Independent Travel to Chile

A short guide about Cultural travel to Chile

Compared to its width Chile has the honour of being the thinnest country in the world. In the north is the driest of deserts, the south is the closest point to the South Pole, and midway Chile offers some of the easiest ascents to mountains above 6000 metres. All the way down its length are many towns that were early mining settlements, the city of Calama has the largest open Copper mine in the world and also provides history tours. Only an hour away is San Pedro de Atacama; a small picturesque town and the base to explore the Valley of Moon and the Tatio geysers.

Some parts of the Atacama Desert in the North have not seen rain since 1870, while other parts enjoy the "desierto florido" or "flowering desert". The coastal desert city Arica near the Peruvian border has nice beaches, and National Parks Lauca and Lago Chungara. The other side of Arica is close to the Bolivian border and has breathtaking scenery, snow capped peaks and beautiful lakes. It is also close to the early mining town of Copiapa, in the Atacama Desert, the site of the first cultivation of grapes in South America.

The San Francisco pass eastward from Copiapa into Argentina has the highest mountain in Chile: Cerro Ojos del Salado. Down Chile’s coastline is its stylish capital Santiago; with the best nightlife, cultural institutions and the finest restaurants. From here you can visit Valparaiso, the start of some great hiking trips into the High Andes or to the Lakes Region or the Bio Bio River. South from here is Chile’s second largest city Concepcion, with a well known University, and further down are the coastal towns Tome and Lota; they have nice parks and a tour of their former coal mine; Chiflon del Diablo.

Further south is the city of Los Angeles, with a beautiful waterfall named Saltos del Laja. East from here is Pucon with the Villarica Volcano. Puerto Montt is the gateway to Chiloe Island and its Mapuche culture, and also the place where Navimag boats do their 3 day trips south to Puerto Natales and Patagonia. East from here is Puerto Varas, on the shores of Lago Llanquihue with its imposing Volcan Osorno in the distance.

The Arctic south (Patagonia Chilena) offers the opportunity to explore the incredible beauty of the glaciers, wildlife of birds, seals, sea lions and whales. Travel down to Puerto Natales and visit National Park Torres del Paine, great for hiking. Next is Puerto Bories, a former sheep processing plant, now a national monument and museum. Punta Arenas is at the southernmost tip of Chile, with penguin colonies on the mainland at Otway Sound or on the Straits of Magellan Island.

To take advantage of such a diverse country, Tourabout has compiled a range of holiday packages with it's tour operators to make the most of your trip to Chile.