Of lunar deserts, dramatic peaks and remote fjords - Adventures in Chile
- Adventure Coordinators
- May 30
- 7 min read
There’s a magic to chasing moai and mountains in Chile. It’s not just the grandeur of the landscapes or the strangeness of coming face to face with ancient stone statues in the middle of the Pacific. It’s the way Chile threads such extraordinary contrasts into one long, narrow ribbon of land. Where else can you journey from lunar deserts, dramatic peaks and remote fjords to lakeside towns, coastal cities, and the mysterious echoes of vanished civilisations, all within the same country? This is a place where the natural and cultural collide in ways that continually surprise and challenge you.
The capital
On any to Chile, you'll land in Santiago, from where domestic flights whisk you away to the far corners of this thin country. What you might not anticipate is how much you'll be drawn into the life of the capital itself. Santiago pulses with a kind of low-key sophistication. Grand colonial architecture sits side-by-side with modern towers, and the Andes loom ever-present, casting a proverbial shadow across the city. From the summit of Cerro San Cristóbal, reached by a funicular ride, the whole sweep of the city opens up beneath you. It's a good place to get your bearings — and your breath back — before diving into the museums, markets, and culinary scene.
To the coast
But to understand Chile, you have to move. And I don’t just mean travel; you need to keep changing direction, altitude, and expectations. Head west to the coast, and you’ll encounter a pair of cities that couldn’t be more different in character. Valparaíso is gloriously chaotic, a tangle of steep hills, colourful houses, and street art that demands you stop and stare. Poets, especially Pablo Neruda, found their muse in its eccentric beauty. Viña del Mar, just next door, plays the part of the polished sibling—glitzy, beachy, and buzzing with restaurants and casinos. If you have the time, a visit to one of Pablo Neruda’s homes, like La Chascona in Santiago or La Sebastiana in Valparaíso, offers a quirky, intimate glimpse into the mind of Chile’s most celebrated literary figure.
Heading south from Santiago, the Central Valley fans out into vineyards that roll lazily between the mountains. A wine tasting in the Colchagua Valley quickly teaches you that Chile’s reds, especially Carménère and Malbec, aren’t just good — they’re world-class.
Into the Lakes District
But it’s when you keep going — past the vines, past the cities, into the Lakes District — that Chile really begins to shift gears. Puerto Varas, under the watchful eye of two perfectly conical volcanoes, is a picture of serenity. German colonial architecture gives the town a European feel, but the adventure possibilities are pure Patagonian. You can kayak, hike, climb or simply sit by the lake with a good cup of coffee and watch the clouds drift over Osorno’s snow-capped peak.
Forgotten Chiloé
Further south, the terrain turns wilder still. Chiloé, an archipelago known for its stilted houses and UNESCO-listed wooden churches, feels like a place time forgot. There’s a quiet resilience in the culture here, a blend of Spanish and Indigenous influences with a strong maritime soul. And while it may rain often here, the food — especially the seafood — is hearty, and the people are warm.
Dramatic Patagonia
If you’re craving something more dramatic, Patagonia delivers. (In a previous post I wrote about five ways to experience Patagonia). Torres del Paine National Park is often called one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and while I concur, I’ll leave the superlatives to others. What I can tell you is that standing in front of those granite spires, mirrored in Lago Nordenskjöld, you feel very small in the best possible way. EcoCamp Patagonia, with its geodesic domes and community-focused ethos, makes a comfortable and environmentally conscious base for exploring the park. Whether you opt for day hikes or take on the full W Trek or even the tougher Paine Circuit, you’ll come away exhilarated, and awestruck.
Calving glaciers
And then there are the glaciers. In Torres del Paine, Glaciar Grey is a surreal wall of blue ice, but it’s in Laguna San Rafael National Park where the calving spectacle takes on another scale. Here, huge blocks of ice crash into the water from the towering face of the San Rafael Glacier. You can witness this from the safety of a zodiac - close enough to feel the chill in the air but far enough to stay dry.
Pisco on a starry night
Of course, not all of Chile is rugged and windswept. In the Elqui Valley, dry hills give way to green vineyards and sleepy towns that seem made for slowing down. This is pisco country — Chile’s signature spirit — and villages like Pisco Elqui offer distillery tours and tastings in a setting so peaceful it almost seems fictional. At night, the skies reveal another kind of wonder. The region is known for its clarity, and observatories like Cerro Mamalluca open a window into the galaxy. Whether you’re a casual stargazer or an astrophysics buff, the night skies here are unforgettable.
To the north - the Atacama
Then there’s the Atacama Desert — possibly the most alien landscape you'll ever see. Valle de la Luna, with its wind-carved dunes and stone formations, glows in surreal colours at sunset, shifting from ochre to pink to deep purple. Early mornings at El Tatio geysers, where the earth hisses and steams in the pre-dawn light, are cold and magical. Wildlife is sparse but striking — flamingos, vicuñas, and foxes appear like apparitions across the high-altitude plains.
Lauca National Park
And still, there’s more. The high-altitude beauty of Parque Nacional Lauca, with its mirror-like lakes and herds of llamas and alpacas, seems like a forgotten world. Iquique offers paragliding over sand dunes and ocean swells. Bahía Inglesa invites you to bask on white-sand beaches lapped by turquoise waters. You can raft the raging Futaleufú River, take in a rodeo in the Central Valley, or soak in the thermal springs of Termas de Puyuhuapi after a long day of trekking.
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
But perhaps the most stirring destination of all lies far off the coast: Easter Island, or, as it is known these days, Rapa Nui. One of the world’s most remote inhabited islands, Rapa Nui is a place of mystery, resilience, and haunting beauty. The moai statues, with their stoic faces and massive stone silhouettes, dominate the landscape and the imagination. You can explore ancient ceremonial sites, dive into volcanic craters, and attend the Tapati Rapa Nui festival, where Polynesian traditions come alive through dance, sport, and artistry. Being there feels like visiting a myth made real.
Chile isn’t a destination you can summarise neatly. It’s too long, too varied, too nuanced for that. It rewards slow travel, curious minds, and a willingness to venture beyond the expected. From chasing moai on a windblown island to hiking mountain trails in Patagonia, from savouring pisco beneath impossibly clear starry skies to walking the painted streets of Valparaíso, Chile invites you to keep moving, keep discovering.
So if you’re the kind of traveller who likes a bit of everything — history and nature, adventure and wine, deserts and glaciers — then chasing moai and mountains in Chile might just be your perfect journey. Just be prepared: one trip may not be enough.
Best time to visit
Travel to Chile's Central Valley, Santiago and the Atacama in the north is possible year-round. The best time to travel to Patagonia and the Lake District is from mid-November through mid-March.
Our tours in Chile
A quick count shows we have access to about 75 different tours in Chile. Here is a selection of the most popular trips.
Stay in comfort at Ecocamp Patagonia, where geodesic domes and gourmet meals meet daily adventures in Torres del Paine. Choose your pace each day—challenging hikes or gentle walks, boat rides or yoga sessions. With all-inclusive programs and stunning wilderness, it’s a perfect base for your Patagonian escape.
Trek the full circuit of Torres del Paine on this 9-day adventure through Patagonia’s wild heart. With expert guides, camp under the stars, hike to epic viewpoints, and explore glaciers, forests, and valleys. A rewarding, challenging journey for active travellers seeking iconic landscapes and a deep connection to nature.
Start in El Calafate with Perito Moreno Glacier’s grandeur. Hike iconic trails around Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres, camping amid wilderness. Cross into Chile for a fjord cruise to Torres del Paine. Complete the renowned “W” Trek, exploring glaciers, valleys, and towering granite peaks before returning, fulfilled.
Those reluctant to hike can experience Patagonia’s best on this tour with expert guides. From vibrant Buenos Aires to chocolate-box Bariloche, cruise the Andean lakes, explore Torres del Paine and witness Perito Moreno Glacier. Finish in Ushuaia with penguins and a tango lesson. A seamless mix of culture, landscapes, and adventure in South America’s wild south.
Journey through Patagonia’s wild heart, from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Hike beneath Mount Fitz Roy, witness Perito Moreno’s icy spectacle, and explore Torres del Paine’s dramatic spires. Cross into Tierra del Fuego, sail the Beagle Channel, and return to the capital. A richly rewarding mix of nature, culture, and adventure.
Your journey starts in Ushuaia with time to explore before boarding. Cruise the Beagle Channel, spotting wildlife and iconic lighthouses. Visit historic Cape Horn and Glacier Alley, then explore humpback whale territory at Francisco Coloane Marine Reserve. Hike Torres del Paine’s dramatic landscapes before finishing in Puerto Montt.
Begin in Santiago, blending history and city life before wine tasting in Maipo Valley. Explore Torres del Paine’s glaciers and peaks by foot and boat. Journey through the Lake District’s volcanoes and forests, then venture into the Atacama Desert’s surreal landscapes. Finish with geysers and a final night in Santiago. Choose to extend your trip to Easter Island.
Begin your privately guided journey in vibrant Buenos Aires before visiting Iguazzu Falls. Next, fly to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city. Explore Perito Moreno Glacier and a historic ranch near El Calafate. Discover Torres del Paine’s stunning fjords, glaciers, and forests. Conclude with a luxurious expedition around Cape Horn, all tailored to your preferences.
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