Sightseeing in Chile:
The Republic of Chile is situated in the western part of South America. This long narrow strip-like country has the Andes mountain range to its east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The country has a shoreline of more than 6,000 km. Chile Sights are full of natural beauty and extremities. The sheer variety of color of nature in Chile is awesome.
Atacama Desert:
The Atacama Desert, situated in the north of Chile, is the driest place on earth. The sand and stone structures in Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) is bizarre. The place got its name because the landscape resembles that of the moon. Some places in Atacama have seen a drop of rain in over 100 years. The different shades of pink and red caused by the setting sun are magnificent.
Easter Island:
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is also known as the navel of the world and is isolated from the world. The nearest land mass is Chile which is also around 3,200 km away. The island was discovered by a Spanish sailor in 1772. The big statues, or the Moais, are the major attractions here. Some of these statues overlooking the sea will make you feel as if they are guarding the island from the outsiders. These 18-feet tall ancient structures are historical wonders of the world.
Patagonia Desert:
The Patagonia Desert is in the south of Chile and is of a completely different nature than Atacama. This is a cold desert and is one of the least inhabited places in South America. This area is secluded from rest of the country by two big ice-capped hills and the famous Strait of Magellan. Here you will find the great rocky Torres del Paine. In Torres del Paine the snow-capped pillars of rocks rise vertically from the plain toward the sky. If you travel farther south from the town of Punta Arenas you will find a vast plain and uninhabited lands. Some of the islands in Patagonia are only inhabited by elephants and penguins. The Otway Sound Penguin Reserve near Punta Arenas is the home of Magellan penguins.
Lake District:
Central Chile is different from the northern deserts and the southern cold snowy rocks and vast plains. Central Chile is full of green pine forests, snow capped mountains and beautiful blue lakes. In the Chile Lake District there are more than a dozen major lakes. The beautiful lakes dotted with hot springs and waterfalls make this place a vacationer's delight. The six active volcanoes in this region also are an attraction for the adventure lovers. Villarica, known as the Fujiama of Chile, is the biggest of them all.
Wine country:
As soon as you drive south out of Santiago, the scenery changes to wide swathes of vineyards in what is known as the Central Valley. This is the home of Chile's thriving wine industry. This region has rich volcanic soil and a Mediterranean climate, making it perfect for grapes. There are many wineries in this region which are best explored either by renting a car or joining an organised wine tour.
Torres del Paine National Park:
The crown jewel in Chile's offerings of natural preserves is far removed from everything, but well worth the trip. Situated in Patagonia, this park is one of the last truly untouched natural environments on earth. Granite peaks pop out of the rolling plains and electric-blue chunks of ice fall from the glaciers.
Valparaiso:
The colourful, vibrant streets of this coastal town offer the best urban trekking experience in Chile. Lovely Victorian mansions and quirky shaped houses are perched on the hillsides that rise from the old port district. Walkways are built into the hills, allowing for fantastic wandering. The town is home to dozens of great cafés and bars at every turn to give your feet a rest.
Santiago:
Chile's capital city makes the perfect base for exploring some of the great attractions in the vicinity. An eccentric port town, fine beaches, national parks, hot springs and wineries are just a few of the things to explore within two hours of town. This cosmopolitan city offers the best urban experience in Chile with plenty of excellent dining, drinking and sightseeing. All of the country's major museums, galleries and theatres are here, as well as the best shopping.
Andes:
Just a couple of hours to the east of Santiago stand the imposing wall of the Andes mountain range. These spectacular peaks, many over 6,000 metres, are home to Chile's world class ski resorts, white-water rafting and several national parks.
Chilean Lake District:
This fairytale land of verdant forests, snow-capped volcanoes, waterfalls and dozens of lakes hidden among the rolling hills is Chile's premier recreation area. The Lake District is home to the Mapuche Indians who still exert a colourful presence in many of the local towns. There is a well organised tourism infrastructure here, making it easy to enjoy the countless cultural and natural excursions for which the region is famous.
Aiden
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