Beyond-the-beaten-trail in South America
Few countries in South America can even begin to compete with Chile when it comes to epic natural landforms and surreal landscapes.
From the thick, dusty plains of the Atacama Desert – the globe’s driest non-polar desert – in the north, to the rich, fertile vineyards of the Central Valley, the verdant, rolling hills and brightly-painted churches of Chiloé, down to the far reaches of the South American continent in the alluring, secretive depths of Patagonia, Chile is vast, wild and utterly compelling.
Beyond-the-beaten trail travel destinations rubbing shoulder with world-famous national parks such as Torres del Paine National Park and the surreal and fascinating Easter Island.
It’s been my adopted home for the past year – and will be for the next as I research the upcoming Moon Chile guidebook – and I continue to be astounded by the places that I discover on each trip around the country.
South America is a truly unique travel experience, with myriad landscapes and cultures. Many new South American travellers become intimidated by how much there is to do and how little of it is familiar. Don’t worry, once you get going, you’ll quickly fall in love with the towering mountains, long beaches, lush forests, old towns …
South America Backpacking Routes: Seven Itineraries for Two Weeks to One MonthRead More
Despite Chile’s reputation as one of the safest and most politically stable countries in South America, on Friday the 18th of October, protests erupted in various neighbourhoods across the capital city, Santiago, and have since spread to other cities across the country. What happened between October and December 2019? The protests began following a 4% …
Chilean Protests: Is it Still Safe to Travel to Chile?Read More
Valparaíso (or Valpo to the locals) is a Chilean city steeped in history. Once known as the “The Jewel of South America”, this city’s bohemian, youthful revival over the past 20 years has made it a must-visit destination when touring these parts. If you love getting lost in alleyways full of street art, craft beer …
The sky-piercing peaks of Torres del Paine National Park; the dense, milky blue hue of Glacier Perito Moreno; the huge wingspan of an Andean condor sailing through in the skies of Tierra del Fuego; every moment traveling through Patagonia is one of utter magic. There are few other places on earth where nature and vast, …
5 Patagonia Itineraries For One And Two Weeks of TravelRead More
When I first visited Patagonia in March 2016, I didn’t know what to expect. Sure, I’d read Bruce Chatwin’s “In Patagonia” and heard tales of this almost mythical land of guanacos and giants. But when it came to actually deciding what needed to go into my backpack, I didn’t have a clue; despite the excess …
As one of Chilean Patagonia’s top adventure travel destinations, Torres del Paine National Park attracts thousands of hikers each year. But despite its burgeoning popularity, it can be difficult to find all the information you need about what to pack for your trip. It’s for this reason that I’ve compiled this Torres del Paine trekking …
Hiking the ‘O’ or Circuit: Torres del Paine Trekking Equipment ListRead More
Santiago, the buzzing capital of Chile, has much to offer visitors and attracts a diverse crowd, from veteran backpackers to aspiring wine connoisseurs and luxury city-breakers. But whether you’re looking to delve into Santiago’s vibrant cultural scene, party in Barrio Brasil, or just sit back and sip a pisco sour by the pool, Santiago boasts …
Where to Stay in Santiago: The City’s Best Hotels & HostelsRead More
Snow dappled mountains, carved into glistening ridges by the forces of nature over millennia; lush vines heavily laden with juicy grapes for wine and pisco; white sandy beaches untouched by human hands: welcome to Chile, one of the world’s most diverse and beautiful countries. There are some famous Chile tourism attractions that you can’t have …
7 Spectacular & Under-the-Radar Chile Tourism DestinationsRead More
You’re planning on heading south to hike in the wild lands of Patagonia and a trip to Torres del Paine National Park has long been on your list. But there’s one problem: all of the campsites and refugios in the park are fully booked on the dates you plan to arrive. What do you do? …
Six Options For If You Can’t Get Torres del Paine Camping ReservationsRead More
It’s fair to say that the W and O Circuit treks through Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia have quickly become some of the continent’s most sought-after hiking activities. However, this new-found popularity (with visitor numbers having reached a quarter of a million in the last year alone) has resulted in huge difficulties for prospective …
Booking Campsites in Torres del Paine: Everything You Need to KnowRead More
With its trademark dramatic mountainous landscapes, national parks that make hikers drool and a wealth of undiscovered corners that remain tantalizingly wild, it should come as no surprise that Patagonia is one of South America’s most popular travel destinations. Unfortunately, the cost of a trip to Patagonia can be enough to halt many visitors in …
Patagonia On A Budget: How to Explore the Region For LessRead More
Turquoise lagoons perched beneath sharp, granite pillars and reached only by spellbinding hiking trails; chattering Magellanic and king penguin colonies; slow but magical boat journeys through untamed waters; glaciers towering higher than apartment blocks that calve house-sized bergs into icy waters below. It’s fair to say that by choosing to travel to Patagonia, a wealth …
Chile is such a long, geographically diverse country that it is difficult to pin down one top time to go. The best time to visit Chile depends a lot on which part you’re headed to and what you want to do there. Whether you plan to unleash your inner explorer in the Atacama Desert, spot …
By Region and Season: the Best Times to Visit ChileRead More
Hiking in Torres del Paine National Park is one of the absolute highlights of a visit to Patagonia – I should know, I’ve done it twice! Back in March 2016, I walked the Torres del Paine W trek as part of a tour around Patagonia and was so struck by the park that I returned in …
The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the ‘W’ Without A TourRead More
With its mysterious, stoic moai watching over the island and craterous, seemingly barren landscapes that hint at a turbid, fascinating history, Easter Island** (aka Isla de Pascua as it’s known in Spanish or Rapa Nui as is its local name) captivates most travellers. In fact, the idea of visiting the staggeringly remote Easter Island is one …
The Practical Guide to Visiting Easter Island Without Breaking the BankRead More
On my last trip along the Carretera Austral in 2016, I made it as far as the azure waters of Lago General Carrera in the Aysén Region of Chile. Few people have heard of this lake; but it’s the location of the almost fantastical, swirling-blue coloured Cavernas Marmoles or Marble Caves, easily visited in a speedboat from …
A Luxurious Stay in the Sunniest Corner of the Carretera AustralRead More
It’s been an awfully long time since I was last on horseback – over twenty years to be precise. But I feel surprisingly in control of Dali, my stead for a day of horse riding in the wilds of Patagonia. According to Marco, one of the ranch hands at Estancia La Península, there’s a basic …
Horseback Riding & Getting Back to Basics at Estancia La PeninsulaRead More
By day three, my long hours of standing at the bow finally pay off. The rain clears suddenly and unexpectedly; the clouds creep away from the horizon to reveal the green-fringed edges of a multitude of fjords, extending far into the distance. I’m on the Navimag ferry from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales, a journey …
The Navimag Ferry: The Slow Route to Puerto NatalesRead More
With the piercing peaks of the Andes prominent in the north, glacier-riddled national parks of the south and fertile, wine-growing valleys of the centre, it’s fair to say that Chile has jaw-dropping geographical diversity oozing from every pore. Which is why planning a Chile itinerary for ten days or more of travel might seem a …
The Ultimate Chile Itinerary For Ten Days or Two WeeksRead More
It’s no secret that I’m deeply in love with my adopted homeland, Chile. It’s fair to say that few South American countries can compete with this country when it comes to its epic diversity of landscapes and adventures. Where else can you climb an active volcano, trek through untamed terrain, surf in world-class waves or …
10 Reasons Why Chile is 2020’s Top Travel DestinationRead More
Say the words “northern Chile” and there’s probably only one place that pops into your head: San Pedro de Atacama. Sure, there’s a reason it’s one of Chile’s top tourist destinations, but by limiting your trip to only one town in the region means you miss out on the other even more interesting places to visit …
7 Off-The-Beaten-Trail Places To Visit In Northern ChileRead More
Packing for any Torres del Paine hike is no walk in the park. One of the easiest ways to make hiking the Torres del Paine Circuit or the W trek feel long and uncomfortable is to overpack your food (and gear – a subject of this post about the right equipment for the O Circuit). …
What Food Should You Pack For Hiking in Torres del Paine National Park?Read More
Last March I saw an advert for a writer to author Moon Chile, part of a series of Moon guidebooks published in the USA that specialise in independent travel. It hardly needs stating that, since becoming a travel writer, my number one goal has been to author a guidebook, and it seemed like this opportunity …
As the most adventurous part of South America, Patagonia deserves some serious travel time. Previously on the blog, I outlined four Patagonia travel itineraries for one- or two-week trips, but this time I’m tackling planning a far longer route around this dazzling region. If a short visit just isn’t enough (believe me, it’s not), then the …
Patagonia Backpacking Itineraries For Three Weeks & BeyondRead More
