Chile is a slender ribbon of land flanked by the South Pacific Ocean to the west, and surrounded by Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. The country is a mystifying amalgam of extraordinarily diverse scenery, vibrant cultures, and exciting cities. From the fjords and glaciers of Patagonia and Antarctica to the driest desert in the world at Atacama, volcanoes to tropical islands, Chile boasts nearly every landscape imaginable. One of the country’s defining characteristics is its warm culture, summarised in its motto of ‘buena onda’ (‘good vibes’). Rituals surrounding relaxation and connection - such as the ‘mate’ tea custom - are integral to Chilean culture, as well as a strong connection with food, music and dance. World-class cities like Santiago weave together 21st century global culture and time-honoured traditions, and provide everything from phenomenal restaurants and buzzing nightlife to gorgeous, trendy beaches. Wine lovers will also find worlds of taste to explore in the lush valleys of vineyards offering some of the best wine on earth.
The small town of San Pedro de Atacama is a scenic oasis in the Atacama Desert, surrounded by the imposing volcanic peaks of the Chilean altiplano and located close to several major archaeological and natural attractions – including the ancient sites of Tulor and Quitor, the Atacama Salt Flat, the Altiplanic Lagoons and the Tatio Geysers. As a result, the village has become a significant tourist destination due to its close proximity and despite its small size it encompasses a wide range of restaurants, guesthouses and other visitor services.
The Chilean capital is a cosmopolitan and atmospheric city where ancient architecture meets modern skyscrapers, historical attractions are interspersed with contemporary art galleries, and people of all cultures, colours and religions live side by side. It is considered Chile’s most important financial and business centre and offers an almost inexhaustible range of leisure and entertainment options. Its backdrop of mountains makes it strikingly scenic, while its diversity is at once fascinating and refreshing.
Known for its spectacular beauty, Torres Del Paine National Park is a rich biosphere reserve in Chile’s Patagonian region. The park stretches over 242 000 hectares of magnificent landscape, featuring snow-capped mountains, ancient glaciers, cascading waterfalls, golden grasslands and several lakes that attract a variety of water birds. Three iconic granite pillars of the Torres del Paine tower over the landscape of emerald forests and the impossibly blue lake. Travellers may be able to spot the endemic guanaco llama, Andean condor, foxes, cougars, guanacos, Chilean Huemul, and around 15 birds of prey. Neighbouring Bernardo O'Higgins National Park to the west and the Los Glaciares National Park to the north, Torres Del Paine is the perfect place for extended trips in the Chilean wild.
Idyllically sandwiched between the massive Lake Villarica and the active Villarica Volcano in Chile’s scenic Lake District, the little town of Pucon is a popular destination for travellers looking for an authentic Chilean adventure. Pucon is a mecca for adventure sports enthusiasts and boasts the best small-town tourism setup south of Costa Rica, offering visitors well-organised excursions and activities, comfortable accommodations, a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and bars. Popular activities include: water sports such as kayaking on the beautiful lake, hiking through the spectacular Villarica National Park, whitewater rafting down the Trancura River, as well as snowboarding and skiing on the magnificent slopes of the snow-capped Villarica Volcano.
