Chile
Nobody lands in Chile by accident. Its crazy geography has always separated it from its neighbors on all side – the Atacama Desert in the north, Antarctica in the south and the Andes on the west.
But although it is but a sliver of land running down the western coast of Latin America, Chile is choc-full of extraordinarily wonderful nature. To explore Chile, you need time because of the unique geography of the place – but it will be worth it.
Torres del Paine
Taking a hike in the remote Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is one breathtaking experience you will not forget. Renowned as one of the most unspoilt and beautiful places on the planet, this vast area is characterized by spectacularly fierce jagged mountains set within valleys covered in grasses and flora.
It's the archetypal ecological destination for those who want to leave their cares at home and hike away the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Lake District
Think of Switzerland and you go some way to picturing the Lake District of Chile. Jagged peaks, deep blue lakes, flowing waterfalls – it's a picture-postcard of natural beauty. Scrape the surface though and this all-round destination has some interesting extra attractions. Geologically its Andean location gives rise to six snow-capped volcanoes and some interesting local folklore and legends.
It's a wonderful place to enjoy the wonderful local cuisine and beauty of the surrounding pristine larch forests.
Santiago Wine and Ski Country
In recent years, Chile has become a world-renowned region of wine production thanks to the quality of the wine and variety of the stock. The fertile Central Valley pitched between the Andes and the Coastal Range, is Chile's orchard and breadbasket, while Santiago, home to over six million people (a third of the country's total) is far and away the economic and cultural hearth of the nation.
Touring the wineries is one popular activity, seconded by the wealth of skiing possibilities the region has to offer. The slopes are suited to everybody from beginner to expert and are almost empty where powder lasts for days rather than hours.
Atacama
This desert in northern Chile seems just a thirsty spot of land at first sight, where there has been on rain since recordkeeping began. Yet it offers boundless vistas, access to mountains and the sea, and a night sky teeming with Southern Hemisphere constellations, unencumbered by the lights of a city.
Ironically, this is one of the places where you can find some of the best boutique hotels in Latin America. The Awasi, Explora and Tarrantai are all excellent, while the Tierra Atacama has a luxury spa at your disposal.
Easter Island
Rapa Nui, the Polynesian name for the Island, is most famous for the Moai, the 887 giant, stone statues that dot the landscape. The enormous figures are an archaeological wonder and mystery, set on the most isolated southeasterly Pacific island in the Polynesian triangle.
Of course, these unique statues are the main reason most people visit the Island. But once here a variety of adventure activities await the traveler, including hiking, climbing and snorkeling and scuba diving amongst the corals in this subterranean volcanic landscape.
Recently there have been a number of hotels built here that bring refinement to the island, including the Explora. Aracari clients have appreciated this, calling the Island 'enchanted and unforgettable'.
Destinations
