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Top Things To Do
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is one of the most atmospheric port cities in Latin America - a city with sinuous hills and a labyrinth of precipitous streets and colourful clapboard houses that inspired the poet Pablo Neruda. Chile's Lake District Chile's beautiful Lake District is made up of national parks that offer staggeringly lovely views of ancient monkey puzzle trees, pristine alpine lakes and perfectly shaped volcanoes. Parque Nacional Lauca Parque Nacional Lauca in the north of Chile is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve - look out for flamingos, rheas (an ostrich-like bird). Chiloé The quirky island of Chiloé has colourful and old wooden churches to marvel at. Volcán Villarrica One of the world's most active volcanoes, Volcán Villarrica near Pucón, is safer than it sounds - it is also one of the world's most monitored, so you should have plenty of warning of any imminent eruption. Fishing The best spots are in the Lake District and Patagonia. The rivers and streams off the carretera austral, the road that penetrates deep into Chile's southern wilderness, are remarkably clear and offer great opportunities for fly-fishers. White-water rafting White-water rafting down any number of the country's spectacular rapids is popular - you'll find specialist operators offering trips down the Maipo near Santiago, the Trancura near Pucón, as well as the Bio-Bio river in Region VIII. Specialist operators can organise week-long trips. The scenery around the Bio-Bio includes hot springs and waterfalls. Skiing The world-famous Portillo resort, has hosted many national ski teams, including the Austrian and Italian skiers over for the European summer. Other ski slopes in the area can be found at Farellones-El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. The ski season usually runs from June to September. Antarctica Voyage to the world's last undiscovered wilderness, Antarctica, from Chile's southernmost city, Punta Arenas. See Contact Addresses for further tourist information. |
