Chile Tours - A Few Things to Consider

Chile is a land of extreme contrasts and stunning natural beauty. From the arid landscapes of the Atacama Desert, to the rugged peaks of Torres del Paine, and from the volcanoes of the Lake District to the glaciers of Patagonia, Chile is an adventure travel mecca.

What To Do

For the Adventure Junkie:

Chile adventure tours often include hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and other outdoor pursuits.

For the Culture Connoisseur :

From the street art and colorful architecture of Valparaiso and the award-winning wineries of the Maipo and Colchagua Valleys, to the enigmatic Moai statues on Easter Island, Chile tours also offer many cultural appeals.

Where to go

Santiago: The gleaming capital and Chile’s largest city, years ago travelers would try pass through as quickly as possible. However, today Santiago is a thriving, vibrant city full of art galleries, farm to table restaurants, wine bars leafy parks, and trendy neighborhoods. No visit to Santiago would be complete without a climb to the top of Cerro San Cristobal for a view over the city.

Atacama Desert: Just a two hour flight north of Santiago, the Atacama Desert is Chile’s most popular travel destination. From wide, flat saltpans to jagged mountain ranges, there are few places in South America that match Atacama’s beauty. Atacama’s alien and arid landscape continues for miles and miles in every direction. Its expansiveness creates opportunities for a plethora of activities from hiking to off-roading to wild-life viewing. So, despite the seeming emptiness of the region, you’ll never run out of things to do. Be sure to experience a sunset at the Valley of the Moon, it’s one of the most mesmerizing places to watch our ball of fire dip beneath the horizon.

Lake District : This area which is located in the middle Chile is chock full of natural wonder from active volcanos to shimmering lakes to scenic waterfalls to national parks. The Lake District provides the perfect balance between adventure and leisure offering beautiful lakeside resorts to kick-back in after a day full of outdoor adventure. Our Chile Travel Specialists can help arrange hiking, river rafting, biking, fishing, kayaking excursions, plus self-drive tours are also an option in this region.

Patagonia: This rugged, remote and windswept region at the tip of South America is saturated in extreme beauty. From calving glaciers to the spires of Torres Del Paine, Patagonia is every trekkers dream. Global Basecamps offers many types of tours into Torres Del Paine National Park from multi-day backingpacking tours to multi-sport ( kayak, bike, horseback ride) luxury glamping tours. For those wanting experience Tierra del Fuego by boat, we work with the best local cruise companies. You’ll get the chance to glide past massive glaciers and watch penguin colonies in their natural habitat. The grasslands of Patagonia are also home to herds of guanacos ( similar to llamas) and local gauchos ( cowboys). No Patagonia tour is complete without a sheep-shearing experience on a local ranch!

Rapa Nui ( Easter Island) : For travelers seeking out a truly unique experience, the far flung island of Rapa Nui ( commonly known as Easter Island) will not disappoint. A five-hour flight from mainland Chile, Easter island sits over 1000 miles away from the next nearest island. The main attractions are the massive stone statues of carved faces that are scattered across the island. Acting as an open-air museum of sorts, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the theories behind their mysterious origins and the complicated history of the Rapa Nui, the aboriginal people of the island.

When to Go

Due to its distinctly large elongated shape, the weather in Chile can vary quite a bit depending on the region you’re visiting. It’s important to note that the seasons in Chile are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere. So, when North American inhabitants are experiencing winter, Chileans are in the heat of their summer and vice versa. Talk to one of our Travel Specialists to determine the best time to visit based on your trip priorities and desired locations. However, generally speaking the best time to visit specific regions within Chile are as follows:

• Santiago: Summer ( December to March)


• Atacama Desert: Year-round.


• The Lake Desert: Spring and Summer ( October-March)


• Chilean Patagonia: Fall or Spring


• Easter Island: Summer ( December to March)

The Global Basecamps Difference

Our custom tours in Chile include top-notch local guides, unique and authentic experiences and some of the best eco-friendly lodges on the planet. In addition to getting an unparalleled adventure, you can rest easy knowing we go the extra-mile to ensure our tours our sustainable to the planet and local communities to which we take you. Let one of our Global Basecamps Chile travel specialists help you start planning a memorable Chile trip today!