No Place Quite Like It

Chile is, without a doubt, a country of superlatives. Stretching 2,653 miles from north to south, it’s nearly as long as the United States is wide. It’s also the world’s narrowest country, measuring an average of only 109 miles across. Rapa Nui (Easter Island), a Chilean territory, is one of the two most remote inhabited islands on earth (the other is Tristan da Cunha). And as if that weren’t enough, Chile’s Atacama Desert is the driest nonpolar desert on Earth.

Given its unique size and shape, Chile spans a breathtaking array of natural terrains and climates. It’s bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes to the east. From high-altitude desert and temperate rainforest, to fertile agricultural lands, volcanoes, Patagonian desert, ice fields, and glaciers, Chile pulls out all the stops. It’s a land of startling contrasts: fire and ice and everything in between.

Beyond Santiago and Valparaiso

Travelers to Chile are most often familiar with Santiago and Valparaiso, and make no mistake, they are absolutely worth visiting. The rich mix of indigenous, Spanish colonial, and other immigrant cultures here offers much to explore. And the wine country alone is worth the journey. (It stretches 800 miles from the Atacama Region in the north to the Bio Bio Region in the south.)

But where Chile truly shines is off the beaten path. This country is absolutely ideal for the experiential luxury traveler. The natural beauty is spectacular, and we’ve found that the remoteness in some of Chile’s most special and unique regions is an enduring highlight for travelers like you. Chile is truly about the experiences and landscapes, rather than sites to see (and things to check off your bucket list).

From north to south, here are five remarkable destinations in Chile you simply shouldn’t miss.

Must-See Destinations in Chile

1. The Atacama Desert

Laguna Lejía, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

The Atacama is famous for being the driest nonpolar desert on the planet. Some weather stations here have never received any rain at all. The region is higher in altitude (San Pedro de Atacama lies at about 7,900 feet), so travelers should be aware of the effects and prepared for the adjustment to a high-altitude destination.

The Atacama Desert is nearly as remote as it is arid. Most towns are located along the Pacific coast. The interior of the region, including The Pampa, is sparsely populated, offering wonderful solitude. It’s a premier stargazing destination, hailed by Smithsonian Magazine as possibly “the best place on Earth to enjoy a starry sky.”

**2. The Lake District (Los Lagos)**

Chile’s Lake District, Los Lagos, is famous for its sensational scenery. With national parks and nature reserves chock full of deep blue alpine lakes, snow-capped volcanoes, and lush forests, it’s no wonder the place is a hiker’s paradise. If your adventuring feet are tired at the end of the day, you can enjoy a long soak in one of the Lake Districts abundant hot springs.

The climate here is very similar to the Pacific Northwest, only the seasons are reversed. From October to April, temperatures range from the 40s and 50s overnight to the 60s and 70s in the daytime.

Petrohue, Puerto Varas, Lake Region, Chile

The capital of the Lake District, Puerto Montt, is the gateway to both Chiloé and Chilean Patagonia where you’ll first encounter the islands and fjords of Patagonia. (Puerto Montt is also the seafood capital of the country.)

If you love great food, you’ll definitely enjoy the Lake District for its delicious cuisine, including local specialties such as smoked trout, superfruit jams, and wild boar. And be sure to make time for onces, or “high tea,” at one of the many cafes in the region. The spread of cakes and sandwiches is impressive to say the least. And thanks to the Germans who immigrated here in the 1850s, you can even get your fill of unique lagers, pale ales, and bocks. Just be sure to pair them with some spaetzle!

If you plan a visit to the area, it’s worth noting that Bariloche, another renowned lake region, lies not far over the border in Argentina. As with other regions in Chile, itineraries in the Lake District can be designed to include highlights from both Chile and Argentina.

3. Chiloé Island

One of Chile’s less-familiar destinations is Chiloé Island. This region is part of the Lake District, but it is quite distinct in its geography and its culture. For many years, Chiloé was almost entirely isolated from the rest of Chile (airline access wasn’t available until 2012). As such, the island and its people have retained rich ethnic and folkloric traditions and mythology.

Renato Cárdenas, historian at the Chilean National Library, describes Chiloé as “a distinct enclave, linked more to the sea than the continent, a fragile society with a strong sense of solidarity and a deep territorial attachment.”

Chiloé is famed for its traditional stilted houses, UNESCO-recognized churches, and vibrant culture. It is quaint, quiet, and a welcome change of pace for the over-connected traveler looking to unwind and re-calibrate.

We love the atmosphere in Chiloé with its ever-present fog. Chiloé is located in the temperate oceanic zone of Chile, meaning the weather is cool, humid, and rainy for most of the year with only minor daily and seasonal variations.

4. Patagonia

Stretching over 400,000 square miles of both Chile and Argentina, Patagonia encompasses a startling array of mountains, fjords, glaciers, and grasslands. (For truly out-of-this-world views, don’t miss the Southern Patagonia Ice Field). From trekking and biking to horseback riding and fishing, Patagonia has it all. It’s a must-see destination for experiential travelers and active adventurers. And while some areas see quite a lot of tourism, the region is vast and remote in many parts.

From the craggy peaks of Torres Del Paine to the desolate, rocky headland of Cape Horn, there are plenty of places to escape in Patagonia. Our favorite properties in this region are self-contained, luxurious, and wonderfully secluded.

It’s also worth noting that crossing into Argentina is possible here in Patagonia, as it is elsewhere in Chile. Many wonderful itineraries weave between the two countries, so there’s no need to limit your journey to just one!

The Patagonian summer (wintertime in the northern hemisphere) is by far the best time to visit. This season, also known as the austral summer, runs from November to March and offers relatively mild days and cool nights, much like British Columbia. The days are long this time of year, too, so you’ll have plenty of daylight for outdoor excursions.

5. Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Rapa Nui (also known as Easter Island) is a Chilean territory located nearly 2,200 miles off the coast of Chile. Its far-flung location in the southeastern Pacific Ocean makes it one of the most remote inhabited islands on the planet. Although part of Chile, the heritage of Rapa Nui is said to be Polynesian, and the culture there reflects this.

The mo’ai on Rapa Nui are iconic. These monolithic human figures were carved by the early Rapa Nui people between the years 1250 and 1500 AD. They number over 900, and all but 53 of the known mo’ai were carved from tuff, a compressed volcanic ash. The average height of a mo’ai is 13 feet, and each one weighs about 12.5 tonnes.

In Rapa Nui, you’ll also find scores of caves, an ancient script called rongorongo, wood carvings, petroglyphs, and stone houses dating back to about 1400 AD.

Rapa Nui enjoys a subtropical climate that’s warm and humid in summer (December to March) and mild and drier in winter (October to February). The island gets most of its rainfall in April.

An Emphasis on “Experiential” Properties

Throughout the regions of Chile we’ve covered here, there are some incredible “experiential” hotels and lodges. Many of them are remote, self-contained, and tailored to make the most of their location.

When you stay here, you’ll get an unparalleled experience of Chile, from award-winning architecture that mimics the natural landscapes to world-class food and wine. And the incredible people, including guides, experts, and leaders, provide exceptional access to an immersive, enriching time in Chile that you’ll remember forever.

The properties we partner with in Chile offer a variety of ways to engage with your surroundings. Here are just a few:

Horseback riding
Hiking
Boating
Mountain biking
Fly-fishing
Kayaking
Ice hiking
Virgin forest trekking

And for a deeper appreciation of the rich Chilean culture, visit local artisans and craft markets, collect clams and other types of seafood at low tide, tour churches, and discover Chiloé’s traditional stilted houses.

If luxury experiential travel is a priority for you, look no further. Patagonia will absolutely thrill you.

The Takeaway

Chile is a country of arresting beauty and amazing contrasts. There’s so much to see that the choices can be overwhelming. As a refresher, here are the five destinations we recommend you consider for a luxurious, adventurous, experiential journey through Chile:

The Atacama Desert
The Lake District (Los Lagos)
Chiloé Island
Patagonia
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Start Dreaming Today

It’s never too early to imagine your next adventure! Not sure about dates? No problem! We’re now working with clients on “dateless” travel planning so that you can start dreaming and planning (preliminarily) without committing to an exact timeframe.

Go ahead. Give yourself something amazing to look forward to.

If you’d like to learn more about travel to Chile, reach out to schedule your complimentary consultation here.

Are you receiving The Wandermust Journal? If you enjoyed this article and aren’t a part of our insider’s travel community yet, sign up here.