Destination Guide - Chile

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
1	A Pure Natural High Biking, Hiking and Rafting (6 Days)
2	On the Trail of Chile's Patagonia Hiking (7 Days)
3	The Best of Patagonia Hiking (12 Days)

On the Pacific Coast of South America, stretching from the tropics just short of Antarctica, Chile is a long, narrow country rarely wider than 111 miles/178 km. The vast and diverse landscape that runs from the northern plains of the Atacama Desert, through the central region of the Lake District, and down to the southernmost tip of Patagonia makes Chile one of the last great refuges of rugged natural splendor. From towering Andean peaks to deep canyons, Chile has it all: sapphire-blue glaciers, turquoise lakes, sandy beaches, snow-capped volcanoes, broad river valleys and precipitous headlands. This magnificent country is truly a wonderland waiting to be discovered.

Official Name: Republic of Chile
Population: 15 million
Capital City: Santiago, pop. 5 million
People: 65% Mestizo, 30% White and 5% Native American
Languages: Officially Spanish yet many indigenous languages such as Quecha are also spoken
Religion: 70% Roman Catholic, 15% Protestant and 15% other
Currency: Chilean Peso
Time: GMT minus 4 hours
Electricity: 220V 50Hz (http://www.kropla.com)
Major Industries: Copper, fishmeal, tourism and wine
Airport Departure Tax: $23 USD (there is also an entrance fee - $131 for Americans, $132 for Canadians, $34 for Australians, other nationalities should check. Fees subject to change)

IMPORTANT FACTS

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required for Canadian and American citizens for travel into Chile. For citizens of other countries you should contact the embassy or consulate for entry requirements. Visas are not required for people traveling with Canadian or U.S. passports. (Note: please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival into Chile or you may be refused entry).

Climate

As a result of its enormous north-south extension and vertical topography, Chile contains nearly every imaginable variety of weather conditions, with the exception of the moist tropical climate typical of equatorial nations. In the north we find the world's driest desert - rain has never been recorded in some parts of the Atacama. There is a great variation between day and night temperatures in the desert. The coast enjoys a mild climate year-round. While in the Altiplano, summer temperatures average 10'C (50'F) during the day, and drop as low as -13'C (2'F) at night. The climate of the central region is of that blessed variety known as subtropical Mediterranean. Summers (November-March) are long and dry with maximum temperatures of 30'C (85'F). Winters (April - October) are short, mild and wet with maximum temperatures of 10 to 15'C (50 to 60'F) and minimums rarely below 0'C (32'F).

Food

Some of the must-tries in Chile are Empanadas de pino – pastry-style turnovers stuffed with olives, meat, raisins and onions; Parilla – a mixed grill of almost all types of meat cooked over charcoal; and Pastal de choclo – a traditional dish of beef, vegetables and chicken baked in a casserole. Please note when eating food from the street stalls to exercise caution.

Water

Tap water is treated in Santiago, although as an added precaution, it is advisable to drink only bottled water. Fruit drinks, soft drinks, coffee and tea are all widely available and safe to drink.

Vaccinations

Chile has a high standard of living and the health risks are considered low. There are no vaccinations required unless you are traveling from countries that have not eradicated malaria, yellow fever, etc. There are some inoculations that are recommended however; these are tetanus, diphtheria and polio. We advise you to contact your nearest travel clinic for information on health requirements, as this information can and does change frequently. A good website for current information is The Centre for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/travel/.