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A scenic landscape

Chile

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TRAVELLING TO Chile

The otherworldly landscapes of Chile, paired with the cosmopolitan charms of Santiago and Valparaiso, mean this gorgeous Andean nation has something for every type of traveller. Stargaze in the Atacama, home to one of the world's best dark night skies, enjoy seemingly endless hikes through rugged Patagonia, or cruise through the serene Chilean fjords in luxury and comfort.

While Santiago may be the entry point to South America for many travellers, it's well worth slowing down and spending time in Chile before heading elsewhere. 

Why visit Chile?

Whether it’s delving into the rich cultural heritage of Santiago, exploring Patagonia by horseback, trekking the Atacama Desert, or wining and dining in Valparaiso, Chile offers endless opportunities to explore, rendering this combination the best recipe for the ultimate escape!

British travellers may start their South American travels 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.

Plan your trip to Chile with Chimu Adventures 

Our Signature Patagonia and Chile itineraries are below, designed to showcase the best of the region to British travellers. However, please contact us if you have any questions. Our experienced and friendly team would love to help you plan your luxury holiday to Chile. 

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The otherworldly landscapes of Chile, paired with the cosmopolitan charms of Santiago and Valparaiso, mean this gorgeous Andean nation has something for every type of traveller. Stargaze in the Atacama, home to one of the world's best dark night skies, enjoy seemingly endless hikes through rugged Patagonia, or cruise through the serene Chilean fjords in luxury and comfort.

While Santiago may be the entry point to South America for many travellers, it's well worth slowing down and spending time in Chile before heading elsewhere. 

Why visit Chile?

Whether it’s delving into the rich cultural heritage of Santiago, exploring Patagonia by horseback, trekking the Atacama Desert, or wining and dining in Valparaiso, Chile offers endless opportunities to explore, rendering this combination the best recipe for the ultimate escape!

British travellers may start their South American travels 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.

Plan your trip to Chile with Chimu Adventures 

Our Signature Patagonia and Chile itineraries are below, designed to showcase the best of the region to British travellers. However, please contact us if you have any questions. Our experienced and friendly team would love to help you plan your luxury holiday to Chile. 

[ Read Less ]

WHY TRAVEL WITH CHIMU ADVENTURES

  • We are true South American experts. As an award-winning company and Certified B Corporation with over 20 years of industry leading experience, we’ve refined, simplified, and perfected our itineraries over two decades to give you the ultimate experience in each location.

  • Chimu’s Signature South America itineraries offer the perfect blend of independent and supported travel, with daily departure dates and full flexibility.

  • With local offices on the ground, Chimu staff and English-speaking guides will always be nearby to provide support, guidance, and advice as you travel. 

  • From your initial enquiry until your trip ends, your personal Destination Specialist will look after everything you need, including flights, insurance, and transfers. They'll also offer insight and advice to help you make the most of your time in Latin America. 

FEATURED Chile TRIPS & DEALS

Luxury Patagonia tours with Chimu Adventures
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4 Days

Tierra Atacama Extension

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Start: Atacama Desert, Chile

Finish: Atacama Desert, Chile

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£ 2,541*

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Luxury Patagonia tours with Chimu Adventures
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Santiago Extension

Chile

Start: Santiago, Chile

Finish: Santiago, Chile

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PRICED FROM Was £ 1,009

NOW £ 908*

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Chile TOURS

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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.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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.

Although no specific vaccinations are required for Chile travel and no proof of any vaccination is required to enter the country, we recommend that you visit your doctor or a traveller’s medical centre for current information specific to those places that you will be travelling through.

 

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required for mainland Chile but it is required if you are travelling to Easter Island from yellow fever infected areas in Africa or the Americas. Measles occurs worldwide and is common in developing countries. As a general guide we recommend the following:

 

 

  • 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

 

Chilean food is fairly simple and features seafood, beef, fruit and vegetables. The cuisine stems from a combination of traditional Spanish cuisine, Chilean indigenous culture and local ingredients and is influenced by German, Italian and French cuisines. 
 
The country is probably best known for its seafood with an immense array being caught along its vast coastline, including abalones, razor clams, mussels, spider crabs, oysters, conger eels, salmon and sole.

 

The unit of currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP).
 
What you need to pack will depend on when and where you plan on travelling and on the activities that you plan to include whilst on your Chile tour.

 

The following should act as a useful checklist of essential items:

 

 

  • 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 desert areas are best avoided in the summer months when temperatures can be intense during the day, yet cold at night. Winters bring consistent blue skies for the entire region. It rarely rains, but when it does (most likely between September and March) the region breaks out in a spectacular bloom.

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.

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.

Most South American countries have now recognized that tourism plays an important part in their economies and governments have taken great steps to change South America’s poor security image. Violent crime is rare in Chile but there are the usual risks of pickpocketing in crowded areas and bag theft. 

 

To minimise security risks we recommend the following: 

 

 

  • 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