Hiking in Valle de la Luna, Atacama
"Chile was amazing! We literally hiked in the driest desert in the world on one day, then sunbathed along the banks of a pretty lake the next. We're thinking of retiring to the Chilean Lakes District...that's how impressed we were with our experience there. Thanks so much for organizing such a great trip."
- G.A. San Francisco, CA
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Argentina,
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Chile
The longest and slimmest country in South America, Chile boasts more than 4,830km of coastline and a dizzying array of landscapes.
The capital city, Santiago, is an historic and rapidly changing hub where old and new architecture blend seamlessly to form a fascinating launching point.
To the north, the desolate moonscape of the Atacama Desert draws eco-adventurers. The fertile vineyards of the Central Valley are an inviting stop for epicureans. To the south, the lush rainforests of the Lake District and the magnificent glaciers of Patagonia offer a natural playground for adventurers and sybarites.
Spend two weeks in this fascinating country and you'll feel like you've experienced all four seasons in one.
A postcard from Chile...
Is it possible to fall in love with a country before you even land in it?
The descent into Santiago airport left me breathless. Coasting over the Andes mountains, their ochre-coloured peaks seemingly close enough to touch, I suddenly felt like I was about to embark on a great adventure. And what an adventure it's been!
After spending a few days in Chile's bustling capital city, I headed north by plane to the Atacama Desert. It's the most fascinating place I've ever visited. Dry and dusty, yet so rich it draws you in
immediately.
I've been staying at an adobe covered boutique hotel in San Pedro. The furniture is made of willow branches and the pool is lined with boulders. Hiking through the Valley of the Moon, I was struck by the varied landscape. Rocky and desolate, yet at certain angles with the crystal clear sky above, it's full of life. I sat atop a dune and watched the sun set and the moon rise.
A few days later, I found myself surrounded by lakes and peaks, leafy forests, and a giant snow-capped volcano. I'd made the trek south to Pucon. Home is now a luxurious, family-owned lakeside villa that seems to be plucked straight from a James Bond film.
Let us know if you'd like to find your own perch on the sand dunes of Atacama.
(416) 366-2777 or tripdesign@quenchtravel.com
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