
Chilean Patagonia
Is dramatic, mountainous and cold! As we head south to Antarctica, the scenery is rustic, natural, wild and exciting.
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San pedro de Atacama
Chile is an incredibly contrasting country. Its geography is long and thin with a coastline of over 4000km long along the Pacific Ocean, yet is only 177 km from East to West (on average)! Its unusual shape is unique in the world yet has a variety of different climates, geography, topography and natural habitats, unparalleled in the world. Chile borders Peru, Argentina and Bolivia and is composed of the desert, coast, The Andean mountain region, a green fertile central valley, The Lake District, The Patagonian region and even the mysterious Easter island making this one of the most diverse countries around! As to be expected with such different regions and topography, the climate is also distinctive in the different regions. In the north, its dry hot on the coast, yet arid and cold with the driest desert in the world, a semi Mediterranean climate in the middle of the country, subtropical on Easter island and snow-capped glaciers and the coldest of cold Antarctic weather in the south and is the home to 10 major climatic subtypes! The country boasts all four seasons with summer being from December to February, winter from June to August. In a nutshell, in the north is the driest desert in the world of Atacama, the central fertile wine growing region in the centre of the country, The stunning lake district with of course lakes and also volcanoes, Patagonia and Easter Island. The population of Chile is 17.5 million with a demographic of 52% European origin and 48% American/Indigenous, though the figures vary slightly depending on the source. There are activities abound whatever your interests may be and there is something for everyone in this unique country!
Explore Related Tours: Discover More with VA Expedition
Chile is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world! It is a country of incredible geography and natural diversity, making fabulous destination for
Chile is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world with its unique geographical coastline and long slender shape. Stretching more than 4000 kilometres along the Pacific Ocean, this
Chile is a fascinating destination to visit with something for everyone. Santiago, the cosmopolitan capital, Valparaiso is the colourful fishing town on the coast steeped
Chile is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world! It is a country of incredible natural diversity and is a fabulous destination for
Chile is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world! It is a country of incredible geography and natural diversity, making it a fabulous
Located towards the southeast of La Serena, The Elqui Valley is the perfect, picturesque place to visit for its traditional activities and stunning scenery. Here
Chile is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world! It is a country of incredible natural diversity. It is a fabulous destination for
Chile is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world! It is a country of incredible geography and natural diversity, making it a fabulous
Discover remarkable landscapes, historic cities, and iconic landmarks across the region.
Explore monthly average temperatures across major regions to help plan your adventure.
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tierra del Fuego | 14°C | 13°C | 12°C | 10°C | 7°C | 5°C | 5°C | 5°C | 8°C | 10°C | 12°C | 13°C |
| Punta Arenas | 13°C | 13°C | 12°C | 9°C | 7°C | 5°C | 5°C | 5°C | 7°C | 9°C | 11°C | 12°C |
| Pucon | 22°C | 22°C | 19°C | 15°C | 11°C | 7°C | 6°C | 7°C | 10°C | 13°C | 16°C | 19°C |
| Isla Chiloe | 14°C | 14°C | 13°C | 11°C | 9°C | 8°C | 7°C | 8°C | 9°C | 10°C | 12°C | 13°C |
| Puerto Varas | 20°C | 19°C | 17°C | 15°C | 12°C | 11°C | 10°C | 11°C | 12°C | 15°C | 16°C | 18°C |
| Calama | 24°C | 23°C | 24°C | 23°C | 20°C | 18°C | 18°C | 20°C | 22°C | 23°C | 24°C | 24°C |
| San Pedro de Atacama | 24°C | 24°C | 23°C | 21°C | 19°C | 16°C | 16°C | 18°C | 21°C | 22°C | 23°C | 24°C |
| Hanga Roa | 24°C | 25°C | 25°C | 24°C | 22°C | 21°C | 20°C | 20°C | 20°C | 20°C | 21°C | 22°C |
| Santiago | 30°C | 29°C | 26°C | 23°C | 19°C | 15°C | 15°C | 16°C | 19°C | 22°C | 26°C | 28°C |
| Valparaiso | 23°C | 22°C | 21°C | 19°C | 17°C | 15°C | 15°C | 15°C | 17°C | 18°C | 20°C | 22°C |
Real stories and authentic feedback from travelers who explored with VA Expeditions.
Everything you need to know before visiting Chile: local customs, safety guidelines, currency, health advice, and practical tips.
Men will kiss a woman and a woman will kiss another woman on the cheek as a form of hello. Men will usually restrict it to a simple handshake when saying hello to another male, though it is common for a male to kiss a family member of the same sex or a good friend.
The national holidays are celebrated in earnest with Independence Day is on the 18th of September, Christmas and Easter being popular times of the year for festivities. The country is considered Roman Catholic and there will also be celebrations for each churches individual saint.
The Asado is a common form of gatherings for Chileans which generally tend to be family events. The Asado is similar to a family barbecue and forms part of local culture today.
Going to a football match, a rodeo or a baseball match are common, popular activities amongst Chileans, as well as fishing.
There are not usually any problems for minority groups in Chile. Bigger cities are open-minded in general; however, in smaller rural communities, attitudes may be a little more conservative. It is a good plan to be more discreet in the more rural areas, who still sometimes pretend that homosexuality doesn't exist!
Chile is a relatively conservative country by Latin American standards. Chileans are generally on time and punctuality is better than in most countries; though a 15-minute timescale is considered as appropriate if you are running late.
Most countries do not require a visa to visit Chile. Check out with your local Chilean consulate for specifics. You will need a valid passport with a validity of 6 months minimum and with at least one empty page for the entrance stamp. You will be given an automatic 90-day tourist visa. You will also need to have a return ticket, but this is not often asked for at immigrations.
Chile is a safe country to visit, possibly the safest in Latin America. It is a conservative country and women travellers will have no issues travelling in Chile. Travelling alone and hitchhiking around is a popular method of getting from A to B, especially the further south you go. Bigger cities have the usual big-city issues with petty crime, so stick to the regular recommendations of never leaving your belongings unattended. Santiago and Valparaiso are THE hotspots for petty crime in Chile. Keep your valuables in a hotel safe and avoid carrying unnecessary amounts of money on you. In the evenings, avoid walking alone, especially in the harbour area of Santiago. Taxis are good but always better to call a radio taxi than flag one down on the street. Chile is also situated in an earthquake zone, so brush up on your evacuation procedures so that you are prepared in the event of a shudder or shake!
Chile is the home of the Chilean peso and pesos come in denominations of $500, $1000, $2000, $5000, $10,000 and $20,000 notes. The exchange rate varies, but you can generally expect $700 to $800 pesos to the USD. It is always recommended to pay in Pesos and try and keep hold of your small notes and breaking up the bigger notes when you can. Some places, especially in the tourist industry will accept USD, but usually, you will be hit in the pocket on the exchange rate. Santiago has the best exchange rates. ATM's and credit cards are widely accepted and widely available throughout Chile. In Patagonia, ATM's do become sparser and quite often there is only one bank in any given town. Mastercard is generally more widely accepted than Visa, which is usually the opposite in Latin America.
Ceviche is a popular local dish in Chile, which is not surprising considering the coastline they have! There has been a long dispute as to whether ceviche originated in Chile or Peru, something similar to the Pisco sour. But we do know that both are widely consumed in both countries.
Empanadas are widely consumed all over Chile and contain a variety of fillings from seafood to cheese, to beef (empanada Pino). The latter is traditionally eaten around national holidays.
Cazuela is a pork or chicken stew with potatoes, pumpkin, corn, cilantro, and great to "warm the cockles" on a cold day. This traditionally "Mapuche" dish is often found in markets and is a Chilean favourite.
Choripans are popular as a street food option as they are in Argentina. They are often served at barbecues (Asados) and consist of barbecued sausages and fresh bread. These are often served with the spicy sauce "pebre" as are many dishes in Chile.
Pastel de choclo is a main accompaniment and made from corn, olives, onions, hard-boiled eggs and minced beef. This dish is a combination of the humitas and empanadas originating from a mixture of Spanish and Andean cultures.
Macha a la parmesana are fresh clams cooked in a cheesy parmesan and butter sauce with a little white wine thrown in for good measure. This delicious dish is thought to have originated from Viña del Mar.
For the sweeter tooth, Chumbeque is a popular dessert in the north of Chile and consists of cinnamon, pastry,
honey and fruits and is a staple-sugary dish, similar in texture to an Argentinian alfajor.
Pisco Sour is Chiles national drink; however, it is seriously disputed that Pisco is originally Peruvian. This traditional drink is celebrated individually and distinctively in each country and both countries claim its authenticity. It is probably best to try the delectable drink in both countries, …you know, just to make sure ;)
Accommodation in Chile offers everything from camping and wooden cabins to top-end luxury resorts and everything in between. In the cities, hostels are a great option and an excellent way to meet other travellers. If you prefer a top-end option, there are some fantastic luxury hotels for more comfort. Bear in mind that Chilean hotels are categorised based on their facilities and not on their standards. So a decent 3-star hotel is often a lot better than a 5 star and of course, a lot more economical. Down in Patagonia, lodges and cabins are more popular as outdoor activities are common and tourism tends to be more activity- orientated. The cabins can be found in the many national parks but remember, it can get chilly in Chile, especially in winter! "Residenciales" are popular, as are “casa familiares”, which are generally a room with a bathroom, in a private house. These types of accommodations are great if you are on a budget; however, standards do vary dramatically, depending on the individual accommodation. The best way to check out an accommodation is to go and see it. Many better deals can be found locally and quite often do not publicise their rooms online.
Everything you need to know before and during your travel experience in Chile.
You can check our safety protocols in the following link: https://www.turavion.travel/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Passengers-Protocol-Covid_-Turavion.pdf
We suggest that you speak with your doctor to ensure that you are up-to-date with the recommended vaccinations when traveling to the destination. In any case, a negative Coronavirus Molecular Test (PCR) is needed to enter the country.
As in any city in the world, there can be pickpockets in crowded places. We suggest being vigilant at all times, but if you are in a group you will always be safer.
Yes, hotels will charge the cost of a double room as standard, so a single supplement will be charged if you are traveling alone.
Each trip is customizable, but there may be additional restrictions and expenses in each case. We suggest contacting your sales representative for more information.
Yes, you can add additional or optional services to your regular tour. We appreciate contacting your sales representative for any changes you wish to make.
We work with a maximum group size of 12 passengers for sustainability reasons and a more personaized experience.
We suggest consulting with your embassy to review any documents, tests or special visa you need for your trip.
Yes, we cater for all special dietary requirements. Please let us know at the time of booking if you have any allergies or special dietary needs.
Tips are not included in the cost of the tour. You should plan to tip 10% in restaurants and for your guided services, however, tipping is never required.
This depends on each itinerary, and will be indicated in the detail of the day. However, our itineraries always usually include free times to offer more flexibility to our guests.
At VA Expeditions we believe that every action we take should generate a positive impact on the communities and the environment of our entire production chain, which is why we carry out various activities focused on this objective. A few example of our sustainable projects: Programs with Observation of Pumas in Torres del Paine, Collaboration with Ecocamp (with dozens of sustainability awards), We work with Hotels (Example: Explora) that actively participate in preserving Patagonia Park (Tompkins), Visits to the Hummingbird Sanctuary that tries to preserve the Arica hummingbird in danger of extinction, Whale Watching in the Humboldt Pinguinos Reserve and in Patagonia, visits to organic vineyards.
This depends on each itinerary, but generally is a ratio of one guide for every nine guests.
The tours are carried out by an expert team that has determined the optimal times of visits to make the most of our guests' time, without rushing. All our programs are customizable, so if at any time at the destination you want to adjust the pace of the trip, you can ask your guide to reach a consensus with the whole group in case you need to make adjustments to the pace of the trip.
Yes, you can safely store any luggage at your hotel.
In the mountains and remote places there is no Internet connection. Hotels and public places usually have WIFI available.
It depends on each itinerary, please contact your sales representative to give you the specific altitude information of your itinerary.
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We do not include travel or health insurance and we strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance for any unexpected circumstances. This is not obligatory, however. An full travel insurance policy that covers cancellations and delays as well as medical insurance.
We suggest that you speak with your doctor to ensure what medications you will need to bring to the destination. Pharmacies and drugstores are common in all cities, however, it is not certain that you will be able to find a specific drug that you can find in your country of origin.
We do not include the cost of any domestic or international flight in any of our programs. These services must be booked independently by each guest.
VA Expeditions is supported by Valencia Travel, a company with more than 12 years of foundation with a solid financial position. We have insurance from the insurance company La Positiva, that supports us and protects our guests from any eventuality at the destination, covering our guests for more than 5 million US dollars.
Yes, in addition to multi-day programs, we offer half-day experiences and excursions without overnight, which you can purchase as additional services. In case you wish to purchase one of these services, you can ask your guide, the transfer representative or your sales representative to provide you with the support you need.
Yes, you can travel with children and we have many activities to do as a family, however, depending on your itinerary, some experiences can be a bit demanding for young children. As a recommendation, we suggest that you ask your sales consultant if the tour you wish to book is suitable for children.
We suggest making your reservations at least one month before your trip in order to reserve the best hotels, transportation and services for your travel dates, however, in last minute cases, we can reserve up to 15 days in advance.
The official currency of Chile is the Chilean peso (CLP). In large cities there is a good chance that you will find ATMs or ATMs, however, we suggest that you do not rely entirely on this solution, as it may not be enabled to work with your bank.
As a sustainable travel company, we are in constant search of how we can improve the sustainability of our operations, that is why we carry out the following activities to generate a fair and sustainable development in our areas of operation: We have permanent training programs for our Guides and drivers. Promote all types of training from the government among our staff and always contract guides and trabsports who are born and raised in their cities. We also promote those hotels whom are more committed to the environment and who’s strategy is based in sustainability.
Cultural norms vary within each Latin American country, even within each city within the country, however, we recommend the following measures to have a pleasant visit in each destination: Latin American culture in general tends to be closer and more informal than in others cultures, so there is usually always a friendly approach in all conversations, and going directly to the point could be considered offensive to some people. Personal space can be much shorter as well, but without being interpreted as sexual in nature.
The schedules are also usually more relaxed and informal, however, this is not the case of VA EXPEDITIONS, since we will always respect the hours indicated in your itinerary. This may be different for other appointments that you can book on your own at other locations.
For any emergency, we appreciate contacting the following number: +569 9345 3447
All our guests have 24/7 support for any type of emergency or eventuality. For emergencies you can contact the following number: +569 9345 3447. For general inquiries, you can write to us at the following email: info@valenciatravelcusco.com
This depends on the type of the type of Travel insurance that the passenger has. We recommend that you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy for better care and hospital facilities.
Each trip is customizable, but there may be additional restrictions and expenses in each case. We suggest contacting your sales representative for more information.
For city tours, there are public bathrooms available, in remote destinations bathroom facilities are more sparse.
In cities and tourist centers you will have good telephone reception. In remote areas, there may be no cell phone reception.
We suggest that you bring a refillable water bottle or purchase bottled water if necessary. At various points on your trip there will be places where you can buy water.
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