Local Spotlight: Q&A with our local experts in Chile

Discovery awaits you in Chile. Remote islands, rugged mountain highlands and bustling cities are a welcome invitation to anyone with a sense of adventure. We caught up with our local experts in Chile, George, Elisa, and Eduardo to discuss authentic Chilean food, boat deck dancing, and what you might find on a journey to one of South America’s greatest treasures.

What is life like in Chile?

With a length of 4300km, life in Chile can vary depending on where you’re based. The country’s capital, Santiago, has a bustling, fast-paced lifestyle with a lot of different activities to do. Many regions of Chile have a totally different, more relaxed pace of life. San Pedro de Atacama, nestled in Chile’s stunning mountainous highlands, is much quieter than Santiago. Less noise, less people, less stress.

What is your favourite place in Chile and why?

My favourite place in Chile is definitely Torres del Paine. It has beautiful landscapes and the best sunrise and sunset I’ve ever seen.

What three words most represent Chile for you?

Diversity, landscapes and discovery- Chile is home to mountains, deserts, forests, grasslands, glaciers, islands and big cities. Much of its landscape is unlike anywhere else on Earth and there are so many opportunities for discovery.

What is your favourite Chilean food?

My favourite Chilean food is “Empanada de pino”. A pastry filled with ground beef, finely chopped onion, cumin, chili pepper, black olive, a hard egg quarter, and optionally one or two raisins. You can find it most places you go and it is our traditional food during the September independence holidays.

Do you know any cool facts about Chile that most people wouldn’t know?

Definitely! First of all, Chile has the largest annual fireworks show in all of South America. The city of Valparaiso is famed for its New Year’s Pyrotechnic Festival. Chile is also the 5th largest wine exporter in the world and has over 100 wineries. In terms of wildlife, penguins can be found in several areas along Chile’s coastline, including the Seno Otway Penguin Colony near Punta Arenas. Humboldt penguins can also be found on the north coast of Chile

Finally, and perhaps most interesting of all, there’s the Atacama desert. Atacama is the driest desert in the world – parts of it haven’t seen a drop of rain since records began!

What are the experiences people travelling to Chile definitely shouldn’t miss?

When visiting Chile you should definitely taste the food. The seafood at Mercado Central is especially good when washed down with a bottle of Chilean wine!

There is also so much natural beauty to discover. Forgotten civilisations in Orongo village on Easter Island, majestic waterfalls on the Petrohué River and stargazing in the high deserts near San Pedro de Atacama.

What is the story behind your company? What inspired you to start the business?

It began with three college classmates – walking, kayaking or cycling to discover unknown corners of Chile. We wanted to nurture that same hunger for discovery in those that travelled to Chile. That passion has stayed with us over the years and has driven us to be a company that offer the best and most authentic experiences of Chile.

What have been your favourite and most memorable experiences as a tour operator?

A memorable experience was taking a group of 140 people on a 5-day trip to Puerto Natales. I remember eating lunch, drinking fine wine and tablecloths fluttering in the Patagonian wind – it was so picturesque. As we navigated our boat to the glaciers, we played music and people of all ages began dancing on the deck. I’ll never forget it -we still reminisce about that journey years later!

What’s next for you guys?

We are completely focused on innovation:, new destinations, new services, and new products. In 2016 we also increased our focus on outdoor education and event management and we’re hoping to carry that forwards.

And we’ve got ask – do you have a dream holiday destination that you want to visit?

Definitely Thailand. The country is so rich in history, full of places to discover and beautiful landscapes to admire.

Make it happen

Fancy getting to know Chile for yourself? Fill out an enquiry form or check out our destination pages for more information!