Tailor-made holidays in Chile

Chile is the most ridiculously shaped country. It is long, almost 3000 miles long in fact, and very thin, 265 miles at its widest point, but averaging a width of only 100 miles. Chile is longer than the United States of America is wide and it would take you eight days to drive its length. The differences between the north and south of the country, plus the sheer variety of its landscapes - are incredible. The potential for a tailor-made holiday of contrasts is taken to the extreme here. Ideally, your tailor-made Chilean holiday should include a visit to 'Rapa Nui' or Easter Island. A province of Chile, Easter Island is 3,790 km and a 5 hour flight away from Santiago.

Visas
UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter Chile, but your passport should have at least six months validity remaining after the date of return travel.

When to go
It is possible to visit Chile all year round. When the weather is rather average in the southern extremities (July and August) then this is the perfect time to hit the ski slopes further north in the country or venture up to the Atacama desert.

The Atacama Desert sees virtually no rain and can be visited at any time of year. The high summer days of December, January & February will be hot.

Santiago and the Central area of Chile has what can almost be described as a Mediterranean climate and is best in the spring (September - November) or in autumn (February- April).

The Lake District and the far south are best seen in the summer months; November until March.
Don't rule out Patagonia, it is a true winter wonderland from June to September and often calmer than in the summer months when the wind often blows strongly.

The climate on Easter Island is sub-tropical with warm weather in general and short sharp bursts of very heavy rain. The rainy season is March to October (wettest in May, when torrential rain can fall, although usually in short bursts). The coldest month is generally August and warmest is probably February.

Click here to obtain the official word on the weather in Chile from the BBC.

Getting there