Chile in 3D Choose Your Chile
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Introduction Chile is diverse. It’s landscapes, climates, ecology; there’s not much in this country that doesn’t surprise and delight. You could be skiing down mountains one day and sand boarding in the Atacama desert the next. In the country’s winter months especially,
Chile really comes into its own.
As the crowds disappear and the snow falls in the highlands, the country becomes so much more authentic. More real. Which is why we want you to know about it. To experience it first hand, at a time of year few people realise is a time of perfection. A time that can offer a huge variety of experience. To help you come to grips with Chile’s sheer diversity, we’ve decided to look at the country from a few different angles. Class yourself as a bit of a buccaneer? A bit of an adventurous trend-setter? Then our bespoke itinerary and insightful guides to the country’s most adrenaline inducing experiences are sure to inspire you. However, if you happen to be more of a wandering free-spirit, whose passions lie in culture and natural
we’ve got a whole section of in-depth guides to a side of Chile that’s best suited to you . beauty,
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Chile deserves so much more than a generic write-up, so we’ve tried to paint as full a picture of this South American gem as best we can. This isn’t a Chile you’ve read about in brochures or seen on billboards.
This is Chile...
in
3D
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Does this sound like you? The Buccaneer Are you forever in pursuit of your next outdoor adventure? A true challenge that excites you? When you think of Chile, is it the opportunity for adventure that first springs to mind? The mountains, the desert, the jungles‌
Is it adrenaline that fuels you?
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The Free Spirit As a free-spirit you appreciate the raw beauty of nature. The more untouched a destination, the more you connect with it. The more unique the landscapes and the cultures, the more it sticks in your mind and changes your perceptions of the world. , but as you travel further, you struggle to discover places that enrich you. But there’s no need to look any further than Chile and pages 11 to 15 of this digital guide.
It’s a powerful thing to be a free-spirit
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Our Top 3 Adventurous Experiences in Chile So you’re an adventurer.
A buccaneer.
Always the first to sign up to adrenaline inducing activities and always on the lookout for your next intrepid travel destination. We’ve mentioned already that Chile is the perfect choice for your next voyage, but to really convince you, we’ve decided to highlight a few of the country’s most exciting experiences. They’re perfect for the adventurer.
Sand board in the Atacama Desert Coming to Chile in its winter season does not mean you have to miss out on some of the country’s most epic landscapes. Whilst there is a wealth of snowy slopes and ice glaciers to enjoy, you can still explore Chile’s ‘Death Valley’, also known as the Atacama Desert. For all you thrillseekers, there is only one way to truly enjoy this fiery red desert, and that’s with a spot of sandboarding. Grab a seat in a private sand buggy and begin your speedy and bumpy journey into Death Valley. Once you’re at the top of a gigantic dune, you’ll be strapped onto your sand board and can begin your descent. Take in the view as you glide down the dunes and do your best to reach top speed.
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Heli-Ski in the Central Chilean Andes Picture this, one million acres of untouched Chilean snow. Sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? And for all the keen skiers amongst you, these are the kind of slopes you’ll want to be gliding down, off-piste. Luckily for you, experiencing the unique feeling of making those first tracks in untouched snow is completely possible. All you’ve got to do is jump in (and out of) a helicopter. Heli skiing combines a stunning and exhailarating helicopter ride over the vast and breath-taking Chilean Mountains with fast-paced skiing over fresh powder. Make this more than a day trip and stay in one of Chile’s luxurious boutique lodges that reside just moments away from Heli Ski terrain.
Ice climb frozen waterfalls in Yerba Loca Ever seen a frozen waterfall? If you have, you’ll probably remember the feeling of wanting to get up close and admire its glistening beauty. We know for all you adventurous buccaneers, taking a couple of snapshots just isn’t enough. So, how about climbing up one of these frozen giants? Just one hour’s drive from Santiago you’ll find yourself in the National reserve of Yerba Loca. In the winter months, this reserve has been known to house over 50 frozen waterfalls for explorers to sink their ice picks into. With an expert guide close at hand, get your gear on and make your way to one of the many towering icy rocks and waterfalls and begin your climb.
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Discover Epic Terrain Stretching up the western coast of South America, Chile is tall, skinny, and home to a huge diversity of terrain. There are a lot of reasons to fall in love with this country, but it’s the unique and exciting geography that gets us every time. Deserts, mountains, coast, salt plains, glaciers, forests, islands, lakes, volcanoes – the list of natural wonders is as long as the country itself. Perhaps not surprising in a place that covers three different continents. To get to grips with the extraordinarily varied landscape in this beautiful bit of the world, here’s a little intro to the sort of terrain that could provide you with
your next adven
the Atacama Desert The Atacama Desert is the driest of its kind. Imagine standing in the middle of a great expanse of barren sand and stone terrain, with nothing but miles of deserts landscape as far as the eye can see? It’s almost otherworldly, and the list of sandy adventures you can have here are endless. Hike through the Valle de la Luna to see the weird and wonderful salt, sand and stone formations that decorate the desert, or hop on a bike and explore little towns such as San Pedro de Atacama before heading out into the Wilderness. There are many ways to see this unique desert, so there’s really no excuse not to.
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chilean patagonia The southernmost tip of South America is shared by Argentina and Chile. To reach the end of its Chilean counterpart is like finding yourself at the end of the earth; next stop Antarctica. Dramatic, jagged snow-capped mountains reach out of a lush carpet of deep green and blue. Explore Chilean Patagonia by horseback and you will feel the full force of this ethereal experience, with its breath-taking views everywhere you go. Remote, vast and untameable. Three words that suit the buccaneer perfectly.
nture. THE CHILEAN ANDES The Andes is the longest mountain range in the world. Incredibly long and incredibly high, yes, it is as spectacular as it sounds. What’s more, the Andes offer as much a diversity of experience as Chile itself. Seeing as the mountains stretch from north to south, depending on which part of the country you’re in, you could be gazing upon frozen lakes 4000 meters above sea level, traversing ancient sand dunes, heli skiing down otherwise inaccessible slopes or hiking to incredible peaks. What more could an adventurer want from a natural phenomenon, really?
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From the Buccaneer ...
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...to the
Free Spirit
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A Cultural Events Guide As a free spirit
we’ve identified that one of your biggest passions lies in
getting to know cultures so far removed from your own. Cultures that thrive in environments alien to you in countries that fascinate and delight you. Here at Black Tomato, we’re big advocates of getting involved in the local events scene when it comes to getting accustomed to different cultures – so much so that we often plan our trips around a country’s festival calendar. So, just in-case you’re thinking of doing the same, here’s three of
Chile’s most authentic events over their winter period.
FIESTA DE SAN PEDRO Each June, the fishing boats along the length and breadth of the Chile are transformed by their owners into decorated vessels of worship in the name of their patron saint – Saint Peter. It’s not just the boats that become a riot of colour, however. Travel down to San Pedro de Atacama and you’ll find a town celebrating its namesake with gusto. Expect traditional music and dancing and an endless supply of local cuisine. The remote location of San Pedro has ensured its authenticity over the years, so this is an ideal celebration for you.
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LA TIRANA A celebration that occurs every July, La Tirana is Chile’s largest localised religious celebration and thus one you won’t want to miss. Held in the town of La Tirana in the far north of Chile, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims journey to this remote location for festivities that are held in worship of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, otherwise known as Virgen del Carmen. The streets of La Tirana become illuminated by the colourful clothes of locals, dancers and dedicated visitors. The atmosphere is incredible and the joy of all those that take part permeable. A great insight into the belief systems of an ardently religious country, you’ll be left both charmed and humbled.
CARNAVAL DE INVIERNO In defiance of the sub-Antarctic winter that descends upon the city of Punta Arenas throughout the months of June, July and August, the Carnaval de Invierno brings some colour back into Chilean life with a number of parades and spectacular firework displays every July. A winter carnival of music, dance and elaborate parade floats; you’ll forget the cold for a little while and enjoy a warm and energetic side to Chile that the locals keep alive all year round with passion. Chilean culture is incredibly vibrant and there is no better example of this than Carnaval de Invierno. Be sure to get involved.
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Chile’s Cultural Highlights Chile is a country that holds the ability to nurture and delight the free spirits amongst us. From the country’s spectacular mountain ranges, infamous national parks, endless valleys and sweeping sand dunes to its vibrant cultural identity, Chile is the perfect representation of a destination that has remained largely untouched by mass tourism. It’s a country in which one can truly get lost, a country in which total cultural immersion is completely possible. Now, as a free spirit, we’re certain this is exactly the sort of destination you’ve been looking for. With all of this in mind,we’ve handpicked a few experiences we’re sure you’ll love. A little list to whet your appetite:
here’s our top 3 experiences in Chile for the free spirit.
UNCOVER CHILE’S ARTS SCENE Touch down in Santiago and you’ll be in the cultural hub of the country. Surrounded by dramatic, snow-capped mountains and boasting beautiful architecture and a cosmopolitan vibe, it’s little wonder the city has inspired so many artistic souls.. Moving away from the many silent galleries and pristine works of art, we’ll take you to the outer neighbourhoods of Santiago and into local’s territory where we’ll introduce you to the gritty beauty of the capital’s street art. Wandering down these authentic streets, you’ll come face to face with some incredible works that are sure to leave you feeling inspired and slightly humbled.
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EAT LIKE A LOCAL
ENTER THE WILDERNESS The local communities of Patagonia are understandably passionate about the delicate beauty of their surroundings, so why not join them as they strive to conserve their national parks and educate themselves on the future of their environment? Yes you’ll be working hard, but nothing will feel more rewarding than working towards a common goal with a community so far removed from the ones you know back home. It’s an added bonus that you’ll be surrounded by incredible, untouched landscapes every day as you join forces with the locals and gain a true insight into life in wild Patagonia. Take in the fresh Chilean air, get stuck in and be part of a national movement to preserve and enhance this beautiful country.
As with most countries around the world, much of Chile’s identity can be gleaned from its cuisine, so a cooking class (where you get to eat the fruits of your labour at the end) is of course a must-try. Valparaiso is fast moving towards the forefront of Chilean cuisine, so we’re convinced this is the perfect setting for such an experience. Wave goodbye to the busy restaurants and smoking road-side stalls for a while and instead embark on a shopping trip to one of this seaport’s local markets with an expert local chef to guide you. Discuss menu choices as you weave between endless stands of fresh and exotic ingredients that are sure to inspire you. When you’ve agreed on your menu, pick out your ingredients and transport them back to a kitchen that will be yours for the day. Here you’ll be let in on the secrets of how to perfectly prepare a classic Chilean dish.