Why I love Chile

“I've worked in Chile as a hiking guide and returned to spend part of each year in the Lakes District. For me, Chile has always meant nature as it should be, in so many places a tangled and vast wilderness not yet marred by human intervention. The more I travel, the more I realize that precious few of these places remain on the planet and yet we need them desperately. It's a practical matter, beyond the dollar value...” Read More

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Carolyn McCarthy
Writer

Top experiences in Chile

Recent articles

Home on the range: rural tourism in Chilean Patagonia

Along Chile’s remote Carretera Austral, pioneer families run small-scale Andean ranches in the emerald hillsides. At these off-the-grid homesteads, travelers can ride on sheepskin-padded saddles, gather round the fire pit for barbecues or simply sip mate by the wood stove.

Rural tourism is a concept both nonexistent and omnipresent along Chile's Carretera Austral. That is to say, due to its remote character, almost all tourism here is rural, though not by design. With road access only completed in the late 1990s, tourism along the Carretera Austral still remains a very homemade affair where informal, family-run hotels or hospedajes are the norm and hosts are likely to invite guests for tea and a tour of the greenhouse.
Carolyn McCarthy
Lonely Planet Writer

Sailing south: Patagonia by sea

A maze of fjords with wild, wind-worn isles, abundant marine life and glaciers that tumble into the Pacific, the singular landscape of Chilean Patagonia is often best admired from the deck of a boat. From the humble ferry to luxury cruises, plenty of options for all budgets ply this spectacular coastline.

South of Puerto Montt, the South American continent crumbles into numerous islands scattered from the Andean peaks that fortress the mainland. Roads are no longer a constant. Instead, travel requires routing a course of dirt roads and ferries. The Ruta Bimodal, operated by Naviera Austral (taustral.cl), marks three obligatory ferry crossings between Puerto Montt and Chaitén.
Carolyn McCarthy
Lonely Planet Writer

On the road in remote Chile: ways to conquer the Carretera Austral

Whether by foot, two wheels, or four-wheel drive, the Carretera Austral is an iconic challenge and a journey through South America’s most sublime end-of-the-world landscapes.

Among the world's finest road trips, the Carretera Austral – or "Southern Highway" – is a 1240km route through Chile that’s mostly unpaved. Winding through millennia-old forests, it visits dusty Andean hamlets and turquoise rivers spawned from landlocked glaciers.
Carolyn McCarthy
Lonely Planet Writer
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Travel guides

Starting at $26.99

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Chile adventures

$2799 Small group tours

Patagonia Multisport

This varied active trip will have you hiking, kayaking, and cycling your way all over Patagonia. Discover the unforgettable landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park as the backdrop to your activities. Experience Patagonia the active way it was meant to be, and discover a new version of you that is wetter, faster, and more energetic.
$1999 Small group tours

Highlights of Chile & Argentina

Looking to discover the best of Chile AND Argentina in one unforgettable experience? These ten days travelling through gorgeous landscapes and cities are your solution. Visit coastal Valparaíso, get active in the adventure-sport mecca of Pucón, and journey to a genuine gaucho ranch outside of quaint, lakeside Bariloche, before finishing up in the iconic "don't cry for me" cosmopolis of Buenos Aires. Get yourself to this southern part of the world and go home recharged.
$3799 Small group tours

Andes, Iguassu & Beyond

This tour is designed for anyone looking for the most incredible natural and cultural highlights of southern South America. Spend 18 days exploring the cultures of Chile and Argentina with the Andes as your perfectly picturesque backdrop. Get active in the adventure-sport-lover's paradise of Pucon, Chile and then stand in the mist of majestic Iguassu Falls, before moving on to find out once and for all why Rio de Janeiro is the cultural icon it's become. Enjoy free time to explore this amazing city. Don't leave any adventure-stone unturned; do it all.
$886.99 Small group tours

4-Day Chilean Patagonia Tour: Puerto Natales, Serrano Glacier and Torres del Paine National Park

Explore the lakes, glaciers and snow-covered mountains of Chilean Patagonia on a four-day excursion based in Puerto Natales. Take a day cruise among the glaciers and ice floes of Ultima Esperanza Fjord, visit a traditional cattle ranch and take a drive through Patagonia’s scenic steppe country in Torres del Paine National Park with your expert guide. Choose from three four-star hotels for all three nights’ accommodation.
$288.99 Small group tours

3-Day Santiago Tour Including Private City Sightseeing and Optional Day Trips to Wine Country or Valparaiso

Spend three days in and around Santiago to get better acquainted with Chile’s vibrant capital city. See the sights on a private tour and enjoy a scenic drive through Santiago’s historic neighborhoods. Have a day free to explore Santiago on your own, or select from four optional tours that take you to coastal towns like Valparaiso or wine tasting at Chile’s famous vineyards. Choose from three-star or four-star hotels for both nights’ accommodation.
$661.99 Small group tours

4-Day Chilean Lakes Region Tour: Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Chiloe Island

Spend four days exploring Chile’s lakes region on this mostly private tour. With an experienced guide, you'll see the sights of Puerto Montt on a tour by private car, cruise across Lake Todos los Santos, visit fishing and handicrafts towns with your knowledgeable guide, and admire the brightly colored stilt houses of Chiloe Island. Choose from two four-star hotels for all three nights’ accommodation on this scenic journey into one of Chile’s most beautiful regions.
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