Chile: Land of Contrasts
Yvonne Hawley | Journeys by Yvonne
Embark on an unforgettable journey through three of the most contrasting landscapes of Chile. The adventure begins in the fascinating Santiago. The Chilean capital is today a modern and vibrant metropolis, extensive and vibrant that is flanked on one side buy the Cordillera of the Andes and on the other by the Cordillera de la Costa.
Santiago, which became from a small town of 46,000 to a city of over 7 million. This is where you can enjoy many activities ranging from explorations, historical and cultural activities, food, art and architecture. The most important sites to be visited include the view of Cerro Santa Lucia, the Plaza de Armas, Central Market, La Moneda impressive building, and the Presidential Palace.
We will continue onto the Atacama Desert, in northern Chile. The most arid of the world! The Andean Altiplano will amaze you with its amazing beauty and exotic landscapes. San Pedro de Atacama, a small town surrounded by impressive natural landscapes, it was the cradle of ancestral cultures. Considered today as the archaeological capital of Chile. The geological transformations of the desert give will amaze you with incredible views of mountain ranges, volcanoes, salt flats and lagoons, bodies of water that emerge in the middle of the desert, thermal pools, geysers, and salt marshes. One of the must-sees is the Tatio Geyser, where water and steam gush intensely from the depths of the earth.
You will be amazed as to how the flora and fauna has managed to adapt to the extreme conditions of the desert like the llamas, foxes.
You can also have the unique opportunity to take a ceramic class with the outstanding artist Fernando Alfaro where you can ear more about their culture. As the sun goes down enjoy a visit to the World-famous Observatory. The Atacama sky is one of the clearest in the world, and one of the best places to do astronomical work, stargazing and observatory activities.
Another place not to be missed is the National Reserve of Puritana, where you can find the Puritana Hot Springs, that come from the river of the same name, here you can enjoy swimming in it and having a relaxing afternoon.
One of the Jewels of Chile is wine country, that Is why it cannot be out of one’s bucket list and my favorite, the wine growing area located in the central Chile. The perfect weather conditions of summers hot weather, cool coastal breezes and gentle rains ensure plenty of grape harvests that create delicious strains such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Carmenere, the grape emblematic of Chile that comes from France thought to be extinct, is now exclusive to Chili. The vineyards you can get to visit and stay at, have world class accommodations.
The southern region, the Lake District where we will find a great range of activities. This area is also characterized by the beauty of its Volcanoes contrasted by the Mapuche Culture, indigenous people that make this sector very special and with its own identity.
Patagonia, home to the peaks of Torres del Paine National Park and glaciers of the Southern Ice sheet makes I a destination if you are looking and love to experience nature a its purest.
Chile aside from being a vibrant and beautiful country full of natural wonders. About 2,200 miles west of the mainland you will find the Eastern Island, a remote volcanic island. Its native name is Rapa Nui. Famed for its archaeological and historical site, including around 900 monumental statues called moai created by inhabitants. They are carved human figures with huge heads. It was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1995
Dare to go further and explore the world!
Yvonne Hawley
yvonne.hawley@gtctravel.com
713-805-4247