It’s great to see our clients returning to South America again and interestingly, right now we’re receiving a higher level of enquiries for Chile than for any other Latin American destination.
Chile is a spectacular country reached by direct flights from the UK with British Airways, which makes getting there and away fast and straightforward.
Beyond this, its enduring appeal is easy to understand: from the lunar-like landscape of the Atacama Desert in the north to the jagged peaks and glacial lakes of Patagonia in the south, Chile – ‘the long, thin country’ – is one of the most geographically diverse on the planet.
As the warmest months fall between November and March, now is a great time to plan ahead and arrange a trip.
Here are some of the highlights …..
Santiago & around
Chile’s cosmopolitan capital Santiago is a vibrant, modern city where ‘Latin America meets Europe’. Colonial mansions sit amongst skyscrapers and the historic barrios of Bellavista, Lastarria and Italia have been given a makeover in recent years and now boast stylish boutique hotels and a thriving nightlife scene.
The historic and ever-popular port of Valparaiso, a maze of narrow streets lined with brightly-coloured buildings perched on steep hills, is an hour’s drive to the west. Santiago also makes a great base for visiting the wineries of the Maipo and San Antonia valleys.
To the east the Andes soar skywards and the ski resorts of Valle Nevado and Portillo can very handily be visited in a day for any enthusiasts passing through in the winter months of June and July.
The Atacama Desert
The adobe village of San Pedro de Atacama is the jumping-off point for exploring the north’s spectacular landscapes, including the multi-coloured rock formations of the Valley of the Moon, the Atacama Salt Flats, improbably dotted with pink flamingos, and the El Tatio geysers.
Don’t miss the chance to float by hot-air balloon over the world’s highest and driest desert and the altitude, arid climate and lack of light pollution make this one of the best places on the planet for nightly star-gazing.
Patagonia
Chilean Patagonia stretches from Puerto Montt to Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. It’s a land of majestic mountains, ancient forests, glaciers and lakes, with abundant flora and fauna, including guanacos, Andean condor and the elusive puma.
In the north, the region of Aysén is starting to open up, cut through by the scenic Carrera Austral, the ultimate Chilean road trip. Puerto Natales in the south is the gateway to the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park – a hiker’s paradise, from gentle rambles to tackling the famous ‘W Trek’.
Easter Island
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, sits over 2,300 miles west of Chile in the southeast Pacific. Accessed by return flights from Santiago, it’s home to over 800 monolithic statues thought to have been carved between the 11th and 14th centuries and remains one of the world’s most unique – and remote – travel destinations.
Chile – essential info
UK visitors do not require a visa.
Latest travel regulations: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/chile/entry-requirements
A 13-day ‘Discover Chile’ tour including Valparaiso, Moon Valley and Atacama salt flats, the Lake District and Torres del Paine, based on B&B accommodation starts from £4099 per person excluding flights.
Contact us for details of this and other tours and tailor-made options.
Chile may be ‘the thin country’ but it sure packs a heavyweight’s punch!