Things to see in Chile and Easter Island: Torres del Paine
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Fact!: Patagonia has a long tradition of horsemanship. If you fancy a spot of horse-riding while you're in this area, we can recommend a lovely 'estancia' (ranch) to give you an authentic Patagonian experience.
Chilean Patagonia's premier attraction is a wonderfully scenic mix of craggy peaks, glacial lakes, icefields and green valleys - a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The omnipresent Paine Massif, a magnificent set of rocky spires formed from granite and sedimentary rock, dominates the landscape.
Wildlife includes Andean deer, guanaco, puma, skunk and hare, plus a host of birds such as Andean condor, lesser rhea, Chilean flamingo, black-faced ibis, black-necked swan and kelp goose. It is a photographers' paradise: shooting the Cuernos del Paine at first light is a wonderful experience - if the light is right, the base of mountain turns orange while the summits are crowned by dramatic and peculiar lenticular clouds.
Other things to see in Chile and Easter Island
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Atacama Desert & the Altiplano
Chile's northern desert comprises virtually lifeless coastal plains dissected by dramatic, deep…
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Chiloe Island
Just south of Puerto Montt, this fertile island lives from farming, fishing and …
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Easter Island
Rapa Nui, as it is known locally, is a small triangle of volcanic rock in mid-Pacific, around…
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Lauca National Park
Along with the adjacent National Vicuna Reserve and Surire salflat (a Ramsar site), this…
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Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan
The Chilean portion of Patagonia, which extends across South America's southern tip, is called…
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Robinson Crusoe Island
Juan Fernández is a fascinating volcanic archipelago situated 1,500 kilometres off the…
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The Lake District
Four adjacent national parks, Vicente Perez Rosales and Puyehue in Chile, plus Nahuel Huapi and…
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Torres del Paine
Chilean Patagonia's premier attraction is a wonderfully scenic mix of craggy peaks, glacial lakes,…
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Valparaiso
The main port and one of the oldest cities in Chile, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is only 120…
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Places to stay in Chile and Easter Island
Atacama Desert & the Altiplano
Awasi [High]
![Torres del Paine - Atacama Desert & the Altiplano - Awasi [High]](/image_database/75x75C/CLSCLSCATACAMA001.jpg)
Awasi is a luxurious oasis in the… More
Hotel Alto Atacama [High]
![Torres del Paine - Atacama Desert & the Altiplano - Hotel Alto Atacama [High]](/image_database/75x75C/Alto_Atacama_Lagoon_and_Catarpe_rooms.jpg)
Located in the fertile Catarpe valley, this luxurious hotel is only three kilometres from town, but… More
Chiloe Island
Hosteria de Castro [Mid]
![Torres del Paine - Chiloe Island - Hosteria de Castro [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Chilean_Flamingo_Patagonia_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Located in Chiloe's main centre, Castro, Hosteria de Castro has modern accommodation and good… More
Easter Island
Altiplanico Rapa Nui Hotel [High]
![Torres del Paine - Easter Island - Altiplanico Rapa Nui Hotel [High]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_easter_island_chile5.jpg)
The hotel boasts lovely views of the coast, and is set in 1.5 hectares of tranquil gardens,… More
O'tai Hotel [Mid]
This is a mid-sized family-run hotel with a cosy and homely… More
Lauca National Park
Hosteria Las Vicunas [Mid]
![Torres del Paine - Lauca National Park - Hosteria Las Vicunas [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/19_PERU08ES_Vicuna.jpg)
Located in Putre, this is a rustic hosteria, which provides a good base from which to explore the… More
Hotel El Paso [Mid]
![Torres del Paine - Lauca National Park - Hotel El Paso [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/chile_Puma_Torres_del_Paine_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Centrally located, this hotel offers a nice environment in which to stay and is close to Arica's… More
Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan
Eco-camp Carlos III Scientific Campsite [Mid]
![Torres del Paine - Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Eco-camp Carlos III Scientific Campsite [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Carlos_III_Scientific.jpg)
Within the marine reserve on Carlos III Island, this tiny eco-camp accommodates only ten people in… More
MV Mare and Via Australis [Mid]
![Torres del Paine - Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - MV Mare and Via Australis [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Chile_Magellanic_Penguin_Patagonia_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Sailing from Punta Arenas between September and mid-April, the boats Mare and Via Australis sail… More
San Isidro Lodge [Mid]
![Torres del Paine - Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - San Isidro Lodge [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/chile_Peales_Dolphin_StraitofMagellan_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
This small, intimate lodge is located at the site of Chile's southern-most… More
Puerto Bories
The Singular Patagonia
A stunning, award-winning, luxury hotel that blends old and new in a triumph of design, and has… More
Santiago
Galerias Hotel [Mid]
![Torres del Paine - Santiago - Galerias Hotel [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_galerias_hotel_santiago_chile.jpg)
The Galerías Hotel offers excellent services in a lovely historic setting in downtown… More
Hotel Rugendas [Mid]
![Torres del Paine - Santiago - Hotel Rugendas [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_classic_south_am_condor1.jpg)
Hotel Rugendas is a boutique style hotel in a quiet location, which is tastefully… More
W Hotel [High]
For ultimate luxury, we recommend the new W Hotel. It's unique in its design and is a good… More
Torres del Paine
EcoCamp - suite domes [Mid]
![Torres del Paine - Torres del Paine - EcoCamp - suite domes [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Suite_Dome.jpg)
Designed to withstand the elements, provide warmth and comfort, and minimise environmental impact. … More
Hosteria Las Torres [High]
![Torres del Paine - Torres del Paine - Hosteria Las Torres [High]](/image_database/75x75C/CLSCLParen_Torres_del_Paine2.jpg)
Las Torres sits in the heart of Chilean Patagonia and enjoys beautiful views over the snow-capped… More
Valparaiso
Zero Hotel [High]
![Torres del Paine - Valparaiso - Zero Hotel [High]](/image_database/75x75C/Chile_Inca_Tern_Northern_Chile_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Facing the Pacific Ocean, this beautiful property affords wonderful views - perfect from dawn to… More
