Chile

Highlights

Atacama and Altiplano
The north of Chile is a stark desert landscape, which attracts visitors for its natural beauty. It offers fascinating wildlife, which is protected by a series of national parks. The Lauca National Park is the most visited and supports vicuñas, condors, vizcachas, guanacos, flamingos and herds of llamas and alpacas, which are kept by the Aymara shepherds. There is cultural interest, given by the local Indian populations, archaeological remains and Andean churches. The area surrounding the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama boats the Salar de Atacama salt flats, volcanoes such as Tocorpuri and Sairecahur, mineral rock formations, such as those found in the Moon Valley and the famous El Tatio geysers. In the vicinity of Iquique are some notable geoglyphs.

Santiago, Andes and Central Valleys
Santiago, Chile's capital city, is located in the country's central valley region. It is the centre of the political, economic and cultural life. From a geography and climate point of view, it is a parenthesis in the long and narrow strip of land that is Chile. Distinctive characteristics are the beautiful valleys, where the well-known Chilean wines originate, and the agreeable Mediterranean climate. Santiago is nestled between the high peaks with their winter sports centres and a privileged coastline.

Araucania, Lakes and Volcanoes
Southern Chile is one of the most attractive areas for visitors, thanks of its numerous lakes and lagoons, white-water rivers, fertile valleys, millenarian forests, and a chain of national parks crowned by the peaks of numerous active volcanoes. Near Osorno you will find Lake Puyehue as well as the national park of the same name. On the shores of Lake Llanquihue, the most interesting destinations are Frutillar, Puerto Varas and the beautiful Saltos de Petrohué. Following the road south, we come to the Todos los Santos Lake. Puerto Montt is the starting point for the Southern Road, which takes you to Patagonia and the island of Chiloé.

Patagonia
Patagonia, land of legends, is particularly attractive to those who want unforgettable experiences in an untouched and uninhabited environment. Here you will find huge lakes, glaciers, icebergs, evergreen forests and hundred of miles of vast, treeless plains under the clear sky of the southernmost tip of the world. The Torres del Paine National Park is an absolute must, as is Lake Grey and Glacier Grey and the Laguna St Rafael.

Islands
Three islands in the Pacific Ocean are world renowned for their special attractions: Easter Island, with its gigantic moai sculptures, Robinson Crusoe Island, named after the protagonist of the famous novel about the man who was shipwrecked there, and Chiloé Island, a charming enclave in the South Pacific, famous for its fantastic myths and wild nature.