Chile Editor Picks

Whether backpacking the circuit, kayaking along deep fjords, trekking across Glacier Grey, or touring the park on horseback, experiencing this region's craggy mountain vistas, brilliant spectrum of lakes, and fascinating wildlife is exhilarating.

In port city Valparaiso, take the Espíritu Santo funicular (corner of Aldunate and Huito streets) to the top of Cerro Bellavista. Here, among winding hillside streets lined with colorful tin houses, beautiful murals adorn walls and staircases.

For the ultimate adrenaline rush and breathtaking views at every step, traverse ash and ice to reach the crater of this 9,300-foot smoking volcano. Operator Politur leads tours from Pucón.

Scramble up a sand dune in this lunar-like landscape in the sprawling Reserva Nacional los Flamencos for dramatic sunset views. The sun’s glow lights up the Salt Mountains as it fades against a purple desert sky.

Chile’s national cocktail, the pisco sour, derives from grapes grown in this semi-arid mountain country. Capel is the major producer, but the smaller 3R distillery near idyllic Pisco Elqui offers more personalized tours.

Any of Chile’s nine major resorts are worthy of carving tracks, but professional-caliber Portillo near Santiago is a real standout.

Head to this plaza for a taste of Chilean culture Pisco Elqui – children eating ice cream, old men playing chess, and friends and families gathered on benches. Nearby, the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art houses ancient treasures.

This terraced park features a zoo, botanical garden, pools and playgrounds. Ride the gondola up to Cerro San Cristóbal’s summit where a giant Virgin Mary statue and sweeping Santiago views await.