1) San Pedro de Atacama – Atacama Desert
Let’s begin our journey up north. Despite being the driest desert in the world, the Atacama Desert has a lot to offer, including the Moon Valley, flamingos in vibrant lagoons, sandboarding at dunes, volcanoes, and a spectacular view of the night sky.
Check out all the options and things to do in the atacama desert here. San Pedro de Atacama served as my starting point for a backpacking trip through the northern region of Chile.
2) Valparaiso
I enjoyed taking a stroll around the streets of this vibrant port city, which is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You won’t believe this, but I spent a whole week in Valparaiso documenting the amazing street art and taking in the views from the several hills.
3) Pucón – Villarrica Volcano
The city of Pucón, which is situated next to a lake and a volcano, should be your next stop if you continue travelling south. I was blown away by the view after I reached the top of the Villarrica Volcano, and I’m very certain that this site is among the top Chile travel destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers!
Check out Backpacking Chile: Top Things to Do in Pucon, a fantastic guide I put together, for more details. There, you’ll also find additional images I took there.
4) Puerto Varas – Osorno Volcano
Okay, so volcanoes caught our attention. Another interesting one, which resembles Mt. Fuji’s younger sibling, can be found near to Puerto Varas. There is a street that stretches all the way to the top, making accessing the summit much simpler. The view from the top is distinct but equally amazing.
5) Fjords of Chaiten / Hornopiren
Due to their locations along the Carretera Austral, which runs through Chile’s most isolated region, the next three top sites to visit in the country are only suitable for those who are looking for genuine experiences. To get to Chaiten from Puerto Montt, you must first go over a number of fjords on several ships, giving you the impression that you are in Scandinavia.
6) Futaleufú
White water rafting experts consider the Futaleuf River to be one of the greatest places in the world, and this is what you should do there to truly appreciate its natural beauty. I went on a multi-day rafting trip with Chris from Chile, a former kayaker for the US Olympic squad (video to follow).
7) Puerto Rio Tranquillo – Marble Caves
You may have seen images of such caverns on the internet in collections like “natural wonders of the globe” or “places to see before you die.” The fact is that not many people have really visited those caverns since they are hidden under South America’s second-largest lake near the southern end of the Carretera Austral.
I had to hitchhike for a few days to get there, but it was worth it. In addition, the owner of my previous lift encouraged me to attend two of his boat cruises because he operated a tour company.
8) Villa O’Higgins – O’Higgins Glacier & O’Higgins Lake
This location is the best of the best; the previous three were challenging to reach. There aren’t many individuals that do it since it takes a long time to get there and back out again.
I travelled from El Chaltén to Candelario Mansilla and then on to Villa O’Higgins — a fantastic hike in and of itself with stunning lake views!
9) Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine
The national park Torres del Paine in South America is a must-see because it offers so much variety in a very small space, including glaciers, lagoons, majestic mountain ranges, grasslands, and lush woods.
I spent almost a month there and created one of the most thorough guides you can find online, as well as an entire video series and a photo essay with even more fantastic images to persuade you to visit!
10) Punta Arenas – Isla Magdalena
Do you enjoy penguins? You are in a heaven here! You may take a trip to Isla Magdalena, an island that is home to more than 50.000 penguins, not far from Punta Arenas, the largest city in Chile’s southern region.
I took one of the daily ferries to visit the guys for about 30 minutes; my advice is to get off and go up as most visitors simply stop for photographs first. You will see more penguins when you are the first person to travel the trail.
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