Chile is a fascinating country that is full of unique and diverse natural landscapes. The shape of the country is unique: it is a narrow strip of land of about 4,300 kilometres long! Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes Cordillera to the east, Chile stretches from the Atacama Desert to Cape Horn. The famous Easter Island is also Chilean and allows you to discover a very different culture. It is an exciting and mysterious place.
Northern Chile
Northern Chile is mainly known for the Atacama Desert, which offers a diversity of incredible landscapes. From lunar rocks to lagoons at an altitude of 4000 metres, to magical salars and snow-covered volcanoes, this region is breathtaking!
Farthest north, there are also the regions of Iquique or Arica with beautiful beaches where you can surf.
Moving towards Santiago, the region of La Serena with its pleasant climate, is a must. You can discover its beautiful national parks and observe the magnificent starry sky of the southern hemisphere. The Elqui Valley is also worth a visit, to watch the production of Pisco, the famous Chilean alcohol.
Santiago de Chile’s region
Santiago is a very large city with a population of 7 million inhabitants. It is interesting to stop there to meet Chileans and discover the culture of the capital. You can visit the districts of Providencia or Bellavista or even go up to see the sunset at Cerro San Cristobal.
In the surroundings, it is interesting to go and see the vines or go hiking towards the Cordillera, in the Cajon del Maipo.
In the East, Valparaiso is a city close to Santiago, which you must discover! This group of multicoloured hills overlooking the ocean plunges travelers into a joyful and artistic atmosphere. Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción are the most popular hills, thanks to their magnificent wall paintings.
To swim, you can go to the beautiful beaches less popular than Viña del Mar, such as Maitencillo. And finally, for a dazzling panoramic view, head for the Dunes de Concón!
The Sur Chico and the lakes region
In the south of Santiago, there is once again a great diversity of landscapes. Concepción’s region is still not very touristy and yet offers a beautiful coast and many national parks. The lakes region looks like Canada with its dozens of lakes and thermal baths. But there are also superb araucaria forests and snow-covered volcanoes: a luxuriant nature!
“He who does not know the Chilean forests, does not know the planet.” – Pablo Neruda, famous Chilean poet
Further south, the island of Chiloé is another unique place to discover. With its wooden churches, its legends and splendid natural expanses, Chiloé is unique in South America.
Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego
This immense region is full of natural treasures. Taking the Carretera Austral allows you to discover national parks, rivers, forgotten ports, impressive mountains such as the Cerro Castillo and turquoise lakes. The further south you go, the closer you get to glaciers and lost villages, some of which are only accessible by boat. Then, Torres del Paine Park, is at the heart of an incredible natural environment that hasn’t been fully explored by man yet. Once in the Strait of Magellan, you can go and see penguins or even whales from Punta Arenas. Even if Chile also has land in Antarctica, we already feel at the end of the world!
