The coastal range forms high, sloped cliffs into the sea from the northern to the central area. Between the ranges runs a fertile valley, except in the north where transverse ranges join the two major ones, and in the far south where the sea has broken through the coastal range to form an assortment of archipelagos and channels. The country contains wide variations of soil and vast differences of climate. This is reflected in the distribution of the population, and in the wide range of occupations from area to area. The northern part of the country consists mainly of the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world. It is also the main mining area. The central zone is predominantly agricultural. The south is forested and contains some agriculture; further south, the forests on the Atlantic side give way to rolling grassland on which sheep and cattle are raised.

There are four tourist information centers in Santiago, including one at the airport. This particularly caters for foreigners just arriving in the country. There are also regional tourist offices throughout the country. Visitors to Chile are faced with a wide variety of excursions from which to choose; for the purposes of this guide, the country has been divided into three geographical areas, ranging from north to south.

Northern Region
Arica, near the northern border with Peru, is an excellent tourist center. It has good beaches and the famous San Marcos Cathedral. Conditions in the area are ideal for deep-sea fishing. The unique landscape of Altiplano, near Arica, where vast volcanoes, salt marshes and lakes exist together upon a 12,000 ft plateau, is home to the indigenous Aymara Indians. Llamas and alpacas can be seen here. The nearby UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Lauca National Park, is worth visiting. Traveling south through the Atacama Desert, excursions can be made to the hot springs of Mamina and to the oasis of the Pica Valley. The port of Antofagasta is the stopping point for air services and for most shipping lines. From here, a visit can be made to Chuquicamata, the world’s largest opencast copper mine, and also to the archaeological oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama and to the geysers at El Tatio.
Further south is Coquimbo, situated in one of the best harbors on the coast. Nearby is the beautiful bathing resort of Los Vilos. 9 miles north of Coquimbo is La Serena, the provincial capital. This charming and well laid-out town is graced with fine buildings and streets, and good reproductions of the attractive Spanish colonial style of architecture. The town is at the mouth of the Elqui River and excursions can be made from here to the rich fruit-growing region of the Elqui Valley, which is also full of reminiscences of the Chilean Nobel Prize Winner, Gabriela Mistral. Tours can also be arranged to the Tololo Observatory, the largest in the southern hemisphere.

Central Region and the Islands
This is the most temperate and pastoral region of the country, where the snow-capped peaks of the Andes provide a backdrop for rolling green fields, vineyards and orange groves. Valparaíso, the principal port, has many attractions. Only 8km (5 miles) to the north is Viña del Mar, Chile’s principal and most fashionable seaside resort with casinos, clubs and modern hotels. The Valparaíso Sporting Club offers a race course, polo grounds and playing fields. From Valparaíso there are excellent road and rail services to Santiago, where visitors will find all the conveniences of a modern capital city, including good hotels to suit all tastes. The Virgin Mary guards the city from the peak of the 860m (2822ft) Cerro San Cristóbal (Saint Christopher’s Hill), in the northeast of the city, where a zoo, gardens, restaurants and fine views of the city can be found; the Club Hípico and the Prince of Wales Country Club provide sporting facilities. From Santiago it is also possible to visit ski resorts such as Portillo, Farellones, and the newest and most fashionable, Valle Nevado. Immediately south of Santiago, in the heartland of Chile, one can visit many vineyards where much excellent Chilean wine is produced. Traveling south through the heartland of Chile one reaches Talca with its fine parks and museums.

Pacific Islands
650km (403 miles) west of Valparaíso are the Juan Fernández Islands, which can be reached either by plane or boat from the Chilean mainland. Alexander Selkirk was shipwrecked here in the early 18th century, and Defoe based his novel Robinson Crusoe on Selkirk’s adventures.
Easter Island is another Pacific Chilean possession, situated 3800km (2361 miles) west of the mainland. It is most famous for the Moai, gigantic stone figures up to 9m (30ft) tall which are found all over the island. Other sites include the crater of the volcano Rano Kao, the rock carvings at Oronco, and the museum in the main town of Hanga Roa. The best method of travel to the island is by air. Tour guides and guest house keepers tend to meet every plane, so although it is possible to book good hotel accommodation from Santiago or Valparaíso, it is not essential. Many of the hotels specialize in catering for groups and will arrange tours if asked. Tours can also be arranged with a tour guide. Jeeps, trucks, motorbikes and horses can all be hired.

Southern Region
A visit to the impressive waterfalls at Laguna de Laja is recommended. Temuco marks the beginning of the Lake District, where Lake Villarica and the Trancura and Cincira rivers combine to create beautiful scenery, and an angler’s paradise. Lake Todos los Santos is also well worth a visit. At the southernmost end of the railway line and the Pan American Highway, there is the picturesque town of Puerto Montt and, nearby, the colorful small fishing port of Angelmo. Inveterate travelers will wish to go on to visit Chiloé Island, and should not miss the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Torres del Paine National Park (located in Chilean Patagonia), which is simply one of the most beautiful, unspoiled and remote places on the planet. The whole area of Magallanes and Tierra del Fuego is worth exploring during the summer season.

Viña del Mar - Chile

Activities

Trekking
One of Chile’s most popular regions for trekking is the Lake District, which lies some 900km (560 miles) south of Santiago, and where several of the country’s national parks can be visited. The Lago Verde Trail in the Parque Nacional Huerquehue leads through beech forests, past waterfalls and offers good views of the Volcán Villarica. The fairly remote Parque Nacional Queulat (characterized by glaciers, fjords and volcanic peaks) is a popular destination for adventure travel package tours. Guided hikes, ecology tours and boat trips are available at Parque Nacional Conguillio. The Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, which lies 400km (250 miles) northwest of Punta Arenas, offers abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery consisting of huge glaciers, fjords, waterfalls and blue lakes dotted with icebergs; the park has a well-developed network of trails complemented by trekking huts. In many cases, visitors intending to trek through Chile individually must register with local rangers or at the nearest CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal) office. At the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, solo treks are not allowed.

Wildlife
Naturalists wishing to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin (who wrote extensively about Chile’s fauna and flora) may head to the Juan Fernández Islands (located in the Pacific, some 965km/600 miles west of Santiago). The islands contain numerous indigenous plants and animals, most notably the Juan Fernández fur seal and the Juan Fernández hummingbird. The Parque Nacional Lauca (155km/95 miles from Arica) is filled with flamingos, rheas (an ostrich-like bird) and llamas. Guanacos (or llama guanicoe) roam freely in the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine (see above), which is also a good place to observe giant condors. Magellanic penguins can be seen at Chiloé Island (485km/300 miles from Santiago), a region of evergreen forests and fjords much admired by Darwin. The abundant coastal wildlife of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego includes large colonies of sea elephants, sea lions and penguins.

Climbing
The Lake District’s Volcán Villarrica and Volcán Osorno are the most popular destinations. Various companies offer guided ascents, but ice gear is required. Guides are compulsory.

Fishing
This is particularly good in the Lake District and in Patagonia, South America’s southernmost region. The lakes near Puerto Montt, a port city whose economy is mainly based on fishing, offer excellent trout fishing.

Whitewater rafting
The Maipo, Claro, Trancura and Bio-Bio rivers are the main destinations and specialist operators can organize week-long trips. The scenery around the Bio-Bio includes hot springs and waterfalls, but the construction of several dams along the river will change conditions.

Watersports
Chile’s coastline is indented by many bays and fjords where various types of watersports, including swimming, diving, water-skiing and boating can be enjoyed.

Equestrian sports
As an alternative to walking, guided horseback trips are widely available in Chile’s national parks. The International Horsemanship Championship is held in Viña del Mar in January. The two main horseraces of the year are the Derby (Viña del Mar, January) and el Ensayo (Santiago, October).

Skiing
Portillo (150km/95 miles northeast of Santiago) is a world-famous ski resort offering both downhill and cross-country skiing and ice skating (on the spectacular Laguna del Inca). Other ski slopes in the area can be found at Farellones-El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. The best time to ski is August (with the season running from June to September).

Glacier cruises
Departing from Puerto Montt, glacier cruises follow a spectacular route through Chile’s Inside Passage, the Beagle Channel and around Cape Horn, passing through glacial valleys (notably at Laguna San Rafael), fjords and past huge icebergs. Passengers can disembark at various points en route, notably at Puerto Natales and on the Argentinian portion of Tierra del Fuego.

Antarctic trips
Chile’s southernmost city, Punta Arenas (located 2170km/1350 miles south of Santiago), is one of the most widely used departure points for trips to Antarctica.