Chilein 3DChoose Your Chi le

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Introduction

Chile is diverse. It’s landscapes, climates, ecology; there’s not

much in this country that doesn’t surprise and delight. You

could be skiing down mountains one day and sand boarding in the Atacama desert the next. In the country’s winter months

especially,

As the crowds disappear and the snow falls in the highlands,

the country becomes so much more authentic. More real.

Which is why we want you to know about it. To experience

it first hand, at a time of year few people realise is a time of

perfection. A time that can offer a huge variety of experience.

To help you come to grips with Chile’s sheer diversity, we’ve

decided to look at the country from a few different angles.

Class yourself as a bit of a buccaneer? A bit of an adventurous

trend-setter? Then our bespoke itinerary and insightful guides

to the country’s most adrenaline inducing experiences are

sure to inspire you. However, if you happen to be more of a

wandering free-spirit, whose passions lie in culture and natural

beauty, we’ve got a whole section of in-depth guides to a side of Chile that’s best suited to you.

Chile really comes into its own.

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Chile deserves so much more than a gener ic wri te-up, so we’ve tr ied to paint as ful l a picture of this South American gem as best we can. This isn’t a Chile you’ve read about in brochures or seen on billboards.

This is Chile...

in 3D

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The BuccaneerAre you forever in pursuit of your next outdoor

adventure? Is it adrenaline that fuels you? A true challenge that excites

you? When you think of Chile, is it the

opportunity for adventure that first springs to

mind? The mountains, the desert, the jungles…

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Does this sound like you?

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As a free-spirit you appreciate the raw beauty of

nature. The more untouched a destination, the

more you connect with it. The more unique the

landscapes and the cultures, the more it sticks

in your mind and changes your perceptions of

the world. It’s a powerful thing to be a free-spirit , but as you

travel further, you struggle to discover places

that enrich you. But there’s no need to look

any further than Chile and pages 11 to 15 of this digital guide.

The Free Sp ir it

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So you’re an adventurer.

Always the first to sign up to adrenaline inducing activities and always on the lookout for your next

intrepid travel destination. We’ve mentioned already that Chile is the perfect choice for your next

voyage, but to really convince you, we’ve decided to highlight a few of the country’s most exciting

experiences. They’re perfect for the adventurer.

Sand board in the Atacama DesertComing to Chile in its winter season does not mean you have to miss out

on some of the country’s most epic landscapes. Whilst there is a wealth

of snowy slopes and ice glaciers to enjoy, you can still explore Chile’s

‘Death Valley’, also known as the Atacama Desert. For all you thrill-

seekers, there is only one way to truly enjoy this fiery red desert, and

that’s with a spot of sandboarding. Grab a seat in a private sand buggy

and begin your speedy and bumpy journey into Death Valley. Once you’re

at the top of a gigantic dune, you’ll be strapped onto your sand board and

can begin your descent. Take in the view as you glide down the dunes and

do your best to reach top speed.

A buccaneer.

Our Top 3 AdventurousExperiences in Chile

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Ice climb frozen waterfalls in Yerba Loca

Ever seen a frozen waterfall? If you have, you’ll probably remember the

feeling of wanting to get up close and admire its glistening beauty. We

know for all you adventurous buccaneers, taking a couple of snapshots

just isn’t enough. So, how about climbing up one of these frozen giants?

Just one hour’s drive from Santiago you’ll find yourself in the National

reserve of Yerba Loca. In the winter months, this reserve has been

known to house over 50 frozen waterfalls for explorers to sink their ice

picks into. With an expert guide close at hand, get your gear on and

make your way to one of the many towering icy rocks and waterfalls

and begin your climb.

Our Top 3 AdventurousExperiences in Chile

Heli-Ski in the Central Chilean Andes

Picture this, one million acres of untouched

Chilean snow. Sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? And

for all the keen skiers amongst you, these are the

kind of slopes you’ll want to be gliding down,

off-piste. Luckily for you, experiencing the unique

feeling of making those first tracks in untouched

snow is completely possible. All you’ve got to do

is jump in (and out of) a helicopter. Heli skiing

combines a stunning and exhailarating helicopter

ride over the vast and breath-taking Chilean

Mountains with fast-paced skiing over fresh

powder. Make this more than a day trip and stay

in one of Chile’s luxurious boutique lodges that

reside just moments away from Heli Ski terrain.

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Discover Epic Terrain

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Stretching up the western coast of South America, Chile is tall, skinny, and home

to a huge diversity of terrain. There are a lot of reasons to fall in love with this

country, but it’s the unique and exciting geography that gets us every time. Deserts,

mountains, coast, salt plains, glaciers, forests, islands, lakes, volcanoes – the list of

natural wonders is as long as the country itself. Perhaps not surprising in a place

that covers three different continents. To get to grips with the extraordinarily

varied landscape in this beautiful bit of

the world, here’s a little intro to the

sort of terrain that could provide you

with

the Atacama DesertThe Atacama Desert is the driest of its kind. Imagine

standing in the middle of a great expanse of barren sand and

stone terrain, with nothing but miles of deserts landscape

as far as the eye can see? It’s almost otherworldly, and

the list of sandy adventures you can have here are endless.

Hike through the Valle de la Luna to see the weird and

wonderful salt, sand and stone formations that decorate

the desert, or hop on a bike and explore little towns

such as San Pedro de Atacama before heading out into

the Wilderness. There are many ways to see this unique

desert, so there’s really no excuse not to.

your next adventure.

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Discover Epic Terrain

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chilean patagoniaThe southernmost tip of South America

is shared by Argentina and Chile. To

reach the end of its Chilean counterpart

is like finding yourself at the end of the

earth; next stop Antarctica. Dramatic,

jagged snow-capped mountains reach out

of a lush carpet of deep green and blue.

Explore Chilean Patagonia by horseback

and you will feel the full force of this

ethereal experience, with its breath-taking

views everywhere you go. Remote, vast

and untameable. Three words that suit the

buccaneer perfectly.

THE CHILEAN ANDESThe Andes is the longest mountain range in the world.

Incredibly long and incredibly high, yes, it is as

spectacular as it sounds. What’s more, the Andes offer as

much a diversity of experience as Chile itself. Seeing as

the mountains stretch from north to south, depending on

which part of the country you’re in, you could be gazing

upon frozen lakes 4000 meters above sea level, traversing

ancient sand dunes, heli skiing down otherwise inaccessible

slopes or hiking to incredible peaks. What more could

an adventurer want from a natural phenomenon, really?

your next adventure.

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From the Buccaneer...

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...to the Free Spirit

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A Cultural Events Guide

we’ve identified that one of your biggest passions lies in

getting to know cultures so far removed from your own. Cultures that thrive in environments alien

to you in countries that fascinate and delight you. Here at Black Tomato, we’re big advocates of

getting involved in the local events scene when it comes to getting accustomed to different cultures

– so much so that we often plan our trips around a country’s festival calendar. So, just in-case you’re

thinking of doing the same, here’s three of

As a free sp ir it

Chile’s most authentic events over their

winter period.

F I ESTA DE SAN PEDRO Each June, the fishing boats along the length and breadth

of the Chile are transformed by their owners into decorated

vessels of worship in the name of their patron saint – Saint

Peter. It’s not just the boats that become a riot of colour,

however. Travel down to San Pedro de Atacama and you’ll find

a town celebrating its namesake with gusto. Expect traditional

music and dancing and an endless supply of local cuisine. The

remote location of San Pedro has ensured its authenticity over

the years, so this is an ideal celebration for you.

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LA T IRANA A celebration that occurs every July, La Tirana

is Chile’s largest localised religious celebration

and thus one you won’t want to miss. Held

in the town of La Tirana in the far north

of Chile, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims

journey to this remote location for festivities

that are held in worship of Our Lady of

Mount Carmel, otherwise known as Virgen

del Carmen. The streets of La Tirana become

illuminated by the colourful clothes of locals,

dancers and dedicated visitors. The atmosphere

is incredible and the joy of all those that take

part permeable. A great insight into the belief

systems of an ardently religious country, you’ll

be left both charmed and humbled.

CARNAVAL DE INV IERNOIn defiance of the sub-Antarctic winter that descends

upon the city of Punta Arenas throughout the months of

June, July and August, the Carnaval de Invierno brings

some colour back into Chilean life with a number of

parades and spectacular firework displays every July. A

winter carnival of music, dance and elaborate parade

floats; you’ll forget the cold for a little while and enjoy

a warm and energetic side to Chile that the locals keep

alive all year round with passion. Chilean culture is

incredibly vibrant and there is no better example of this

than Carnaval de Invierno. Be sure to get involved.

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Chile’s Cultural HighlightsChile is a country that holds the ability to nurture and delight the free spirits amongst us. From

the country’s spectacular mountain ranges, infamous national parks, endless valleys and sweeping

sand dunes to its vibrant cultural identity, Chile is the perfect representation of a destination that

has remained largely untouched by mass tourism. It’s a country in which one can truly get lost, a

country in which total cultural immersion is completely possible. Now, as a free spirit, we’re certain

this is exactly the sort of destination you’ve been looking for. With all of this in mind,we’ve hand-

picked a few experiences we’re sure you’ll love. A little list to whet your appetite:

here’s our top 3 experiencesin Chile for the free spirit.

UNCOVER CHILE’S ARTS SCENETouch down in Santiago and you’ll be in the cultural hub of

the country. Surrounded by dramatic, snow-capped mountains

and boasting beautiful architecture and a cosmopolitan vibe,

it’s little wonder the city has inspired so many artistic souls..

Moving away from the many silent galleries and pristine

works of art, we’ll take you to the outer neighbourhoods of

Santiago and into local’s territory where we’ll introduce you

to the gritty beauty of the capital’s street art. Wandering

down these authentic streets, you’ll come face to face with

some incredible works that are sure to leave you feeling

inspired and slightly humbled.

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EAT LIKE A LOCALAs with most countries around the world,

much of Chile’s identity can be gleaned from

its cuisine, so a cooking class (where you get

to eat the fruits of your labour at the end) is

of course a must-try. Valparaiso is fast moving

towards the forefront of Chilean cuisine, so

we’re convinced this is the perfect setting for

such an experience. Wave goodbye to the busy

restaurants and smoking road-side stalls for a

while and instead embark on a shopping trip

to one of this seaport’s local markets with an

expert local chef to guide you. Discuss menu

choices as you weave between endless stands

of fresh and exotic ingredients that are sure to

inspire you. When you’ve agreed on your menu,

pick out your ingredients and transport them

back to a kitchen that will be yours for the day.

Here you’ll be let in on the secrets of how to

perfectly prepare a classic Chilean dish. ENTER

THE WILDERNESSThe local communities of Patagonia are understandably

passionate about the delicate beauty of their

surroundings, so why not join them as they strive to

conserve their national parks and educate themselves on

the future of their environment? Yes you’ll be working

hard, but nothing will feel more rewarding than

working towards a common goal with a community so

far removed from the ones you know back home. It’s an

added bonus that you’ll be surrounded by incredible,

untouched landscapes every day as you join forces with

the locals and gain a true insight into life in wild

Patagonia. Take in the fresh Chilean air, get stuck in

and be part of a national movement to preserve and

enhance this beautiful country.

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