Chile Travel, Trips and Tours: Chimu Adventures

TRAVELLING TO Chile

Why visit? Whether it’s delving into the rich cultural heritage of Santiago, exploring Patagonia by horseback, trekking Atacama Desert, or wining and dining in Valparaiso, Chile offers endless opportunities to explore,rendering this combination the best recipe for the ultimate escape!

Most Australian travellers start their tour in Santiago, the country’s capital. More European in feel than most Latin American cities, Santiago is a vibrant metropolis that is flanked on each side by the Andes and enjoys one of the most beautiful locations of any cities in the world.

From Santiago, you can continue your Chile tour to Calama in the country’s north and explore the driest hot desert in the world, Atacama Desert. Trekking Atacama will allow you to see the famous Atacama Salt Flats, visit Indigenous cultures or witness the incredible views over the moonlike landscape of Valley of the Moon.

In Chile’s south, Patagonia is a place full of natural beauty with its spectacular volcanoes, ancient forests and glittering lakes and fjords set against spectacular mountain ranges. While Torres del Paine National Park has established itself as a Patagonia icon, there are many other hot spots from which you can get different perspectives of Patagonian countryside.

How to get there? Chile is now more accessible than ever thanks to increased air capacity and LATAM launching direct flights from Melbourne to Santiago last year. Two top-ranked airlines (LATAM and Qantas) now provide regularly scheduled services to Santiago.

More information: Below we have shown you just a fraction of the options available for Chile and multi-country travel. Browse to get an idea of where you want to travel.

Still wondering? Contact us: You are definitely better off giving us a call or dropping us a line and letting us do the hard work for you.

Why visit? Whether it’s delving into the rich cultural heritage of Santiago, exploring Patagonia by horseback, trekking Atacama Desert, or wining and dining in Valparaiso, Chile offers endless opportunities to explore,rendering this combination the best recipe for the ultimate escape!

Most Australian travellers start their tour in Santiago, the country’s capital. More European in feel than most Latin American cities, Santiago is a vibrant metropolis that is flanked on each side by the Andes and enjoys one of the most beautiful locations of any cities in the world.

From Santiago, you can continue your Chile tour to Calama in the country’s north and explore the driest hot desert in the world, Atacama Desert. Trekking Atacama will allow you to see the famous Atacama Salt Flats, visit Indigenous cultures or witness the incredible views over the moonlike landscape of Valley of the Moon.

In Chile’s south, Patagonia is a place full of natural beauty with its spectacular volcanoes, ancient forests and glittering lakes and fjords set against spectacular mountain ranges. While Torres del Paine National Park has established itself as a Patagonia icon, there are many other hot spots from which you can get different perspectives of Patagonian countryside.

How to get there? Chile is now more accessible than ever thanks to increased air capacity and LATAM launching direct flights from Melbourne to Santiago last year. Two top-ranked airlines (LATAM and Qantas) now provide regularly scheduled services to Santiago.

More information: Below we have shown you just a fraction of the options available for Chile and multi-country travel. Browse to get an idea of where you want to travel.

Still wondering? Contact us: You are definitely better off giving us a call or dropping us a line and letting us do the hard work for you.

WHY TRAVEL WITH CHIMU ADVENTURES

We offer you flexible travel options in Latin America at an affordable price.
We have refined, simplified, and perfected our travel itineraries over two decades, giving you the ultimate experience in each location.
We know each Latin American country by heart and will work with you to determine which activities and accommodations are best suited to your needs.
From your initial enquiry until your trip ends, you will be assigned a personal Destination Specialist who will offer a full service for your travel needs: we can book flights, insurance and any ancillary travel required to complete your journey.
We have offices across South America so you can be assured that ground staff are close at hand to assist whilst you are travelling.

FEATURED Chile TRIPS & DEALS

Chile TOURS

VIEW ALL TOURS

Chile REVIEWS

All Chimu Adventures' clients are given the opportunity to review their trip once they return home. These reviews are administered by a third party and as such are unfiltered by Chimu Adventures.

BLOGS ON Chile

Looking for blogs on Chile, Latin America, or even Antarctica? If so, we have you covered! The Chimu blog is updated regularly with new articles and packed with great content on planning your trip, what to pack, and amazing adventures in each destination.

The Culture and Customs of Chile

Chile is one of the longest North-South countries in the world from…

Secret Wonders: Presenting The Chilean Fjords

The southernmost glaciated inlets in the world, cradled in the remote southern tip of Patagonia,…

Patagonia Highlights – The Best Things to See and Do

Patagonia, the southernmost region of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile, is the prime destination for nature-lovers and active travellers who head to the continent at the end of the…

When To Go To Chile

Central Chile and Santiago – These areas enjoy a “Mediterranean” climate with…

LATAM Santiago Airport Business Lounge Review

LATAM is a recent merger between two of South America’s largest airlines- LAN Chile and TAM (Brazil).

READ NOW

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1 . Is it safe to travel in Chile?

Most South American countries have now recognized that tourism plays an important part in their economies and governments have taken great steps to change South America’s poor security image. Violent crime is rare in Chile but there are the usual risks of pickpocketing in crowded areas and bag theft.

To minimise security risks we recommend the following:

do not show any outward signs of wealth or wear expensive jewellery
keep your valuables in your hotel in safety deposit boxes
keep any valuables that you must carry with you hidden, as pickpockets can be present in crowded areas and around tourist areas
use only registered taxis with official identification
avoid going on your own to remote areas or where tourists would not be expected to go
always keep your day pack and camera close to you and never leave them unattended

2 . Do I need a visa to travel to Chile?

A pre-arranged visa is not required to enter Chile for citizens of the following countries:

United Kingdom
The United States
Ireland
Canada
New Zealand
European Union
South Africa

Due to rules and regulations constantly changing we recommend you visit the relevant country government websites for up to date information on visa and entry requirements. We are constantly updating our Travellers Guides with information, but it is still recommended to double check current advice.

IMPORTANT!
AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A TOURIST VISA WHEN TRAVELLING TO CHILE OR TRANSITING FOR LONGER THAN 8 HOURS.
- To apply for this Visa you must go to the following webpage: https://serviciosconsulares.cl/tramites/permiso-de-permanencia-transitoria , read the requirements first, ensure you have all the required documentation to submit an application and then click on “SAC Ciudadano” and “Visa Application”. Click on “English” language (top right-hand corner) and choose the Consulate where you will submit your application:
  - If you reside in NSW, Queensland or Northern Territory – SYDNEY
  - If you reside in A.C.T. – CANBERRA
  - If you reside in VIC, TAS, SA or WA – MELBOURNE
- Once the Visa is issued the person will have 90 days to enter Chile,
- The Visa is valid for 90 days from date of entry
- Processing time can vary and take weeks, so ensure you submit your application within 90 days of your arrival into Chile and at an appropriate point to give yourself enough time for it to be processed.

3 . How long do I need to travel to Chile?

You could spend anything from a few days to a few weeks on your Chile travels, depending on whether you plan to explore the entire country or just focus on one experience such as Torres del Paine National Park, the Lake District or a wine tour. Chimu Adventures offers itineraries to suit every time frame.

4 . How much should I budget daily for Chile?

Our Chile tours include breakfast daily and many other meals may also be included in your itinerary. As a rough guide for additional spending money based on having moderately-priced lunches and dinners and buying a few souvenirs at local markets, we suggest a budget of 30-40 USD per day per person.

5 . What money do they use in Chile?

The unit of currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP).

Please check websites such as www.oanda.com or www.xe.com for up to date exchange rates prior to your departure.

6 . Do I need to get vaccinations for Chile?

Although no specific vaccinations are required for Chile travel and no proof of any vaccination is required to enter the country, we recommend that you visit your doctor or a traveller’s medical centre for current information specific to those places that you will be travelling through.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required for mainland Chile but it is required if you are travelling to Easter Island from yellow fever infected areas in Africa or the Americas. Measles occurs worldwide and is common in developing countries. As a general guide we recommend the following:

Yellow Fever - if travelling to Easter Island from an infected area
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
Hepatitis - Both A and B (twinrix)
Typhoid
Diphtheria
Cholera
Rabies
Tetanus

7 . What language do they speak in Chile?

Spanish is the official language of Chile with over 85% of the population speaking Spanish as their first language. The Spanish spoken in Chile differs from that in neighbouring countries due to it being distinctively accented with the use of local slang. Several indigenous languages are spoken in Chile including Mapudungun, Quechua, Aymara, Huilliche and Rapa Nui.

8 . What kind of power adaptor plug do I need for Chile?

In Chile the standard voltage is 220V and standard frequency is 50Hz. Power sockets are of types C and L.

Please visit the below link for more information: http://electricaloutlet.org/

9 . What is the religion of Chile?

The official religion of Chile is Roman Catholicism, and the majority of Chileans are Catholic, with an estimated 55-60% of Chileans belonging to the Catholic Church. There are also Protestants in Chile, and some Mapuche Indians who still practice their traditional religion.

10 . What should I pack to travel in Chile?

What you need to pack will depend on when and where you plan on travelling and on the activities that you plan to include whilst on your Chile tour.

The following should act as a useful checklist of essential items:

Passport, photocopy of passport & spare passport photos
Travel Insurance documents
Air tickets and itinerary
Foreign Currency (US$) and/or debit/credit cards, traveller’s cheques
Money belt
Small daypack
Basic first aid kit
High UVA sun block
Sunglasses & sunhat
Mosquito spray & insect repellent
Comfortable walking shoes/boots
Sandals
Long sleeve tops and trousers
Light-weight clothing
Warm clothing (depending on itinerary and time of year)
Camera with spare battery and memory cards
Security code padlock
Adaptor
Small torch

11 . Do I need to be fit to go to Chile?

The level of fitness needed will depend on the Chile tour that you choose to take in terms of places to be visited and the types of activities to be included on your itinerary. Chile offers great opportunities for outdoor activities set against spectacular backdrops. They range from hiking ad trekking to climbing, skiing, white-water rafting, kayaking and fishing. Many of the best treks are to be found in the Lake District and National Parks such as the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park where the trails range from easy to difficult, with treks ranging from a few hours to many days.

Chile View Itineraries