This week we’re focusing on one of the lesser-known regions of Chile – the Chilean Lake District. A stunning haven of outstanding natural beauty, this region has it all – mountains, volcanoes, pristine blue lakes and dense green forests. With a photo opportunity around every corner, the Chilean Lake District will certainly not disappoint! The Area This region features around twelve major lakes located in and amongst rivers, waterfalls, forests and thermal springs, all framed by the towering Andes Mountains. Seven of these lakes feature along a single road, known by its popular name ‘Road of the Seven Lakes’ (who would have guessed). This 107km road stretches between San Martin de Los Andes and Villa La Angostura, providing views over 7 of the main lakes in the district, including the beautiful Espondido andCorrentoso lakes. The area is perfect if you’re looking to explore independently – hiring a car and visiting the multitude of highlights…
With only 62 square miles to choose from, you might think all the hotels on Easter Island are alike. In reality, it’s harder than you think to choose between them! Explora Situated on 9 and a half hectares of land in the Te Miro Oone area of the island, the Explora is the only 5* hotel available on Easter Island. Overlooking the ocean, the hotel was designed to have minimal impact on the environment, preserving much of the original culture of the Rapa Nui. With impressive views found throughout the hotel, the rooms are a standout feature. The Explora’s exclusivity is evident – it has just 30 rooms in total, each designed to make your stay as comfortable and tranquil as possible. The facilities at this hotel are also excellent – a beautiful outdoor pool allows you to relax and wind down after a long day hiking and sightseeing in the surrounding area. A solar heated…
Visiting the incredible Torres Del Paine National Park is one of South America’s ultimate highlights, but its remote location means that accommodation can be limited. We’ve done the legwork for you and scoped out the best hotels already – here they are! Tierra Patagonia If you want style, elegance and luxury along with one of the best locations in the area, then Tierra Patagonia is the one for you. Looking out over Lake Sarmiento to the peaks of the Torres Del Paine National Park, the building’s clever design gives it the impression of being immersed in the surrounding landscape. However, its proximity to nature does not leave you to compromise on the luxuriousness of your holiday to Chile. Rather, the use of natural woods and colours emanates safety and serenity. Relax and enjoy Tierra Patagonia’s fantastic facilities, including a fully functioning bar, library, living room with open fire, swimming pool and spa. Mingle with other like-minded guests or relax in…
While Chile has many spectacular natural wonders, the Torres Del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia is one of the most beautiful, serene and stunning places not just in Chile, but in all of South America. Here’s a rundown of the kind of show-stopping highlights you might expect to find in this remote area. The Area Recognised as both a Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Torres Del Paine National Park is located on the border between Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia. A mecca for walkers and hikers worldwide, the park is connected by a web of interlocking trails and tracks for both walking and mountain biking, affording you astonishing views of the ‘Torres’ themselves – three massive towers of rock jutting out of the Earth. The tallest of these extends over 3000m above sea level, making for an incredible vista. The park itself is stretched over approximately 250,000 hectares, ready for…
Located in Northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is, meteorologically, the driest place on Earth. Magnificent, otherworldly and utterly unique, the Atacama is like nowhere else on the planet. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, then this is certainly for you. Dramatic, rocky landscapes, deep valleys and glistening salt lakes are all in a day’s work as you cruise around the vast expanses of the desert in a 4×4 on a day tour. The best thing about the Atacama is that there is no bad time to visit! Bear in mind that temperatures can reach highs of 25-30 degrees Celsius so pack your sun cream! Today we’ll be having a look at some of the more outstanding highlights of this beautiful place. The Moon Valley One of the most striking locations available to visit on your holiday to Chile, the Moon Valley is covered by a beautiful white mantle. Escarpments composed of a variety of colours stand out against…
Continuing with our focus on the luxurious aspect of travel, today we investigate the fantastically diverse region of Chile. Chile is known for many things – the Torres Del Paine, the Atacama Desert and its richly diverse wine region to name just a few. However, if you’re planning on taking a trip to this beautiful country, why not take one in style?Latin Routes are experts in luxury travel – we know not only the best hotels to stay in, but also down-to-Earth practical tips on making your stay just that little bit easier. Thinking of exploring the majestic Atacama Desert? We don’t blame you. We do, however, have some great ideas on where you can stay during your trip. The Awasi Lodge in the Atacama Desert is one of the most luxurious hotels we offer. ‘5*’ in every sense of the word, this hotel has been described as one of the best in South America. Fully equipped with a…
Last week, we investigated one aspect of Chilean culture that may have left you baffled – the food. This time, we’ll be having a look at some finer points of etiquette – use this knowledge to avoid being kicked out of a restaurant for inadvertently insulting the manager’s hair (among other things). As with the majority of South American cultures, Chileans are friendly, open and inviting. You should expect physical contact (hugging, kissing) which may take some getting used to if you are the kind of person to avoid eye contact on public transport at all costs (I.e. British). After a few awkward handshakes, the Chilean way of life will become second nature to you. Other than this, Chile is a very religious and traditional culture. If you are likely to come into contact with local Chileans, be aware that they are not necessarily as liberal as some Western countries….
Continuing with our ‘Latin Routes Guide to…’, we now focus on the incredible country of Chile. Vast deserts, stunning mountain ranges and beautiful cities waiting to be explored – these are all great reasons to book yourself a trip. If you’ve already realised what wonders Chile has to offer, then you’ll perhaps be wondering what to expect from the locals – whether it be the food, currency or certain secret handshakes that will make your Chilean holiday a breeze, Latin Routes is here to help. The first thing to consider is, of course, the food. Unless you’re planning on booking an extra seat on the plane to transport vast quantities of pasta and tea, you’re most likely going to encounter some Chilean delicacies you may not have tried before. Much like its neighbour Argentina, Chileans have a penchant for anything meaty. Asado is widespread in both Northern and Central regions of Chile and families will often have their own…
It’s all well and good receiving advice about the most spectacular destinations in South America, the best restaurants to visit in Argentina and the most exciting activities to pursue in Chile, but we at Latin Routes like to go the extra mile. Sometimes, the things that are the most helpful in a foreign country are the small tips you get just as you leave. Things like currency, etiquette and local travel advice are things we take pride in knowing about. These small touches are things you won’t find at big travel companies, as we rely on our personal experience and close connections with South America to give you practical, valuable and pragmatic advice before you leave for your trip. So, what can you expect from Argentina? The first thing to consider is money. In Argentina, the currency is the Argentine Peso, with an exchange rate of approximately 9.5 pesos to the…
Famed for its awe-inspiring vistas, variety of terrain and sheer volume of things to see, South America is considered among the leading areas in the world for walking and trekking holidays. Here is a run-down of some essential destinations if you’re looking for a walking holiday to South America. The first is the Torres Del Paine National Park. Time and time again, this stunning area is mentioned as the definitive place to go for outstanding natural beauty, stunning wildlife and more photo opportunities than you could possibly capture. The sheer scale of the park is one of its appealing aspects – it is almost 2,500 square km, and walking trails criss-cross most of the area. In addition to these walking trails, there is a huge choice of alternative activities, such as kayaking, mountain biking and horse riding, if you’re looking for new ways to explore the park. However, the definitive trail…
