The world’s narrowest country at an average of just 177km across, Chile hugs the Pacific coast of South America for a staggering 4,270km north to south. With the mighty Andes range forming a natural boundary to the east, Chile’s remarkable range of landscapes also includes rainforest, the Atacama Desert, glaciers, volcanoes and some picturesque beaches. It’s an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
I was lucky enough to visit Chile as part of a six-month trip to South America and our new walking holiday, which visits the north and centre of the country, is influenced by my time there. As well as its obviously breathtaking landscapes, I was particularly struck by the country’s rich history of colonial, and indigenous cultures, which together combine to make the locals completely unique and unlike anyone else in the world. On our new Walk in Chile’s Lake District & Desert itinerary you’ll have the chance to discover a number of these different cultures, accompanied by local guides who can give you a true insight into each region.
The trip begins and ends in the capital, Santiago. European settlers arrived here in the 1500s and their influence is still seen everywhere in its architecture. Our itinerary gives you time to explore the city’s markets, back streets and characterful neighbourhoods that are little visited by tourists. If time permits, the walk up to the viewpoint at Cerro San Cristobel is worthwhile for spectacular views over the entire city.
On my own trip I headed south to Chile’s celebrated Lake District, or Pucón region, where my base for five nights was in a simple ecolodge. My walks followed a mixture of forest trails, volcano hikes and national park walks, along well-trodden tracks and wooden pathways. The spectacular scenery includes deep blue lakes, lush green forest and snow-capped peaks all in one breathtaking view! We have included some of these incredible walks in our new itinerary, as well as a visit to a community tourism project where you will meet a local family whorun a bee farm. You will learn about the typical Andean Mapuche architecture and history, natural herbal medicine and Pewenche gastronomy.
For the second half of your trip you travel north to the desert town of San Pedro de Atacama, situated on an arid plateau in the high Andes. This is one of the best places in the world for stargazing, and your time in this area begins
with an astronomical tour. Walks in this region will be shorter than for the first half of the trip, as the altitude has increased (to about 2,400m). The scenery is stunning and distinctive. You’ll walk past red-hued mountains, incredible rock formations and across a landscape that resembles the surface of the Moon and which provides a complete contrast to the first half of the tour.
For anyone wanting to extend their time in Chile, we are also offering two exciting extensions. The first is a short art and wine tour which includes time exploring the famous and colourful city of Valparaiso – you’ll see its iconic street art-covered building, and stop at a winery to sample famous Chilean wine.
The second is a four-night stay on Easter Island, exploring this remote Polynesian outpost and its world-famous Moai statues (stone heads).
Contact the Walks team for more information on our new guided-group trip to Chile's Lake District & Desert.
