Secret coasts and rural landscapes of Chile’s northern Patagonia

Day 1 - Day of arrival

On arrival in Santiago, you will be met and transferred to Magnolia Hotel, a characterful boutique hotel set within a sensitively restored 20th-century mansion in the historic heart of the city. The property combines original architectural features with contemporary design, offering comfortable rooms, a small wellness area and a choice of dining options.

Close by is Cerro Santa Lucía, the hill where Santiago was founded in 1541, offering an excellent orientation of the city with wide-reaching views across the capital to the Andes beyond. This afternoon, take time to explore your surroundings on foot. The historic centre and the Lastarria district, renowned for its galleries, cafés and relaxed atmosphere, are within easy reach.

Overnight at the Magnolia Hotel, Santiago.

Santiago, Chile

Day 2 - Santiago

This morning, you will be met by your private guide and driver for a half-day exploration of Santiago, Chile’s capital set beneath the snow-capped Andes. Founded in 1541 and now the country’s political, cultural and economic centre, Santiago presents a compelling contrast between colonial heritage and modern development, with historic buildings sitting alongside a contemporary skyline.

Your tour begins in the historic centre at the Plaza de la Constitución and the Presidential Palace, La Moneda, before continuing to the Plaza de Armas—considered the heart of the city and surrounded by landmark buildings including the cathedral and former post office. Nearby, the Central Market offers insight into daily life, while districts such as Lastarria and Bellavista introduce a more creative side, where galleries, cafés and tree-lined streets reflect Santiago’s evolving cultural identity. The experience is rounded out with a drive through Providencia, Vitacura and Las Condes, showcasing the capital’s more contemporary neighbourhoods.

With its proximity to both the Andes and the Pacific coast, Santiago is also ideally placed for exploring Chile’s renowned wine regions. This afternoon, we can organise an (optional) to visit Matetic Vineyard in the Rosario Valley for you, where a relaxed lunch and wine tasting provide an introduction to the country’s biodynamic winemaking and coastal terroir. Overnight at the Magnolia Hotel, Santiago.

Santiago, Chile

Day 3 - Chiloe Island

Transfer to Santiago Airport for your flight south to Puerto Montt, the gateway to Chile’s Northern Patagonia.

Set apart from mainland Chile, your destination is Chiloe island renowned for its rich folklore, traditional way of life and enduring connection to the land and ocean. Fishing, small-scale farming and craftsmanship remain central to daily life, and this is reflected in the island’s cuisine - based on seafood, potatoes and local produce - architecture and customs. The coastline is rugged and ever-changing, marked by open bays, quiet coves and tidal inlets, while inland, rolling farmland and temperate rainforest create a varied and often dramatic landscape.

Overnight at the Refugia Chiloe, a lodge that perfectly reflects Sunvil’s ethos: immersive, low-impact and deeply connected to its surroundings. Your first evening includes a cocktail lesson where you will have the opportunity to learn about the local ingredients and sample the Ulmo Sour, a unique drink of Chilean pisco and local Ulmo honey.

Castro, Chiloe Island, Chile

Day 4-7 - Chiloe Island

Refugia Chiloe is perfectly situation to offer an introduction to the island from which it takes its name, combining comfort with a strong sense of place. Set overlooking the Pullao wetlands, the lodge has been designed to reflect local architectural traditions and to blend into its natural surroundings. Accommodation is offered on a Full Board basis, including an open bar with local wines and spirits, whilst each day an excursion programme offers a choice of guided experiences - either a full day or two half days - led by knowledgeable local guides who help to bring the island’s landscapes and traditions to life.

Chiloe is best known for its wooden churches, many of them UNESCO-listed, built entirely from native timber and reflecting a fusion of indigenous craftsmanship and Jesuit missionary influence. Across the archipelago, colourful palafitos (houses on stilts), small fishing communities and local markets await, reinforcing the sense that the island is a place where culture is lived rather than simply observed.

Excursions from the lodge are designed to reflect both the natural and cultural aspects of Chiloe, placing you amongst the locals and amidst dramatic and awe-inspiring scenery. You may choose to kayak to Rilan in search of birdlife and marine wildlife, travel to Quinchao Island to visit historic churches and meet local producers or explore the capital, Castro. Boat journeys to smaller islands such as Chelin and Quehui reveal quieter communities and sheltered waterways, while walks through temperate rainforest and time spent around the lodge’s own grounds provide further contrast. Overnight at Refugia Chiloe, Chiloe (Full Board).

Refugia Chiloe, Chile

Day 8 - Northern Patagonia Lake District

After breakfast, transfer by ferry and private driver to Futangue Hotel and Spa. Passing through Puerto Varas, Llanquihue and Osorno, the journey itself is an integral part of the experience, showcasing a quieter, more pastoral side of southern Chile. The journey will take c.5-6 hours.

Overnight at the Futangue Hotel and Spa, Lake Ranco (Full Board)

Lake District, Chile

Day 9-10 - The Lake District

A three night stay at Futangue Hotel and Spa offers a rare opportunity to explore northern Patagonia at your own pace, combining access to vast wilderness with understated comfort. Set within a private reserve on the shores of Lake Ranco, the property takes its name from the Huilliche word for “large canyon”, a fitting description for the dramatic, surrounding valley shaped by rivers, forest and volcanic activity.

During your stay, a wide range of guided and independent activities allows you to connect with this environment in different ways. Walking and hiking trails lead through native forest, while kayaking and boating offer a different perspective on the region’s lakes and rivers. Opportunities for horse riding, mountain biking and e-biking across landscapes such as the lava fields of Piedras Quemadas sit alongside more tranquil pursuits, including fly fishing or time spent in the hotel’s spa and natural hot springs.

Overnight at the Futangue Hotel and Spa, Lake Ranco.

Lake District, Chile

Day 11 - Return to Santiago

Transfer to Osorno Airport for your flight back to Santiago.

On arrival, transfer to the Magnolia Hotel for a final evening at leisure.

Overnight at the Magnolia Hotel in Santiago.

Day 11 - Day of departure

Departure transfer to Santiago Airport for your return flight to the UK.

Plane