Chilean Patagonia
With a unique geography spanning an arid Equatorial desert in the north to the high Andes mountains almost 4000 km to the South, the narrow wonderland that is Chile packs so many activities that it is impossible to cover in one vacation! The Patagonian south is a land of lofty mountains, glaciers, countless lakes & rivers, and a diverse flora and fauna – llamas and penguins often stealing the show. Get that end of the world feeling in Punta Arenas – one of the Southernmost cities in the World. And do not forget the capital city of Santiago, which offers a thriving historic, cultural and culiniary experience
Trip Highlights
- This journey takes you to the Chilean Patagonia – land of the mighty snow-capped Andes, crystal lakes, vast glaciers and exotic llamas
- Start the trip in Santiago and explore its rich culture, colonial history, and modern outlook
- Climb up an active volcano – The Volcan Villarica in Puçon, that includes a very interesting “slide” downhill
- Fly down to the city of Punta Arenas, truly the end of the World – acclimatize yourself to the strong sun and explore some of the city’s unique offerings including a Magellenic penguin colony on Magdelena island with thousands of penguins
- Hike the “W” circuit in Torres del Paine National park – a test of endurance but one of the prettiest hikes in the world.
Which Visa Do I Need
Indian citizens require a visa to visit Chile.
Length of Stay
We recommend at least 12 days for this itinerary. There are no direct flights to Chile, so almost a full day is spent in getting there and back.
Best time to visit
Since Chile is in the southern hemisphere, the best time to visit is the winter months of the northern hemisphere. Dec-Jan are the busiest. We recommend the shoulder months of Sep-Nov and Feb-Mar
spanish colonial art & culture, volcano hikes, penguin colonies, hiking in Patagonia, glaciers, snow-capped mountains
Did you know
- At 7,500 feet, Chile’s Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth. Some parts of the region have never received a drop of rain and the Desert is probably also the oldest desert on earth. The desert runs through a 1,000 kilometer long strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, spreading out over an area of 363,000 square kilometers.
- The oldest mummies in the world were found in Chile. Known as the Chinchorro mummies, the mummified remains of individuals from the ancient Chinchorro tribe of the Atacama desert have been dated to be from between 5050 and 3000 BC, meaning that people in the Atacama were mummifying their dead up to two thousand years before the Egyptians!
- Chile is one of the only governments in the world with an official department dedicated to research into UFOs (yes, as in the alien kind).
- The largest earthquake ever recorded occurred in Valdivia in 1960, registering at a 9.5 and killing aroundly 1,000 people.
- The alerce tree of southern Chile can live to be up to 4,000 years old!
