In Two Weeks

Travelers with 2 weeks will be able to see Chile's highlights without feeling like they've got to squeeze everything on a tight schedule. That said, if attempting to visit multiple long-distance destinations, you'll spend a lot of time traveling and little time actually visiting. The following itinerary is geared toward both the adventurous traveler and the low-key traveler. All destinations listed offer something for everyone, or low-key travelers might consider following the 1-week itinerary described above and combining it with a visit to Patagonia, San Pedro de Atacama, or Easter Island. The following itinerary includes Patagonia, the Lake District, and the Atacama, but the Atacama could easily be replaced with a 4-day journey to Easter Island. Easter Island does not offer arduous trekking, but it does claim some of the best scuba diving in the world, has powerful waves to surf and mountain biking. Another option for this itinerary is to skip the Lake District and spend more time in the Atacama and Patagonia. This "classic" itinerary takes you to Chile's extremes, in terms of distance, culture, and landscapes.

Day 1: Santiago

Arrive and get settled in Santiago. Chances are your flight arrived early in the morning; once you've rested and freshened up, head to Cerro San Cristobal and its Metropolitan Park for sweeping views of the city and to get your bearings. Afterward, pay a visit to La Chascona, the former home of Pablo Neruda and now a museum. Head to the Mercado Central for a typical Chilean seafood lunch and watch fishmongers shuck and fillet. Once refueled, walk to the Plaza de Armas and visit one museum, and the Presidential Palace at Plaza Constitucion. Walk to Parque Forestal and grab a coffee at Café Mosqueto or a late afternoon cocktail at Catedral. Later that evening, order a frosty pisco sour and dine on traditional Chilean bistro food at Bar Liguria.

Days 2, 3 & 4: San Pedro de Atacama

Start your 2-week holiday in the north, at the eerily beautiful San Pedro de Atacama. Take an early-morning, 2-hour flight to Calama, then 1 hour to San Pedro by vehicle. Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon getting to know the artsy colonial town, or rent a bike and pedal out to the Quitor de Pukará. During the next 2 days, you can take your pick from a host of tranquil activities: visiting the archaeological ruins of Tulor and touring the town's outstanding archaeological museum; heading up to the high-altitude geysers at El Tatio and finishing at the Puritama Hot Springs; playing on the sand dune at the Valle de la Luna; or floating on salty water at Laguna Sejar. Adventure lovers can mountain bike or horseback ride in the Valle de la Muerte, join a 4X4 trip up to the high-altitude lakes Meñique and Miscanti, or even climb a high-altitude volcano (this must be done on the fourth day, in order to acclimatize beforehand).

Day 5: Punta Arenas

You'll need to climb aboard an early-morning flight out of Calama to Punta Arenas; it's more or less 7 hours travel time, but you'll get in early enough to tour the sights in this far-flung city. Waddle on out to the Seno Otway penguin colony -- they're most active between 5 and 7pm. Dine on king crab at Remezón restaurant.

Days 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10: Torres del Paine

Leave early the following morning for Chile's star attraction, Torres del Paine National Park; the contrast between this southern park and the Atacama is striking. As a traveler, you have three lodging options: lodge in Puerto Natales and take day trips to the park, enjoying town life at night; lodge at one of the park's hotels and take day hikes; or camping and hiking the W trail (you'll need to be a fit hiker to complete the W trail). During these 3 days, you'll want to hike to the Towers (or horseback ride with local gauchos if you're not in shape for hiking), walk to the French Valley, and hike or ride a ferry to Glacier Grey. With such a tight schedule, if you're planning to hike the W trail, bring your own camping equipment to save on time, or bunk in the park's series of refugios, or backcountry cabins.

Days 11, 12 & 13: Puerto Varas or Pucón

Many flights from Punta Arenas to Santiago stop in Puerto Varas (Puerto Montt airport) and Pucón (Temuco airport) -- why not take advantage of this stopover and break your trip up? Both towns are virtually identical in terms of activities, and both boast a backdrop of a perfectly conical volcano and are surrounded by lush, temperate rainforest. Spend your last days recuperating from trekking in Torres del Paine at the lakeshore beach, soaking in the hot springs, and visiting one of the regional spas. Or, keep the action going with a climb to the top of the smoking Volcán Villarrica or Volcán Osorno; fly-fish, raft, or kayak a Class II or Class IV river; hike to the top of a forested peak; zip through the trees on a canopy line; and more.

Day 14: Santiago

Plan your last-day flight to connect with your outbound flight from Santiago back home. If you can get an afternoon flight, spend your last day shopping for souvenirs for family and friends.