Where: Far-northern
Chile.
Best time to go: Year-round. The Atacama Desert truly enjoys year-round sunshine: no rain has ever been recorded there!
How to get there: Fly from Santiago, or take the adventurous option and travel overland from Bolivia via the incredible salt flats of Uyuni.
Combines well with: Bolivia, Chile’s wine region, or the spectacular landscapes of northern Argentina.
Patagonia is further away, but worth visiting as part of the same holiday if you have time.
Where to stay: San Pedro de Atacama is the gateway to the region, with many excellent hotels.
Length of stay: As well as at least 2 or 3 nights in San Pedro de Atacama, you’ll need 3 nights for the overland journey if you plan to cross to or from Bolivia. For a Chile highlights holiday, you’ll need at least 2 weeks - ideally 3.