At the furthest reaches of Chile’s southern tip, Chilean Patagonia is made up of dramatic landscapes and eventful weather, which can see the region go through four seasons in one day.
The snow-topped Andes are an awe-inspiring backdrop for the glittering lakes, wide-open steppe, granite cliffs and jagged ice fields – this variation makes Patagonia holidays a favourite for adventure seekers and fans of outdoor pursuits. Many comfortable and luxurious lodges dot the park, and due to its enormous scale the area never feels crowded; in fact, on some tours, visitors are more than likely not to spot another group.
Perfect for a hot weather holiday in January, one of the best places to base yourself is in the town of Puerto Natales, a port city that acts as the gateway to the park and has interesting museums celebrating the region’s indigenous population. You’ll find everything here from boutique wine bars to shops dedicated to kitting you out in the latest gear, but there are plenty of cosy lodgings to choose from away from the town should you seek splendid isolation on your holidays to Patagonia.
Puerto Natales also has a small airport, with flights operating in high season should you wish to escape the five-hour drive from Punta Arenas.
Nicola
Travel Specialist
Where to go in Chile
Chile travel information
- Time zone: -3 GMT
- Flight time: 15-17 hours
- Recommended airlines: British Airways, Air France, Delta, United
- Currency: Chilean Peso
- Tipping guideline: 10% of total bill
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher.
- Capital: Santiago
- Population: 1.96588e+007
- National languages: Spanish
- Electricity and plugs: Type C and Type L, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Mobile phone coverage: Excellent
- UK passport visa requirements: You don't need a visa for Chile if you have a British passport - for a maximum of 90 days
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