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Chile holidays

4.8/5

Average Customer Score
Based On 1280 Reviews

Best time to visit November - February
Capital Santiago
Population 20,095,000
Area 756,102km²
4.8/5

Average Customer Score
Based On 1280 Reviews

Overview

With its unusual elongated shape, vast stretch of coastline, a multitude of mountains, iconic wildlife and a whopping 36 national parks, Chile is a destination which offers contrast and variety in abundance.

From the dry desert landscapes of the Atacama in the north to the ice-filled fjords of Patagonia in the south, this is a country full of environmental extremes, unique experiences, laid back lifestyles and complex cultural history. The people pride themselves on their hospitality and the scenery will take your breath away.

The highlights of Chile provide a fascinating addition to any Antarctic holiday, and we can recommend extensions to complement your Polar adventure.

Colour makes people happy. If you're in Santiago, don't miss a day wandering the funky town of Valparaiso. Think quirky and then some with its vibrant street art, steep streets, galleries, cute restaurants and harbour views.
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Chile holiday ideas

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  • Highlights

    From lofty Atacama to wave-pummelled Tierra del Fuego, a variety of contrasting experiences await throughout Chile’s long, thin lands

  • Highlights

    Everything from the elusive puma, to the llama’s wild cousins the ‘guanacos’ can be spotted throughout Patagonia

  • Highlights

    Explore Atacama − the driest non-polar desert in the world and one of the best places for star gazing

Chile regions

 

Atacama Desert

The Atacama Desert is home to landscapes unlike anywhere else on earth. Salt flats, geysers and magnificent stargazing are just some of the highlights to be explored.

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Lake District

Stretching from Concepcion in the north to charming Chiloe in the south, the Lake District’s lakes, rivers and hot springs provide a fabulous setting with plenty to see and do.

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Northern Patagonia

This tranquil part of Chile is perfect for those looking to become pioneers in a wild and picture-perfect world that are yet to be trampled by the mass-tourism trail. The famed 1,240km Carretera Austral will take you through numerous National Parks and remote colourful communities.

Southern Patagonia

The dramatic saw-toothed peaks of the Torres del Paine National Park are a magnet to keen walkers and photographers. Trek the many magnificent trails amidst cinematic landscapes or go in search of whales, penguins and glaciers on an unforgettable expedition cruise.

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Best time to visit Chile

Stretching over 2,500 miles from top to bottom, Chile has a spectacular variety of landscapes spanning an equally varied range of environments and climates. Tying in with the Antarctic season, the Austral summer is regarded as the natural time to visit Patagonia, though other areas including the northern desert region are year round destinations.

Summer, between November and February, is Chile’s peak tourist season. Patagonia is the country’s most visited region and draws keen hikers to its stunning glacial backdrops. Maximum temperatures range around 15-18°C. The high altitude of Atacama keeps daytime temperatures pleasant with average highs of around 25°C, but nightfall is still marked by large temperature drops. The Lake District, one of Chile’s wettest regions, experiences its driest period during the summer and ocean breezes temper the heat of the sun.

October and March are beautiful months to visit Chile and ties in with the start of end of the Antarctic voyage season. Cooler, but less crowded, accommodation prices are lower, while much of the natural scenery bursts into colour.

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Getting to Chile

This gem of Latin America is a popular partner for those embarking on an Antarctic voyage. Though the majority of cruises depart from Ushuaia in Argentina, some fly-in options depart from Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia.

The most commonly-used airlines between Chile and the UK are British Airways, direct to Santiago, Iberia via Madrid and the newly merged LATAM Airlines via Madrid or Sao Paulo. Within Latin America, domestic carriers offer routes between the key gateways and often at a very affordable price.

How much time you spend in Chile will depend largely on which areas you want to explore. A simple add-on to explore Atacama could be 3 nights, while we’d recommend 5 nights in Patagonia.

Pair Chile with Antarctica