Expeditions in Chile
Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2018
Driest Desert in the World
World's Longest Country
What makes Chile so special?
There is nowhere quite like the long, narrow country of Chile. With one of the most diverse landscapes in the world, Chile is home not only to the driest place on earth, but also a portion of Antarctica. With wide desert plains, vineyards, bustling cities, countless museums, crystal lakes and snow-capped volcanoes, Chile has something for every adventurer! If you’re looking to craft your own adventure in the incredible country of Chile, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Chile in a Snapshot
Population
18,187,269
Climate
The Atacama Desert in the north reaches a maximum of 32°C (90°F) and can drop to -2°C (28°F). Chile’s central region has a Mediterranean feel, while it is usually always cool and damp in the south.
Terrain
Chile is a long, mountainous country.
When to go
As a general rule, the seasons run as follows: Summer (December to February), Autumn (March to May), Winter (June to August) and Spring (September to November).
National Food
Pastel de choclo: a layered pie made with chopped beef, chicken, olives and a hard-boiled egg, topped with a mixture of ground fresh corn and basil, and baked in the oven.
Fact File
Chile’s flag is a red, white and blue banner with a white star. The blue square in the canton region of the flag represents the sky, the white stripe represents the snow of the Andes mountains, and the red symbolizes the blood that was spilled fighting for freedom.
Explore the Varied Beauty of Chile
Click the Region to Find Out More
Santiago
Explore Chile's Capital City
The largest and most populated city in Chile, and one of National Geographic’s “places you need to visit in 2018”(opens in a new tab), Santiago is a beacon of activity. Flanked by the Andes mountain range to the East and the coast to the West, Santiago is one of the most beautifully located cities in the world! There is something to do on every corner in this city, from countless museums (from the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, to Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, and Santiago Museum of Contemporary Art, to name a few!) to quirky bars, world-class restaurants and of course hundreds of friendly street dogs, Santiago is a city where the sun is almost always shining and where you will never grow bored. Speaking Spanish is not an easy feat here – Chileans use a particular dialect difficult even for native speakers! – so take advantage of the opportunity and practice your understanding (it is not difficult to find a chatty local eager to have a chat)! Whether you choose to tour the countless vineyards outside the city, learn more about Chilean culture, or if you simply want to practice your Spanish, there is never a dull moment in this bustling city!
Patagonia
Venture Down to Chile's Most Southern Region
Sharing its border with Argentina, Patagonia is Chile’s southernmost point and home to an incredible array of glaciers, soaring mountains, and one of Chile’s largest and most impressive national parks, Torres del Paine. With breathtaking lakes and soaring peaks it is no wonder the park was chosen as the fifth most beautiful place in the world by National Geographic and the 8th Wonder of the World by TripAdvisor. Get away from daily life and immerse yourself in pure, untouched nature. Trek, hike, kayak, camp, take a boat tour, observe wildlife, breathe the crisp, fresh air, and engage the senses in this otherworldly environment! As this region is a hotbed for tourism, there are countless tours on offer, taking you to glacial lakes, up icy mountains, and through the national park itself which is a fantastic opportunity to witness geographical and biological wonders!
Atacama Desert
Discover the Driest Desert in The World!
The driest place on Earth, the Atacama Desert is truly a magnificent feat of nature. Here you will find a huge array of natural wonders to explore, such as salt flats, lagoons, active geysers, flamingos in flight, and countless stargazing opportunities. While here, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), a landscape carved out of red rocks and surrounded by soaring mountains – a lunar landscape like nothing from this world! The main village in this region, San Pedro, is a picturesque dusky town lined with quaint shop fronts selling arts and crafts. Venturing outside of the village of San Pedro, on the high Andean plateau, small traditional villages perch at 4,000 meters above sea level. Here you will experience a traditional Chile, where locals have lived the same lifestyles in extreme conditions for thousands of years!
The Andes
Amble Through The Andes
Among the world’s longest mountain ranges, The Andes are a haven of biodiversity.
Chile’s Andean mountain range has some of the world’s largest active volcanoes and without a doubt offers some of the most picturesque hiking trails in Chile, and most likely the Americas. The clear, unpolluted sky makes for out-of-this world star gazing opportunities at night – perfect for camping out in the fresh mountain air, far away from the smog of the city. In the winter months, the snow capped mountains host countless ski resorts and in the summer months there are fantastic horseback riding opportunities. Whatever method you choose to explore this vast mountain range, you are guaranteed to encounter a plethora of biodiversity that will stay with you long after you leave!