Fantastic country of Chile: tours, attractions, hotels

Chilean summer, from December to March, is the largest influx of tourists. There are various festivals and celebrations. At this time, the so-called "high" season, especially attractive Lake District and Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia. Nature there is rich not only in landscapes, but also in the animal world.

 

 

From June to September, the ski resorts Valle Nevado and Portillo in the Andes invite lovers of skiing and snowboarding from all over the world. It is better to reach them from Santiago, the capital of Chile. This time is also perfect for visiting the picturesque Northern Patagonia.

 

In March, it is best to visit Easter Island, famous all over the world for mysterious statues, as well as the magnificent archipelago of Juan Fernandez. The islands of the archipelago are a biosphere reserve and are especially attractive for rich flora and fauna, entertaining hiking, diving and photo hunting.

 

 

 

 

From late September to November and from March to May, the most comfortable time, because prices stop biting, and tourist crowds become much smaller.

 

 

 

When visiting the northern part of the country, you can stay in the five-star hotel Explora en Atacama. You will be offered a tour of the city of San Pedro and the surrounding area. The driver and part-time guide takes you on all-wheel drive transport through difficult terrain to volcanoes, Salar de Uyuni salt marsh, and to the charming lagoons. The salt marshes of the Atacama Desert are the habitat of the famous pink flamingos.

 

It is worth a little drive away from San Pedro de Atacama, as the eye opens the Valley of Death - a place with a unique landscape. This place is popular among fans of extreme sports because of sandboarding - skating on a board from a large dune.

 

Then you will visit the Lunar Valley, resembling the surface of either the moon or Mars, surrounded by mountains with snow-capped peaks. There are dry lakes that change colors depending on the lighting. You will see the Andes bathing in the red rays of the sunset. You will visit an archaeological excursion in the village of Tulor, where the ruins of an ancient village are located.

 

 

In the Atacama Desert, travelers are struck by the incredible giant “Hand of the Desert” by Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrásbal. This concrete sculpture demonstrates the vulnerability and helplessness of man. Many leave memorable inscriptions on it, but the statue is regularly cleaned and brought into proper form.

 

In the north, the Apart Hotel Gran Pacífico (3 stars) in La Serena, where the archaeological museum and astronomical observatory are located, and the MDS Hoteles (4 stars) in Calama, where desert and mountains coexist.

 

In Santiago de Chile, the tour traditionally starts from the central, older part of the city. The guide will introduce the historic building of La Moneda, the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, the home of the Chilean poet and Nobel laureate Neruda, the Cathedral and the Metropolitano Park. In this huge park you can do yoga or aerobics for free, ride a bicycle, there are swimming pools and a zoo, two funiculars and places for a picnic.

 

 

Recommended hotels: Ritz Carlton (5 stars), Torremayor (4 stars), Montecarlo (3 stars).

 

On the way from the capital to the Lake District, be sure to stop in the Kolchagua grape valley. Taste local wines, because Chile is one of the leaders and recognized authorities in the wine world. You can spend the night in the comfortable hotels Villa El Descanso and Hotel Santa Cruz, or even stay longer.

 

 

 

In the Lake District, waterfalls noise, black stones contrast with the turquoise water of All Saints Lake. The ship will take you to the port of Petroje. This will give you the opportunity to see the volcanoes Punteagudo, Osorno and the highest in the region of Monte Tronador. Tourists are also offered to fly by helicopter over the volcano or ride horses. This is for a separate fee. According to the impressions of those who visited there, nature is so diverse that it resembles the Urals, Iceland, and other parts of the planet.

 

 

From Santiago by bus or car you can go to the seaside town of Valparaiso, which stands on the hills, and its levels are connected by a system of funiculars, stairways. It is usually visited by Sotomayor Square with its historical monuments. Guests of the city are waiting for a walk to the hill of Concepcion, with a magical view of the seaport. There is an opportunity to take a boat ride and visit the bustling market on the Prat waterfront. On the picturesque streets there and there are old abandoned cars, antique shops, ancient mansions, sidewalk mosaics, colorful houses, boutique hotels, Gothic churches.

 

 

 

Nearby is Viña del Mar, a luxury resort. Successful citizens of Santiago have always rested there. From December to February, the resort is flooded with holidaymakers. The main attractions: the Fonck Museum, the promenade and the beach of Regniac, the flower clock. It differs from the atmospheric, colorful and lively Valparaiso by its perfect purity and refinement. Prestigious is the purchase or construction of housing here.

 

Do not miss the Marble Caves while traveling around the country. In the area near the border of Chile with Argentina is one of the largest lakes of the planet Heneral Karera. In the depths of it are unusual in its beauty marble caves. Choosing a quiet and sunny day for a trip, you will get an unforgettable experience. Enjoy a boat ride and be fascinated by the clear water of the lake, the maze of marble caves.

 

 

 

Easter Island, which can be reached by plane, is famous for its stone statues. The statues were made in the center of the island, and according to legend, they scattered themselves around the island. Moai look deep into the island, and go to admire them best in the dark. On the shore of Anaken Bay there is a beach with snow-white sand and you can swim there.

 

Needless to say, the rugged coast is famous not only for its fjords, but also for its beaches. In the cities of Viña del Mar, Zapallar, Iquique, La Serena, San Alfonso many sandy beaches exclusively for lovers to soak up the sun and relax. The beaches of Pichilemo and Algarrobo gather surfers, windsurfers and their many fans.

 

Going on a cruise along the coast of Patagonia, you will not only cover the whole range of natural beauties, but also take great photos for memory, watch whales and birds, go fishing, go to the snowy Andes and ski there. Tour on the liner will provide a truly unparalleled rest.

 

In the south of Chile lies an amazing national park Torres del Paine. The tour starts with a visit to the Milodon Cave near the city of Puerto Natales. Here were found the remains of a saber-toothed tiger, an American horse and a giant sloth Milodon, as well as the sites of the first people older than 12,000 years. At the entrance to the cave is a sculpture of Milodon. And in the system of three caves under the rock formation of the "devil's chair" you can see stalactites and feel excellent acoustics. After visiting the caves, you will stop in the city to eat and enjoy coffee, buy souvenirs.

 

 

The trails to the park are so picturesque that time flies by unnoticed. And nothing prevents you from stopping, drinking coffee, buying something for a souvenir. When you arrive at the park, you will see azure lakes and giant mountains of granite, thundering waterfalls, as well as birds, ostriches and guanaco pastures. Walk to the waterfall Salto Grande, then along the shore of Lake Grey - there you will be impressed by the view of icebergs and glacier. Return on the way past Lakes Toro and Porteño. In the motley Puerto Natales, the five-star hotel The Singular, CostAustralis (4 stars), Martin Gusinde (3 stars) are waiting for their guests.

 

In Torres del Paine, go hiking. For example, during the conquest of the five-day "W-track" you will tour the south of the mountains, explore the valleys with fascinating landscapes, spend the night in campsites and huts that are organized for trekkers.

 

 

 

Among other things, there are excursions to the glaciers of Balmaceda and Serrano. They are located in the Andes. The place is almost untouched by people. To get there is possible only by water through the fjord of Ultima Esperance. While sailing, you will observe imperial cormorants and sea lions. If the Balmaceda glacier is visible from a ship, then to see the Serrano glacier, you need to overcome a trail at the edge of a small lake formed by a melting glacier. In addition, travelers are promised a delicious lunch at the Perales estate.

 

 

 

 

Be sure to try Chilean cuisine with native Indian recipes. They cook here according to the season from the products of their region - delicious and inexpensive. Chileans prefer to cook lamb. Traditionally, meat is cooked on coal - Asado. Many dishes are made of beef, chicken, even though chicken in Chile is second-rate meat. The most common soup - Casuela - is made from meat with potatoes, carrots, onions and vegetables by season, for example, in the summer with sweet corn. Pastel de Choclo casserole in clay bowls, which Chileans cook at home, is minced with raisins, olives, onions and boiled eggs covered with corn and cornmeal.

 

However, for geographical reasons, fish is more popular than meat: Paila Marina soup with various seafood from shellfish to salmon, Ceviche snack from sliced fish and seafood with onions and lemon juice, baked mussels under parmesan cheese. And Chileans sweet tooth - snack before a rather late dinner fried pancakes with cheese and a special Pebre sauce. Dinner is not complete without a glass of Chilean red wine. In Santiago, there are restaurants exclusively vegetarian cuisine, so the choice for travelers is great.

 

As souvenirs sold miniature statues of moai made of wood or stone, beads, key chains. Indian mapuche poncho, the wool for which is spinned by hand, and painted only with natural vegetable dyes. It is worth paying attention to other warm things that will warm you and your loved ones in the winter. Wooden statuettes of indio pecaro are in demand, they are small, but full of surprises. In the town of Pomaira, which is famous for its pottery, you will not only buy high quality ceramic products, but also try the famous meat cake called empanada.

 

 

The rich cultural and historical heritage, comfortable hotels and resorts, high-contrast nature, national cuisine and the abundance of entertainment in Chile is stunning and impressive for those who come there to relax. Agree where else in the world you can see so much in one trip. Prices for accommodation in local hotels and hotels, I must say, very democratic.

 

To visit this country for a period of less than 90 days, Russian citizens do not need a visa. However, due to the lack of direct flights between our countries, you will have to make connections in Paris, Madrid, New York, Atlanta or other cities, so it is better to have an open Schengen visa or a United States visa in your passport.

 

 

Text: Julia Shchepeleva

Photo: turj, partizany, smarttrip, forfun