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Dental Study Tour to Chile

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Tour leader
Kevin Esplin
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Dates
19 Jan
31 Jan
2026

Chile is a land of extraordinary beauty and contrast, snaking down from the driest desert in the world to vast frozen glaciers in the south, passing via volcanoes, snow-capped mountains, vivid lakes and lush vineyards.

This tour shows you the best of this country, from the chic capital of Santiago with its snow-capped backdrop and excellent vineyards; to the lovely adobe town of San Pedro in the Atacama desert, the driest in the world; down to beautiful Puerto Varas in the lake district, where vivid blue lakes reflect smoking volcanoes and snow-capped mountains; to end in the glacial wonderland of Torres del Paine.

There is an optional post-tour extension to Easter Island. This tour has broad appeal and partners are very welcome.

Price (sharing a room)
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per person
Price (room to yourself)
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Reference:
CHL0126-1
At a glance
What you need to know
Type of tour
Professional
Profession
Dentistry
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Nights
12
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Countries
1
Tour grade
Moderate
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Remaining places
0
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Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

1
Santiago
Monday
,
19
January
Arrive Santiago and check in to Four Points by Sheraton. Mid-afternoon city walking tour before a local dinner.
2
Santiago
Tuesday
,
20
January
Professional visit to a dental hospital. Drive to the colourful World Heritage Site of Valparaíso. Enjoy the city’s rich history, faded grandeur, bohemian charm and street art, followed by a visit to chic Viña del Mar, with its subtropical boulevards lined with palm trees and beautiful expansive parks. Return to Santiago. Welcome dinner.
3
Santiago / San Pedro de Atacama
Wednesday
,
21
January
Fly to Calama. Transfer to the 5-star Cumbres Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama, an adobe town rich in ancient culture in the world’s driest desert. Visit the Mountains of Salt (Cordillera de la Sal) and the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna), famous for its natural mineral sculptures eroded by the wind. Watch the sun set from atop the cordillera. Return to the hotel.
4
San Pedro de Atacama
Thursday
,
22
January
Visit a local dental health clinic and the Padre Le Paige Archaeological Museum. Head to ancient Toconao village and its craft market. Explore the beautiful oasis valley and see ancient petroglyphs. Continue to Atacama Salt Flat, the world’s largest, and continue to Chaxa Lagoon, inhabited by three endemic species of flamingos. Watch the sunset before star gazing with a telescope.
5
San Pedro de Atacama
Friday
,
23
January
Drive high into the Altiplano to visit the dramatic Tatio Geysers; one of the most important geothermal fields in the world. Take a dip in a natural hot pool. Drive into the richly colourful wetlands of Putana to see vicunas, flamingos and birds against the backdrop of the Colorado Volcano. Return to hotel via the tiny, historic adobe village of Machuca.
6
San Pedro de Atacama / Puerto Varas
Saturday
,
24
January
Talk: ‘The bohemian George Cunningham, a founder of modern preventative dentistry’ - Kevin Esplin. Transfer to Calama and fly to Puerto Montt. Transfer to the rose-filled charm of Puerto Varas. Check in to the lakeside 5-star Hotel Dreams de los Volcanes.
7
Puerto Varas
Sunday
,
25
January
The Chilean Lake District is a spectacular region of clear lakes overlooked by snow-capped volcanoes. Explore the towns of Puerto Varas and Frutillar, which hug the blue expanse of Lake Llanquihue. Return to the hotel. Talk: ‘AI and the Future of Dentistry’ – Kevin Esplin.
8
Puerto Varas
Monday
,
26
January
Board a boat to Chiloé Island, known for its myths and legends and one of the few truly Indigenous places left in Chile. Discover the richness of its living culture amidst its famous colourful stilt buildings and beautiful landscapes. Return to the mainland and your hotel.
9
Puerto Varas / Torres del Paine
Tuesday
,
27
January
Visit a local dental health centre. Fly to Punta Arenas. Drive to Torres del Paine National Park. Check in to the waterfront Hotel Costa Australis in Puerto Natales.
10
Torres del Paine
Wednesday
,
28
January
Full day visit to Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most spectacular national parks on the continent with its snow-capped mountain peaks, cascading rivers and waterfalls, glaciers and mirrored lakes. Visit ancient Milodon’s Cave. Walk to the Salto Grande on the Paine River. Continue to Lake Grey and enjoy the view across the lake to see the ‘Horns.’ Return to Puerto Natales.
11
Torres del Paine
Thursday
,
29
January
Walk along the lake through an old lenga forest and along Grey Beach to board a catamaran for a three-hour voyage past floating icebergs. Approach different sides of the Grey Glacier to observe the beauty of the ice giant.
12
Torres del Paine / Santiago
Friday
,
30
January
Drive to Punta Arenas. Visit the Penguin Sanctuary. Fly to Santiago. Farewell dinner in the evening.
13
Santiago
Saturday
,
31
January
Depart Santiago after breakfast or join the extension to Easter Island.
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Tour map

Plot your journey

Traverse the length of Chile with its extraordinary natural beauty and diversity.

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What to expect

Tour highlights

San Pedro de Atacama
Northern Chile

Explore the dramatic landscapes of the world's driest desert, with its vivid lunar landscapes and geysers.

A waterfall in the Lake District
Puerto Varas and the Lake District - Central Chile

Chile's Lake District combines spectacular volcanic landscapes with beautiful lakes and a lush and fertile countryside. It is the garden of Chile.

Torres del Paine
Patagonia

Explore the rugged beauty and ice landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park

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Beautiful landscapes

Tour gallery

Enrich your journey

Extend your tour

Post-tour extension

Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
31 January - 4 February 2026

Deep in the Pacific Ocean, well over a thousand miles from the nearest inhabited land, Easter Island - or Rapa Nui - is shrouded in myth and legend, made more intriguing by the colossal moai statues that are scattered across the island. Explore the most fascinating locations on the island, with time to relax. There is the option to extend your trip for four nights in Easter Island to explore the history, moais and magnificent views of Rapa Nui, including its most beautiful volcanoes. Take part in an archaeological journey, visiting some of the most remarkable sites linked to the moais of the island, and learn the history of the island over four days of visits and talks. Finish with a visit to beautiful Anakena Beach with its palm trees, white sand and turquoise waters.

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Tour exertion grading

Is this tour right for me?

Moderate
Level 3

Some walking between destinations, more time spent standing, and increased travel distances. Requires a reasonable level of fitness.

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Your expert companions

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Ask us anything

If you have some questions about this particular tour, you can contact the Jon Baines Tours team by phone or email.

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