Chile’s many natural wonders never cease to amaze, with tours of its lesser known lakes and deserts allowing travelers to experience it in unique ways. South America’s longest and thinnest country is perhaps best known for Patagonia and the Torres del Paine National Park, Easter Island and its wine. There are a plethora of world-class vineyards in the valleys near its capital city, Santiago, and the fascinating UNESCO world heritage port city of Valparaiso. In addition to its world-famous cable cars, on new year’s eve it puts on the largest fireworks show in South America! But there is much more to Chile than the traditional bucket list destinations.
How does one best start to explore Chile’s Lake District?
Chile boasts the continent’s most active string of volcanoes (second in the world to Indonesia). To experience a particular Patagonian charm with its own local culture and wildlife, book a flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt. Then head to nearby Puerto Varas, and explore Chile’s Lake District, with the ubiquitous Osorno Volcano in full view. Don’t wait too long – its snow cap might disappear soon! While in the area, visit the nearby island of Chiloe, where in addition to experiencing remnants of indigenous Mapuche culture, one can see its colorful stilt houses, and if you’re lucky, penguins! And if planning to visit Argentina’s Lake District, including Bariloche, this is the jumping off point for the fabulous Lakes Crossing experience – by car, bus and boat – all in one long day, or overnight in Puella.
Chile’s Atacama Desert is the driest place on the planet and boasts some of its most stunning landscapes.
Most travelers don’t go to Chile for stargazing, but the north of the country has some of the world’s largest telescopes. Its high altitude and lack of precipitation offer ideal conditions for astronomic activity. Some places there do indeed look and feel out of this world! Fly to Calama and get transferred to a hotel in San Pedro de Atacama or one of the first-class or luxury lodges on its outskirts.
Four or five day visits here usually include excursions to such amazing places as the Tatio Geysers, one of the coolest high-altitude geothermal fields in the world. Then there’s the aptly named Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), where one can see some of the most unusual colors and rock formations this side of the North American Southwest. And few experiences can top driving around Salar de Tara – a huge stretch of salt flats and lagoons, including random wind carved walls of rock. Despite appearing completely desolate, don’t be surprised if you see wildlife, such as Andean foxes, vicunas and flamingoes!
For more information on tours to these places, here is a sample itinerary: Chile – Lakes and Atacama