats, canyons, and volcanic terrains. Witness the geysers at sunrise, spot flamingos on turquoise lagoons, and experience the world-famous Atacama night skies on an unforgettable stargazing tour.

Next, fly south to Patagonia, where you’ll spend three nights at Explora Patagonia National Park, deep in one of the region’s most untouched wilderness areas. Daily guided excursions cater to all levels, from scenic lakeside hikes to more challenging treks through dramatic mountain landscapes.

Adventurers can also explore on mountain bikes, 4×4 vehicles, or even by boat. With expert guides leading the way, you’ll immerse yourself in Patagonia’s breathtaking scenery, from glacial valleys to vast grasslands teeming with wildlife. A final night back in Santiago concludes this unforgettable journey.

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KEY FACTS

PEAK TIME

November-March

PRICE

From £8,365 $10,790pp excl. flights

IDEAL LENGTH

10 days

FLIGHT TIME

14 hours 30 mins from London
10 hours 20 mins from NYC

CURRENCY

Chilean Peso

LANGUAGE

Spanish

Where you'll go

Santiago

Atacama Desert

Patagonia National Park

When to go

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DID YOU KNOW?

Patagonia National Park was once a massive sheep ranch before conservationists Kris and Doug Tompkins transformed it into a thriving wilderness, restoring native wildlife like guanacos, pumas, and the endangered huemul deer.

Itinerary Highlights

Explore the Atacama Desert

At Explora, you will spend your days with your expert guide exploring the diverse and beautiful landscapes surrounding Explora Atacama. You can choose to explore by horse, bike, or foot, each offering its own perspective of the natural beauty. Chat with the hotel’s guides each evening to discuss which excursions you would like to do each day.

Don’t miss an early morning start to see the Atacama geysers at sunrise or view the flamingos on the incredibly turquoise salt lagoons. We also recommend a trip out after dark as this area is renowned for its star gazing opportunities. We have honestly never seen anything quite like it.

Stargazing in the Atacama Desert

This evening begins with a briefing on basic concepts under the open sky. You’ll learn about orientation, distances, and local culture beneath one of the world’s clearest skies. At Explora’s observatory, you’ll get the chance to observe stellar objects in the solar system and deep space.

Atacama’s night skies are a breathtaking spectacle. As night falls, you’ll witness the infinite power of the Milky Way, or Celestial River, as it’s known in Atacama.

Visit Tatio Geysers at Sunrise

You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Tatio Geysers, where you can admire the rich fauna of the Andean Plateau, including vicuñas, flamingos, foxes, and more. As you walk through the reserve, you’ll feel the land’s inner activity while taking in stunning views of the Andes Mountain Range and the steaming hot springs.

High Mountain Treks

The lodge offers a variety of hiking options including taking a van up to the altiplano of the Andes Mountain Range. At the base of the active Láscar volcano, you will begin your ascent through a soft terrain and gradually climb. At the summit, you’ll have a wide view of different volcanoes and the Salar de Atacama basin.

Discover Patagonia National Park

Explora has a team of enthusiastic guides who will meet up with you every evening to discuss the options for the following day. Most excursions are organised as a full day with a packed lunch taken. The best excursions are within Patagonia National Park and start and end at the lodge. All hikes are rated so perhaps start with an easy one such as Laguna Cisnes or a moderate one such as Laguna Escondida or Lago Chico and you can evaluate with your guide if you want to take on a more hardcore advanced route such as Lagunas Altas.

The lodge also has excellent mountain bikes, both traditional ones and electric. The full-day advanced rides such as El Furioso probably would be worth considering doing with an electric bike but, as with the hikes, perhaps start with an easy one on a traditional bike and take on a moderate or advanced route, selecting an electric or traditional bike based on your experience.

If you opt for a half-day excursion, lunch is enjoyed at the lodge.

Hikes & Biking Options in the Chacabuco Valley

Nestled among majestic, multicoloured mountains, the Chacabuco Valley stretches east to west, shaped over millennia by geological forces and glaciers. Now a Patagonian steppe, it hosts roaming guanacos, prowling pumas, and soaring condors.

Once home to ancient hunter-gatherers and later vast livestock herds, the valley reflects a history of coexistence between man and nature. Today, its trails invite explorers to uncover a legacy of transformation, resilience, and conservation.

Activities on the Water

Water is the source of all life. Glaciers, erosion, and rivers like the Cochrane and Baker have sculpted a landscape rich in biodiversity.

Evergreen forests, Magellanic woodpeckers, fungal networks, and the elusive huemul thrive here. Explore glacier-fed rivers, turquoise lakes, and wetlands that sustain this intricate web of life.

Explora’s excursions include boat trips, fly fishing & overland journeys.

Itinerary Highlights

Our tailor-made journeys include

  • A dedicated Destination Expert who will curate your itinerary from scratch, tailoring it to your preferences + interests
  • Private + extraordinary under-the-radar experiences
  • Access to the very best guides + experts to bring the destination to life
  • Private international airport transfers in destination
  • The MyCazLoyd app to view your itinerary offline anywhere, anytime
  • 24/7 support whilst travelling
  • ATOL protection to give you total peace of mind

Let us plan your perfect trip to Chile + Argentina

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Karen Chapman
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