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Frommer's Favorite Experiences
Waking Up in Santiago After a Rainstorm: During the winter, Santiago is prone to smog that is often so thick it covers the Andes like a veil. But in roll the thunderclouds to give the city air a good wash, and in the morning you awake to an utterly breathtaking view of Santiago spread below the monumental, snowcapped Andes. Few cityscapes in the world compare.
Exploring the Madcap Streets of Valparaiso: The ramshackle, colorful, and sinuous streets of Valparaiso offer a walking tour unlike any other. Antique Victorians and tin-walled buildings cling to steep hillsides, roads and walkways wind haphazardly around the slopes like a rabbit's warren, and rickety funiculars lift visitors to the tops of hills. Beyond the fun of exploring this city, a handful of the region's best restaurants and boutique hotels can be found here, too. Valparaiso is like a diamond in the rough, and part of the fascination is touring the faded remains of this once-thriving port town.
From Ocean to the World's Highest Lake: Only 200km (124 miles) separate the Pacific Ocean from Lake Chungara, one of the world's highest bodies of water. Head up the lush Lluta Valley, dramatically hemmed in by desert walls featuring giant geoglyphs centuries old. The short trip through many terrains will take you very high so quickly that you'd best take it slow, but there's plenty to see -- from colonial churches to perfect snowcapped volcanoes and the world's highest trees along with teeming wildlife -- for you to want to take just one step at a time to experience it all.
Stargazing in the Southern Hemisphere's Clearest Skies: Northern Chile's dry skies are some of the clearest in the world, which is why so many international research teams have flocked to this region to erect multi-million-dollar observatories. But there are plenty of stargazing opportunities for the amateur, too. A couple of hotels, such as Explora near San Pedro and Elqui Domos in the Elqui Valley, have their own telescopes; or you can book a night tour with a degreed guide who can point out Southern Hemisphere constellations and other celestial wonders. The area around La Serena has several observatories geared to casual visitors.
Sailing the Quiet Fjords of Southern Chile: Quietly sailing through the lush beauty of Chile's southern fjords is an experience that all can afford. Budget travelers get a kick out of Navimag's 3-day sail between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales, mid-range travelers enjoy Skorpios's programmed journeys to hot springs and the Chiloe coast, and the luxury market loves the freedom of a chartered yacht. These pristine, remote fjords rival the drama and beauty of Norway's fjords, and often the camaraderie that grows between passengers is what in the end makes for such a fulfilling trip.
Traveling to the End of the World: It's a tough, crunchy drive along 1,000km (620 miles) of gravel road, but that is precisely why Chile's "Southern Highway" has kept the crowds at bay. This natural wonderland, saturated in green and hemmed in by jagged, snowcapped peaks, offers a journey for those seeking to travel through some of Chile's most remote and stunning territory. It can be done in a variety of directions and segments, but you'll need a rental car unless you have a lot of time. There are plenty of great stops along the way, including rainforest walks, the idyllic mountain valley of Futaleufu, the wet primeval forests of Pumalin and Parque Queulat, Puyuhuapi and its thermal spas, and the untouched wilds around Lake General Carrera. Top it off with Mt. Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine near the southern tip of the continent, crossing through Argentina.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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