Introduction

Chile is an incredibly long country passing from 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.

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

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.

Located almost in the middle of mainland Chile (not considering the area south of Puerto Montt), the city is a mix of an older, historic downtown area to a first-world, very modern eastern sector. 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 and most of the wineries are located in the Central Valley region. The well-known wine valleys of Casablanca, Colchagua, Maipu and Anconcagua are all within easy driving distance from Santiago.

These days, dues to Global Warming, 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 is Chillan and Pucon.

Very similar to the California coast in the U.S., 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. 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, a “Polynesian Island” as defined by historic culture, Easter Island (“Rapa Nui”) is home to the mystic Moai Statues, places at various locations throughout the island. Accessible by direct 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 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 all set amid jagged mountains with steep valley sides, hanging glaciers, fiords, waterfalls, raging rivers and forests. Patagonia, and he Carretera Austral specifically, is a “feat 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.

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. 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 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 flora and fauna. 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 trios depart from Punta Arenas, as well as 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.

The main touristic activities Chile is known for are:

Wine
Ski
Trekking
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.