LODGECERROGUIDO, TORRESDELPAINEThis is a perfect place for keen horse riders toexperience Patagonia and see parts of thenational park that very few people are likely toexperience. Located close to the Argentineborder, and indeed feeling like something of anoutpost, the lodge has seven comfortable rooms and a restaurant with stunning viewsacross the park. OTHERACCOMMODATIONOPTIONS, TORRESDELPAINEAside from the accommodation mentionedabove, which we have chosen for either theuniqueness of their setting or service, there areother choices that offer comfortable and cosyaccommodation and are good bases from whichto explore the area. Our recommendationsinclude Hotel Las Torres, Hosteria Lago Grey(with its spectacular views over the lake andglacier of the same name), the small andwelcoming Cabañas del Paine and Rio Serrano.Easter IslandOut in the Pacific Ocean, a five hour flight westfrom the Chilean mainland, lies a tiny speck ofvolcanic rock. This is Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as it is known to the locals, a place that hasfascinated traveller and scholars alike for centuries.This is due to the squat bodies and broodingfaces of hundreds of stone statues or 'moai' that gaze from all corners of the island. A threeor four night trip to this intriguing destinationmeans coming face to face with these moai,admiring their form and size and pondering themysteries of why and how they were erected.The population centres on the small town ofHanga Roa in the southwest of the island, fromwhere you can explore the island with a guide, or independently, and by hire car, foot or onhorseback, depending on your preferences and budget.ACCOMMODATIONONEASTERISLANDThere are a range of accommodation options on Easter Island. The most luxurious choice is theyoungest of the Explora properties, Explora RapaNui. Set on a hill that faces the sea in the southwest of the island, five kilometres from the townof Hanga Roa. Volcanic rock from the island andwood from the mainland have been used in theconstruction of the property, which has 30 guestrooms branching off from the living and diningareas. There's also a bar, massage salon and anopen-air pool. The Hanga Roa Eco Village & Spais another luxurious option, whilst cheaperproperties include the Iorana, Otai and Gomero.These hotels are without luxurious trimmings, butare friendly and relaxed properties, all located inand around Hanga Roa.www.audleytravel.com/chile ?01993 838 640 ?Chile113Isla NavarinoThe island of Isla Navarino lies at the far southern tip of Chile, a place that throughouthistory has been a safe haven for countless ships,limping in to gather strength for, or recover from, sailing around Cape Horn. Today's visitorsare more likely to be adventurous travellerslooking for somewhere utterly remote to trek and spot wildlife, and have a drink in the world'smost southerly pub in Puerto Williams, theworld's most southerly permanent settlement(outside of Antarctica). Isla Navarino is reachedby a short flight (or long ferry trip) from PuntaArenas, and accommodation is at Lakutaia, arustic but comfortable lodge from where you can explore the very end of the world.Explora Rapa NuiMoai, Easter IslandGuanaco, Torres del Paine National ParkLago Gray, Torres del Paine National Park

114Classic ChileThis itinerary takes in the country's most famoushighlights in two weeks. A treat for those with alove of the great outdoors, this trip takes you tothe Atacama Desert for a chance to see volcanoes,salt flats and geysers before flying south to thecontrasting landscape of the Lake District with itsrolling hills and snow-capped mountains. Finallyventure into Chilean Patagonia with a stay in theunique Torres del Paine National Park.Day 1Fly from the UK to Chile.Day 2Arrive in Santiago. Optionalafternoon city tour.Day 3Fly north to Calama, and transfer to the oasis village of San Pedro de Atacama.Days 4-5Excursions around the stark butbeautiful Atacama Desert.Day 6Fly south to Puerto Montt in Chile'sLake District. Transfer to your hotelin the lakeside town of Puerto Varas.Day 7A full day excursion to visit Peullaand the waterfalls at Petrohue.Days 8-9At leisure to explore the Lake District.Day 10Fly south to Punta Arenas fromwhere you'll begin your journey intoTorres del Paine National Park.Days 11-12Excursions into Torres del Paine, by foot, horse or vehicle. Day 13Fly from Punta Arenas back toSantiago. Spend your last night inChile in the city.Day 14Begin your journey home.Day 15Arrive in the UK.Stay longerAfter a busy trip like this you may wish to havesome rest and relaxation on a beach, for this werecommend stopping in Brazil on the way home.Fly to São Paulo and then transfer to one of thesmall hotels dotted along the golden sands of theGreen Coast (see page 62).CalamaPuerto MonttPunta ArenasSantiagoCHILEARGENTINALago Gray, Torres del Paine National ParkTailoring your tripThe itineraries shown are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible, and are routes thatwork particularly well. We can use these as abasis to plan your trip or can design a completelydifferent itinerary to suit your tastes and interests.Please call one of our Chile specialists to startplanning your itinerary.Telephone: 01993 838 640Getting aroundTravel around such an unusually-shaped countrydoes present some challenges with regard todistances and logistics. We will advise you on theideal sequence in which to organise your trip,according to internal flight schedules, climate,departure days of cruises or entry days of hotels,if applicable. The flight network is extensive andkeeps to a good timetable.Trips from ChileThe mysterious stone statues of Easter Island lie a five hour flight from Chile. We can organisethree or four night trips here (depending on theflight schedules) from Santiago, where the flightsdepart from. Once you are on the island we can arrange excursions with specialist guides, or car hire if you wish to explore under your own steam.The fascinating Falkland Islands lie in the SouthAtlantic, an hour's flight from Punta Arenas insouthern Chile. At present there is one flight aweek to and from Chile and Mount Pleasant, the international airport in the Falkland Islands.They make a wonderful extension to any trip toChile, as they are teeming with wildlife includingpenguins, sea lions, elephant seals and a widevariety of marine birds (see pages 116-119).Cowboys, southern PatagoniaWhen to go??The best time to travel.?A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of.~Travel is possible, but this is not the best time of year.?Travel is not recommended.As befits a country that spans a range of latitudes,Chile has many different climatic regions. TheAtacama and sub-tropical Easter Island are warmand dry throughout the year. From Santiagodown to the Lake District and on down throughPatagonia the seasons are the reverse of our own, with the peak travel season from Octoberto April, although the area can also be visited all year round. Time difference:GMT-4 hoursFlight time from UK:16 hoursPricesWe offer trips to cater for a wide range ofbudgets. You can find up-to-date guideline pricesfor your trip to Chile on our website, alternativelyplease call our specialists to discuss your plans.JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec??????????????????Torres del Paine