Chile

From the North to the South, this is a country of extremes, located between the Pacific coast, the Andes Mountain and an abundance of beautiful natural attractions. Chile is a destination that withholds extraordinary contrasts with dramatic landscapes that vary from the world’s driest and empty Atacama Desert, in the North, to the wine region just below the bustling city of Santiago, the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonian in the south, the fertile valleys, the forests as old as time in the national park Villarrica, and to the temperamental volcanoes and unspoilt beaches and the grand Chiloe Island. These regions are set along the incredible geography of Chile, which is a wonder in itself.

Santiago is the perfect cosmopolitan base to kick off exploring the rest of Chile. Not-to-be-missed is a memorable adventure through Chile’s flourishing Wine Country, a mecca for wine enthusiasts and culture lovers alike. Head to the famous Maipo and Colchagua Valley’s to fully unwind after your travels. Stay at an avant-garde vineyard retreat situated on a hilltop, that boasts majestic views over the Chilean valleys and gorges stretching towards the craggy heights of the Andes Mountains in the background. Enjoy the delicious meals served in a variety of settings, from the indoor dining room to the expansive outdoor terraces that look out onto the valley, lake, and vineyard or even outdoors in a private mountain grove. Authentic South American cuisine includes traditional barbeques, as well as fresh fish and seafood. Toast your love with private wine tastings and guided winery tours through the Aconcagua, Casablanca, Colchagua, San Antonio-Leyda, Maipo, Cachapoal, Curico and Maule Valleys and explore the spectacular landscapes on a horseback ride or private transfer.

The northern part of Chile encompasses the dramatic lunar landscapes of the driest desert on Earth - Atacama. A landmark of the El Norte Grande, the Atacama Desert boasts an incredible landscape of ragged, Rocky Mountains and ravines that are interspersed by a striking white salt pan and surrounded by towering volcanoes. It is a photographer’s dream destination. As the world’s driest desert, the immense Atacama lives up to its title, with some areas registering not even a single raindrop in over 150 years. Sitting at an altitude of 3500m, the dramatic and desolate Atacama Desert boasts clear, unpolluted skies that allow for the most incredible, unforgettable stargazing. Named by Dutch naval commander Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday in 1722, Easter Island has a colourful history. Easter Island or Rapa Nui, as it is known to locals, is a Chilean territory in Polynesia. It was also where Captain Cook and his crew recuperated during one of his many explorations and were in 1805. As the world's most remote inhabited island in the mid-Pacific Ocean, more than 3000 mk from mainland Chile, there are many myths and history. The existence of the 900 gigantic monolithic 'moai' statues, dating back to the 10th century, has long puzzled historians. It has one of the most famous national parks, the Parque Nacional Rapa Nui, which covers most of the island and features the quarry of Rano Raraku where the moai were carved: the volcanic crater of the Rano Kau and the Ahu Tongariki, where 15 moai rest. The deep crystalline waters - the clearest in the world, a true temptation for any sea lover.

Travel further south and discover the unspoilt countryside of the Lake District with 12 large deep blue lakes backed by snow-capped volcanoes, within the rainforests gracing the surrounding national parks, evergreen Araucaria araucana (monkey puzzle) trees, some over 1 000 years old, stand tall. This region is both the gateway to Patagonia, and a thrilling adventure haven. Glacial lakes mirror the frosted tips of dormant volcanoes and the verdant flora of nearby national parks. Stretching over 300 kilometres, this region was once the homeland of the courageous Mapuche people who fought off the advances of Inca and Spanish invaders. It has since grown from thriving farmlands into the tranquil tourist mecca it is today. When visiting this beautiful region, you will be treated to sensational views and landscapes as well as exceptional activities such as horse riding, hiking, mountain climbing, nature walks and water sports.

Continue to the “end of the world” - it has been over 500 years after the arrival of the first European seafarers in Patagonia, the words to describe it are the same: exotic, faraway, vast, infinitely beautiful, wild, and indomitable. Home to Chile’s iconic Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, renowned for its rugged horn-shaped peaks of the Cuernos del Paine. The immensity of the ice floes, the majesty of the mountains and the expanse of the lakes are a constant source of wonderment. The Torres del Paine National Park’s habitat blends together a wide array of ecosystems, making it a treasure for Chilean wildlife. Discover the wild side of Patagonia, join your expert naturalist guide in search of some of the most famous animals and birds of this area, from the elusive puma, foxes, ñandues (South American ostrich), and guanacos, to the impressive condors. Not only does this region feature a rich entanglement of temperate rainforests and mountain ranges that stretch across the horizon, but it is also the official gateway to Antarctica, the earth’s southernmost continent.