Chile
Top Tips
Hiking/trekking:
National parks, extensive trails and outstanding scenery (including
the Andes, which rise to over 20,000 feet) make Chile a top hiking
destination. Treks can be arranged at many of our featured hotels
and lodges.
Horse riding:
Argentina may be known as the land of the gaucho, but it's a way of
life equally inherent to its neighbour. Riding excursions into the
Andes can be arranged at many of our featured hotels.
White-water rafting and kayaking:
The Futaleufu in Patagonia offers some of the world's best white
waters. You can experience them from this tiny hideaway.
Rivers near Pucon and Osorno in the Lake District offer slightly
tamer rides.
Canyoning:
Canyoning - climbing, hiking and swimming down the country’s
innumerable gorges - is an excellent way to get not just off the
beaten track, but off any track at all.
Fly-fishing:
Chile offers some of the world’s best salmon and trout
fishing. Stay at a cosy lodge on the edge of Lago Todos
los Santos, or spend a week with a passionate fisherman
on the island of Chiloe.
Climbing/mountaineering:
Chile has myriad opportunities for climbers and mountaineers, from
the popular Lake District volcanoes, including Osorno, to the
ultimate challenge of Torres del Paine.
Skiing:
Within an hour of Santiago, the resorts of Valle Nevado and
Portillo provide excellent skiing (best in June and July).
Antillanca, east of Osorno in the Lake District, also has ski
facilities.
Wine tasting:
Chilean wines are ranked among South America’s - even the
world’s - best. There are numerous vineyards in the Central
Valley around Santiago; several of our hotels offer
wine tasting and tours, and some are set on working
wineries.
Culture:
The island of Chiloe is known
for its folklore, friendly people, markets and unique wooden
churches; check out Santiago's
colonial architecture and theatre scene.
Cycling/mountain biking:
Vast open wildernesses, endless vistas and an extensive road
network make Chile a cyclist’s dream. Hardened mountain
cyclists should try the Camino Austral, from Puerto Montt
downwards.
Bird-watching:
Chile has an impressive array of birds (over 200 species), from
soaring Andean condors to the flightless rhea, flamingos to
penguins.
Beaches:
Beaches for sunbathing and recreational activities are restricted
to Chile's northern coast. La Serena and Viña del Mar are
the best-known resorts.