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Chile / Easter Island / Patagonia

“The thin country” is squeezed between the Andes and the Pacific and is never more than 221 miles wide but its coastline is 3,000 miles long creating an incredibly diverse landscape of deserts, forests, beaches, volcanoes, mountains, lakes, glaciers and fjords. The traditional hospitality of Chileans is legendary and the great Pan-American Highway which runs down the entire spine of the country connects vast desert, lush agricultural valleys, the Andes Mountains, lakes, volcanoes and welcoming villages.

Where Should I Go?

Patagonia

This geographic region comprising the southernmost portion of South America shared by Argentina and Chile is one of the most breathtaking places on Earth. Patagonia wildlife includes Magellanic penguins, elephant seals, dolphins, sea lions, puma, lama guanaco, Patagonian fox, flamingo, whales and the Andean condor.

Atacama Desert

The driest and highest desert in the world is a surreal Mars like expanse where one can truly perceive remoteness and experience an entirely different world, an untamed place far from civilization with some of the the starriest skies in the world.

San Pedro de Atacama

The small oasis town has a population of about 5,000 and is known as the archeological capital of Chile and gateway to the Atacama Desert.

The Lake District

Chile’s most famous attraction is a scenically spectacular region of rivers, volcanoes, forests, lakes, resort towns and remote mountain villages with a Swiss feel.

Santiago

The large cosmopolitan capital city at the base of the towering Andes Mountains is home to 80% of Chile’s industrial production resulting in lots of smog but offers many nearby day excursions including wine tasting, skiing and hiking.

Central Valley

This lush fertile land is home to some of the best wine in the world and famous for its fertile soils and cowboys.

Easter Island

Easter Island is a Polynesian Island in the Pacific Ocean 2,237 miles west of Chile, it’s the most isolated inhabited land on earth and one of the world’s most fascinating geographical and archaeological locations, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its monumental, mysterious and artistic statues called moai created by the Rapanui people.

When Should I Go?

With the world’s driest desert in the north, Antarctica in the south and everything in between, Chile is home to extremely different weather zones. The climate makes a steady transition from the extreme arid heat of the Atacama Desert in the north, to the cold and wet conditions of Tierra del Fuego in the far south.

Santiago and surrounding vineyards: Mediterranean climate with average summer temperatures of 82F and winter 50F, rainy season May – August
Best skiing: June – Sept