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Central Chile

Ski en Portillo

Ski the best slopes in Chile

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Traveling to Chile during the winter months offers a fantastic opportunity to explore its numerous ski resorts. The snow season typically lasts from mid-June to mid-September, with the prime skiing period from July to August when the snow conditions are optimal.

Experience the thrill of climbing the Andes Mountains and discovering Chile’s snowy paradise. Ski the best slopes in South America, perfect for both beginners and experienced skiers alike.

Discover some of Chile’s top ski resorts with us …

SKI RESORTS IN CENTRAL CHILE:

Portillo:
located 2,850 meters above sea level, on the International Highway between Santiago (Chile) and Mendoza (Argentina). It’s the most famous and oldest ski center in South America.

La Parva:
located in a very beautiful area, 38 kilometers from Santiago. La Parva has a beautiful view to the valley of Santiago.

Valle Nevado

 


Nevados de Chillán (Mountain Resort & Thermal Spa):
located 82 kilometres from Chillán. Here you will find excellent snow quality while enjoying the stunning surroundings with native forests, thermal pools and mountain-style hotels.

Skier in Portillo


El Colorado/Farellones:
located in the Andes Mountain Range only 36 kilometers from Santiago. It’s an ideal ski center for families and young people.

Valle Nevado:
located a few kilometers from the ski resorts La Parva and El Colorado, forming “The Three Valleys of the Andes”. Valle Nevado has some of the highest quality snow in Chile, because of its location at 3 thousand meters of height.

bosque nevados de chillan

SKI RESORTS IN THE ARAUCANIA REGION:

In the Araucania region in the south of the country, about 700 km south of Santiago and 100 km from the city of Temuco, you can ski in the Corralco ski center inside the Malalcahuello-Nalcas National Reserve, on the slopes of the Lonquimay volcano. It has become a popular destination for winter holidays in Chile. You will find there hot springs, waterfalls, national parks and plenty of snow in the ski area.

Ski Pucón Resort is also located in the Araucania region and is one of the most modern ski centres in the south of the country. It is only 20 minutes from Pucón , with excellent infrastructure for skiing and snowboarding.

Ski Corralco
Antillanca

SKI RESORT IN THE LAKE DISTRICT:

In this region you will find the Antillanca Ski Center, 98 km from Osorno. It is located in the Puyehue National Park, right at the foot of the Casablanca volcano.

Find more information about Chile’s main ski resorts here.

vendimia festival chile

Exploring Chile’s grape harvest festivals

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Embark on a journey into the captivating realm of Chilean wines through immersion in the nation’s vibrant annual grape harvest festivals, also known as vendimias.

Grape harvest

March and April are the months in which the grape harvest is traditionally celebrated in Chile, the time when the grapes are picked, and the fertile land and wine are honoured.

These colourful events take place in Chile’s renowned wine regions and offer a unique opportunity to experience and enjoy local wine production.

During the harvest festivals, visitors can take part in exclusive wine tastings to discover the diversity of Chilean wines and get to know the flavours and nuances that characterize these regions.

In addition to first-class wines, they can also enjoy the regional cuisine and culinary specialities that go perfectly with the wines.

The wine festivals provide more than just a memorable time for wine enthusiasts; they also offer a distinctive cultural immersion. With traditional dances, musical performances and local arts and crafts, the grape harvest festivals showcase the rich culture and vibrant atmosphere of Chile’s wine regions.

Taking part in a vendimia offers an ideal opportunity for travelers seeking authentic and unforgettable experiences in Chile.

fiesta de la vendimia

In addition to the grape harvest festivals, a visit to one of the wineries (near Santiago), including a tasting, is also an interesting way to experience the culture of the country. Wine tours can be organized throughout the year.

For more information contact your Travel Consultant or incoming@turavion.com

 

Carriage ride Santa Cruz
Wine tasting
wine and gastronomy
traditions harvest festival
Casablanca Valley

Turavion visiting the Casablanca Valley

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The Turavion team travelled to the Casablanca Valley to visit the vineyards, learn more about the wine production process in the region and experience the wine tourism activities offered.

The tour was organized by the “Asociación de Viñas del Valle de Casablanca” (Casablanca Valley Wineries Association) and took them to some of the most outstanding wineries in the area.

 

The Casablanca Valley is an ideal place for wine and gastronomy lovers, as it boasts a great number of vineyards that offer wine tastings and pairings with exquisite local cuisine.

Furthermore, its landscape is impressive and provides a peaceful and relaxed environment to enjoy with family or friends, making it a unique opportunity to discover some of Chile’s best wines and flavors.

During the tour, they visited the William Cole, Matetic, Kingston &  Casa Valle Viñamar vineyards, as well as Estancia El Cuadro, where they had the opportunity to taste some of the best wines of the region and learn more about the history and production process of each vineyard. They also met some of the winemakers and wine experts in the area, who shared their knowledge and experiences with the group.

During all these activities, they enjoyed the natural beauty of the Casablanca Valley with its vast landscapes and the Mediterranean climate that accompanied them on this journey.

Matetic Vineyards
Kingston vineyards
Wine cellar Matetic
Estancia El Cuadro
Cajón de Maipo - Horse back riding

Cajón del Maipo : Outdoor activities in beautiful landscapes close to Santiago

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Cajón del Maipo is located only a few kilometres from Chile’s capital and is the green lung of Santiago’s metropolitan region.

Here you can enjoy numerous outdoor activities surrounded by impressive natural landscapes.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the big city, you will find here an oasis of tranquillity that at the same time offers opportunities for adventurous sports activities such as climbing or speed rafting.

Cajón del Maipo - Rafting

You can also explore the area from horseback and ride through the Andes. If you are looking for relaxation, you will also find wellness offers, thermal springs or enjoy a picnic in the midst of nature in Cajón del Maipo.

CajóndelMaipo_Climbing

The most important natural attractions in this area are the impressive natural monument El Morado with fantastic climbing possibilities, the Río Olivares Park, the reservoir El Yeso and the hot springs Termas del Plomo, located in the Yeso Valley, which offers one of the best views of the region, due to its mountains, the proximity to hanging glaciers and wetlands of the area, which allow you to enjoy a unique flora and fauna.

El Yeso


Baños Colina ranks as one of the best natural hot springs in Chile. It’s off the beaten path nestled into the Andes’ canyon Cajón del Maipo.

100k restaurants in Chile-

100K restaurants: Sustainable gastronomy in Chile

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An initiative launched in 2014 by the Chilean Association of Chefs (Acchef) created the 100k seal. The project aims to achieve sustainable gastronomy in three areas: Reduce the carbon footprint, create production chains and enhancing the value of traditional, local cuisine.

Recent developments in Chile and worldwide suggest that visitors are increasingly demanding a stronger commitment to sustainable tourism. This is also reflected in the 100k concept, which involves sourcing raw materials from local suppliers within a radius of 100 kilometres or less. This promotes the development of a local identity and efficient use of natural resources. Member restaurants source their ingredients from producers less than 100 kilometres away, which guarantees that 50 % of the ingredients on the menu come from the region.

Now there are already several 100k restaurants in the different regions of Chile, from the north to the south of the country. Especially in the regions of Tarapacá (Iquique), Maule, Santiago & Valparaíso as well as in the Lake District & Chiloé. Some of the restaurants offer accommodation and ecotourism activities at the same time.

couple in Atacama desert

5 reasons to put Chile on your travel bucket list

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1. A large majority of climates in one country

Chile is one of the countries with the most extraordinary landscapes in the world, surrounded by high rising Andes and volcanoes. A journey from north to south can take you to enjoy landscapes like from another planet in the Atacama Desert, small fishing villages in Chiloé or untouched wilderness inside the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, which is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful nature destinations in South America.

Did you know that Chile makes part of three continents? Indeed, not only does the Chilean territory extends down South America, but also in Oceania (Easter Island), and Antarctica.

Therefore, almost all climates that exist on earth can be found here. In the north is the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world, in the lake district there are ancient forests and in the south glaciers and huge areas of ice. The large number of national parks in the country invite you to go trekking, and there are many opportunities for interesting adventure trips.

2. Open nature & vast landscapes

Chile has been relatively isolated from the rest of the world due to its remote location. Therefore, the number of tourists is not as overwhelming as in many other places, and there are areas in the country where you can be the only visitor. It’s also easy to get around by air or car: adventurers can rent a car and explore the famous  and breathtaking Carretera Austral. 

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3. Perfect destination for wildlife watching

The flora and fauna are especially influenced by the varied climate in Chile. Since almost all climates of the earth are present here, vegetation and existing animal species are depending on the climate of the region. Therefore, you can see a wide variety of wildlife in Chile from flamingos in the north in the Atacama Desert, to penguins, sea lions, whales, guanacos and the rare endemic huemul (South Andean deer) in Patagonia.

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Also called the “guardian of the Andes”, the puma can be found throughout Chile, from the region of Arica and Parinacota, to Patagonia. With its mysterious charisma it is revered by native cultures all over America. In Mapudungun (Mapuche language) the puma is known as “pangui” or “trapial”, being one of the most sacred animals of the Mapuche along with the condor and the eagle.

The Andean Condor can also be found throughout Chile. Due to its geographical and climatic diversity and its almost 500 different species of birds, Chile is one of the ideal destinations for bird watching enthusiasts.

4. Wine country

Chile is a perfect destination for wine lovers. From the Atacama region in the north of the country to the beautiful valleys Casablanca, Maipo and Colchagua in central Chile near Santiago and the Bío Bío region in the south, Chile produces world-class wines.

The numerous vineyards along the wine routes can be visited and the wine cellars and production can be discovered. Of course, a wine tasting is not to be missed. Many of the wineries are specialized in tourism and offer various tourist attractions such as guided tours, gastronomic programs or even carriage rides and visits to museums.

Try one of the first-class red wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Carménère, which is exclusively produced in Chile. Or refresh yourself with a cool Sauvignon Blanc white wine

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5. Clearest starry sky in the world

It is well known that the Atacama Desert has the clearest and most beautiful skies in the world. And it’s true. Enjoying a night here is an unforgettable experience.

Chile enjoys more than 300 clear days per year and with little or no light pollution in the north, conditions are ideal for stargazing under open skies. For a truly close encounter with the planets, visit one of the many astronomical observatories open to visitors.

Observe constellations, planets, shooting stars, and all kinds of celestial bodies in the spectacular Chilean skies – the clearest in the entire southern hemisphere.

Maule Valley

Maule Valley, the oldest and widest wine valley in Chile

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Chile is a wine country and world-class wines are produced in the numerous wineries. Chile’s most famous vineyards are in the central part of the country such as the Maipo, Maule, Curicó, Rapel, Aconcagua, Colchagua and Casablanca valleys. Mainly French grape varieties are grown.

The Maule Valley is one of Chile’s largest and oldest wine valleys. Together with the other wine valleys of the Maule region, it was even given the title “Cradle of Chilean Wine“. Some of the grape varieties found in this area are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carménère.
The last mentioned grape variety is interesting because Chile is practically the only country that can offer it exclusively. Carménère has been cultivated in Chile since 1850. This grape variety, formerly imported from France, almost completely disappeared due to the phylloxera plague. Since Chile was spared from the phylloxera plague due to its geographical conditions, the wine country turned into an exporter of the old Bordeaux grape variety Carménère.

 

Wine lovers will be delighted to discover the country’s many wine routes. During a tasting, you can visit the valleys where the grape varieties are grown and Chile’s best wines are produced.

The Maule Valley is also on a wine route (https://valledelmaule.cl/) that unites 15 wineries.

For more details on visits to wineries in central Chile please send an email to incoming@turavion.com

Viña Chocolán

10 must-see vineyards close to Santiago

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Any time of the year is the perfect time to visit these vineyards near the capital of Chile. All of them are running tours that combine fresh air, gastronomy and, of course, wines of exceptional quality.

 

Located in the middle of Santiago, the Cousiño Macul vineyard with more than 100 years of tradition can be easily reached by Metro or other public transport.
They offer different types of tours, including one by bicycle, to get to know the vineyards, its parks, the centenary cellars built with bricks glued with egg whites (the famous “cal y canto”) and the underground cellars that date back to the 19th century.

The vineyard Haras de Pirque is part of the new wine tourism destination in the Maipo Valley and is worth a visit for its unique architecture and excellent restaurant. There are tours of the vineyard and how their wines are made, such as the Albaclara, a refreshing sauvignon blanc.

In the foothills of the coastal mountain range is the organic and biodynamic Veramonte vineyard, opened in 1989. It was built there precisely to produce cool-climate red wines, such as its Pinot Noir, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. You can join tours where the history and production process of this winery will be explained. 

The Concha y Toro winery is one of Pirque’s icons, with a 4,600 m2 mansion from the 19th century and a beautiful park surrounding it. There are guided tours with wine tasting, where you will also learn about the legend of the Casillero del Diablo: an underground wine cellar where the devil himself supposedly lived and protected the cellar.

Those who love sparkling wines should visit Casa Valle Viñamar, also known as the “House of Sparkling Wine”. The winery specialises in the production of this type of wine. During the guided tours offered, you can learn more about the production process and, of course, taste the wines.

The Chocalán winery is only about 40 minutes from Santiago and 15 minutes from the town of Pomaire, known for its pottery. There you can learn how to model clay in workshops and get to know the 100-hectare winery on guided tours.

Villard was founded in 1989 as the first boutique winery by Frenchman Thierry Villard. He did this with his family on more than 400 hectares in Casablanca, one of the most renowned areas for growing grapes in cold climates. Here, exquisite Syrah, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines are produced, which have been awarded more than 90 points by experts such as Descorchados or Tim Atkins. In addition to quality wines, Villard also offers excellent wine tourism programmes. There is also a 3-kilometre cycle path between the vines.

Santa Rita is about 45 minutes from Santiago. The winery, declared a historical monument in 1972, can be visited on a guided tour, such as a horse-drawn carriage ride through the vineyard’s historic park, ending with a tasting of three of Santa Rita’s emblematic wines.

The vineyard Tarapacá, formerly called Viña de Rojas y Viña Zavala, is located in the Maipo Valley. If you would like to take a wine tour, you have several options, including a visit to the emblematic manor house and the beautiful park. Here you can take a virtual tour of the winery.

Founded in the mid-1990s, the Casas del Bosque winery is located just 70 kilometres from Santiago, in the heart of the Casablanca Valley. Casas del Bosque is one of the most important vineyards in Casablanca. It has gained great prestige, and in 2010 it became the best winery to visit in Chile. The grounds cover more than 230 hectares with vineyards, hiking trails, restaurants and viewpoints that can be explored on the various tours. 

 

 

 

Viña Veramonte
Viña Santa Rita_2
Casas del Bosque
Viña Santa Rita
Glaciar Universidad

Universidad Glacier – the largest ice zone in Central Chile

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Glacier Universidad Colchagua is located in the Andes Mountains. It is connected to several other glaciers, together forming the largest ice zone in Central Chile and the largest in the country after the Patagonian ice fields.


The Universidad glacier is located in the O’Higgins region, 55 km east of San Fernando. Its moraine gives rise to a short tributary river of the Tinguiririca River. It is surrounded by mountain peaks such as Portillo and Alto de los Arrieros and El Palomo volcano.

It is a splendid hike along the initial stretch of the glacier field up to the viewpoint of the Mañque Glacier.

The ascent of the volcano can be made all year round, but from September to February, conditions are usually more favourable on the sector’s routes.

For more details, please email incoming@turavion.com.

Glaciar Universidad
Glaciar Universidad 2
Glaciar Universidad 3
Plaza de las Armas square in Santiago

Santiago de Chile among the best destinations in 2021 according to Forbes

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Skiing on a winter morning and experiencing a beautiful sunset on the Pacific beach in the evening?
In Chile this is possible.

Surrounded by the Andes, the metropolis of Santiago is one of the few cities in the world from where you can take a trip to snow-capped mountains in the morning and already walk on the beach promenade in the afternoon after about only 2 hours by car.


Wine lovers will appreciate the proximity of award-winning wineries. Just a few kilometres from Santiago, the Maipo and Casablanca valleys are the starting points for the most important wine routes in central Chile, where you can enjoy the country’s best wines at the foot of the Andes.

With these unique features, Santiago de Chile made it to 9th place on Forbes magazine’s list of the best destinations in Latin America in 2021.

In addition to tourism innovation and connectivity, the selection of cities also took into account factors of the “new reality” due to the pandemic and whether there are special health protocols in place at the destination.
Forbes describes Santiago as a multifaceted Chilean capital that invites both active excursions and delightful moments.

For more information on excursions in Santiago and the surrounding area, please contact your Turavion Travel Consultant.

Santa Lucia Hill
Santiago de Chile
Santiago and Cerro San Cristobal
Plaza de las Armas square in Santiago

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