Chile road trip: Santiago to Torres del Paine
Explore Chile's diverse landscapes across 17 key destinations spanning from Santiago to Patagonia. This route covers iconic sites including Easter Island's Moai statues, the Atacama Desert's otherworldly terrain, the Lake District's volcanic peaks, and the dramatic Torres del Paine in the south, showcasing South America's most varied geography.
- Distance
- 8196.4 km
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Santiago Capital
- End
- Parinacota Volcano
- Stops
- 14
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Santiago Capital — Capital of Chile, founded in 1541, home to ~40% of population and major urban landmarks
- Atacama Desert — Earth's driest non-polar desert featuring otherworldly landscapes, salt flats, and vibrant mineral-colored mountains that attract astronomers and adventurers worldwide.
- Atacama's Coast
- Chile's Lake District
- Carretera Austral — One of South America's most incredible drives through Patagonia from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins (26+ hours)
- Marble Caves — Fascinating geological formations on turquoise Lake General Carrera, accessible by kayak from Puerto Río Tranquilo
- Torres del Paine — One of Chile's most famous destinations with striking granite peaks and lakes
- Cerro San Cristóbal Hill — Hill overlooking Santiago with gondola access to the summit
- El Yeso Reservoir — Large reservoir in the Andes Mountains, approximately 2 hours drive from Santiago
- San Pedro de Atacama Town — Gateway town to Atacama Desert attractions, accessible from Calama airport
- Valley of the Moon — Popular Atacama Desert landscape located minutes outside San Pedro de Atacama
- Piedras Rojas Rock Formation — Unique rock formation body of water at 12,000+ feet elevation, ~2 hours from San Pedro
- Lauca National Park — Northern Chile national park with multiple lakes and Parinacota volcano backdrop
- Parinacota Volcano — Active volcano backdrop near Lauca National Park at approximately 15,000 ft elevation
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Easter Island can only be accessed by a 5.5-hour flight from Santiago
- Transport
- El Yeso Reservoir is about a 2-hour drive from Santiago in the Andes Mountains
- Timing
- Valley of the Moon is best visited during sunrise or sunset for incredible views
- Transport
- Piedras Rojas is located about 2 hours drive from San Pedro de Atacama town
- Transport
- Lauca National Park requires flying into Arica and then a 3-hour drive to reach it
- Tip
- Ojos del Salado volcano takes 8 to 15 days to summit due to harsh weather and need for acclimatization
- Transport
- Ojos del Salado can be reached by flying into Copiapo airport and a 3-hour drive
- Transport
- Conguillio National Park is about a 2-hour drive from Temuco in the Lake District
- Transport
- Carretera Austral is at least a 26-hour drive from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins with many unpaved road sections
- Tip
- Marble Caves are best experienced by boat or kayak tour from Puerto Rio Tranquilo
- Save money
- Torres del Paine National Park entry costs $55 per person for a 3-day pass
- Transport
- Torres del Paine is reached by flying into Punta Arenas and then a 4-hour drive
Video on this route
Top 10 Places To Visit in Chile - Travel Guide