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A Selection of Places to Visit in Chile

February 26, 2011 By

SANTIAGO

Santiago maybe a busy metropolis and on the surface appear to be foggy and rather ‘loud’, however, once the surface has been scratched, there is plenty for the cultured traveller to discover.  Colonial buildings can still be found within the city centre, the Plaza de Armas boasts stately buildings.   Bellavista is renowned for its cool and fashionable dance clubs and funky bistro’s and cafes.   Rio Mapocho with Forest Park.   Art is highly appreciate amongst the Santiago culture,  collections range from contemporary through to pre-Columbian,  the architecture has a diverse mix of mirrored office towers and 16th century religious buildings.   The Andes Mountain Range is visible from the Cerro San Cristobal, Santiago’s highest point, and hosts an array of activities for the more adventurous wanting to escape the urban city centre.   Horseback riding, skiing, kayaking, and trekking, along with various wine tours are just a handful of the excursions on offer at the doorstep of Santiago.

One of the many bicycle tour companies can provide you with the means to experience some of the hidden gems that can be found off-the-beaten track in Chile and Santiago.   With routes pre-planned, they will ensure that you can experience un-touched local culture and cuisine, first-hand experience of any traditional festivals or celebrations that are taking place.  Volcanoes, fjords, lakes, and vineyards are in abundance.

The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (MuseoChileno de Arte Precolombino) within the old Royal Customs House harbors show-cases an abundant collection of Latin American artifacts and paintings spanning over the past 4500 years.

VALPARAISO

One of the more “authentic” cities within Chile,  Valparaiso is approximately seventy mile northwest of Santiago.   As Chile’s main port, it comprises of various colonial architecture,  seafood restaurants, markets, and shops, but please be warned,  some areas are stricken with poverty and can be rather dilapidated.  Climb Cerro Concepcion or AscnesorArtilleria for stunning views of the ocean and city or travel back to street level and visit the home of the famous writer, Pablo Neruda.

PUCON

Based deep within the Patagonian Andes, visitingPucon is an unbeatable base for adventure seekers.  Hordes of visitors frequent Pucon during the summer months of December, January, and February, travelling either by airplane or taking the nine-hour drive from Santiago.   Opportunities to explore the Andes on horseback, or watch as molten lava/magna oozes down Mount Villarica.TermasGeometricas offers the chance to experience both hot and cold thermal pools.  Car rental and mountain bike rental is also widely available.

LozPolones boasts beautiful rustic hot springs with approximately six pools of differing temperatures with the beauty of a cold rushing river close by and surrounded by forested hills.  Certainly not overcrowded with commercialism or amenities.

Mount Villarica is an active volcano within the Andes, and with many tour operators offering guided tours to the peak to view the molten magna this has to be an unbeatable experience.   It is advisable for any traveller to ensure their fitness level before embarking on the five to six hour trek up the mountain side and a further three hours hike downwards, especially within the summer months.

TermasGeometricasthermal baths is the perfect location to visit on cloudy days.  Set within an abundance of natural greenery and nestled next to a river it gives the impression of being situated within a jungle.  Extremely clean and hygienically maintained, towels and changing rooms are provided.  One consideration may be to remember that they do not accept credit cards, cash only.

PUERTO VARAS

Boasting a wide variety of outdoor sports such as whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, fly fishing, and horse-riding, it is also graced with outstanding views across the second largest lake in Chile, LagosLlanquihue, to the two snowy volcanoes, Osorno and Calbuco.  Puerto Varas is home to many wooden colonial homes built by the German immigrants in the early 1900’s and several are designated as national monuments.  Recommended to be explored on foot,  PuertoVaras has an abundance of decent bars, restaurant, and accommodation.

With a few experienced, qualified, and British Canoe Union certified expedition tour operators within Puerto Varas, discovering the beauty of the Chilean lakes and Patagonian fjords, island and glaciers by sea kayak, horseback, or even on foot, is now possible, providing you with a chance to meet the local people to enhance your cultural experience by travelling off the beaten track.

PUNTA ARENAS

A fairly isolated city in southern Patagonia that overlooks the Strait of Magellan.  Generally busy with hikers and trekkers en-route to Torres del Paine National Park or an Antarctic cruise to view the glaciers.  There is a mansion-lined square, Plaz Munoz Gamero; elaborate tombstones can be found within the City Cemetery.  Flights from Santiago and Ushuaia are available on a daily basis.

Although Punta Arenas is believed to be the lowest point of the Americas, Chile claims a certain amount of Antarctica as it’s own that leads all the way to the South Pole.  Just below Punta Arenas, there is a monument to mark the nominal midpoint of the Chilean nation.  With a few attractions for visitors such as museums, cultural areas of interest, and penguin colonies,  Punta Arenas really serves as the transportation and departure point for Tierra del Fuego and Puerto Natales, which is the gateway for the ParqueNacional Torres del Paine.

Filed Under: Chile Travel Tagged With: , , ,

The History of Chile

February 19, 2011 By

Originally, the Americas were thought to have been first populated approximately 11,500 years ago via the Bering land bridge, as highlighted in the Clovis paradigm.   However, during the 1980’s, a discovery of a small child’s footprint in a marshy field in Chile’s Monte Verde,  situated close to Puerto Montt,  was to undermine the current archaeological evidence when estimated to be approximately 12,500 years old.   Further exploration of the area provided evidence of human habitation in Chile is dated back to as far as 33,000 years.    In 1988, the Monte Verde site was acknowledged as the oldest inhabited site within the Americas, giving rise to new theories of multiple entries to the Americas via coastal landings and the use of different routes to those previously thought.   Further archaeological findings in New Mexico have been dated as far back as 40,000 years.

Most archaeological discoveries have been located in northern Chile due to the extreme aridity of the desert.  Preserved mummies were intentionally created by the Chinchorro culture and are the oldest in existence today.

It has been established that the Aymara farmers grew potatoes and maize, raised livestock of llama and alpaca within the canyons of the north desert.  Within the ParqueNacionalLauca, you will still see this practice being carried out by their descendants using very similar techniques.  The Atacameno culture was another important civilization within Chile’s history; well-preserved remains ranging from mummified corpses to tablets that explain the preparation of hallucinogenic substances are still in existence.   Modern-day cultures that have existed since these earlier times are the El Molle and the Tiwanaku and are responsible for many geoglyphs, ceramics, and etchings from the era.

The Inca culture attempted an invasion into Chile, and enjoyed a brief ascendancy within northern Chile, though the Picunche farmers and Mapuche cultivators prevented their ascent further into Chile with fierce resistance.

In 1495, Spain and Portugal were regarded as highly powerful countries.    The Treaty of Tordesillas delivered all territory west of Brazil to Spain.   By the mid 16th century, Florida, Mexico, and central Chile were dominated by the Spaniards who were ruthless in exploiting, frightening, and ultimately controlling the native people.  Although horses and firearms were of great benefit to the Spaniards quest, their main form of attack was infectious disease, to which the natives had no immunity.

Although the Andes Mountain Range proved to be an almost impenetrably access route, with many Spaniards and their horses freezing to death on the mountain sides,  eventually, Pedro de Valdivia gained access by trawling through the arid desert, in 1540.  Finally reaching the more fertile Mapocho Valley in 1541, the city of Santiago was founded.     Despite various attempts from the native inhabitants, Spain managed to maintain control and the population steadily increased.  Although Spain’s original interest was gold and silver, it soon became apparent that the New World offered much more besides; Enslaving the indigenous people to carry out physical labor.   Although a fairly simple task in northern Chile to an already existing hierarchy of command within their cultures, the indigenous people of central Chile mounted resistance.  Even into the late 19th century, central Chile remained an area of unease and became notoriously unsafe for white settlers.

Due to the mix in races, Mestizo children, a combination of indigenous and Spanish parentage quickly outnumbered the indigenous population.   Slavery abuse, warfare, and infection soon decreased their numbers.

Between 1808 and 1810, a revolution was spawned from the criollo (creole) class – American born Spaniards who would fight for self-government.  Madrid had decreed that all trade to and from Spain must pass overland through Panama to enable tax collection.  Transportation via ships was strictly over-ruled, eventually causing the downfall of the Spanish empire.  Independent movements joined forces throughout South America to expel Spain from Chile by the 1820’s and driving Spain back across Peru.

The War of the Pacific in 1879 – 1884 was to determine Chile’s expansion in mineral wealth.  The war began when Bolivia prevented a Chilean company from mining the nitrate deposits in Atacama, which was then owned by Bolivia.   Chile began a successful attack on Antofagasta, the main Bolivian port, along with Tacna and Arica from Peru.  In retaliation, Chile has effectively blocked the Bolivian’s access to the Pacific.    Chile prospered through the imminent nitrate boom, Chile’s transportation system was vastly improved, and the economy boomed.    Although the nitrate industry slowed with the invention of petroleum based fertilizers, this very land was to provide Chile with a vast copper mining industry, which is still one of the main contributors to Chile’s economy.

Filed Under: Chile Culture, Chile Travel Tagged With: , ,

Chilean Festivals

February 15, 2011 By

Through-out January and February, most Chilean towns have a celebration in the form of a show or live music, accompanied by food festivals and generally a grand fireworks display.   Please consult with a travel agent or tour guide to determine the exact dates:

JANUARY

Heralding a variety of music from classical through to jazz, the Semana Musical is held in Frutillar from late January to early February.

A popular music festival is held in Pucon in mid-January, Jornadas Musicales de Pucon.

During the second week in January, the SemanaAncuditana Chiloe, and Ancud, involves a number of celebrations across the island, highlighting its unique music, dance, cuisine and culture.

Across Chile during the second week in January you will also find plenty of food, drink, dancing, and crafts in the Brotes de Chile.

Later in the month, the Festival de HuasoChilote, Castro, in Chile, the local huasos, more commonly known as the cowboys.

FEBRUARY

A busy month for festivals, concerts, and get-togethers:

EncuentroFolklorico de Chiloe promotes the cultural music, dance and cuisine of Chiloe, usually held within the first week of February.

Fiesta de la Candelaria is a more religious festival that is celebrated in Copiapo by thousands of pilgrims and dancers, Held in early February.

Festival Costumbrista is an authentic Patagonian rodeo held in Villa Cerro Castillo.

Festival  Internacional de la Cancion is variety of concerts that showcases the headlining names in Latin American music.  Held in Vina del Mar.

Carnaval Highland is a celebration inclusive of merriment, flour bombs, and the grand finale results in the burning of the momo.  The carnival is held in Putre, and it may be of interest that the Momo  represents the frivolity of Carnaval.

Festival Costumbrista is a combination of folk music, dance, culture, and cuisinge.  Held in Castro during mid-February.

CarnavalGinga is held in mid-February and features dancing, live music displays.

Held on the third Saturday in February is the Noche de Vladivia, a celebration inclusive of riverboats and fireworks.

MARCH-DECEMBER

National Rodeo Championshipr or  locally known as the CampeonatoNacional de Rodeo is a festival of cowboys of Chilean descent showing-off their skills with horse skills, alongside the obligatory cueco dancing and cuisine.   Late March in Rancagua.

Festival de la VirgenDel Carmen, in excess of 40000 pilgrims pay homage to Chile’s virgin with dancing, devil masks and spangly cloaks.   Tirana in mid-July.

Held on June the 29th,  is a religious festival that is held in San Pedro de Atacama called the Fiesta de San Pedroy San Pablo.  Folk dancing shows,  live rodeo and many processions.

Carnaval de Invierno,  parades and fireworks are held in Punta Arenas in late July

New Years Eve is one of the largest celebrations of the year.  Renowned for spectacular firework displays, dancing and cuisine.

Filed Under: Chile Culture, Chile Travel Tagged With: , ,

About Chile

February 11, 2011 By

Chile stretches along 4300km (2700 miles), with a width of only 240 km (150 miles), makes Chile the most slender country in the world.  Renowned for its diverse and stunning scenery, Chile is bordered by the majestic Andes Mountain Range, inclusive of over 50 active volcanic peaks.   Ancient forestry is in abundance. You can find the most hostile and arid landscape in and around the desert Atacama in the South,  travelling northward you will find one of the most beautiful arrangement of mountains, glaciers, and an archipelago of scattered islands between the mountains and the ocean, finally resulting in Cape Horn,  infamous for it’s violent stormy seas. In-between the two extremes, you will find volcanoes, beaches, lakes, rivers, and geysers, offering a variety of activities and culture for the adventurous traveller. Considering the diversity of the lush forests of the fjords, the craggy and treacherous summits, the fascination of one of the most inhospitable places on earth, Atacama, along with some of the most stunning beaches of South America, choosing an itinerary will be the hardest challenge.

With all the amazing scenery it would be easy to forget that Chile is steeped in both culture and character too, renowned for firing the imagination of the most steadfast and foolhardy people.  Although Chile always has a suitable region for any season, be sure to choose your holiday dates with some consideration:

Chile’s high season is between December and March.

Skiing in Chile attracts visitors in their thousands from July through to September, providing a winter wonderland for all those participating.    Visiting Mid-Chile is best in spring-time (September through to November), or during autumn (February through to April).

Southern Chile includes the Lakes District and Torres Del Paine. Best visited in summer as during the winter months access is virtually impossible. Spring and autumn, especially the months November and March, can be just as hospitable and welcoming.

A place of interest may be the Atacama Desert, one of the most inhospitable places on earth. Exploring through-out the year is possibly, however during the summer months (December through to March), the days are extremely hot with bitterly cold nights.

Filed Under: Chile Geography, Chile Travel