Some of our Chile holiday ideas
Chile - Lakes, Desert & Easter Island
From cloudless skies over the desert plains in the north to the active volcanoes of the Lake District and the wine lodge...
15 nights from £5,695 p/p
Chile - North to South
This two week private itinerary explores Chile's natural wonders, spanning the entire country, and includes a cruise thr...
14 nights from £6,225 p/p
Highlights of Chile - Atacama Desert to Torres del Paine
This holiday through Chile's main highlights travels the length of the country, from the high Andean Atacama Desert in t...
13 nights from £6,165 p/p
Rainbow Chile Specialist
Kristen's review
Chile is a country with everything. The changing landscapes of the Atacama Desert in the North will leave you speechless, whilst giving you plenty to see – desolate wilderness, vast salt flats, colourful lagoons, and active geysers are just a few things you can see. In the centre of the country, Santiago, and the surrounding vineyards, are a great place to relax for a few days, taking in the views over a few glasses of wine. Further south, the Lake District combines the adventures of hiking and white water-rafting with beautiful landscapes and intriguing history. Patagonia and Torres del Paine are my favourite part, where the end of the Andes meet the glaciers of the south, ending with one of the best hiking spots in South America.
Kristen's Top Tips
- Spend time stargazing whilst in the Atacama Desert and enjoy some of the clearest skies in the world
- The best way to enjoy Torres del Paine is on foot – my favourite hike was the one up to the Torres themselves.
- Take time to explore the vibrant streets of Valparaiso if you can, making sure to stop at Pablo Neruda’s house.
Kristen Lanskail-Morris
Travel Specialist
Best Time To Visit Chile
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Quick Country Facts
Time Zone:GMT -4 hours
Captial:Santiago
Currency:Chilean Peso
Why visit Chile?
Home to the vast Atacama desert and a diverse slice of Patagonia, Chile's landscape won't fail to inspire you. From glistening glaciers to rocky dunes and bejewelled vineyards, be sure to give this glorious country the attention it deserves. Remote Easter Island, in the middle of the Pacific, is on many people’s bucket lists who are eager to witness the mysterious Moai statues. The bustling cities of Santiago and bohemian Valparaiso, meanwhile, are well worth the visit as are the exceptional vineyards in the Central Valley; host to some of the world’s best wines!
Kristen Lanskail-Morris
Travel Specialist
Chilean Patagonia
Chile's great wilderness. If you’re looking for Chile’s most dramatic landscape, look no further than Patagonia. The most southerly point on earth (before you hit Antarctica) is a wild world of glaciers, icy fjords and sweeping steppes. Saddle up with local huasos (cowboys) to ride through its crown jewel, Torres del Paine. Named after the 8000 foot Towers of Paine that stand guard over the park, you’ll cross thundering rivers, circle stunning lakes and spend the evenings enjoying traditional asado BBQ. By boat you can explore further, cruising the fjords to touch the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
The Atacama
The Atacama desert. From vast ice fields to one of the driest places on earth: head far north to truly appreciate the extremes of Chile amid the barren beauty of the Atacama Desert. The scenery here morphs throughout the day: early risers are rewarded with the sight of steaming geysers spurting up into the cloudless sky at the El Tatio geyser field, while the evening sun gives the deserts’ lunar-like rock formations a warming glow. Explore the salt flats – keeping alert for lizards and flamingos, trek through rolling sand dunes, past cacti and pampas grass, or simply slide into the 33C degree water at the Puritama hot springs. By night the Atacama transforms again into one of the world’s best spots for stargazing. Join an expedition deep into the darkness of the desert to gaze up at the canopy of stars and spot the Southern Cross and splendour of the Milky Way.
Looking for inspiration?
You'll find expert travel guides, holiday ideas and insider tips now on the Rainbow blog
Bucket List Adventure: Chilean Patagonia
Six amazing places to visit in Chile (and what to do when you get there)
Six completely unique things to do in Chile
Exploring Chile's Southern Patagonia in the Shoulder Season
Six of the best places in Chile for Photographers
Best Time of Year to Visit Chile: Going from North to South
Discover the Magic of Chile's Atacama Desert: An In-Depth Guide for First Timers
The 10 Best Places for Stargazing in Africa and South America
Why Choose Us?
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- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
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- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
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- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
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