Holding a wealth of interest for the adventurer, Chile is an ideal travel destination for the natural history enthusiast and cultural traveler alike. Glaciers, rainforest, volcanoes, crystalline blue lakes, windy steppes and the driest desert on earth all converge to offer an unbelievable mix of topographies. But travelers will also encounter rich cultures among the Atacamenos of the desert and among the proud Mapuches of Chile’s beautiful lake district.
While some travelers go to Chile during the summer months (December through March), spring (September through November) is a pleasant time to visit South America. Lush and green, NEI offers a wide variety of cultural and easy adventure activities in what can be considered the region’s low season. Chile also hosts several cultural festivals in spring, including Independence Day, Festival of Foreign Colonies and the International Exhibition of Traditional Arts and Crafts, an immense gathering of artisans from many different countries.
With NEI, you’ll also have the option of exploring the lovely fjord region, including the spectacular San Rafael glacier, in case this area is a priority for you. Your adventure concludes with four nights in the incomparably beautiful Torres del Paine National Park, famous for its pink granite towers and “horns” of Paine. Here, you will encounter spectacular scenery — glaciers, lakes, mountains, rivers and waterfalls — as well as impressive wildlife, including guanacos, rheas, condors, peregrine falcons, flamingoes and, with luck, mountain lions. You may explore Torres del Paine by hiking, horseback riding, boating and/or scenic driving excursions.