Chile is ideal for those seeking full or half day walks rather than longer treks. It is a country with a diverse range of flora and fauna, snow-capped volcanoes, majestic Andean peaks and strange rock formations.
There is also a superb infrastructure with a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and you can combine days of walking with nights of good food and world class wines
The Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth, offering amazing scenery, numerous activities, and year round good weather. The best base for exploring the Atacama region is the town of San Pedro, made almost entirely of adobe brick – a mix of local mud and straw. The archaeological museum holds an extraordinary collection of artefacts, whilst its streets are lined with indigenous handicraft markets and its outskirts contain ancient ruins and thermal springs.
Chilean Patagonia is one of the remotest and beautiful areas of the world, with lush forests, deep fjords, spectacular shaped mountains and awe inspiring glaciers. Amongst the scenery is an abundance of wildlife including llama, guanaco, rhea, condors and Magellan penguins.
Chile’s southern region is a multitude of lakes and volcanoes and is also home to one of the most remarkable indigenous cultures, the Mapuches, who, for nearly 3 centuries, defended their homeland from the Spanish conquistadors. Of particular interest is the chain of national parks that extends along the Argentine border, with wonderful scenery of lakes, forests and volcanic plateaus.
Manor Cottage, Papermill Lane, South Moreton, Oxfordshire, OX11 9AH
