Three days in Santiago with a day in Valparaíso, then a flight north to San Pedro de Atacama for the Valle de la Luna, the high lagoons and the Tatio Geysers.
7 days, 39 stopsBalanced paceNov to MarApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: La Moneda, Plaza de Armas and Lastarria
The government palace, the main square, pre-Columbian art, a market lunch, a hilltop garden and dinner in Lastarria.
Check the weekday. Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is closed on Mondays. National Museum of Fine Arts is closed on Mondays.
1
9:30 AMLa Moneda PalaceSee the palace from the square in front, then look into the cultural center below, whose heritage galleries are free.About 30 min here
Free to view from outside
Walk along Paseo Bandera, about 12 min
2
10:15 AMPlaza de ArmasWalk around the square past the cathedral, the old post office and the National History Museum.About 15 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 5 min
3
10:30 AMChilean Museum of Pre-Columbian ArtClosed Mondays; open 9 AM to 4 PM. Allow about 90 min for the two permanent exhibitions.About 1 hour 30 min here
Foreign visitors: CLP 8,000 (about $8) · Pay at the door
12:15 PMMercado CentralEat seafood or empanadas at the market counters, then browse the fruit and handicraft stalls.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 12 min
5
1:45 PMOptionalNational Museum of Fine ArtsEntry is free, Tuesday to Sunday until 6:30 PM. Give it about an hour for Chilean art.About 1 hour 15 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 8 min
6
3:15 PMCerro Santa LucíaClimb the paths and stairways to the lookouts, then try a mote con huesillo, a typical Chilean drink.About 2 hours 45 min here
Check access at the gate
Walk about 6 min
7
6:00 PMBarrio LastarriaPick a café, pub or restaurant on the cobbled streets for dinner, from Chilean dishes to international menus.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Book these aheadValle de la Luna (day 4), Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons (day 5): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
Plan around MondaysSeveral museums, Neruda's houses and the cable car close on Mondays, so avoid starting this plan on a Monday.
Acclimatize before going highSan Pedro sits at about 2,400 m and the geysers above 4,300 m. Drink water, rest on arrival and skip alcohol the first night.
Book desert tickets earlyBuy Valle de la Luna and Miscanti tickets online days ahead, as visitor numbers are limited.
Carry Chilean pesosMany of Valparaíso's elevators do not take cards, and card signals can be unreliable in the desert.
Pack for two climatesBring layers for the sea breeze in Valparaíso and for freezing desert nights, plus a hat and strong sunscreen.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay in Providencia or Lastarria in Santiago, then in the town of San Pedro de Atacama, where the desert tours pick up.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
Plan last checked Nov 7, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.
