CHILE
Antarctica Pre-Trip Extensions + Worthy Experiences on Their Own
Make the most of your time down south
Flying instead of sailing the Drake Passage saves you four days—why not spend them exploring one of South America's most spectacular countries?
Local expertise you can trust
Open Sky's owner Alex Ros grew up in Chile and has led trips there since 2004. These particular experiences have been fined tuned as seamless add-ons to our Antarctica trips over the last 6 years.
Check out one of the proposed extensions below, which we can provide you a detailed quote on upon request.
It may be possible to join other travelers in our group going to Antarctica on one of these, if you're open to that—or, travel privately in Chile before Antarctica.
We can also tailor these proposed itineraries, adjusting the # of days and activities in each place to your particular interests and available time to explore.
PATAGONIA
1 week via Santiago | Puerto Natales | Torres Del Paine
Explore the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia, home to Torres del Paine National Park’s glacial valleys, rugged peaks, and diverse wildlife. This journey offers expertly guided excursions tailored to your interests, including scenic drives, nature walks, and opportunities for wildlife tracking. With seamless logistics and carefully selected accommodations, this trip provides an in-depth exploration of Patagonia’s most remarkable regions.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
-
Day 1: Depart home for your overnight journey to Chile.
-
Day 2: Arrive in Santiago and explore the city with a guide, visiting iconic sites like Plaza de Armas, Cerro Santa Lucia, and more. Overnight in the Lastarria neighborhood.
-
Day 3: Fly to Puerto Natales and transfer to Torres del Paine National Park, stopping along the way for incredible views and wildlife sightings. Overnight at a stunning lodge in the park.
-
Day 4: Spend a full day exploring Torres del Paine, from scenic drives to hikes with breathtaking vistas, tailored to your interests and weather conditions.
-
Day 5: Continue exploring the park’s diverse landscapes and wildlife, with a chance to track elusive pumas or enjoy more adventurous hikes.
-
Day 6: Enjoy a final day in the park before heading to the charming town of Puerto Natales for the night, overlooking the Ultima Esperanza fjord.
-
Day 7: Drive to Punta Arenas this morning to join the main Antarctica expedition, arriving in time for the trip's official start this afternoon.
The above corresponds to January 9-15, 2026 ahead of our group trip to Antarctica. Or, if you add a second night in Santiago (to rest on arrival day and sightsee on your second day), depart home on January 8, 2026.
Email alex@openskyexpeditions for full details, including rates, flight information, hotels, meals, and more.
ATACAMA
1 week via Santiago | San Pedro de Atacama | Moon Valley & more
Home to the clearest night skies on Earth and the driest non-polar desert, Chile’s Atacama Desert offers a landscape like no other. Wander through ancient salt flats, witness flamingos on shimmering lagoons, and marvel at surreal valleys sculpted by time. End each day in comfort and style, with boutique accommodations perfectly complementing this extraordinary adventure.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
-
Day 1: Depart home for your overnight journey to Chile.
-
Day 2: Arrive in Santiago and explore the city with a guide, visiting iconic sites like Plaza de Armas, Cerro Santa Lucia, and more. Overnight in the Lastarria neighborhood.
-
Day 3: Fly to Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Visit the Cordillera de Sal and enjoy sunset aperitifs in Vallecito. Overnight in San Pedro.
-
Day 4: Watch the sunrise in Moon Valley and explore its stunning landscapes. Visit Toconao, Laguna Chaxa, and the vast Salar de Atacama for a breathtaking sunset. Overnight in San Pedro.
-
Day 5: Journey to the high-altitude Lagunas Altiplanicas and visit the village of Socaire. Conclude the day with a magical stargazing experience under the pristine Atacama sky. Overnight in San Pedro.
-
Day 6: Morning at leisure in San Pedro before returning to Santiago. Continue to Punta Arenas where your Antarctica trip will begin tomorrow.
The above corresponds to January 9-14, 2026 ahead of our group trip to Antarctica. Or, if you add a second night in Santiago (to rest on arrival day and sightsee on your second day), depart home on January 8, 2026.
Email alex@openskyexpeditions for full details, including rates, flight information, hotels, meals, and more.
EASTER ISLAND
1 week via Santiago | Rapa Nui National Park | Rano Kau volcano & more
Venture to the remote and mysterious Easter Island, home to the iconic moai statues and a culture shrouded in history and legend. Explore ancient volcanic quarries, pristine beaches, and breathtaking archaeological sites, all while uncovering the fascinating traditions of this isolated Pacific paradise. This journey offers an unforgettable encounter with one of the world’s most fascinating places, only accessible via mainland Chile.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
-
Day 1: Depart home for your overnight journey to Chile.
-
Day 2: Arrive in Santiago and explore the city’s highlights, including Plaza de Armas, Cerro Santa Lucia, and more. Stay in the charming bohemian Lastarria neighborhood.
-
Day 3: Fly to Easter Island, settle into Hanga Roa, and visit the island’s anthropological museum and the Tahai ahu. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
-
Day 4: Explore Rapa Nui National Park, including the Rano Raraku moai quarry and Anakena Beach, with time to relax and marvel at the island's unique beauty.
-
Day 5: Experience sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, explore the Rano Kau volcano and ceremonial village of Orongo, and visit ahu like Vinapu before sunset in Hanga Roa.
-
Day 6: Enjoy a leisurely morning on Easter Island, then fly back to Santiago, where you’ll stay at the convenient Santiago Airport Holiday Inn.
-
Day 7: Take a light travel day to fly to Punta Arenas at your leisure. Here, your trip to Antarctica will begin tomorrow.
The above corresponds to January 8-14, 2026 ahead of our group trip to Antarctica. Or, if you add a second night in Santiago (to rest on arrival day and sightsee on your second day), depart home on January 7, 2026.
Email alex@openskyexpeditions for full details, including rates, flight information, hotels, meals, and more.
ACONCAGUA WINE VALLEY
3 days via Santiago | Private Wine Tastings | Alpaca Farm Tour & City Highlights
If you're short on time, this option makes great use of it, combining a visit to Santiago with an excursion out to one of Chile’s premier wine regions, the Aconcagua Valley, where world-class vineyards are framed by stunning Andean vistas. In this version that several past guests have taken, you'd take an evening flight to Punta Arenas for arrival the night before the main program to Antarctica begins. But this could also be stretched by a day to fly down to Punta Arenas the day after visiting wine country.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
-
Day 1: Board your overnight direct flight to Chile, departing in the evening.
-
Day 2: Arrive in Santiago, meet your guide and driver, and transfer to the Hotel Cumbres Lastarria. Enjoy a private guided tour of Santiago’s historic and cultural highlights, with an optional visit to the SKY Costanera observation deck.
-
Day 3: Explore the Aconcagua Wine Valley, including an alpaca farm visit and a wine tasting with lunch at a scenic vineyard. This evening, fly to Punta Arenas where your main trip to Antarctica will begin tomorrow.
The above corresponds to January 12-14, 2026 ahead of our group trip to Antarctica. Or, if you add a second night in Santiago (to rest on arrival day and sightsee on your second day), depart home on January 11, 2026.
Email alex@openskyexpeditions for full details, including rates, flight information, hotels, meals, and more.
Chile Trip Inclusions
-
Transport: Private transport with English-speaking drivers for all tours and airport transfers.
-
Accommodations: All stays outlined in your itinerary, handpicked for quality and location—often long-time favorites we know and trust.
-
Tours & Activities: All excursions & experiences described in your itinerary. Thoughtfully-crafted, not cookie-cutter.
-
Guides: Professional, well-vetted English-speaking local guides—many we have long worked with and come to know at a personal level. Their excellence is one of our top priorities.
-
Meals: Most meals are included, as noted in the itinerary, with others intentionally left open for personal exploration.
-
Tipping: Gratuities are included when group size warrants a tour leader joining a shared extension. (Temu, our Antarctica trip leader, has several times joined a group in Patagonia, for example).
-
Pre-Departure Support: Comprehensive guidance tailored to your trip. Custom flight recommendations. Travel insurance recommendations to suit your needs. A detailed, custom trip itinerary.
-
24/7 Support: Around-the-clock access to our team for assistance before and during your trip.
Our intention is take care of the key details, so you can focus on fully enjoying your journey. Details vary from trip to trip. Please reach out to us for comprehensive details of Chile experiences you are interested in!
Planning Your Chile Experience
-
Start the Conversation: Whether you already have a clear idea based on the above itinerary options or just want to explore what's possible, simply reach out. We’re happy to offer input based on your interests and the time you have available to travel before or after Antarctica. When possible, Alex often likes to hop on a quick Zoom to help orient you to the options and talk things through.
-
Customizable Options: The itineraries on this page have worked well for past travelers, but if you have different dates, hotels, or experiences in mind, we'll be happy to help create a personalized journey. With extensive experience in Chile and deeply-trusted local partners, we feel uniquely equipped to craft something exceptional and tailored just for you.
-
Detailed Trip Proposal: Once we have a sense of what you're looking for, we’ll follow up with a private proposal (usually via a dedicated webpage) that shares a detailed itinerary, included meals, selected hotels, and other essential trip information like recommended flights within Chile, etc. If a firm cost requires additional reconfirmation, a cost estimate will usually at least be initially shared.
-
Booking & Deposits: Once you're ready to move forward, an initial trip deposit will be requested to confirm arrangements.
-
Final Payment: The balance payment for extension arrangements is usually taken together with the main payment for the trip to Antarctica. In some cases, they are handled separately.
Email alex@openskyexpeditions to start planning your Chilean adventure.
Open Sky Expeditions’ owner, Alex Ros, lived in Chile for seven years and has cultivated an in-depth knowledge of the country’s culture, landscapes, and logistics. Since 2004, he has organized and led trips to Chile, bringing nearly two decades of expertise to every itinerary. Since founding Open Sky in 2011, Alex has continued to deliver meticulously planned, high-caliber travel experiences, leveraging his deep connections and extensive network in the region.