Chile

The Republic of Chile is situated south of Peru and west of Bolivia and Argentina. Chile stretches over 4,300 km (2,700 mi) along the southwestern coast of South America, a distance roughly the same as that from San Francisco to New York, or Edinburgh to Baghdad. At the same time, its width never exceeds 240 km (150 mi), making the country more than eighteen times longer than its widest point.

Ferdinand Magellan was the first European explorer to visit Chile, setting foot here on October 21, 1520.

In the late 15th century, the Incas extended their empire south, attempting to conquer Chile; they were successful in the north, but their influence (central and south) was limited as they faced fierce resistance from the indigenous Araucanian peoples.

In 1540, the Spanish explorer, Pedro de Valdivia arrived, and later founded the capital city of Santiago in 1541. He managed to control the local Indians, forcing them into hard labor, but in the south, the Araucanians would not budge.

Numerous Spanish settlements were built in central Chile, and their population base eventually exceeded one million. Those initial settlers suffered repeated attacks (often brutal) by Araucanians, and that remained a serious (hard to control) problem into the 19th century.

The colonies secretly detested Spain's military rule, but remained loyal to the Spanish crown for nearly three centuries. When the King of Spain was overthrown at the beginning of the 19th century, Chileans began to consider independence, and self-government.

And speaking of freedom, Jose de San Martin, and Bernardo O'Higgins, and their up-start armies drove out the Spanish and achieved their independence from Spain in 1818. Bernardo O'Higgins would later become Chile's first president.

Chile defeated Bolivia and Peru in a regional war (1879-1883) for the control of the Atacama Desert areas. During that war Chile gained more land to the north and Bolivia lost its outlet to the open sea; proving disastrous (even today) for its economy.

Beginning in 1891, and over the next 80 years, Chile was governed by self-serving parliamentary regimes, military rule, left-wing, right-wing parties (including Communists) and a long line of democratically elected presidents.

All remnants of democracy were tossed aside when the repressive military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet began in 1973; finally ending in 1989, when democratic elections were held again

Today, this underdeveloped country with an overdeveloped landscape is primed for the 21st century, as it controls a great portion of the planet's most spectacular scenery, as well as untold natural resources and riches.

Area: 756,950 sq km
Population: 16,134,219
Capital: Santiago
Language: Spanish
Religion: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL%
Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP)
Government: Republic

Arica

Iquique

Antofagasta

La Serena

Valparaíso

Vina del Mar

Santiago

Rancagua

Curico

Talca

Concepción

Temuco

Valdivia

Puerto Montt

Ancud

Quellón

Punta Arenas

Northern Chile - This region claims the world's driest desert, a beautiful "wasteland" set below a chain of purple and pink volcanoes and high-altitude salt flats. The most popular destinations here, including the Atacama Desert, sit at altitudes of 2,000m (6,560 ft.) and up. The extreme climate and the geological forces at work in this region have produced far-out land formations and superlatives such as the highest geyser field in the world. The earth here is parched, sun-baked, and unlike anything you've ever seen, but it gives relief through many of its tiny emerald oases, such as San Pedro de Atacama.

Santiago & Central Chile - The central region of Chile, including Santiago and its environs, features a mild, Mediterranean climate, which reminds many of California. This is Chile's breadbasket, with fertile valleys and rolling fields that harvest a large share of the country's fruit and vegetables; it also is the site of world-famous Chilean wineries. Santiago's proximity to ski resorts, beach resorts, and the idyllic countryside with its campestral and ranching traditions and colonial estates offers a distinct variety of activities that make the Central Valley an excellent destination.

Lake District - Few destinations in the world rival the lush scenery of Chile's Lake District, and for that reason it's the most popular destination for foreigners visiting Chile. This region is packed with a chain of conical, snowcapped volcanoes; glacier-scoured valleys; several national parks; thick groves of native forest; hot springs; jagged peaks; and, of course, many shimmering lakes. Temperatures during the summer are idyllic, but winter is characterized by months of drizzling rain. It's an outdoor-lover and adventure-seeker's paradise, especially in Pucón and Puerto Varas, offering biking, hiking, kayaking, rafting, fly-fishing, and more, but it is also a low-key destination for those who just want to kick back and enjoy the marvelous views.

Chiloé - The island of Chiloé is as attractive for its emerald, rolling hills and colorful wooden churches as it is for the unique culture that developed after 300 years of geographic isolation. Picturesque fishing hamlets and views that stretch from the Pacific to the Andes make for fine sightseeing drives, and Chiloé National Park offers ample opportunity for hiking along the island's untamed coastal rainforest.

The Carretera Austral - Across the sound from Chiloé sits Chile's "frontier" highway, commonly known as the Carretera Austral, a dirt road that stretches nearly 1,000km (620 miles) from Puerto Montt in the north to beyond Coyhaique in the south. Along the way, this relatively new road passes through virgin territory visited by few travelers: tiny villages speckled among thick virgin rainforest, rugged peaks from which waterfalls descend. This area could be one of Chile's best-kept secrets.

Patagonia - Also known as the Magallanes Region, this region has soared in popularity over the past 5 years, drawing visitors from all over the world to places such as Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and Argentina's Perito Moreno Glacier. We've grouped both Argentina and Chile in one Patagonia chapter because many travelers like to visit destinations in both countries when here. Patagonia is characterized by vast open Pampa, the colossal Northern and Southern Ice Fields and hundreds of mighty glaciers, the peaks of the Andes as they fade into the southern Pacific Ocean at their terminus, emerald fjords, and wind, wind, wind. Getting here is an adventure -- it usually takes 24 hours if coming directly from the United States or Europe, but the singular beauty of the region renders the journey worth it. Cruise through emerald fjords, walk across a glacier, stroll through frontierlike immigrant towns such as Puerto Natales, and, without a doubt, visit Chile's national jewel, Torres del Paine.

Tierra del Fuego- South America's largest island sits across the Strait of Magellan and is shared by both Chile and Argentina. There is a major city here, Ushuaia, in Argentina; the rest of the island is populated with more beavers than people.

Being such a long country stretched over a variety of landscapes, Chile has a vast range of food and drink.

One of the highlights of Chilean Cuisine is its diversity of Seafood dues to its 4,270 km (2,647 miles) of coastline. Another thing not to be missed while in Chile is its high quality red wine.

Below are some typical Chilean dishes:

EMPANADA DE PINO - typical turnover filled with diced meat, onions, olive, raisins and a piece of hard-boiled egg, baked in earthen or plain oven.

EMPANADA DE QUESO - typical turnover filled with cheese.

PASTEL DE CHOCLO - a typical chilean summer dish. Ground corn and meat, chopped onions small pieces of chicken, pieces of hard boiled egg, olive raisins - baked in clay or regular oven. Similar to a shepherd pie.

BISTEC A LO POBRE - beefsteak, french fries, fried onions, topped with a couple of fried eggs.

CARBONADA - meat soup with finely diced beef and all kinds of vegetables such as potatoes, onions, carrots, broccoli, green pepper and parsley.

CHANCHO EN PIEDRA - a typical Chilean seasoning. Tomatoes, garlic, and onions grounded together in a stone.

CHARQUICAN - ground or diced meat cooked with garlic, onions, potatoes and pumpkin all mashed. It is a mushy dish but great.

CAZUELA DE AVE - chicken soup with pieces of meat, potatoes, green beans or peas, rice or noodles.

Climbing The Lake District’s Volcán Villarrica and Volcán Osorno are the most popular destinations. Various companies offer guided ascents, but ice gear is required. Guides are compulsory.

Fishing This is particularly good in the Lake District and in Patagonia, South America’s southernmost region. The lakes near Puerto Montt, a port city whose economy is mainly based on fishing, offer excellent trout fishing.

Glacier cruises Departing from Puerto Montt, glacier cruises follow a spectacular route through Chile’s Inside Passage, the Beagle Channel and around Cape Horn, passing through glacial valleys (notably at Laguna San Rafael), fjords and past huge icebergs. Passengers can disembark at various points en route, notably at Puerto Natales and on the Argentinian portion of Tierra del Fuego.

Skiing With more than 4 thousand kilometers (2500 mi) of mountains, Chile is known internationally as one of the world's best skiing destinations and the best of South America. This recognition is based on the excellent quality of the slopes, a top-level infrastructure, a beautiful landscape, accessibility and proximity to urban centers. The main ski centers are located in Central Chile right in the middle of the Andes, at heights that vary from 2400 meters (7872 ft) up to 3000 meters (9840 ft) above sea level. These centers are the ones with the biggest skiing surfaces as well as the best supporting infrastructure. The Chilean ski season starts around June/July and generally lasts untill September/October.

Trekking One of Chile’s most popular regions for trekking is the Lake District, which lies some 900km (560 miles) south of Santiago, and where several of the country’s national parks can be visited. The Lago Verde Trail in the Parque Nacional Huerquehue leads through beech forests, past waterfalls and offers good views of the Volcán Villarica. The fairly remote Parque Nacional Queulat (characterized by glaciers, fjords and volcanic peaks) is a popular destination for adventure travel package tours. Guided hikes, ecology tours and boat trips are available at Parque Nacional Conguillio. The Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, which lies 400km (250 miles) northwest of Punta Arenas, offers abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery consisting of huge glaciers, fjords, waterfalls and blue lakes dotted with icebergs; the park has a well-developed network of trails complemented by trekking huts. In many cases, visitors intending to trek through Chile individually must register with local rangers or at the nearest CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal) office. At the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, solo treks are not allowed.

Whitewater rafting The Maipo, Claro, Trancura and Bio-Bio rivers are the main destinations and specialist operators can organize week-long trips. The scenery around the Bio-Bio includes hot springs and waterfalls, but the construction of several dams along the river will change conditions.

From Grande to Chico: The Mountains and Sands of the North (4 Weeks):
Before exposing yourself to the most extreme environs of Chile, you might as well soak up some sun in the relaxed beach town of Arica. As the major international gateway from Peru and Bolivia, and an important regional transport hub, it’s an easy place to start. From there, head east to PN Lauca to enjoy vast alpine fields, snow-capped mountains, and diverse wildlife. Be sure to plan a trek through neighboring RN Las Vicuñas to see the brilliant white salt plains of the Salar de Surire. After walking in the clouds with the reserve’s vicuñas and guanacos, find another slice of heaven in Iquique. Often called the Miami Beach of South America, this coastal city is an interesting contrast of 19th-century colonial port and 21st-century luxury beach resort, complete with a nightly wildlife of its own. Heading south, you’ll enter the vast Atacama Desert, the driest place on earth, via an otherworldly forest of strange trees—RN Pampa del Tamarugal, protector of the last of the tenacious tamarugo trees, which manage to thrive even in the dry, saline soils at the edge of the desert. Head on to the heart of the desert, San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis village that is the jumping-off point for some of the best sights of the region. From here, you can head on over to watch the steaming explosions of El Tatio Geysers, catch a sunrise over the eerie landscape of Valle de la Luna, and frolic with flamingos in RN Los Flamencos. When you are ready to get back to civilization, catch a bus to Antofagasta, the largest city in the northern region, where you’ll find plenty of urban excitement. After a short break to relax on the beaches in Bahía Inglesa, head on to Copiapó. From Copiapó, conquer PN Nevado Tres Cruces, home to some of the best hiking and climbing the Andes have to offer, including Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano in the world. Just don’t fall in, because you will want to be on the road again to reach La Serena; from there, jump around with the penguins in nearby RN Pingüino de Humboldt, before toasting yourself for finishing your journey at the Pisco plant in Pisco Elqui.

History, Mystery, and Beaches: Milling About the Middle (3 Weeks):
The incredible number of sights and activities packed into Middle Chile make it a must-see area, and there’s no better place to start than the thriving metropolis of Santiago. Enjoy the wide boulevards and bustling crowds of el centro or groove into the early morning hours in Barrio Bellavista. Escape the urban insanity to indulge in the internationally recognized wines of Concha y Toro or ski the slopes of Valle Nevado. Finally, take in a piece of Chilean history at some of Santiago’s myriad museums before hopping a flight across the Pacific to Hanga Roa, Easter Island. Spend a few days traversing the island trying to solve the mystery of the moai, while taking some time to lounge around on the beaches of Ovahe and Anakena. Upon your return, get moving to the coastal resorts, starting with Valparaíso. Spend time wandering through picturesque neighborhoods surrounding downtown and check out one of Pablo Neruda’s houses, before briefly heading to Isla Negra to see even more of his eclectic collection of artifacts and curios. After getting your fill of culture, it’s time to see the other side of beach life in Viña del Mar. One of the hottest resort towns in South America, Viña will have you relaxing on white-sand beaches and jumping in clubs until dawn. If the high life gets to be too much, continue your beach travels in the less-touristed town of Reñaca. Next, recreate the cross-country journey of García Hurtado de Mendoza, riding through the Andes to Mendoza, ARG, where you can reward yourself and your stomach with some of the finest dining in South America. After all that beaching, you’re bound to be hungry.

Over the River and Through the Woods (3 Weeks):
Get ready to roll through one of the most beautiful regions of Chile. Beginning in the urban transport hub of Temuco, head south to Villarrica, a good place to spend the night while daytripping to the more expensive Pucón. This popular lakeside town is great not only for relaxing on black-sand beaches, but also for organizing trips into nearby PN Villarrica to climb the majestic Volcán Villarrica. When you are finished playing on the snow-capped peak, it’s time to move on to the Siete Lagos. Heading back toward the Pacific coast, head to the capital of Los Lagos, Valdivia. Set among rolling farmlands, Valdivia is not only the rainiest place in Chile, it is also often considered the most attractive city in all Chile, with its Germanic heritage lending the city a little extra sabor. Next head on down to Puerto Varas, on the shores of Lago Llanquihue. Varas is a fun place to kill a day or two while enjoying the sparkling blue waters of Llanquihue, as well as the imposing backdrop of Volcanes Osorno, Calbuco, and Puntiagudo. Then move on from the residential suburb to the larger Puerto Montt. The only major city for miles, Puerto Montt is the meeting point of the Panamerican Highway out of Los Lagos, the Carretera Austral out of Aisén, and the ferry from the Island of Chiloé. Before finishing up your tour, rent a cabin for a few days on the shores of the lake in the small mountain hideaway of Ensenada, before tackling the alerce groves of PN Alerce Andino, which protects several-millennia-old alerce trees. Finally, catch a bus from Puerto Montt over the border to Bariloche, ARG, from where you can experience some of South America’s finest skiing before heading home, or continue on to Patagonia.

Ice and Fire: Tackling Tiera del Fuego (3 Weeks):
Looking for some rugged adventure and don’t mind a little cold and wind? Head to Tierra del Fuego. Start off in Punta Arenas, a sheep-herding town that has managed to survive and grow while keeping its quiet origins. From here you can head over to MN Los Pingüinos and waddle around with some of the playful, tuxedoed birds. When you’re ready to get down to business, head north to Puerto Natales, a quiet city that serves as a jumping-off point for some of the most incredible parks in South America. At the top of that list is PN Torres del Paine. Vast forests, alpine fields, rocky ravines, and blue-green lakes surround the impossibly steep and smooth torres that give the park its name. While you could easily spend weeks wandering this incredible park, keep pushing on—your next stop is El Calafate, ARG. This tiny town in Argentine Patagonia sits at the base of some of the largest glaciers in the world. Walk within a few feet of the towering Glaciar Perito Moreno or take a boat up to an estancia perched over the vast Glaciar Upsala. If you’re looking for terrain more suited to hiking, continue north to El Chaltén, ARG, where you can climb the well-known Mt. Fitz Roy; but don’t be in too much of a rush to leave Chile’s more flamboyant neighbor. First trek on down to the touristy Ushuaia, ARG. The “Land of Fire” isn’t quite the burning place you thought it would be—PN Tierra del Fuego is actually the best place from which to arrange trips to Antarctica. Before wrapping up this short jaunt, be sure to visit Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino, allowing you to finish up your trip at the southernmost human settlement in the world.

The Best of Chile (1 month): So you want big cities, rugged wilderness, burning deserts, towering glaciers, and gorgeous beaches? Sounds like you want all of Chile—or, at least as much as you can cram into a month of travels. Your first stop (and likely entry point) is the bustling metropolis of Santiago. Gape at the soaring skyscrapers of Santiago Centro and get your groove on in the hip Barrio Bellavista. Then jump to the far north, landing in Arica, gateway to Peru and Bolivia, as well as to some of the north’s most fascinating sights, including PN Lauca, home to llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos, as well as the blindingly white salt plains of the Salar de Surire. From alpine plains and snow-capped mountains to the barren desert, San Pedro de Atacama is your next stop. Try catching the sunset at Valle de la Luna and the sunrise over El Tatio Geysers. When you’re ready to head back to civilization, continue to Antofagasta, the region’s largest city. This is a great place to rest up before attacking the highest volcano in the world, Ojos del Salado, in PN Nevado Tres Cruces. Back on the Pacific coast, Valparaíso is a great place to take in a little culture and see Pablo Neruda’s old haunts. Or swing over to Valpo’s sister city, Viña del Mar, one of the hottest, wildest beach resorts in South America. If you haven’t had enough of beaches and waves, head on to Chile’s premier surf town, Pichilemu, a growing mecca for surfers and young travelers alike. However, if sand isn’t your favorite thing, head on to Curicó, from where you can feel free to hop around on the Ruta del Vino Valle de Curicó and sample some of Chile’s finest. Don’t drink too much, because soon, it’s off to beautiful Pucón, near the shores of Lago Villarrica. From here, you can take a tour out to the imposing Volcán Villarrica, or enjoy the increasingly popular town, before heading on to Puerto Varas. With a laid-back atmosphere and incredible views of the Andes, beautiful Puerto Varas is slowly becoming one of the more popular cities in Chile’s Región Los Lagos. Next, catch a ferry from Puerto Montt to Castro on the isle of Chiloé. Be sure to spend time wandering through some of the quaint fishing villages that dot the coast and drop by the picturesque PN Chiloé. After that, head down to Punta Arenas, where you can spend time with the penguins and prep yourself for a trek through PN Torres del Paine, one of the most well-known parks in South America. When you’ve had enough of alpine fields, blue-green lakes, and craggy peaks, move on to Ushuaia, ARG. Although it claims to be “el fin del mundo” (the end of the world), no pan-Chilean adventure would be complete without a trip to the actual southernmost human settlement in the world, Puerto Williams, on Isla Navarino. Finally, head on back to Santiago, and kick back with a pisco sour. You’ve earned it.

High season for Chilean, Brazilian, and Argentine vacationers is during the summer from December 15 to the end of February, as well as the two middle weeks of July and Holy Week (Semana Santa), the week preceding Easter Sunday. These dates coincide with school vacations. Everybody, it seems, takes their vacation during these dates, and, consequently, the teeming masses seen in popular destinations such as Pucón or Viña del Mar during this time are overwhelming. If that weren't enough, consider that hotels nearly double in price, and some businesses quietly jack up their prices in anticipation of vacationers who come with money to burn. If being in Chile from December to February during the peak of the austral summer is still what you'd prefer, book a room well in advance. Or you can do as most North American and Europeans do and come from late September to early December for the spring bloom, or from March to June, when the trees turn color; both seasons have pleasant weather, and everything is less crowded. In fact, it's preferable to be in the extreme regions of Chile during these "off seasons." In northern regions, such as San Pedro de Atacama, the searing heat during the summer is a killer. In Patagonia, the fierce wind blows from October to April but is most consistent in December and January.



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