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Chile
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Group Departure Dates

1 Tours | From Rs p/p

Duration:

11 Days

Country(ies):

Argentina, Chile

Tour Type:

Overland

Group size:

Min: 5 | Max: 20

Meals:

B- 3, L - 2, D - 1

Highlights:

Colourful city of Punta Arenas, Magdalena penguin colony, Torres del Paine National Park -  guided hike to view the Three Towers, El...


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Chile tours

Looking at Chile on a world map makes it seem absurdly thin and absurdly long, as it stretches from South America's belly to its foot. It’s home to environments on both ends of the geological scale, from some of the world’s driest deserts to icy southern glacial fields.

Chile is a vast country, stretching for over 4300km. Here, diverse landscapes unfold - parched dunes, fertile valleys, volcanoes, ancient forests, massive glaciers, and fjords. There's awe in every detail and nature on a grand scale.

On our Chile tours, you can expect to see some of the most dramatic and beautiful regions of Patagonia, from the coast and Chile's largest penguin colony to high glaciers and spectacular mountains.

On our adventurous Chile tours, one of the highlights is the quaint and colourful city of Punta Arenas, which is easily accessible by domestic flight from Santiago or by road or cruise from Ushuaia. Another must-see destination is the small island of Magdalena – which is home to to the native penguins – here, you’ll soon see that the island remains largely untouched and holds an abundance of natural beauty.

We’ll take you to the forests and dramatic mountains of Torres del Paine National Park – famous for its soaring mountains, bright blue icebergs that break off glaciers, and golden pampas (grasslands) that protect rare wildlife such as llama-like guanacos. There are three granite towers that give the park its name, as well as the horn-shaped peaks known as Cuernos del Paine, are among its most iconic features.

Chile is a land steeped in history, and daily life is infused with indigenous and European traditions. Chile's cultural heritage is represented by seven UNESCO Cultural World Heritage sites. Furthermore, their diversity - from Incan roads to Polynesian Easter Island to 19th-century city quarters - demonstrates how long the land's history truly is. Similarly, they are an important part of Chile's tourist attractions and one of the many compelling reasons to book a Chile tour.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like to lengthen your stay – one of our sales agents will be more than happy to assist.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Chile require a COVID test?

It is no longer required for you to have a negative test when arriving in Chile. It is highly recommended that you have your updated vaccinations in order to enter the country.When boarding to Chile, you will need to have the following documents – a vaccination certificate and identification document. This will allow you to receive a mobility pass which you will need to enter many public places like hotels, movie theatres, bars, restaurants or even flights within Chile.In the event that you have not been fully vaccinated, you will be required to have a negative PCR test that is dated less than 48 hours from departure to enter Chile.

When is the best time to visit Chile?

Chile is a hard country to crack as its attractions are extremely varied. In the North, you’ll find the Atacama Desert which happens to be the driest desert on the planet while in the South, you’ll find the Patagonian ice fields which is the third freshwater reserve in the world. No matter the reason for your visit, there is a time best suited for everyoneIf you’re travelling to Chile for an outdoor excursion, the best time to go would be between November and March.If you’re looking to go for a more peaceful trip and want to skip the massive crowds, the best time to go would be between April and October. Please note: Finding accommodation during the off-season (June to August) may be a bit more challenging.If you’re a wild life enthusiast and would love to see what nature has to offer, between April and November would be the best time to take a trip to Chile.

Is English spoken in Chile?

The official language of Chile is Chilean Spanish. English is spoken by some locals in tourist areas, however, do not assume every individual you meet will be able to converse in English.

What currency is used in Chile?

The Chilean peso is the main form of currency in Chile. US dollars are accepted in most places throughout the country. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in major cities and tourist areas but cash is still preferred and recommended for local markets. ATMs are common in the country and can be found easily. Official currency exchange centres are well signposted and easy for tourists to find.

What type of transportation can I expect to find in Chile?

Chile’s main forms of local transportation include buses, taxis, and the metro located in Santiago. There are domestic flights between most cities, which is the fastest way to travel within the country. 

TOUR REVIEWS

My experience with Encounters was excellent from start to finish. The Tour Guide, Sheriff, was the most passionate, enthusiastic and professional guide I have ever had on a tour and his love for Egypt really made me enjoy my time so much more.

There was a lot of communication from the beginning. The encounters staff was very responsive and the tour guide was great and very accommodating. Encounters was also able to help me with last minute changes to my itinerary while I was on the trip.

Ant provided excellent service. He always responded as quickly as he could, attending to the questions I had for him. He was also very patient and pleasant. I depended on his knowledge and service to make the trip.
I liked the service and the tour guide & driver on the tour. They were professional and provided very good service. I thought 1-2 hotels on the trip were not quite 4-star. It also happened that this group of people was always late for schedule and our walk pace was too slow. It really needs the guide to make people on schedule and be punctual for the activity. Overall I think the time management of this tour needs improvement.

Encounters Travel did an excellent job in all aspects of our trip! Egypt was amazing and the trip was made especially enjoyable as a result of the quality of the guides. I highly recommend Encounters Travel!
Worth every penny! Go to Egypt with Encounters Travel!

Conscientious in early communication; knowledgeable, humorous and caring tour guides; an exemplary itinerary that was well organized yet flexible; an overall extraordinary experience. I'd recommend them enthusiastically.

ratings

Chile Country Guide

Chile Country Guide Flag

Factfile


Time: GMT-3
Dial Code: +56
Area: 756700 sq. Km
Elevation: Highest Point: Ojos del Salado 6,893 metres (22,615 ft) | Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean, 0 metres
Population: 19.21 million (2021)
Capital: Santiago
Government: Representative Democratic Republic
Language: Spanish

Offering diverse and breathtaking landscapes, Chile is a place like no other. You will be able to explore the most iconic and remarkable places.

There are mountains of places to explore such as the Torres del Paine National Park, Easter Island, Atacama Desert and Rapa Nui Parque Nacional.

It is also an adventure travellers paradise. Experience the adrenaline rush of skiiing, horseback riding, scuba diving and trekking.

As soon as you arrive on Chilean soil, you’ll definitely be welcomed with open arms. While in Chile, you’ll soon learn that there are some very peculiar social norms. Embrace the language of the locals as they express their vibrant culture and history.

You cannot leave Chile without indulging in the delicious cuisine. Experience an Asados, a barbecue that is the perfect social event to bring both the locals and the travelers together. Fun fact, the best Chilean food can be found on the streets. Try the empanadas, humita and the completo, you won’t be disappointed! What better way to pair this than with Chile’s famous wine selection.

Communities form an important part of the picture too. A European influence is obvious in the art and architecture of dynamic cities such as Santiago and Valparaiso. But it’s possible to find evidence of indigenous cultures: central Chile has been occupied by the Mapuche for thousands of years and descendants of Easter Island’s Polynesian Rapa Nui continue to live an isolated life on the mainland.

Highlights

  • Santiago - the capital and largest city of the country.
  • Concepción - Chile's second largest city is a city rich in culture, history and beauty.
  • Valdivia - called the "City of Rivers", the "Pearl of the South", and the "Beer Capital of Chile".
  • La Serena - a charming city, with beautiful, well-preserved neocolonial architecture, and extensive beaches.
  • Punta Arenas - one of the southernmost cities of the world, it is an important starting point for trips to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands.
  • Torres del Paine National Park - the mountains, lakes and glaciers, including the Towers of Paine.
  • Laguna San Rafael National Park - includes the San Rafael Glacier, accessible only by boat or plane

Tips

  • Tipping is not obligatory but is generally expected. It is usually assumed that customers will leave a tip of 10%, if the service is considered satisfactory. Sometimes restaurants automatically add it to the bill.
  • Considering the withdrawal fees at ATMs, it is a good idea to bring some US dollars or even Euros to Chile. Money exchange rates are quite competitive with an included fee of around 1%—the fee is 4% when withdrawing 100,000 pesos from an ATM.
  • Chileans are very friendly people. Most of them will be willing to assist you with directions or advice in the street, bus stop, subway station, etc. Just use common sense to avoid danger.
  • A basic prepaid cellular phone usually costs about 15,000 pesos, most frequently charged with 10,000 pesos worth of prepaid minutes. No ID is required to buy a prepaid phone.
  • Due to an initiative of the government, many rural towns nowadays have free WiFi somewhere in the centre (plaza) or near the bus station. However, the reliability of the Internet can vary.

VIDEO FEATURE

Our video features aim to bring our adventure tours to life in a way that no photo can, giving you a great taste of the destination.

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