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CHILE DESTINATION GUIDE

As the world leader in travel experiences since 1947, we connect you to the real Chile in a way like no other. Wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, Chile holds some of the most unspoiled natural beauty in the world. The country is a long slice of land stretching from the centre of South America to the edge of Antarctica - the equivalent of Norway to Egypt - and you can cross at least seven different types of environment. Trafalgar’s Chile tours will take you from the Atacama Desert, a moonscape of salt flats, starry skies and ancient volcanoes, to Patagonia, a majestic wilderness of snowy peaks, wild rivers and huge glaciers. Venture off the coast to Easter Island, home to golden beaches and mysterious Moai statues, or wander the streets of Santiago, the country’s shining capital. Our Chile holidays are filled with outdoor adventure, and you’ll also get to know the locals. Share a round of Patagonian maté tea and feel the buena onda (good vibes), or meet a local winemaker and discover Chile’s world-class wineries. Travel with us and unlock the infinite possibilities thanks to our exclusive Trafalgar Highlights.
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"From the world's driest desert to the Patagonia glaciers, and from the sunny vineyards to the Moai of Easter Island, I'll show you how to navigate all the diverse landscapes of Chile."

Travel Director
Chile at a glance
Chile is filled with the starry skies of the Atacama Desert, the golden beaches and mysterious Moai of Easter Island, the world-class wineries near Santiago, and the glacial wilderness of Patagonia. Join your expert Trafalgar Travel Director and explore one of the world's most diverse and unspoiled countries.
Currency
Chilean peso
Winter avg temp
21°C
Summer avg temp
8°C
Time Zone
GMT-4
Capital City
Santiago
Language
Spanish
Good Morning
Buenos días
Good Evening
Buenos tardes
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Our top 5 things to do in Chile

Discover the highlights and hidden gems of the country on our Chile holiday tours, from the jagged peaks of Torres del Paine to the scenic beauty of the Rio Serrano.

Discover the colourful fishing town of Puerto Natales

See the bright rooftops of Puerto Natales, a fishing town in the Señoret Channel in southern Patagonia. It’s the famous gateway to Torres del Paine, but the city has its own treasures. Take a walk along the waterfront where you can spot wild swans and ducks, and admire the backdrop of rugged mountains.
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Visit Torres del Paine National Park

Venture deep into UNESCO-listed crown jewel of Chilean Patagonia with our Local Specialists. Explore the churning Salto Grande waterfall and the famous peaks of the Cordillera Paine. Take a boat ride to see the Grey Glacier and embark on hikes to see the incredible natural icons up close.
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See the icy turquoise sheets of the Serrano Glacier

We’ll take you on a spectacular boat ride through icy fjords to see the glittering blue Serrano Glacier. Join our Local Specialists for a hike through the unspoiled rainforest to Seno de Última Esperanza (Fjord of the Last Hope), where you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the Southern Patagonian Icefield.
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Boat up the Rio Serrano

Our Chile private tours will take you on a boat journey up the Rio Serrano, a river winding through the Magallanes wilderness of Chile. The Serrano takes you past a trove of natural beauty, from the dazzling blue Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, to the Southern Patagonian Icefield and Seno de Última Esperanza.
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Explore the capital of Chile, colourful Santiago

Santiago is the vibrant capital of Chile and our Local Specialists will reveal the wonders of the city. Climb Cerro Santa Lucia for panoramic views, explore the Central Market and sample local delicacies, or visit the Casablanca Valley where you’ll meet a local winemaker and enjoy an exclusive tasting in the beautiful vineyards.
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Best museums in Chile

Our escorted tours of Chile take you to the country’s top museums, from the former home of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, to a commemoration of the victims of the Pinochet regime.
SANTIAGO

Chascona House Museum

Located in the Bellavista neighbourhood of Santiago, Chascona House was the home of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. He named the home ‘La Chascona’ (‘tangle-haired woman’) after his wife Matilde, and today it’s an excellent museum full of his personal possessions, including a painting by Diego Rivera.
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SANTIAGO

Museum of Memory and Human Rights

Set in Santiago, the Museum of Memory and Human Rights was founded to commemorate the victims of human rights abuses during the regime of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet between 1973 and 1990. The museum has three floors with audio exhibits, interactive photography, newspaper archives and video footage of detention centres.
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SANTIAGO

Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts

Housed in a beautiful building across from the Parque Forestal in Santiago, the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts holds one of the finest collections of Chilean and Latin art. You’ll wander through the spectacular entrance to discover over 5,000 works ranging from Spanish paintings to African sculptures.
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Best food in Chile

We’ll take you on a culinary journey through Chile, as we reveal the best places to try classic empanadas and delicious sopaipilla.

Sopaipilla

Traditionally made from deep-fried wheat dough, a sopaipilla is South America’s version of doughnuts. In Chile, they’re made with pumpkin in the dough, and served as a side dish with pebre, a chili sauce, or as a delicious dessert after being boiled in a chancaca sauce, a hot sweet syrup.
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Pebre

A classic Chilean condiment found across the country, pebre is served with many meals including fried sopaipilla, or spread on bread and meat. It’s a sauce of chili pepper, garlic, onion, olive oil and coriander, although variations can be found in different regions and households.
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Empanadas

Empanadas are a beloved dish across Latin America. In Chile, they’re traditionally made with a filling called ‘pino’, a mix of ground beef, raisins, onions, black olives and hard boiled eggs. Our Local Specialists will show you where to try the best empanadas at any time of the year.
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What to pack for Chile

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Hiking shoes

Whether you’re trekking the snowy peaks of Patagonia, or traversing ancient volcanoes in the Atacama Desert, you’ll need a sturdy pair of shoes in Chile.

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Wind and waterproof coat

The southern region of Chile is known for its fierce winds and chilly weather, so you’ll need a reliable coat to protect you from the elements.

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Reusable water bottle

Chile is full of outdoor adventure and a reusable water bottle will help you stay hydrated without contributing to the plastic waste in the pristine national parks.

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Adaptor plug

In Chile the standard voltage is 220 V and the power plugs and sockets are of type C and L. The standard frequency is 50 Hz.

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Headphones

Chile is enormous, spanning the equivalent of the entire length of the USA, and a pair of headphones will provide entertainment on the long scenic journeys.

Other things to know before you go

Depending on your nationality, you'll need a valid passport and may also need visas to enter. Please check this well in advance of your trip departure date here. Some countries also require passports to have 3-6 months left on them before the given expiry date, so be sure to double check this before booking your travels.

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Our South America destinations

Ecuador

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Brazil

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Israel

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Argentina

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