Chile

Chile

Chile contains some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, ranging from the steppe of Patagonia in the south to the desert in the north. It is bordered by Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, and Argentina straddles most of its southeast. The country is almost 2,700 miles long but barely more than 100 miles at its widest. It has a population of around 20 million. 

The destination is mostly known for the amazing Torres del Paine, one of the world’s great national parks. The 180,000-hectare park in Chile’s south is great for trekking, horse riding and mountain biking. The Atacama Desert in the north presents a stark contrast. This is the driest place on earth, and home to incredible scenery, from dramatic moonscapes to the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere.

Santiago, the capital of Chile, is a modern city at the foothills of the Andes in the nation’s central region. The city is Chile’s cultural, social and economic hub, while the surrounding area produces some of the best wines in South America. Easter Island, an island in the Pacific Ocean over 3,750 kilometres from Santiago, is a beautiful volcanic island, but best known for its mysterious giant Moai statues, known by locals as the ‘Rapa Nui’, which adorn the hilly green terrain.

There are several options for direct flights from the UK to Chile. Llama Travel tours include flights from London to Santiago as standard, which takes around 14.5 hours. Region departures tend to take anywhere from 16 to 18 hours, including a layover. Mainland Chile is 3 or 4 hours behind the UK, depending on the time of year, making adjustment relatively swift upon arrival. Its sheer size makes finding a perfect time to visit relatively difficult; we recommend visiting between November and April to make the most of the incredible scenery in the best conditions possible. 

Our Chile FAQs answer the most common queries we hear from customers considering a holiday to Chile. If you are ready to explore our small group, great value tours of Chile, you can do so here.