Chile
TRAVELLING TO Chile
Why visit? Whether it’s delving into the rich cultural heritage of Santiago, exploring Patagonia by horseback, trekking Atacama Desert, or wining and dining in Valparaiso, Chile offers endless opportunities to explore,rendering this combination the best recipe for the ultimate escape!
Most Australian travellers start their tour in Santiago, the country’s capital. More European in feel than most Latin American cities, Santiago is a vibrant metropolis that is flanked on each side by the Andes and enjoys one of the most beautiful locations of any cities in the world.
From Santiago, you can continue your Chile tour to Calama in the country’s north and explore the driest hot desert in the world, Atacama Desert. Trekking Atacama will allow you to see the famous Atacama Salt Flats, visit Indigenous cultures or witness the incredible views over the moonlike landscape of Valley of the Moon.
In Chile’s south, Patagonia is a place full of natural beauty with its spectacular volcanoes, ancient forests and glittering lakes and fjords set against spectacular mountain ranges. While Torres del Paine National Park has established itself as a Patagonia icon, there are many other hot spots from which you can get different perspectives of Patagonian countryside.
How to get there? Chile is now more accessible than ever thanks to increased air capacity and LATAM launching direct flights from Melbourne to Santiago last year. Two top-ranked airlines (LATAM and Qantas) now provide regularly scheduled services to Santiago.
More information: Below we have shown you just a fraction of the options available for Chile and multi-country travel. Browse to get an idea of where you want to travel.
Still wondering? Contact us: You are definitely better off giving us a call or dropping us a line and letting us do the hard work for you.
Why visit? Whether it’s delving into the rich cultural heritage of Santiago, exploring Patagonia by horseback, trekking Atacama Desert, or wining and dining in Valparaiso, Chile offers endless opportunities to explore,rendering this combination the best recipe for the ultimate escape!
Most Australian travellers start their tour in Santiago, the country’s capital. More European in feel than most Latin American cities, Santiago is a vibrant metropolis that is flanked on each side by the Andes and enjoys one of the most beautiful locations of any cities in the world.
From Santiago, you can continue your Chile tour to Calama in the country’s north and explore the driest hot desert in the world, Atacama Desert. Trekking Atacama will allow you to see the famous Atacama Salt Flats, visit Indigenous cultures or witness the incredible views over the moonlike landscape of Valley of the Moon.
In Chile’s south, Patagonia is a place full of natural beauty with its spectacular volcanoes, ancient forests and glittering lakes and fjords set against spectacular mountain ranges. While Torres del Paine National Park has established itself as a Patagonia icon, there are many other hot spots from which you can get different perspectives of Patagonian countryside.
How to get there? Chile is now more accessible than ever thanks to increased air capacity and LATAM launching direct flights from Melbourne to Santiago last year. Two top-ranked airlines (LATAM and Qantas) now provide regularly scheduled services to Santiago.
More information: Below we have shown you just a fraction of the options available for Chile and multi-country travel. Browse to get an idea of where you want to travel.
Still wondering? Contact us: You are definitely better off giving us a call or dropping us a line and letting us do the hard work for you.
[ Read Less ]WHY TRAVEL WITH CHIMU ADVENTURES
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We offer you flexible travel options in Latin America at an affordable price.
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We have refined, simplified, and perfected our travel itineraries over two decades, giving you the ultimate experience in each location.
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We know each Latin American country by heart and will work with you to determine which activities and accommodations are best suited to your needs.
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From your initial enquiry until your trip ends, you will be assigned a personal Destination Specialist who will offer a full service for your travel needs: we can book flights, insurance and any ancillary travel required to complete your journey.
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We have offices across South America so you can be assured that ground staff are close at hand to assist whilst you are travelling.
FEATURED Chile TRIPS & DEALS
Tierra Atacama Extension
Chile, Patagonia
Witness the spectacular Atacama Desert & Toconao village, see rare flam...
Was AUD 2,955
NOW FROM AUD 2,216
FROM AUD 2,990
Was AUD 26,500
NOW FROM AUD 19,500
Chile TOURS
Signature Patagonia
Chile, Patagonia, Argentina
Prepare to have your breath taken away by the enchanting beauty of Patagonia. ......
FROM AUD 6,610
Signature South America Circle
Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Machu Picchu
This 21-day loop covers the best of Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Chile. Giving you an incredible tast......
FROM AUD 11,155
Signature Patagonia - El Calafate to Santiago
Chile, Patagonia, Argentina
Prepare to have your breath taken away by the enchanting beauty of Patagonia. ......
FROM AUD 6,570
Signature Salt Flats & Highlands of the Andes
Chile, Bolivia, Peru
Travel through Chile, Bolivia and Peru from the world's driest desert, Atacama to the Salt Flats of ......
FROM AUD 7,450
Easter Island Extension
Chile, Easter Island
Explore Easter Island, one of the most isolated places on earth, and meet the Moai, the watchful sto......
FROM AUD 1,685
Fjords of Tierra del Fuego
Chile, Patagonia, Argentina
SHIP: STELLA AUSTRALIS
FROM AUD 4,635
Chile REVIEWS
All Chimu Adventures' clients are given the opportunity to review their trip once they return home. These reviews are administered by a third party and as such are unfiltered by Chimu Adventures.
BLOGS ON Chile
Looking for blogs on Chile, Latin America, or even Antarctica? If so, we have you covered! The Chimu blog is updated regularly with new articles and packed with great content on planning your trip, what to pack, and amazing adventures in each destination.
Best Things To Do in South and Central America – NOVEMBER Guide
As the southern summer season takes hold of a great part of the South America, now is the time to explore the more re...
Visit the Pantanal and Meet Some of the World’s Strangest Creatures
You know you’re approaching an otherworldly place when the street sign tells you to watch out for an animal that se...
Latin America Travel – Best Souvenirs That Won’t End Up in a Drawer
We admit that when travelling, sometimes, it is simply easier to dedicate just a couple of hours of our last day to h...
Last Minute Bookings To Antarctica. Is It Possible?
Antarctica is a beautiful and majestic place and a must do on many people’s bucket list, but what options are there...
Crystal Endeavor- Where Luxury Meets Expedition
Many ships have braved the seas of the Polar regions and many have been specially designed for the distinct condition...
Heads Up! Your Wildlife Guide to the Andes Mountains
Your comprehensive guide to South America’s Andes Mountains – one mesmerizing wildlife treat at a time South Amer...
National Geographic’s World’s Best Eco-lodges – Latin America Cleans Up!
National Geographic has just released its collection of World’s Best Eco-lodges and we certainly weren’t surprise...
Wildlife Watching in Brazil – Amazon VS the Pantanal
One amazing country – two magnificent wildlife powerhouses. Which one is best to visit? Wildlife-enthusiasts lookin...
Why Travelling With a Purpose is the Best Way to Travel
There are more options for meaningful travel, out there, than humans on our planet and that’s because purpose, by i...
The Most Sensational Hiking Trails in Chile (That Aren’t The W-Trek)
You’re an avid hiker and you already know that the W-trek is Chile’s #1 must-do trail. Time to discover what othe...
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Yellow Fever - if travelling to Easter Island from an infected area
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis - Both A and B (twinrix)
- Typhoid
- Diphtheria
- Cholera
- Rabies
- Tetanus
Spanish is the official language of Chile with over 85% of the population speaking Spanish as their first language. The Spanish spoken in Chile differs from that in neighbouring countries due to it being distinctively accented with the use of local slang. Several indigenous languages are spoken in Chile including Mapudungun, Quechua, Aymara, Huilliche and Rapa Nui.
The official religion of Chile is Roman Catholicism, and the majority of Chileans are Catholic, with an estimated 55-60% of Chileans belonging to the Catholic Church. There are also Protestants in Chile, and some Mapuche Indians who still practice their traditional religion.
- Passport, photocopy of passport & spare passport photos
- Travel Insurance documents
- Air tickets and itinerary
- Foreign Currency (US$) and/or debit/credit cards, traveller’s cheques
- Money belt
- Small daypack
- Basic first aid kit
- High UVA sun block
- Sunglasses & sunhat
- Mosquito spray & insect repellent
- Comfortable walking shoes/boots
- Sandals
- Long sleeve tops and trousers
- Light-weight clothing
- Warm clothing (depending on itinerary and time of year)
- Camera with spare battery and memory cards
- Security code padlock
- Adaptor
- Small torch
The level of fitness needed will depend on the Chile tour that you choose to take in terms of places to be visited and the types of activities to be included on your itinerary. Chile offers great opportunities for outdoor activities set against spectacular backdrops. They range from hiking ad trekking to climbing, skiing, white-water rafting, kayaking and fishing. Many of the best treks are to be found in the Lake District and National Parks such as the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park where the trails range from easy to difficult, with treks ranging from a few hours to many days.
- do not show any outward signs of wealth or wear expensive jewellery
- keep your valuables in your hotel in safety deposit boxes
- keep any valuables that you must carry with you hidden, as pickpockets can be present in crowded areas and around tourist areas
- use only registered taxis with official identification
- avoid going on your own to remote areas or where tourists would not be expected to go
- always keep your day pack and camera close to you and never leave them unattended
- United Kingdom
- The United States
- Ireland
- Canada
- New Zealand
- European Union
- South Africa
- IMPORTANT!
AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A TOURIST VISA WHEN TRAVELLING TO CHILE OR TRANSITING FOR LONGER THAN 8 HOURS.- To apply for this Visa you must go to the following webpage: https://serviciosconsulares.cl/tramites/permiso-de-permanencia-transitoria , read the requirements first, ensure you have all the required documentation to submit an application and then click on “SAC Ciudadano” and “Visa Application”. Click on “English” language (top right-hand corner) and choose the Consulate where you will submit your application:
- If you reside in NSW, Queensland or Northern Territory – SYDNEY
- If you reside in A.C.T. – CANBERRA
- If you reside in VIC, TAS, SA or WA – MELBOURNE
- Once the Visa is issued the person will have 90 days to enter Chile,
- The Visa is valid for 90 days from date of entry
- Processing time can vary and take weeks, so ensure you submit your application within 90 days of your arrival into Chile and at an appropriate point to give yourself enough time for it to be processed.
- To apply for this Visa you must go to the following webpage: https://serviciosconsulares.cl/tramites/permiso-de-permanencia-transitoria , read the requirements first, ensure you have all the required documentation to submit an application and then click on “SAC Ciudadano” and “Visa Application”. Click on “English” language (top right-hand corner) and choose the Consulate where you will submit your application:
You could spend anything from a few days to a few weeks on your Chile travels, depending on whether you plan to explore the entire country or just focus on one experience such as Torres del Paine National Park, the Lake District or a wine tour. Chimu Adventures offers itineraries to suit every time frame.
Our Chile tours include breakfast daily and many other meals may also be included in your itinerary. As a rough guide for additional spending money based on having moderately-priced lunches and dinners and buying a few souvenirs at local markets, we suggest a budget of 30-40 USD per day per person.