Some of our Chile holiday ideas
Chile - Lakes, Desert & Easter Island
From cloudless skies over the desert plains in the north to the active volcanoes of the Lake District and the wine lodge...
15 nights from £5,695 p/p
Chile - North to South
This two week private itinerary explores Chile's natural wonders, spanning the entire country, and includes a cruise thr...
14 nights from £6,225 p/p
Highlights of Chile - Atacama Desert to Torres del Paine
This holiday through Chile's main highlights travels the length of the country, from the high Andean Atacama Desert in t...
13 nights from £6,165 p/p
Rainbow Chile Specialist
Kristen's review
Chile is a country with everything. The changing landscapes of the Atacama Desert in the North will leave you speechless, whilst giving you plenty to see – desolate wilderness, vast salt flats, colourful lagoons, and active geysers are just a few things you can see. In the centre of the country, Santiago, and the surrounding vineyards, are a great place to relax for a few days, taking in the views over a few glasses of wine. Further south, the Lake District combines the adventures of hiking and white water-rafting with beautiful landscapes and intriguing history. Patagonia and Torres del Paine are my favourite part, where the end of the Andes meet the glaciers of the south, ending with one of the best hiking spots in South America.
Kristen's Top Tips
- Spend time stargazing whilst in the Atacama Desert and enjoy some of the clearest skies in the world
- The best way to enjoy Torres del Paine is on foot – my favourite hike was the one up to the Torres themselves.
- Take time to explore the vibrant streets of Valparaiso if you can, making sure to stop at Pablo Neruda’s house.
Kristen Lanskail-Morris
Travel Specialist
Best Time To Visit Chile
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Quick Country Facts
Time Zone:GMT -4 hours
Capital:Santiago
Currency:Chilean Peso
Why visit Chile?
Home to the vast Atacama desert and a diverse slice of Patagonia, Chile's landscape won't fail to inspire you. From glistening glaciers to rocky dunes and bejewelled vineyards, be sure to give this glorious country the attention it deserves. Remote Easter Island, in the middle of the Pacific, is on many people’s bucket lists who are eager to witness the mysterious Moai statues. The bustling cities of Santiago and bohemian Valparaiso, meanwhile, are well worth the visit as are the exceptional vineyards in the Central Valley; host to some of the world’s best wines!
Kristen Lanskail-Morris
Travel Specialist
Chilean Patagonia
Chile's great wilderness. If you’re looking for Chile’s most dramatic landscape, look no further than Patagonia. The most southerly point on earth (before you hit Antarctica) is a wild world of glaciers, icy fjords and sweeping steppes. Saddle up with local huasos (cowboys) to ride through its crown jewel, Torres del Paine. Named after the 8000 foot Towers of Paine that stand guard over the park, you’ll cross thundering rivers, circle stunning lakes and spend the evenings enjoying traditional asado BBQ. By boat you can explore further, cruising the fjords to touch the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
The Atacama
The Atacama desert. From vast ice fields to one of the driest places on earth: head far north to truly appreciate the extremes of Chile amid the barren beauty of the Atacama Desert. The scenery here morphs throughout the day: early risers are rewarded with the sight of steaming geysers spurting up into the cloudless sky at the El Tatio geyser field, while the evening sun gives the deserts’ lunar-like rock formations a warming glow. Explore the salt flats – keeping alert for lizards and flamingos, trek through rolling sand dunes, past cacti and pampas grass, or simply slide into the 33C degree water at the Puritama hot springs. By night the Atacama transforms again into one of the world’s best spots for stargazing. Join an expedition deep into the darkness of the desert to gaze up at the canopy of stars and spot the Southern Cross and splendour of the Milky Way.
What Our Clients Say
Everything was amazingly well organised and the itinerary was perfect. The choice of hotels was excellent and we enjoyed every excursion. Your agency on the ground was so helpful. We look forward to our next Rainbow holiday.
Thank you for putting together such a great holiday for us. We had a fantastic time, no low lights, loved it all. Horse riding in the Andes was magical. Alpasion - all I can say is WOW. Thanks again. .
Will certainly recommend your company to our friends. Thank you Rainbow Tours and all your staff for a memorable trip to South America. We have over 2,000 photos after several deletions!! Well done. .
Throughly enjoyed the whole experience. Naila took on board all of my requirements and fears and put together a good package. .
A big thank you to all concerned with the most excellent arrangements for this adventure.
John Stanley who advised & booked this tour for us at Rainbow Tours was excellent!
Even better than we dare dreamed. Thank you Sarah, you did a great job in tailoring our holiday needs.
Can understand why this was voted the best hotel in Chile. Wonderful service, interesting building, fantastic views and food. The organised trips were excellent too. . All in all a very memorable trip with many highlights and it certainly helped that your company knows so much about Latin America. .
We really appreciated the officient service and personal care (at the booking stage). Chile is a wonderful country with deserts, lakes, mountains, glaciers and volcanoes. There was a 'wow' factor every day. A memorable and hugely enjoyable trip. Many thanks!
Malcolm did an amazing job for us. Very knowledgeable, tuned in exactly to our needs, good communicator, first hand experience of hotels/area, very attentive. He put together the ideal high quality holiday and I will be emailing to thank him personally.
We throughly enjoyed our time in Chile and Costa Rica and overall had a tremendous time. The lamb lunch on the Serrano Glacier was superb.
Every step of a complicated tour could not have been bettered. Arrangements in Chile and Argentina were beautifully handled by the local guides. Thank you Rainbow Tours.
Looking for inspiration?
You'll find expert travel guides, holiday ideas and insider tips now on the Rainbow blog
Bucket List Adventure: Chilean Patagonia
Six of the best places in Chile for Photographers
Six amazing places to visit in Chile (and what to do when you get there)
Six completely unique things to do in Chile
Exploring Chile's Southern Patagonia in the Shoulder Season
Best Time of Year to Visit Chile: Going from North to South
Discover the Magic of Chile's Atacama Desert: An In-Depth Guide for First Timers
The 10 Best Places for Stargazing in Africa and South America
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
