photo by Awasi Patagonia
Travel
If Chile Isn't on Your Bucket List, It Will Be Now
Chile might be one of the best travel destinations for adventure seekers, as you can really choose your own adventure. There are glacial lakes and volcanic peaks to explore on bike, horseback, skis or on foot. There are wine spas,...
photo by Awasi Patagonia
Chile might be one of the best travel destinations for adventure seekers, as you can really choose your own adventure. There are glacial lakes and volcanic peaks to explore on bike, horseback, skis or on foot. There are wine spas, luxury resorts and award-winning wineries. There are casual glamping spots and plenty of national parks to scope out. In short, it’s the kind of place where you can make an agenda that touches a little bit of everything you love about traveling, making it a primo destination to add to your bucket list. And guess what? We’ve found all the best places to stay, see and enjoy while you’re on your sojourn.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
Set on the hills overlooking Torres del Paine National Park, Awasi has a main lodge and 14 spacious private villas with plenty of windows that face epic views. A stay here comes with your very own hot tub for soaking after a day on the trails, and a wood-burning stove to keep you warm throughout those chilly nights.
This eco-resort in Northern Chile offers serenity in the form of plush guest rooms and adventure in the form of expert-led excursions of varying intensity levels. Tierra Atacama is also home to a wellness center and spa that looks out to a massive volcano and offers everything from hot tub soaks to volcanic mud body wraps and crystal massages.
Set in the Northern Patagonia region, this Pucón getaway is tucked into native forests alongside a winding river with views of a volcano. Hacienda Vira Vira offers luxury in the form of spacious and home-like suites, organic and wholesome foods grown right on the resort’s farms, and activities that include everything from riverside wine and cheese tastings to soaking in wood-fired tubs outside or flying over an active volcano.
Thinking you’d like to camp in Patagonia but don’t want to lug all the gear with you? Ecocamp could be your jam. This collection of geodesic domes sits in the very heart of Torres del Paine National Park, surrounded by vast forests, lakes, glaciers, rivers, fjords and wildlife galore. The best part? You’ll be able to enjoy the incredible night sky from the comfort of your cozy bed.
Located in the Andes highlands and deserts, this destination provides visitors with access to 40 different adventure routes that include sand dunes, bubbling geysers, lush riverbeds and impressive volcanoes. At Explora Atacama, your booking includes not just a comfy room to stay in but also your local food and wine, transfers and a choose-your-own-adventure approach to daily activities.
If you’re imagining that your Chilean bucket list worthy trip will include some serious wine drinking, park it at Vik Chile for as long as possible. The artsy, sculptural glass-and-titanium building sits atop a hill surrounded by vineyards and the Andes Mountains. A stay here is luxurious beyond belief, with beautifully appointed rooms and a wine spa that features treatments like a wine bath with wine and grapes to soothe and relax your muscles.
Located far off the coast of Chile, Easter Island is a Chilean territory in Polynesia. The volcanic isle is famous for its many archaeological sites, including the towering Moai statues that date back as early as the 13th century. Stay at Explora Rapa Nui while on the island and you’ll have super cushy digs for the duration along with over 30 adventure options to explore.
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The Restaurant at Hacienda Vira Vira is headed by chef Damian Fernandez, who depends on a mix of the property’s own organic gardens and local purveyors to create wholesome, beautifully plated meals. The setting alone makes this place a dream, but the delicious food really tips it over the edge.
Set in the Atacama Desert, this restaurant is a bit of an institution for travelers to the area. Hit it after your first sand boarding session on the dunes in the desert!
Surrounded by rolling hills of vineyards, this winery’s cement block restaurant serves food that’s centered entirely around the flavors of its wines. The winery has been open since 2010 and has been raking in awards for its wines ever since. We’d recommend making a day of it, starting with a tour of the vineyards and ending with a delicious meal.
In addition to being a storied hotel and resort, The Singular Patagonia is also home to an incredible restaurant. Located on the shores of the Fjord of Last Hope Sound in Southern Chile, the restaurant is set within a century-old industrial space that makes it feel massive but also uniquely cozy.
One of the gems of the Casablanca Valley, Kingston Family Vineyards produces some of the best Pinot Noir of the region. Tours are available by appointment only.
Authentic Chilean tasting menus and wine pairings are the name of the game at 99 Restaurante, where the food is some of the best local cuisine.
The alpine lakes of the Aysén region offer crystal-clear turquoise waters that are icy fresh. If you’re up for a dip in the waters, you’ll be treated to swimming in some of the cleanest, clearest water you’ve ever seen.
There’s plenty to do in the Atacama Desert, but the things that typically top the bucket list would be sand boarding the dunes in the Valle de la Muerte (death valley), floating in Laguna Cejar (think dead sea), and exploring the red rocks and salt flats. And of course, you can’t miss the stargazing!
If geological formations tickle your fancy, get ready to be hysterical at the famous marble caves of Patagonia. This peninsula is made of solid marble and takes on different colors as seasons and water levels change. You’ll have to take a boat to get to this stunner.
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Muelle de las Almas
Chonchi, Chile
Photo by Alex Valencia
An art installation by Chilean wood sculptor Marcelo Orellana Rivera, Muelle de las Almas roughly translates to the dock of souls. The curved wooden dock abruptly ends at the edge of a cliff that drops right into the Bay of Cucao. Local folklore has it that wandering souls must call out to a local sailor to score a ride into the afterlife or face eternity stuck wandering the area.
If heli-skiing is on your bucket list, this is the place to try it! You can get dropped off at the top of Villarrica Volcano and ski past shimmering lakes and snowy peaks. Amazingly, the volcanic lava has created a series of natural half pipes, cornices and wind lips that make for incredible skiing and snowboarding.
Explore Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Photo by Peter Winckler
Torres del Paine alone has something like 50 different trails for hiking or horseback riding, all of which offer spectacular scenery. If you’re interested in seeing towering glaciers, alpine lakes, turquoise lagoons and lush, green forests and hills, this is a great place to start your trip. Hot tip: Salto Grande waterfall is a must-see!
Whether you join for four days or seven, the wildlife safari adventure with EcoCamp Patagonia is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The safari includes daily yoga, hiking and cycling through Laguna Azul, the Western Lakes, French Valley and stays in EcoCamp’s cool dome tents.
Easter Island is home to many archaeological sites and petroglyphs, all of which can be explored with this local tour group. If you’re particularly interested in the island’s history and culture, we’d recommend going with one of the full-day excursions that includes both biking and walking while learning about the place.
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