Introduction to Chile

Our obective here is to give you useful Chile travel destination information.

Chile is an incredibly long country passing through the tropic of Capricorn in its north, right the way down to the freezing Antarctic in it southern-most extreme. Within this natural band of latitude are stunning landscapes that are so dramatic and beautiful, it is impossible not to be awestruck.

Selected Pictures of the Sights

Here, below we have a pictorial illustration of the various locations of interest for those wish to travel to Chile. In addition, there is a brief summary of that sector. Then, further below we list the main activities you can do during your trip to Chile.

Itinerary Combinations

One of the best ways to enjoy your travel to Chile is to combine sectors together. For example, a 4-night stay in Torres del Paine will combine perfectly with a 4-night Patagonia Cruise. On the other hand, it combines with an expedition trip to Antarctica.

Alternatively, 4 nights in Torres del Paine can be combined with 4 nights in the Chilean Lake Region and / or 4 nights in the Atacama, or even 4 nights at Easter Island.

Chile Travel Itinerary Types

Remember, here at ExperienceChile.Org, as specialists and experts in this part of the World. We can make the right combination according to your time, budget and logistics involved. However, we also offer more than that. Therefore, here is a brief list of the services we can offer you.

For Custom (tailor-made) - Created Itinerary crafted to YOUR specific requirements. Email us: request@experiencechile.org

Experience Chile Can Arrange:

Itineraries for a few days or for a few weeks.

• Fixed Date Group – An already set-up itinerary, ready to go
• Itineraries with or without Cruises included.
• And, itineraries that include one sector only or a mix of two or more sectors.

Known as the “driest place on Earth”. The Atacama Desert officially runs from just north of La Serena all the way up to Arica, Chile’s most northern city on the border with Peru.

Within the Atacama Desert are two, particular places of interest. One is the oasis village of San Pedro de Atacama, and the other is the Pacific Coastal city of Iquique.

The Central Valley and the capital, Santiago is located almost in the middle of mainland Chile (not considering the area south of Puerto Montt). Santiago is a mix of an older, historic downtown area and a very modern eastern sector. The Central Valley is where the fertile part of the country where fruit, vegetables and cereals are produced.

The Andes

Dwarfed by the incredibly high Andes mountains on the east and the lower, coastal mountains on the west. Long, hot and dry summers, easy access to the coast, nearby wineries and ski centres in the Andes.

Chile is one of the World’s premier producers of varietal grape wines. Most of the wineries are located in the Central Valley region. It should be noted that the well-known wine valleys of Casablanca, Colchagua, Maipu and Anconcagua are all within easy driving distance from Santiago.

These days, due to Climate Change, the snow does not fall as regularly, nor as much as it used to. However, when it does, the ski centres of Valle Nevado, Portillo, Farellones, El Colorado and La Parva offer the best Southern Hemisphere ski resorts. In addition, further south from Santiago is Chillan and Pucon.

Chile's Pacific Coast is very similar to the California coast in the U.S.. For example, it has long, sandy beaches, steep cliffs, surfable waves and summer sunshine.

Located approximately 670km (420 miles) south from Santiago is the start of the Lake Region. It should be noted that this is an area of outstanding natural beauty comprising green fields, forests, lakes, volcanoes, rivers, hot springs and waterfalls.

Naturally this area is also a haven for active, adventure seekers.

Administered by Chile, but in reality, it is a “Polynesian Island”. This is defined by its historic culture. Easter Island (“Rapa Nui”) is home to the mystic Moai Statues, places at various locations throughout the island. It should be noted that it is accessible by a direct 5hr flight from Santiago.

The northern shore of Chiloe is very close to the Chilean mainland, south-west from Puerto Montt, which marks the southern end of the Lake Region. Chiloe is a green, fertile, hilly island with an interesting history. The Island is home to numerous Jesuit-built churches and known for its rural, slow way of life.

Patagonia is an exceptionally beautiful place. One way to describe this wild, windy and unpredictable land is to say that it is “raw nature”. Whereas the Chilean Lake Region could be categorised as “tamed nature”.

The Last Frontier

The Carretera Austral is a road that cuts through what can still be considered as “pioneer” land. Not many people here, apart from a few outposts set amid jagged mountains with steep valley sides, hanging glaciers, fiords, waterfalls, raging rivers and forests.

Feast for the Eyes

Patagonia, and the Carretera Austral specifically, is a “feast for the eyes” as well as white water rafting, fly fishing, trekking and the place where you can touch a tree dating back several thousand years.

Here we have the jewel of Patagonia and, as has been touted, “the 8th Wonder of the World”. Through the remarkable power of nature and the patience of millions of years of mother nature at work, here you can see the results of the collision of tectonic plates and volcanic eruptions, that have then been sculptured by ginormous ice sheets into “jaw dropping” shapes.

Torres del Paine Massif

The end result is a “mini-looking” mountain range that has been gouged out to leave two enormous, towering rock formations (called “Cuernos” or “Horns”), with other vertical, needle-like towers in the background (“the Towers”). In between this marvel are still some glaciers and waterfalls that cascade down into the lakes and meandering rivers filling the flatter areas at the base.

Glacial Ice Sheets

In addition, it is still possible to see active, massive ice sheets come down from the Andes into glaciers, such as Glacier Grey, that then break up into icebergs that float in the lake.

The consequence of this, is a place that offers a unique scene for trekking (the W and Circuit treks), ice hiking, kayaking, fly fishing and other options to experience Patagonian life.

For those who like the water or wish to see Patagonia from a different perspective, there are various cruise options that will allow passengers to get up close to the marine fauna. It should be noted that these mid-sized passenger ships can enter fiords, channels and inlets allowing access to the remotest places on Earth. One option includes the chance to see, or set foot on the fabled Cape Horn.

For many a visit to Antarctica is the ultimate destination. Considering that southern Chile is the closest country to Antarctica it should be no surprise that many Antarctica Expedition cruises depart from Punta Arenas. However, the also depart from Ushuaia, in southern Argentina. Trips range from a few days, with a combined air and cruise option, to a few weeks where the navigational route may take in the Falkland and South Georgia Islands.

It should be noted that the main touristic activities Chile is known for are:

• Wine Tasting and Vineyard Visits
• Skiing
• Trekking / Hiking
• Ice Hiking
• Kayak
• Fly Fishing
• Patagonia Cruises
• Antarctica Expeditions
• Rafting
• Other activities include zip wire, climbing volcanoes, sea kayak, hot springs and trekking in the Lake Region.