SURPRISING CHILE: NOT WHY, BUT WOW!

Chile is safe, stable, happily democratic, and enjoys a first world infrastructure. Ecological diversity is unrivalled. Spanning 32 degrees of latitude, Chile encompasses everything from the world’s driest deserts to the vast ice fields of Patagonia. In these incredibly varied habitats, live over four hundred fifty species of birds and animals as diverse as viscacha, huemul and pudu. Some of the planets oldest archaeology sites are here, carbon dated to 30,000 years ago. More recently, five hundred years of European settlement created a mosaic of distinct cultural identities. Historic and natural attractions have earned special recognition from UNESCO. Foods and wines are world class at a fraction of the cost of North America or Europe.

Chile is a bulwark of peace, prosperity and democracy in South America. The economy is well balanced and growing steadily. General economic indicators such as health care, infant mortality and literacy compare to other first world nations. Your local bank’s debit card will work in Santiago cafes, as will your laptop’s wireless Internet connection. Chile enjoys free trade agreements with the USA, parts of Europe, China and South Korea.

Chile stretches some 2600 miles top to bottom, approximately the width of the USA and from the ridge of the Andes in the east, westward to the Pacific coast. NASA tested the Mars Rover in the hostile deserts of the north where in some places rain has never been recorded. Mummies about 5000 years older then those in Egypt still surface occasionally from sifting sands. Spread over the central zone of the country is wonderfully fertile agricultural land whose many latitudes and separate valleys provide microclimates for nearly every type of produce imaginable: papaya, avocadoes, grapes, cherimoya and watermelon. Chile is the number one exporter of fruits and vegetables to the USA.

Endless unspoiled beaches are a constant throughout Chile. To the south, the Lake District, resembles pastoral scenery of Switzerland, albeit with the snow capped volcanoes of Japan, redwood forests of British Columbia and California and the fjords of Norway. Half of the salmon sold in the USA comes from aquaculture based here. Stretching straight south to the Straits of Magellan is Patagonia, a destination unto itself that requires extra time to navigate and which is available as an extension to our 15 day ¨Chile In-Depth Tour¨. This vast region of uninhabited mountains, ice fields, wind swept steppes (pampas) is still inhabited by puma and shepherds on horseback. The Andes finally submit, and submerge at the confluence of the Pacific and Atlantic, the legendary and appropriately dramatic Cape Horn.

The same characteristics that create a high quality of life for Chileans will make your visit smooth, easy, yet unexpected and surprising. Prepare to enjoy a simply stunning variety of seafood, fresh vegetable, fruits, excellent red meats and, of course, Chile´s always world class wine. Safe! Scenic! Relaxing! Exciting! Friendly! Surprising!

Come experience the austral pace of life and fantastic natural diversity that is Chile.