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  • South America
    • Introduction
    • Argentina
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    • Chile
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  • Chile
    Overview
    • Introduction
    • Fact file
    • What to see
    • Where to go
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    Explore
    • Santiago and around
    • Valparaíso, Viña and the Central Coast
    • El Norte Chico
    • El Norte Grande
    • The Central Valley
    • The Lake District
      • Chiloé
      • Northern Patagonia
      • Southern Patagonia
      • Tierra del Fuego
      • Easter Island and the Juan Fernández Archipelago
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  • Things not to Miss
Without a doubt, this spectacular park is what draws most visitors to southern Chile, and it does not disappoint even after all the photos and build-up. Massive active volcanoes surround these richly hued waters, making for an almost surreal landscape – the perfect spot to enjoy the bubbling lakeside hot springs. Dangle high above the sprawling capital, surrounded by the snowcapped Andes. Take a tour of a distillery, followed by a taste of a pisco sour, Chile’s national cocktail. Isolated and largely inaccessible, the resort here is home to steaming hot springs, and is one of the great getaways along the Carretera Austral. This remarkable city sits perched by the sea, draped over a jumble of steep hills around a wide bay. Soar over Iquique, one of South America’s top paragliding destinations, and enjoy incredible views of the giant sand dune of Cerro Dragón far below. The archipelago’s beautiful wooden churches rise over the heart of almost every small village. Embark on an exhilarating boat ride alongside this stunning ice formation. Dip into turquoise waters and soak up rays on the relatively unspoilt beach. The Nobel Prize-winning poet is one of Chile’s best-known literary exports. Visit any of the three houses he lived in: La Chascona in Santiago, La Sebastiana in Valparaíso, or the museum on Isla Negra. Take a guided hike up this active volcano, the focal point of a park with excellent opportunities for trekking and camping. Chile’s northern skies are the most transparent in the southern hemisphere, as testified by the many international observatories stationed here. Head to the Elqui Valley’s Cerro Mamalluca observatory to play astronomer and gaze up at the stars. Head to the thriving sanctuaries at Isla Magdalena and Seno Otway for an up-close look at penguins. Trek across this aptly named moonscape, just south of San Pedro de Atacama. Partake in the remote island’s liveliest festival, complete with traditional dancing, woodcarving and surfing competitions, all amid the mysterious moai stone statues. Witness expert horsemanship and a slice of national culture at the rodeos in the Central Valley. The gin-clear rivers of the Carretera Austral feature some of the world’s best spots for fly-fishing. Explore the tip of the Americas, where the country splinters into granite towers, glaciers and fjords. Behold Chile’s highest national park, with altitudes between 4000m and 6000m, herds of llamas, remote geysers and altiplano lakes.