For the seventh consecutive year, Chile has been named the best destination for adventure sports in South America; the country has also received the awards for Best Nature Destination and Best Green Destination since 2019. These awards, which position Chile as the premier destination for anyone wishing to explore adventure tourism, also raise an interesting question: What makes the Adventure Tourism in Chile so special?
Must-See Destinations
As a country bordered by several other countries, Chile offers an exceptionally rich diversity. Choosing this destination gives you the opportunity to visit the Andes mountain range and admire its peaks, discover its volcanoes and a geological heritage unique in the world, and explore its deserts and glaciers—all without having to cross any borders. Below, we highlight the attractions of some of these incredible destinations.
Patagonia
The subduction of the Andes Mountains in southern Chile gives rise to a very distinctive geomorphology, resulting from the continuous and unique movement of tectonic plates. This natural phenomenon has given rise to the archipelagos, steppes, mountains, fjords, volcanoes, and glaciers we see today; the latter constitute the largest reserve of freshwater after Antarctica.
For this and much more, Patagonia is the ideal destination for a wide range of adventure activities, which can be enjoyed from the Southern Route all the way to Tierra del Fuego.
Discover the experiences in Patagonia that await you.
Atacama
Did you know that when you visit Chile, you can explore the driest inhabited desert on the planet? The Atacama Desert covers an area of 105,000 km² and spans parts of Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. More than 11,000 years ago, this land was home to The Lincanantay culture—even today, you can visit the stunning landscapes that they themselves transformed into ceremonial sites, such as the Licancabur volcano. It’s during a hike through the Andean highlands that you’ll be able to see the lagoons, salt flats, and volcanoes overlooking the Atacama Desert, revealing its full grandeur. This destination is also the best place in the world for stargazing, Thanks to its perfect climatic conditions and geographical location, its sky accounts for 40% of global astronomical observations.
Altiplano
Nestled between Chile and Bolivia, at the very heart of the Andes, lies the imposing and mysterious Altiplano. Visiting this destination allows you to connect with the ancient Quechua and Aymara cultures and enter a unique mineral world. Its geological history offers visitors numerous natural wonders, including lakes, marshes, geysers, salt flats, and wetlands. It is also a major tourist attraction thanks to its indigenous flora—unique in the world—and its stunning wildlife, particularly for spotting condors, Andean flamingos, and vicuñas.
Unique Experiences
Thanks to the natural diversity that Chile has to offer, there is a wide range of adventure activities to choose from. At Tolhuin Expeditions, we strive to ensure that the adventure you experience through these activities and their surroundings is, above all, exactly what you want it to be—a unique experience that reflects who you are.
• Hiking and volcanoes: a chance to explore the fascinating world of volcanoes. These hikes are suitable for experienced hikers and include Mount Zoquete, Mount Copacoya, Guatin-Puritama, and Mount Lascar, among others.
• Hiking and Glaciers: Excursions that allow you to visit Patagonia’s most iconic glaciers, such as the Dientes de Navarino, the Cordillera del Avellano, Cumbre Castillo, Cerro San ValentÃn, the San Lorenzo Massif, and more.
• Adventure experiences: Whether in Atacama or Patagonia, we invite you to join us on a unique two-week adventure. What could be better than a hike in Patagonia across the steep slopes of the imposing Cerro Castillo, crossing the Leones and Nef glaciers, or canoeing down the Nef River—a tributary of the majestic Baker River—this adventure undoubtedly has more than one trick up its sleeve.
• Discovery: These experiences invite you to explore the natural landscapes that make up the Atacama Desert. The advantage of these adventures is that they require no prior hiking experience, so you don’t need to be an experienced hiker to participate, which allows almost anyone to explore the snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, and turquoise lagoons where you can see wonderful wildlife such as vicuñas and flamingos.
• Summit: These adventures are designed for anyone who enjoys mountain sports. With proper technical preparation and good physical conditioning, you can experience the ascent of an iconic peak in the Atacama Desert, such as the Láscar volcano, El Zoquete, Aucanquilcha, or Pili.
• Unlimited Expeditions: If you want to push your limits to the max on an unforgettable adventure, these expeditions are the perfect choice. They feature extended itineraries designed to introduce you to Chile’s most unique and wild places—whether in the Atacama region or in Patagonia, adventure is always on the horizon.
See also: Must-See Trekking Destinations in Patagonia
At Tolhuin Expeditions, we view the potential of Chile’s territory as part of the world’s heritage, and we invite adventurers to immerse themselves as fully as possible in the itineraries and expeditions that South America has to offer, while supporting the environment and local projects. The riches of these countries open the door to new achievements and unforgettable experiences. So don’t hesitate—explore these new trails, live the life you want to live—maybe an adventure awaits you in Chile!
