Activities in Chile
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Cousino Macul and Concha y Toro Wineries Day Trip from Santiago
7 hours (Departs Santiago, Chile)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Discover the 'New World of Wine' in Chile and visit two of the oldest and most historic wineries in the country on a full day guided tour from Santiago.…Not LP reviewed
from USD$184.99 - All activities
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Servicios Astronómicos Maury y Compañía
Take a Tour of the Night Sky from San Pedro with Servicios Astronómicos Maury y Compañía. Tours leave nightly at 7:30pm and 10:30pm in winter and 9pm and midnight in summer (except around the full moon), and they alternate between Spanish, English and French. Bring very warm clothes. French astronomer Alain Maury ferries travelers into the desert, far from intrusive light contamination, where they can enjoy the stars in all their glory. He owns several chunky telescopes through which visitors can gawk at galaxies, nebulae, planets and more. Shooting stars are guaranteed.
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Cruce de Lagos
Many travelers enjoy the scenery around Lago Todos Los Santos, which can be crossed either as a day tour or as part of the bus-boat excursion across the Andes to Bariloche, Argentina. If the weather is clear it's a pleasant tour, but otherwise it can be quite frustrating. Only one company, Cruce de Lagos, does the trip; reservations are made through Andina del Sud.
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Viña Aquitania
Set at the foot of the Andes is Santiago's most interesting winery. Aquitania works with tiny quantities and sky-high quality. From Grecia metro station (Línea 4), take bus D07 south from bus stop 6 and get off at the intersection of Av Los Presidentes and Consistorial (you need a Bip! card). Aquitania is 150m south. Note that Viña Cousiño Macul is located only 2km away.
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Raices Andinas
A respectable little Aymara-run outfit recommended for encouraging better understanding of the local people. Tours into the mountains last from two days (around CH$50,000) to four (around CH$145,000); prices vary according to the number of participants.
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Viña Cousiño Macul
A pretty winery set in Santiago's urban sprawl. Most of the vineyards are now at Buin, but tours take in the production process and underground bodega, built in 1872. It's a 2.25km walk or a quick taxi ride from the metro.
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Cactus Tour
A small outfit, but frequently recommended for its excellent service, polite bilingual guides, comfortable vehicles and above-average food. Prices are marginally high, but the difference is noticeable.
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Viña Concha y Toro
To see winemaking on a vast scale, do one of the mass-market tours at Viña Concha y Toro.
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Oasis Fly
Paragliding operator.
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Hiking, The 'W'
Should one hike the 'W' or go for the whole Circuit? The answer lies in one's time, hiking experience and endurance. Doing the Circuit takes five to eight days, while the 'W' takes at least three to four. If you're not driving, figure another day or so for transportation connections. With the Circuit you will definitely see more and get further away from the crowds; however, the 'W' neatly packages the park's 'highlight' views into a tighter period of time.
The majority of trekkers start both routes from Laguna Amarga, although it's also possible to hike from the Administración or take the catamaran to Lago Pehoé and start from there. The treks are not without difficulty,…
reviewed
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Hiking, The Circuit
Should one hike the 'W' or go for the whole Circuit? The answer lies in one's time, hiking experience and endurance. Doing the Circuit takes five to eight days, while the 'W' takes at least three to four. If you're not driving, figure another day or so for transportation connections. With the Circuit you will definitely see more and get further away from the crowds; however, the 'W' neatly packages the park's 'highlight' views into a tighter period of time.
The majority of trekkers start both routes from Laguna Amarga, although it's also possible to hike from the Administración or take the catamaran to Lago Pehoé and start from there. The treks are not without difficulty,…
reviewed
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swimming beaches
A swathe of wide sandy beaches stretches from La Serena's nonfunctional lighthouse right to Coquimbo: there are so many that you could visit a different beach every day for a two-week vacation. Unfortunately, strong rip currents make some unsuitable for swimming. Safe swimming beaches generally start south of Cuatro Esquinas and include most beaches around Coquimbo. Those between the west end of Av Aguirre and Cuatro Esquinas (ie closer to town) are friskier and generally dangerous for bathers.
Look for the signs 'Playa Apta' (meaning beach safe for swimming) and 'Playa No Apta' (meaning beach not safe for swimming).
A bike path now runs all the way to Coquimbo. For quick…
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Mountain Biking
Mountain bikes can be rented all over town. Some of the small unnamed bike shops along the side streets (Arauco for example) have just as good bikes and better prices than the larger agencies on Av O'Higgins. Daily rental prices are negotiable and a brand new bike with full suspension will set you back a bit more than an older bike will.
The most popular route is the Ojos de Caburgua Loop. Take the turnoff to the airfield about 4km east of town and across Río Trancura. (Extensions off this route include the Lago Caburga to Río Liucura Loop and the full Río Trancura Loop.) Two other popular trails that are close to town are Correntoso and Alto Palguín Chinay (to the…
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Termas de Puyehue
Alcohol problem? Can’t shake cigarettes? Battling a time-consuming porn habit? There’s no cure here for those, but the therapeutic waters at Termas de Puyehue are said to cure just about everything else. This baronial destination resort, set on an elegant 36 sq km just off Ruta 215, 76km east of Osorno, bills itself as Chile’s first five-star, all-inclusive resort. It is indeed impressive: colossal stone archways, never-ending staircases, heated hallways, three thermal pools, a full-blown spa and three restaurants. The waters aren’t in as good a shape as the resort itself (the outdoor option with views is preferred), but if it eases your arthritis and rheumatism, who…
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Rafting & Kayaking
Pucón is known for both its river sports and the quality of the rafting/kayaking infrastructure. Most of the larger agencies run rafting trips. The rivers near Pucón and their corresponding rapids classifications are: the Lower Trancura (III), the Upper Trancura (IV), Liucura (II-III), The Puesco Run (V) and Maichín (IV-V). When negotiating a rafting or kayaking trip, recognize that stated trip durations often include transportation, not just the time spent on the water.
Prices vary depending on the season, the number of people per raft/kayaking trip, the company and level of challenge. Many of the rivers are swollen in the winter and closed for sports, although it is…
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Cervecería Kunstmann
At Cervecería Kunstmann, on Isla Teja at Km5 on the road to Niebla, you’ll find the South’s best brewery. Call ahead if you’re interested in a free tour, but we know you’re really just here for the suds. Make sure to try the unfiltered versions of the Toro Bayo and lager at this large brewpub and beer museum – they aren’t available anywhere else. In the evening, the hearty German fare includes lots of pork chops, späetzle, sauerkraut, and apple sauce, which – let’s be frank – is only good if your name is Rolf and you suffer from a debilitating case of homesickness. Bus 20 from Carampague to Isla Teja (CH$300) can drop you off.
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Teleférico
A 2000m-long teleférico runs east from Estación Cumbre. The first stop is Estación Tupahue, around which are clustered the Jardín Botánico Mapulemu, a botanical garden, as well as two huge public swimming pools, the Piscina Tupahue and Piscina Antilén. The cable car continues to Estación Oasis, at the north end of Av Pedro de Valdivia in Providencia (about 10 minutes’ walk from Pedro de Valdivia metro station). The small but perfectly landscaped Jardín Japonés is 400m east. There are snack stands near the cable-car stations, but Cerro San Cristóbal is also a prime picnicking spot.
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Termas Los Pozones
The most popular termas to visit from Pucón has six natural stone pools with a variety of temperatures spaced along the rushing Liucura river. It’s open nearly 24 hours but gets crowded, so come during nighttime hours (8pm to 6am). It can be a fun spot – people drink alcohol in the pools – so don’t count on a place to meditate. A few changing rooms are built overtop the main pool with ladders right into the water. Transportation from Pucón ($10,000) is included in the admission price. Keep an eye on your valuables.
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Outdoor Experience
This small, highly recommended agency may not have the fancy vehicles and other ornaments of some of the large commercial operators, but it has an unparallel level of expertise and experience. It puts a lot more thought and personal touch into its excursions than the competition.
If you are motivated to not only get to the top of Volcán Villarrica or hike through El Cañi reserve, but to learn something about mountaineering, local history and geography in the process, this is your top choice in Pucón.
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La Parva
The most exclusive of Santiago's ski resorts, La Parva is definitely oriented toward posh families rather than the powder-and-party pack. Private cottages and condos make up ski base Villa La Parva, from where 14 lifts take you to its 30 runs, the highest of which starts at 3630m above sea level. Snow permitting, there's plenty of off-piste skiing here, too. The ski between La Parva and Valle Nevado or Farellones is also a favorite among more experienced skiers.
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Parque Nacional Pali Aike
The park has several hiking trails, including a 1700m path through the rugged lava beds of the Escorial del Diablo to the impressive Crater Morada del Diablo; wear sturdy shoes or your feet could be shredded. There are hundreds of craters, some as high as a four-story building. There’s also a 9km trail from Cueva Pali Aike to Laguna Ana, where there’s another shorter trail to a site on the main road, 5km from the park entrance.
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Mirador Dorotea
So you've been running around town all morning trying to organize gear & plans for the park and want to get out & do a little warm-up hike? Head to Mirador Dorotea, less than 10km from Natales. Dorotea is the large rocky outcrop just off Ruta 9. There is a big sign that identifies the hike to the lookout at lot 14 just off the road. The hike takes you through a lenga forest & up to a splendid view back over Puerto Natales, the glacial valley and the surrounding mountains.
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Termas de Puritama
These idyllic volcanic hot springs puddle together in a box canyon 34km north of San Pedro, en route to El Tatio. Maintained by the Explora company, it has changing rooms on site. Few tours stop here because of the hefty admission charged, but taxis will take you from San Pedro for around CH$5000. The springs are a 20-minute walk from the parking lot. The temperature of the springs is about 33°C, and there are several falls and pools. Bring food, water and sunblock.
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Valle Nevado
About 12km from Farellones is Valle Nevado. Modeled on European setups, Valle Nevado boasts almost 3000 hectares of skiable domain – the largest in South America. It's also the best-maintained of Santiago's resorts and has the most challenging runs. A variety of beginner runs make it good for kids, too. Thirteen chairlifts and surface lifts take you to the 27 pistes' high-altitude start points, which range from 2860m to 3670m. At the time of writing, construction on an eight-person gondola – the first of its kind in Chile – was underway. Adrenaline levels also run high here: there's a snow park, good off-piste action and heli-skiing.
In summer, the Mirador chairlift…
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Turismo Comapa
If you have the time, a more atmospheric alternative to Seno Otway is the thriving Magellanic penguin colonies of Monumento Natural Los Pingüinos on Isla Magdalena. Five-hour tours on the Barcaza Melinka (adult/child CH$25,000) land for an hour at the island and depart the port on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, December through February. Confirm times in advance. Book tickets through Turismo Comapa and bring a picnic.
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Day Hikes, Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine
Walk from Guardería Lago Pehoé, on the main park highway, to Salto Grande, a powerful waterfall between Lago Nordenskjöld and Lago Pehoé. Another easy hour's walk leads to Mirador Nordenskjöld, an overlook with superb views of the lake and mountains. For a more challenging day hike, try the four-hour trek leading to Lago Paine, whose northern shore is accessible only from Laguna Azul. The route offers tranquility and gorgeous scenery.
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