Chile Highlights
Patagonian glaciers, Atacama stargazing and Easter Island's moai
Chile is one of the world's most geographically extraordinary countries — stretching 4,300km from the driest desert on earth (the Atacama) to the glaciers of Patagonia, with Easter Island's moai statues in the Pacific, the wine valleys of the Central Valley, and the cosmopolitan capital Santiago in between.
Top Chile Highlights to Visit
Handpicked destinations for the ultimate chile highlights experience
Atacama Desert
The driest desert on earth — and the world's best stargazing
The Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on earth — a landscape of extraordinary beauty and otherworldly geology. The Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), the El Tatio geysers (the world's highest geyser field), the Salar de Atacama salt flat, and the flamingo-filled altiplano lakes make it one of the world's most spectacular natural destinations. The Atacama's extreme altitude and lack of light pollution also make it the world's best location for stargazing — the major international observatories are here for a reason.
Highlights
- The world's driest non-polar desert
- El Tatio geysers — the world's highest geyser field (4,500m)
- Valle de la Luna — a Martian landscape at sunset
- The world's best stargazing — major international observatories
- Flamingos on the altiplano salt lakes
- San Pedro de Atacama — the desert's charming base town
Things to Do
- Watch sunset at Valle de la Luna
- Visit El Tatio geysers at dawn
- Stargaze with a guided tour
- Swim in the Atacama salt lagoons
- Visit the flamingo colonies at Laguna Chaxa
Practical Info
Best Time to Visit
Year-round; April–November for clearest skies
Recommended Duration
4–7 days
Typical Cost
Moderate; tours from US$30/day; accommodation in San Pedro from US$80/night
Travel Tips
- ·Fly to Calama (2 hours from Santiago), then 1 hour to San Pedro de Atacama
- ·Altitude sickness is possible — acclimatise for a day before strenuous activities
- ·San Pedro de Atacama is the base for all tours
- ·Book stargazing tours in advance — they fill quickly
Nearby Attractions
Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
The world's most remote inhabited island — home of the moai
Easter Island is one of the most remote inhabited places on earth — a tiny volcanic island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 3,700km from the Chilean coast. The island is famous for its 900+ moai statues — monolithic human figures carved by the Rapa Nui people between the 13th and 16th centuries. Ahu Tongariki (15 moai in a row), Rano Raraku quarry (where the moai were carved), and Anakena's white sand beach are the highlights of one of the world's most extraordinary and mysterious destinations.
Highlights
- 900+ moai statues — the world's most mysterious monuments
- Ahu Tongariki — 15 moai in a row at sunrise
- Rano Raraku — the quarry where the moai were carved
- Anakena Beach — white sand and palm trees with moai
- The Tapati Rapa Nui Festival (February)
- One of the world's most remote inhabited islands
Things to Do
- Watch sunrise at Ahu Tongariki
- Explore Rano Raraku quarry
- Swim at Anakena Beach
- Attend the Tapati Festival (February)
- Hike to Orongo ceremonial village
Practical Info
Best Time to Visit
October–April; February for the Tapati Festival
Recommended Duration
5–7 days
Typical Cost
Expensive to reach; affordable on the island; park entry US$80
Travel Tips
- ·Fly from Santiago (5 hours, LATAM Airlines) — book 6–12 months in advance
- ·Hire a car or scooter — the island is 24km long
- ·The park entry fee (US$80) covers all sites
- ·Allow at least 5 days — the island rewards slow exploration
Nearby Attractions
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