At the furthest reaches of Chile’s southern tip, Chilean Patagonia is made up of dramatic landscapes and eventful weather, which can see the region go through four seasons in one day.
The snow-topped Andes are an awe-inspiring backdrop for the glittering lakes, wide-open steppe, granite cliffs and jagged ice fields – this variation makes Patagonia holidays a favourite for adventure seekers and fans of outdoor pursuits. Many comfortable and luxurious lodges dot the park, and due to its enormous scale the area never feels crowded; in fact, on some tours, visitors are more than likely not to spot another group.
Perfect for a hot weather holiday in January, one of the best places to base yourself is in the town of Puerto Natales, a port city that acts as the gateway to the park and has interesting museums celebrating the region’s indigenous population. You’ll find everything here from boutique wine bars to shops dedicated to kitting you out in the latest gear, but there are plenty of cosy lodgings to choose from away from the town should you seek splendid isolation on your holidays to Patagonia.
Puerto Natales also has a small airport, with flights operating in high season should you wish to escape the five-hour drive from Punta Arenas.
Ricky
Travel Specialist
Where to go in Chile
Chile travel information
- Time zone: -3 GMT
- Flight time: 15-17 hours
- Recommended airlines: British Airways, Air France, Delta, United
- Currency: Chilean Peso
- Tipping guideline: 10% of total bill
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher.
- Capital: Santiago
- Population: 1.96588e+007
- National languages: Spanish
- Electricity and plugs: Type C and Type L, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Mobile phone coverage: Excellent
- UK passport visa requirements: You don't need a visa for Chile if you have a British passport - for a maximum of 90 days
Looking for inspiration?
You'll find expert travel guides, holiday ideas and insider tips now on Other Shores
The Most Beautiful Places to Go Wine-Tasting This Year
Warm temperatures. Long sunny days. Clear blue skies. Amazing, gourmet food. What could possibly ma...
Other Shores Team - December, 2022
Where is Hot in January?
January is the perfect time to treat yourself to a holiday somewhere hot and sunny. After the long,...
Other Shores Team - September, 2023Would you like to speak to a Patagonia expert?
Contact our Travel Specialists for a bespoke quote or some first-hand knowledge.
Christmas Eve: 9am - 3pm
New Years Eve: 9am - 3pm
25th Dec, 26th Dec & 1 Jan: CLOSED
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Why Inspiring Travel?
Premium & Exclusive
- Only the best private travel experiences
- Hand-picked collection of world-class luxury resorts
- Diverse portfolio of bespoke & tailored itineraries
Personal & tailored
- Every holiday created to be entirely bespoke
- Exclusive experiences arranged on your behalf
- Personal contact to tailor every aspect of your holiday
Exceptional service
- 24/7 support while you're travelling
- Every detail handled by our concierge team
- Lounge passes, airport meet & greet and private transfers included
First-hand expertise
- The experts in tailor-made travel for 50 years
- Team of well-travelled specialists offering first-hand knowledge
- Network of trusted luxury travel partners
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
