Introducing: Chile
Taking over 14 hours, the UK to Santiago direct flight is now BA's longest trip. But Chile's mix of history, nature and adventure make it a worthwhile journey, says Sarah Gilbert
From the lunar-like landscape of the Atacama Desert in the north to the jagged peaks and glacial lakes of Patagonia in the south, this long, thin country is one of the most geographically diverse on the planet.
Tourist-friendly with good transportation links and direct flights from British Airways, in 2017, Chile was named the World’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination for the second year running. It’s ideal for active travellers and has accommodation to suit all budgets.
Santiago and around
Cosmopolitan capital, Santiago, is a vibrant, modern city where Latin America meets Europe and colonial mansions sit next to skyscrapers. Historic barrios like Bellavista, Lastarria and Italia have been given a makeover, with stylish boutique hotels and a thriving arts and nightlife scene.
To the east are the Andes and two ski resorts, Valle Nevado and Portillo, which can be visited in a day.
The historic port city of Valparaíso, a maze of narrow streets lined with brightly-coloured buildings perched on steep hills, is an hour’s drive to the west. Santiago also makes a great base for visiting the wineries of the Maipo, Casablanca and the San Antonio valleys.
The Atacama Desert
The adobe village of San Pedro de Atacama is the jumping-off point for exploring the north’s spectacular landscapes, including the multi-coloured rock formations of the Valley of the Moon, the Atacama Salt Flats, dotted with flamingos, and the El Tatio geysers.
Don’t miss floating over the world’s highest and driest desert with Balloons Over Atacama. The altitude, arid climate and lack of light pollution make it a top spot for stargazing.
The Lake District
South of Santiago, the picturesque Lake District is all snow-covered peaks, azure lakes, fast-flowing rivers and quaint villages.
The ‘Adventure Capital of Chile’, budgetfriendly Pucón – set on Lake Villarrica with its still-smoking volcano – offers hiking, cycling, horse riding, rafting, kayaking and volcano climbing, as well as a buzzing nightlife.
Patagonia
Chilean Patagonia stretches from Puerto Montt down to Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. It’s a land of majestic mountains, ancient forests, glaciers and lakes, with abundant flora and fauna, including guanacos, Andean condor and the elusive puma. In the north, the region of Aysén is starting to open up, cut through by the scenic Carrera Austral, the ultimate Chilean road trip. Puerto Natales in the south is the gateway to the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park - a hiker’s paradise, from tackling the famous W Trek to gentle rambles.
Island life
Far-flung Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, sits over 3,700km west of Chile in the southeast Pacific. It’s home to over 800 mysterious monolithic statues thought to have been carved between the 11th and 14th centuries.
A short ferry hop across Canal de Chacao from Puerto Montt is misty Chiloé, known for its stilt houses, UNESCO-listed wooden churches and the wildlife-rich parks of Chiloé and Tantauco.