After check-in, there are no fixed activities. If energy allows, a short walk nearby is a good introduction. Lastarria, Providencia or Bellavista are useful starting points without requiring a full programme of sightseeing immediately after the flight. In clear weather, the Andes rise above the rooftops and provide a first sense of Chile’s geography.

From there, the tour continues through parks, cultural districts and more modern parts of the city. A viewpoint shows how Santiago sits between the coastal mountains and the Andes. The itinerary allows time for lunch and unhurried walks, enabling the older neighbourhoods, parks and modern city to form one coherent picture.

The walk continues through Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, with stairs, painted façades, small squares and views across the bay. Historic funiculars are used where they are operating. The aim is not to collect every viewpoint but to understand how the port, hills and dense residential neighbourhoods have grown together. The journey returns to Santiago in the late afternoon.

Departure is adapted to the next flight or onward road journey. Depending on the time, there may be room for a quiet morning, a walk or lunch before the transfer departs.

The transfer goes to the airport for the flight to San Pedro de Atacama. After landing, a transfer continues to the accommodation.

From Calama, the transfer crosses an open plateau towards San Pedro de Atacama. The mining landscape around the city is left behind and volcanoes begin to rise along the horizon.

Laguna Chaxa offers an opportunity to see flamingos and other birds in an extremely saline wetland. Higher up, lakes such as Miscanti and Miñiques lie among volcanoes and dry slopes.

The exact route depends on weather, road conditions and current regulations. Altitude increases significantly during the day, so visits are shorter and time at the highest locations is limited.

On the high plateau, the steam columns are most visible when the cold morning air meets the geothermal field. Temperatures can be far lower than in San Pedro, even during the warmer season.

After returning, there is time to rest. Later in the day, a lower desert valley or an evening astronomy excursion may fit if conditions are good. The night sky can be exceptional, but cloud and moonlight determine whether the evening is suitable for observation.

The free time can be used for a shorter hike, archaeological sites, bathing in hot springs or another excursion to lagoons and desert landscapes not covered during previous days. Part of the day can also be left completely unplanned.

In Atacama, altitude, wind and temperature affect how much feels reasonable. An open day makes it easier to adapt the programme to both weather and the need for rest.

The transfer crosses the desert back to Calama. The transfer takes time and departure is planned with plenty of time before the flight.

The flight south uses the best available connection, normally via Santiago.

After the flight or road journey, the route continues towards Puerto Natales or accommodation closer to Torres del Paine. Distances are considerable, and the steppe, lakes and low shrubland are already visible on the way into the region.

The route moves between Lakes Nordenskjöld and Pehoé, waterfalls and open steppe where guanacos are often seen. A naturalist guide makes it easier to notice birds and understand how wildlife uses the wind-exposed landscape. The order of stops changes with weather and light, since the same view can be hidden in cloud in the morning and completely clear two hours later.

Depending on season and booking, viewpoints and walking can be combined with a boat trip. A more active alternative may use other trails in the park. The exact route is chosen only after the weather forecast, wind conditions and individual fitness have been considered together. Patagonia is rarely improved by sticking rigidly to a plan that conditions do not support.

In good conditions, a longer hike can be chosen, while an estancia, shorter nature walk or another day in the park’s western areas may work better in strong wind.

The day can also serve as a reserve if an earlier excursion had to be moved. That flexibility is valuable in a region where cloud, wind and precipitation can change conditions quickly.

Distances require time, and departure is planned with plenty of time for weather and road conditions.

From Patagonia, the flight continues towards Santiago and the international journey home. Exact times and connections are shown in the final itinerary.

Arrival in Scandinavia after the overnight flight.