Chile Tours & Vacations
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Vacations
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Overview
From the ice fields of Southern Patagonia to the Atacama Desert, Chile has one of the most diverse landscapes in South America. Explore all that this South American country has to offer with one of our tailor-made Chile holidays.
Let our travel experts help you with your trip to Chile. Our tailor-made packages are some of the best to get off the beaten track, whether that is canoeing around Patagonia, exploring Easter ...
From the ice fields of Southern Patagonia to the Atacama Desert, Chile has one of the most diverse landscapes in South America. Explore all that this South American country has to offer with one of our tailor-made Chile holidays.
Let our travel experts help you with your trip to Chile. Our tailor-made packages are some of the best to get off the beaten track, whether that is canoeing around Patagonia, exploring Easter Island or taking an incredible self-drive journey. All of our tailor-made itineraries can be changed to suit you.
A dramatic, living landscape of gushing geysers and active volcanoes, Chile presents a wild land of dramatic fjords, remote coastline and a rich history of cultural traditions.
Home to the world’s driest desert, its landscape is pock-marked with an astonishing 2,000 volcanoes, 50 of which are still active and, as the sun goes down over the Salt Mountain range, you can hear the white-crusted rocks cracking as they contract. Sandwiched between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, the country is only 350 kilometres at its widest point, but stretches over 4,300 kilometres from north to south, passing through a landscape of remarkable climatic and cultural diversity.
Emerging from the dark days of Pinochet’s military dictatorship, the Chileans have retained their wonderful warmth and humour and provide a cheerful welcome to any visitor.
Chileans love their sport as much as their traditions; panpipes and bamboo flutes play as much a part in their culture as football and rodeo. But it is Chile’s landscapes that leaving leave an everlasting memory, from the scorched deserts of the Atacama to the breathtaking mountains and glaciers of the Torres del Paine National Park, Chile is a land just ripe for everything from wild desert adventure and white water rafting, to complete escapism where photographers and culture buffs alike can relish a truly inspirational landscape.
Meet the Expert
Start your journey
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Classic Chile
This is a 'classic' trip of Chile's top natural highlights and landscapes including Patagonia, the Lake District and the Atacama Desert, balancing tours and properties recommended for their excursions, with leisure time
Chile In Style
Travel Chile in absolute luxury, staying in some of the world's most high-end and award-winning accommodations which offer exclusive trips to explore the Atacama Desert, Patagonia, the winelands and remote Chiloé Island
Undiscovered Chile
Explore southern Patagonian Chile, away from the crowds, with this short active trip rafting, hiking and kayaking. The highlight is the impressive marble caves, not usually visited due to its remote location
Chile and Argentina Waterfalls, Lakes, Wines and Deserts
Get a flavour for southern South American landscapes including sprawling deserts, bustling cities and world-class waterfalls. This is a luxury trip through some of the continent’s most iconic destinations, staying at some of its most exclusive properties
Chile and Bolivia Desert Expedition
With a focus on the iconic Uyuni Salt flats that span Chile and Bolivia, this trip explores both sides and their surroundings, as well as taking advantage of some of the planet’s best astronomic observation in the Atacama Desert and the Elqui Valley
Chile, Bolivia and Peru: Deserts, Lakes and Canyons
A truly remarkable trip for those wanting to dig deeper and spend longer exploring some of the most fascinating natural delights of South America and the Andes, making extraordinary border crossings at Lake Titicaca and the Atacama Desert and Uyuni Salt Flats
Chile: Patagonia Antarctica Extension
Include a perfect extension to your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic cruise by combining the remote, icy wilderness of Antarctica with the snow-capped peaks and dramatic glacial scenery of Chilean Patagonia.
Wild Antarctica Fly Over the Drake Passage
Push the boundaries of the usual cruises with this 13-day luxury experience, by flying over the famous Drake Passage onto the Antarctic Peninsula to explore both east and west Antarctica aboard the premium Greg MortimerHIGHLIGHTS OF CHILE
BEST EXPERIENCES
Soak up the Santiago culture
From Dominican monastery crafts to Bohemian cafes, take a half-day, private-guided immersion trip for the perfect introduction to the history, art and culture of Chile’s capital city. Notable places include Bellavista, the Cathedral and Plaza de Armas.
Explore the Death & Moon Valleys
Enjoy an afternoon or evening exploration of the Death and Moon valleys ideally at sunset. Walks and drive through Death Valley’s bizarre rock agglomerations and Moon Valley’s silent moonscape with strange salt and clay formations.
Delve deep into Torres del Paine
Explore the glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and wildlife of this majestic national park.
Star Gaze in Atacama’s desert sky
Atacama Desert is internationally renowned for its astrological clarity thanks to its clear skies and low humidity. Using tripod telescopes observe the night sky and discover a variety of constellations and planets.
Visit a virtual Chilean vineyard
Perfect for those who don’t have time to visit the Chilean wine country. Enjoy tastings; an aroma room; a virtual tour of the Casablanca, Colchagua and Maipo wine valleys; and learn how to choose a quality vintage all under one roof in the capital.
Visit the magical Chiloé Island
Explore the unique Chiloé Archipelago from the community of Ancud, its fortress and the island’s west coast beach of Puñihuil. A zodiac can be taken to one of three small islands where Humboldt and Magellan penguins breed for an up-close look at the penguins.
Hike up Osorno Volcano
Chile’s Patagonian Lake District at it most dramatic. The easy trek up the area’s most famous landmark provides views over Llanquihue Lake and can also be combined with an exploration of the Petrohue River and waterfalls and Todos Los Santos Lake.
Hike in a Patagonian rainforest
Alerce Andino National Park can be found down the Austral Highway beyond small fishing villages and up the Chamiza River. Take a guided hike to explore Patagonian rainforest inland towards the Sargazos Lagoon in the Andes range covered in 3,000-year-old trees.
Walk around artistic Valparaiso
Enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaiso and its famously colourful hills with visits to Sotomayor Plaza, Echaurren Plaza and Prat Pier. The tour also includes a ride in the historical cable cars and the public trolleybusTOP PLACES TO VISIT
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas was founded by German colonists who settled on the shores of Llanquihue Lake in the mid-19th century. It became the centre of lake navigation and the port of departure ...
Santiago
The conquistador Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago de Chile in 1541. Leaving Cuzco, he travelled down the continent and fell in love once he gazed upon the valley at the point where the Mapocho and ...
Torres Del Paine
Designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978, the park embraces an area of extreme beauty that renders most visitors speechless. Thick Magellanic forests, barren pampa,...
Valparaiso
One of the country’s most important ports and home to Chile’s National Congress, Valparaiso is also one of the country’s most important centres for Chilean culture. A UNESCO ...
The Atacama Desert
This seemingly inhospitable area was first inhabited by the Atacameño people, who discovered the small oases scattered around and developed the area for farming, despite the landscape ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Awasi Lodge, San Pedro de Atacama
Unusual that such an upscale boutique lodge in the desert is right in the heart of San Pedro de Atacama, but this Relais & Chateaux property does everything its own way and that it does well. 12…
Casa Higueras Hotel, Valparaiso
The elegant boutique Casa Higueras hotel is close to the Paseo Yugoslavo and the Ascensor Peral, in the middle of Cerro Alegre that not only features attractive immigrant houses from the turn of the…
Explora Patagonia: Hotel Salto Chico, Torres Del Paine
A very luxurious base for exploring the national park, Explora Patagonia is an upmarket, all-inclusive lodge located inside the Torres del Paine National Park. The Explora group handpick excellent…
Hosteria Las Torres Patagonia, Torres Del Paine
Actually located inside Torres del Paine National Park, Hotel Las Torres Patagonia offers a truly privileged experience. Accommodation is either offered with breakfast or on an all-inclusive basis. The…
Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas, Puerto Varas
This huge chalet was strategically constructed on the perfect spot to afford sweeping views over Lake Llanquihue and the volcanoes of Osorno and Calbuco. Views can be enjoyed from the rooms, the…
Le Reve Boutique Hotel, Santiago
Set in the tree-lined residential area of Providencia in Santiago, this 14-room boutique hotel is equally homey and stylish. Designed as a century-old, French-style manor, it has a charming courtyard…
The Singular Hotel, Santiago
If you want to enjoy the arts and culture of Santiago’s Lastarria Barrio from an elegant base, the five-star Singular hotel is your place. Located in the artistic hub of the city, the…
Tierra Atacama Lodge & Spa, San Pedro de Atacama
Consistently making the cut as one of the best “resorts” in South America, this is an elegant and high service lodge with comfort at every corner and style to spare. Rooms feature generous floor to…
Hotel AWA, Puerto Varas
True luxury on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, this 16-room boutique hotel with volcano and lake views is super stylish and perfectly located for favourable access to the national park and natural…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Meet the expert, Richard
Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Chile though you should be up to date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Chile the official unit of currency is the Chilean Peso. To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
Although South Americans are very relaxed in comparison to people in other parts of the world, some places are very traditional and conservative, and your dress/behaviour should respect this. Public displays of affection are considered inappropriate. We also recommend taking the time to learn a little Spanish – manners are held in high regard and a few pleasantries in the local language are always appreciated. You will find that the more effort you make to talk to people in their own language, the more rewarding your holiday experience will be.
Language & Religion
Spanish is the official language spoken in Chile and it is spoken nationwide. Very few people speak English and not all hotel and restaurant staff will do so either, so it is useful to have a basic grasp of Spanish before you travel. Chilean Spanish sounds slightly different to traditional Spanish as Chileans speak fast and their pronunciation is slightly altered.
Time
Chile is 4 hours behind GMT. A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
While Chile is unlikely ever to be known for its nationally sophisticated cuisine, there have been notable signs of improvement in recent years, particularly in Santiago and other areas visited by international tourists. The capital has a wide range of options for eating out, with excellent vegetarian restaurants to hearty, good-value grills. However, you can also find sushi, Indian, Middle Eastern, seafood and Peruvian restaurants.