Chile Wilderness Escape
17 Days from £7,464 pp
Our Chile Wilderness Escape is a 17-day tailor-made journey into some of Chile’s wildest and least-visited places: the forests and glaciers of the Aysén region, the Marble Caves of General Carrera Lake, the island of Chiloé, and puma country at Estancia Cerro Guido in Torres del Paine. Prices start from £7,464 per person, including hand-picked lodges, flights within Chile, transfers and guided excursions, with all meals and activities included at Cerro Guido. A perfect fit for travellers who want real wilderness, with comfortable places to come back to each evening.
Trip Highlights
- Explore the Marble Caves on General Carrera Lake by boat or kayak
- Hike in Cerro Castillo National Park, deep in the Aysén region
- Stay in a stilt house on Chiloé and meet the island’s farming families
- Join puma trackers on a conservation safari at Estancia Cerro Guido
Our Expert Tip
”For a more immersive experience, explore the marble caves by kayak and get even closer to the marble formations”
Scarlett, Chile Expert
Chile Wilderness Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1: Santiago
Arrive in Santiago and check in to Rugendas Hotel Boutique in Las Condes for your first night. Take it easy after the long flight or, if you have the energy, ask us to arrange a guided walk or a food tour for a first taste of the city.
Day 2-3: Coyhaique
A flight south to Balmaceda brings you to Coyhaique, the small capital of the Aysén region, where you’ll stay two nights at Raíces Bed & Breakfast. Aysén is one of the least populated corners of Chile, and you’ll feel it the next day in Cerro Castillo National Park, hiking with a local guide through southern beech forest to the turquoise lagoon beneath the mountain’s jagged, castle-like spires.
Day 4-7: Lake General Carrera
Head south along the Carretera Austral to the shores of General Carrera Lake, stopping for a private boat trip into the Marble Caves, where wave-carved marble glows blue and white in the reflections (or kayak in, as Scarlett suggests).
Your base for four nights is Mallín Colorado Ecolodge, a small family-run lodge in its own private reserve above the lake. From here, explore at your own pace: a day trip towards the San Rafael Lagoon and its glacier, the wide valleys of Patagonia National Park, or rafting on the Baker River.
Day 8: Puerto Varas
Fly north to Puerto Montt and transfer to Puerto Varas for a single night at Hotel Cabaña del Lago, on the shore of Lake Llanquihue. It’s a gentle pause between Patagonia and Chiloé: stroll the lakefront, try the town’s German-style kuchen, and watch the sun go down behind Osorno Volcano.
Day 9-11: Chiloè
A short ferry across the Chacao Channel brings you to Chiloé, an island of wooden churches, misty coastlines and folklore all its own. Three nights at Palafito 1326 in Castro put you in one of the town’s famous stilt houses, right over the water.
With a local guide, visit coastal wetlands full of birdlife, fishing villages and one of the island’s UNESCO-listed churches; spend time with a farming family, hearing about water mills, fishing corrals and the myths still told around the stove; and join a chef for a meal built on Chiloé’s produce. Leave a day free to explore Castro’s market and waterfront.
Day 12-15: Torres del Paine
Fly south to Puerto Natales for four all-inclusive nights at Estancia Cerro Guido, a working sheep estancia on the edge of Torres del Paine. Each day brings a new choice of guided outings: ride out across the steppe with the estancia’s gauchos, walk to viewpoints over the Paine Massif, or learn how sheep farming here has changed over the past century.
The highlight is a conservation safari with the Cerro Guido Foundation’s puma trackers, which gives you a real chance of seeing one of these elusive cats.
Day 16-17: Santiago
Fly back to Santiago for a final night at Rugendas Hotel Boutique. Spend your last afternoon at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, browsing the Mercado Central, or toasting your trip at one of the city’s excellent restaurants.
When to Go
Best time for a Chile wilderness holiday
The best time for this trip is November to March, when the Aysén region’s roads and lodges are fully open, the days are long and Torres del Paine is at its mildest. Chiloé can be visited all year, though it’s famously rainy, so pack a waterproof whatever the season. December to February is busiest, so book Estancia Cerro Guido early. Ask us which month suits you best.
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to
Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
