Some of Our Chile Holiday Ideas
Discover our holidays in Chile, from a trip exploring the beautiful lakes, arid desert and the remote Easter Island to an adventure which traverses throughout the rugged wilderness of the south.

Chile - Lakes, Desert & Easter Island
From cloudless skies over the desert plains in the north to the active volcanoes of the Lake District and the wine lodge...
15 nights from £5,995 p/p

Chile - North to South
This two week private itinerary explores Chile's natural wonders, spanning the entire country, and includes a cruise thr...
14 nights from £6,995 p/p

Highlights of Chile - Atacama Desert to Torres del Paine
This holiday through Chile's main highlights travels the length of the country, from the high Andean Atacama Desert in t...
13 nights from £6,165 p/p
Rainbow Chile Specialist
Kristen's review
Chile is a country with everything. The changing landscapes of the Atacama Desert in the north will leave you speechless, while giving you plenty to see – desolate wilderness, vast salt flats, colourful lagoons and active geysers are just but a few. You can spend a few days relaxing in the centre of the country, Santiago and the surrounding vineyards, taking in the mesmerising views over a few glasses of wine. Further south, the Lake District combines the adventures of hiking and white water rafting with beautiful landscapes and an intriguing history. Patagonia and Torres del Paine are my favourite part, where the Andes meet the glaciers of the south, ending with one of the best hiking spots in South America.
Kristen's Top Tips
- Spend time stargazing while in the Atacama Desert and enjoy some of the clearest skies in the world
- The best way to enjoy Torres del Paine is on foot – my favourite hike was the one up to the Torres themselves
- Take time to explore the vibrant streets of Valparaiso if you can, making sure to stop at Pablo Neruda's house
Kristen Lanskail-Morris
Travel Specialist
Best Time To Visit Chile
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Quick Country Facts
Time Zone:GMT -4 hours
Capital:Santiago
Currency:Chilean Peso
Why visit Chile?
Home to the vast Atacama Desert and a diverse slice of Patagonia, Chile's landscape won't fail to inspire you. From glistening glaciers to rocky dunes and bejewelled vineyards, be sure to give this glorious country the attention it deserves. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, remote Easter Island is on many traveller's bucket lists, a place where you can witness the mysterious Moai statues. The bustling cities of Santiago and bohemian Valparaiso, meanwhile, are well worth a visit as are the exceptional vineyards in the Central Valley – host to some of the world's best wines!
Kristen Lanskail-Morris
Travel Specialist
What adventure holidays can I do in Chile?
A breadth of extraordinary landscapes lends well for unforgettable Chile adventure holidays.
The country is one of the top destinations for outdoor activities. Whether you’re expedition cruising through the fjords, hiking mountain trails or exploring the vast salt flats, Chile tours don't disappoint in the slightest.
Chilean Patagonia
One region in particular to note is the Chilean Patagonia. In the south of the country, visitors are drawn to the iconic Torres del Paine National Park, often considered the country's and possibly the continent’s most spectacular. Impressive granite pillars reach for the heavens while immense glaciers calve into vivid blue and turquoise lakes. It’s the perfect outdoor adventure for keen hikers looking for walking holidays in Chile.
Atacama Desert
Harbouring some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world, Atacama Desert is a stark contrast to the lush south. This is the driest place on earth and home to some truly unique travel experiences. From the town of San Pedro de Atacama, you can explore vivid red desert landscapes and Altiplanic lagoons, roam vast expanses of salt flats, watch explosive geysers erupt and discover the Valley of the Moon.
To experience some of Chile's natural wonders, like the Atacama Desert, our Chilean North to South holiday takes you across the entire country. Prices start from £6,995 per person for 14 nights.
Is Chile a good destination for a family holiday?
With a mix of breathtaking natural regions to explore, an engrossing history for you to delve into and thrilling wilderness activities to experience, Chile is an excellent family holiday destination.
Chile family holidays offer a little something for everyone to take part in and enjoy.
Easter Island
For example, Easter Island makes a great addition to family holidays to Chile. Referred to locally as Rapa Nui, this tiny remote dot in the middle of the Pacific is well-known for its monumental statues – the Moai. Children will love learning about and seeing these gargantuan figures. There are a thousand or so scattered about the island, which range in height from three-to-twelve metres and weigh more than 50,000 kilograms.
To see the iconic sculptures, our Chilean Lakes, Desert & Easter Island holiday takes you to the island in addition to the Atacama Desert and Lake District. Prices start from £5,995 per person for 15 nights.
Our holidays to Chile can be entirely tailor-made to your liking. All of the itineraries we offer act as outlines and suggestions for what you could possibly do. So, speak with our Latin America Travel Specialists and we can design an experience that suits you and your whole family.
How do I plan a holiday to Chile from the UK?
Research is key to planning holidays to Chile from the UK.
A few things to note are:
- British citizens don't require a visa to enter Chile.
- There are no compulsory vaccinations required to enter Chile.
- The Chilean Peso is the local currency, and US Dollars are widely accepted.
- Chilean cuisine is delicious; try out dishes like the traditional pastel de choclo.
- Water is often safe to drink but bring bottled water to avoid the risk of an upset stomach.
You can also do Chile self-drive holidays. This allows you to discover some of the lesser-visited areas of the country, such as Northern Patagonia. There are also some more off-the-beaten-track areas in the Lake District, and some further afield wine valleys around Colchagua that are great to explore independently with your own vehicle. The small town of Puerto Varas – the starting point for the spectacular Andean lake crossing into Argentina – is a fantastic base for more time to explore. Aysén, meanwhile, allows you to experience the stunning Carretera Austral scenery, cutting through the various fjords and glaciers that line the region.
Refer to our Chile Travel Guide for more useful tips on how to plan Chile holidays from the UK.
Can I book a tailor-made holiday to Chile?
You can book tailor-made holidays to Chile with Rainbow.
Chile covers a territorial area of 756,626 km², just over three times the size of the UK. On an 11- or 15-day trip, there's a lot you can see and do. But with extra time here, you can further appreciate the country's natural wonders and vibrant culture that little bit more. Not only that, but you may have a priority of things you may wish to experience. With custom-made holidays to Chile, you can fully plan everything.
Torres del Paine
A key highlight on the majority of Chile bespoke holidays, Torres del Paine National Park is a haven for nature enthusiasts. You can explore the national park with an expert team of puma trackers. Exploring the landscape camera in hand, your guides take you through the terrain, pointing out its pristine flora and fauna, in the hope of spotting Patagonia’s most elusive big cat on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Search for pumas and discover Torres del Paine's pristine wilderness on our Highlights of Chile holiday, travelling the length of the country north to south. Prices start from £6,165 per person for 13 nights.
Does Rainbow offer luxury holidays to Chile?
Our Chile in Luxury holiday takes in four essential highlights, including the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert and the dramatic Torres del Paine. Prices start from £6,595 per person for 12 nights.
Santiago
Santiago is another destination for luxury holidays to Chile. The capital city is nestled between the Pacific Coast and snow-capped Andes, home to colonial architecture and sparkling skyscrapers, leafy plazas and a buzzing arts scene. On your Chile trip, you can spend time in the historic centre learning about main places of interest such as Government Palace (Palacio de la Moneda) on a guided tour.
Chilean Winelands
Chilean Winelands is perfect for luxury Chile holidays. The wine region is made up of many verdant valleys, like Colchagua Valley, Maipo Valley and Elqui Valley. As well as learning about the intricate wine making process, you get a delicious opportunity to sample the final products. Just imagine savouring a potent cabernet sauvignon or chardonnay, surrounded by lush vineyards in the Chilean sunshine.
What Our Clients Say
Everything was amazingly well organised and the itinerary was perfect. The choice of hotels was excellent and we enjoyed every excursion. Your agency on the ground was so helpful. We look forward to our next Rainbow holiday.
Thank you for putting together such a great holiday for us. We had a fantastic time, no low lights, loved it all. Horse riding in the Andes was magical. Alpasion - all I can say is WOW. Thanks again. .
Will certainly recommend your company to our friends. Thank you Rainbow Tours and all your staff for a memorable trip to South America. We have over 2,000 photos after several deletions!! Well done. .
Throughly enjoyed the whole experience. Naila took on board all of my requirements and fears and put together a good package. .
A big thank you to all concerned with the most excellent arrangements for this adventure.
John Stanley who advised & booked this tour for us at Rainbow Tours was excellent!
Even better than we dare dreamed. Thank you Sarah, you did a great job in tailoring our holiday needs.
Can understand why this was voted the best hotel in Chile. Wonderful service, interesting building, fantastic views and food. The organised trips were excellent too. . All in all a very memorable trip with many highlights and it certainly helped that your company knows so much about Latin America. .
We really appreciated the officient service and personal care (at the booking stage). Chile is a wonderful country with deserts, lakes, mountains, glaciers and volcanoes. There was a 'wow' factor every day. A memorable and hugely enjoyable trip. Many thanks!
Malcolm did an amazing job for us. Very knowledgeable, tuned in exactly to our needs, good communicator, first hand experience of hotels/area, very attentive. He put together the ideal high quality holiday and I will be emailing to thank him personally.
We throughly enjoyed our time in Chile and Costa Rica and overall had a tremendous time. The lamb lunch on the Serrano Glacier was superb.
Every step of a complicated tour could not have been bettered. Arrangements in Chile and Argentina were beautifully handled by the local guides. Thank you Rainbow Tours.
Looking for inspiration?
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