Introducing Chile
Spindly Chile stretches 4300km – over half the continent – from the driest desert in the world (near San Pedro de Atacama) to massive glacial fields. Filling up the in-between are volcanoes, geysers, beaches, lakes, rivers, steppe and countless islands. Slenderness gives Chile the intimacy of a backyard (albeit one fenced between the Andes and the Pacific). What’s on offer? Everything. With easy infrastructure, spectacular sights and hospitable hosts, the hardest part is choosing an itinerary. Consider the sweeping desert solitude, craggy summits and the lush forests of the fjords. Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and the isolated Isla Robinson Crusoe offer extracontinental exploits.
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But don’t forget that Chile is as much about character as it is setting. Its far-flung location fires the imagination and has been known to make poets out of barmen, dreamers out of presidents and friends out of strangers. A few wrong turns and detours and you too will be part of this tightly woven family who barbecues on Sunday. Don’t forget to bring an extra bottle of red to the long, lazy dinners that await.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- See the best of Chile and Argentina
- Journey to enigmatic Easter Island
- Explore the dramatic Chilean fjords
Last updated: Apr 2, 2012
Tips & articles
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Chile road trips: exploring Sur Chico by car
23 May 2012
A little trepidation about driving oneself around South America would be understandable: a joy ride through much of Venezuela at...
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World’s best slow travel
3 May 2012
Vacations are always too short, even if we have the luxury of more than a few weeks a year. So...
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Best adventure travel ideas
29 April 2012
If you’re after an outdoor adventure, look no further. In this excerpt from Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences, we bring...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Crossing Chilean borders on foot/bicycle
by Fernando 27 May 2012
HI Michael yes, I know such demand of Difrol (Chilean Frontiers Office) but is in the case of departing from Chile to any frontier countr…
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Re: Crossing Chilean borders on foot/bicycle
by kozi 27 May 2012
G'day Fernando, Thanks for your respond. It would be great if the bridge has been repaired. I'm trying to confirm this info. No news…
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Re: Looking for travel buddies for South America
by Minniemoose 26 May 2012
Hi I'm female in my 40s but still young at heart! I'll be in Rio in November and then heading to Uruguay for a few days then down to Ushua…
Hotels & Hostels
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Chile
Things to do
- All things to do (1,163)
- Activities (210)
- Entertainment (182)
- Restaurants (372)
- Shopping (94)
- Sights (250)
- Tours (55)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Chile
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1 Valparaíso
Hills bright with teetering colored houses, serious seafood and kicking port nightlife
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2 Easter Island
Enigmatic moai draw in adventurers to explore this eerie speck of land on horseback or foot
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3 Santiago
Chile's hedonistic heart has the hottest restaurants, the busiest bars and the longest nights
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4 San Pedro de Atacama
An adobe oasis surrounded by geysers, sand dunes, salt flats and lost Andean villages
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5 Pucón
Suit up for high-octane outdoor adventures, smoldering volcanoes and Mapuche etnoturismo
Fast Facts about Chile
- Pisco produced annually
50 million liters
- Head of state
President Sebastian Piñera
- Famous for
Tierra del Fuego, Pablo Neruda, Isabel Allende, pisco, wine, General Pinochet, Patagonia
- Did you know...
that Chile is the world's fifth largest exporter of wine?
- She said it
You can tell the deepest truths with the lies of fiction - Isabel Allende
- Highest point
Ojos del Salado (6893m)
- Population
16,601,700 (4.6% of which is indigenous)
- Number of moai on Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
887
- The oldest known Chinchorro mummy...
dates back to c 5050 BC (some 2000 years before Egypt started mummifying its dead)
- Number of vicuña remaining in Chile
25,000
Our favourite Chile Blogs (beta)
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Final Thoughts: Patagonia
Blog: GoBackpacking - 15 May 2012
A recap of my adventures in Patagonia, including a day of ice climbing, Perito Moreno Glacier, and hikes in Torres del Paine National Park.--------- Join Travel Blog Success today and learn to build a better travel blog. Membership includes 27 tutorials, 12 expert audio interviews, private support forum, and much more.
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Hike with Me in Patagonia – 18 photos
Blog: Solo Traveler - 11 April 2012
18 pictures - presumably worth 18 thousand words - to show you how magnificent Patagonia is.
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The Best Food in Patagonia
Blog: GoBackpacking - 11 April 2012
Dave shares his thoughts on the best food in Patagonia, having spent 2 weeks eating his way through the region.--------- Join Travel Blog Success today and learn to build a better travel blog. Membership includes 27 tutorials, 12 expert audio interviews, private support forum, and much more.
