Chile
Looking for adventure travel tours in Chile? Click link below to find more about the professional guided treks and tours we offer.
Country
South of Peru, the Andes cordillera presents the strangest landscapes of the planet. The Royal cordillera, the last "alpine" cordillera, gives way to a formidable volcano chain dominating the vastness of multicolored deserts, unimaginable blue lakes and infinite salty lands. In the middle of the immense Altiplano, at an average of 12,000 feet; lives the largest Indian population of South America, sauntering between volcanoes and deserts with their lamas and alpaca herds. Each community is different, with its own customs, costumes, music and art. It is to by taking you along to discover these landscapes, one more dazzling than the other, and these rich Andean traditions, that we could not possibly stop promoting these extraordinary areas. So, do not hesitate any longer...follow us!
Highlights
- A choice of trips, from initial discovery on up to the summits
- Extremely effective logistics with a specialized adventure travel partner.
- Private transportation adapted to the terrain (bus, minibus or 4x4 vehicles, according to the need); four passengers per vehicle in Bolivia
- Guaranteed departure with 4 participants.
Climate
Depending upon the traversed areas, the possibility of traveling in the Central Andes all year round.
- The Atacama desert, desert of altitude in the North of Chile, and South Lípez in south Bolivia are some of the driest places on earth with extremely weak precipitation averaging 0.4 to 0.8 inches of rain per year: we travel there all year round. From December to March, however (a period that is named "Bolivian winter" although it is the summer), the risk for precipitation exists, in particular on the Bolivian side, that can sometimes, lead to certain route modifications, in particular if a salted lake is flooded.
- Close to the Sierra Mountains, at the Bolivia-Peruvian border, climate is of the Peruvian type: increase in precipitation. We travel during the dry, southern winter, its season being from May to September. We avoid trips in this zone during the southern summer, wet season.
To note:
- When you leave the United States in summer (from May to September), you arrive in the winter in the Central Andes. The weather can be extremely cold, even if you travel in the desert, particular in June and July,the heart of southern winter, due to the average altitude being very high. At night, temperatures can drop to 5°Fahrenheit (at 13,000 feet) and lower, although temps remain largely above 30 during the day. On a very positive side, splendid lights and sparkling landscapes abound during this time.
- During the southern summer, from October to March, pleasant temperatures during the day can climb to higher than 68 °Fahrenheit, but colder nights around 32 and 41°Farhenheit at 13,000 feet.
- The Atacama desert, desert of altitude in the North of Chile, and South Lípez in south Bolivia are some of the driest places on earth with extremely weak precipitation averaging 0.4 to 0.8 inches of rain per year: we travel there all year round. From December to March, however (a period that is named "Bolivian winter" although it is the summer), the risk for precipitation exists, in particular on the Bolivian side, that can sometimes, lead to certain route modifications, in particular if a salted lake is flooded.
- Close to the Sierra Mountains, at the Bolivia-Peruvian border, climate is of the Peruvian type: increase in precipitation. We travel during the dry, southern winter, its season being from May to September. We avoid trips in this zone during the southern summer, wet season.
To note:
- When you leave the United States in summer (from May to September), you arrive in the winter in the Central Andes. The weather can be extremely cold, even if you travel in the desert, particular in June and July,the heart of southern winter, due to the average altitude being very high. At night, temperatures can drop to 5°Fahrenheit (at 13,000 feet) and lower, although temps remain largely above 30 during the day. On a very positive side, splendid lights and sparkling landscapes abound during this time.
- During the southern summer, from October to March, pleasant temperatures during the day can climb to higher than 68 °Fahrenheit, but colder nights around 32 and 41°Farhenheit at 13,000 feet.
Profile
| Population | 9 million habitants in Bolivia (American Indian 62%, Mulatto 30%, Creole 8%) 16.5 million habitants in Chile |
| Surface | 424,163 square miles in Bolivia, 292,183 square miles in Chile |
| Capital | Sucre in Bolivia, Santiago in Chle |
| Main Cities |
La Paz (economic capital of Bolivia), Potosi, Uyuni Bolivian cities |
| Peaks |
Sajama (21,463 feet, Bolivia), Ojos del Salado (22,585 feet, Chile) |
| Official Language |
Spanish is dominant |
| Religion | Very old religious practices (areas of Bolivian mountain) |
| Head of the state | Evo Morals (Bolivia), Michelle Bachelet (Chile) |
| Political Status | Republic in Bolivia, Democratic Republic in Chile |
| Time Shift |
Currencies
In Bolivia, the national currency is the Boliviano (BOB)
In Chile, the national currency is the Chileans Peso (CLP)
Exchange Rate in 2007 (indicative course): - 1 USD=7,8 BOB - 1 USD = 5,25 CLP approximately
Which currencies to carry and where to exchange?
Take dollars, preferably, in small increments ($50 maximum). Credit cards are accepted and there are ATM machines in Santiago and in the main cities.
In Chile, the national currency is the Chileans Peso (CLP)
Exchange Rate in 2007 (indicative course): - 1 USD=7,8 BOB - 1 USD = 5,25 CLP approximately
Which currencies to carry and where to exchange?
Take dollars, preferably, in small increments ($50 maximum). Credit cards are accepted and there are ATM machines in Santiago and in the main cities.
Travel Warnings
As an organizer of worldwide trips, Mountain World Travel is concerned for our guest's safety and security. We always keep ourselves up to date with current travel warnings and always consider the government safety advices while organizing and preparing our different trips.
Please double check on the official government website regarding each country's warnings.
US Government Travel Advices
Please double check on the official government website regarding each country's warnings.
US Government Travel Advices
Our Story
In our early beginnings, Mountain World Travel went to the central Andes, in particular, to organize expeditions to the Royale cordillera summits. In Chile, Philippe, of French origin, is a character: not satisfied with having climbed all of the "20,000 footers in the country, he recently climbed Everest in the company of a female team, recruited primarily through his collaborators. This is just additional proof of his knowledge of the mountains and his capability of organizing trips.
A Political exile, a refugee in various countries, Oscar was brought to work in the tourist sector, particularly in Peru. He returns to Bolivia, due to his sensitivity of the development of the agricultural communities of his country and decides to try to improve Bolivian living conditions through tourism. He becomes the adventure voyages pioneer in his country. Oscar seeks to find work for everyone wherever he goes. He shares different tasks between communities in order to generate a source of income for each habitant. His brothers also work at his sides as a driver. For all of the above, we have chosen Oscar to organize all of our trips in Bolivia! An Enthusiastic defender of the Andean culture, he transmits his knowledge and his passion to the Bolivian guides whom he trains.
A Political exile, a refugee in various countries, Oscar was brought to work in the tourist sector, particularly in Peru. He returns to Bolivia, due to his sensitivity of the development of the agricultural communities of his country and decides to try to improve Bolivian living conditions through tourism. He becomes the adventure voyages pioneer in his country. Oscar seeks to find work for everyone wherever he goes. He shares different tasks between communities in order to generate a source of income for each habitant. His brothers also work at his sides as a driver. For all of the above, we have chosen Oscar to organize all of our trips in Bolivia! An Enthusiastic defender of the Andean culture, he transmits his knowledge and his passion to the Bolivian guides whom he trains.
Some Useful Words
In Bolivia, Spanish, Quechua and Aymara are the 3 official languages. They are also spoken in North Chile. Almost all of the Central Andes population speaks Spanish. Learning some Spanish key words will enable you to gain the respect of your interlocutors and to facilitate your exchanges with the people of Bolivia and Chile.
Do not hesitate to use the following expressions:
Hello, how are you? : Buenos días, cómo está?
Very well, thank you: muy bien, gracias
Please: por favor
Thank you: gracias
Goodbye: Hasta luego
Yes: sí - Not: No
Excuse me: discúlpeme
You can ask your guide how to pronounce them; your voyage will only be richer by your attempting to speak the local language!
And smile, it is often the best means of having good contacts!
Do not hesitate to use the following expressions:
Hello, how are you? : Buenos días, cómo está?
Very well, thank you: muy bien, gracias
Please: por favor
Thank you: gracias
Goodbye: Hasta luego
Yes: sí - Not: No
Excuse me: discúlpeme
You can ask your guide how to pronounce them; your voyage will only be richer by your attempting to speak the local language!
And smile, it is often the best means of having good contacts!
Respect of Customs and Habits
American Indians constitute the most deprived class of the central Andes: peasants of the Bolivian sierra are moving in increasing numbers towards the urban poles. The current situation in Bolivia is difficult and tends to exclude all unemployed persons. The society thus becomes bipolar: one one side, a huge poor mass and a middle class which is reduced to poverty; and on the other side, a middle-class of businesses and guaranteed employment.
To best respect the local populations, their traditions, cultures and religions:
- Avoid taking photographs of people, unless you asked their permission.
- The concept of time is not the same in the central Andes as in the USA: do not take offense if there are delays in appointments or schedules.
Our partner in Bolivia, Oscar's advice:
- Bolivian people are interested in subjects that are often considered taboo or private in Western culture: don't be surprised if someone asks you whether you are married, if you have children or how much money you make.
- Catholic or Animism religion occupie an important place in the life of the majority of Bolivians. It is unadvisable to proclaim your atheism or to deny superstition, which remains deeply rooted in their society.
To best respect the local populations, their traditions, cultures and religions:
- Avoid taking photographs of people, unless you asked their permission.
- The concept of time is not the same in the central Andes as in the USA: do not take offense if there are delays in appointments or schedules.
Our partner in Bolivia, Oscar's advice:
- Bolivian people are interested in subjects that are often considered taboo or private in Western culture: don't be surprised if someone asks you whether you are married, if you have children or how much money you make.
- Catholic or Animism religion occupie an important place in the life of the majority of Bolivians. It is unadvisable to proclaim your atheism or to deny superstition, which remains deeply rooted in their society.
Some Advice
Is there a risk in traveling to the Central Andes?
Bolivia, Chile and Argentina remain safe countries in general, if a minimum of precautions are taken. We advise you, for example, to avoid, as far as possible, carrying valuable articles. The theft risk exists. It is appropriate NOT to flash one's wealth, to be vigilant in the attended places (markets, downtown areas...) and to leave money and valuable in the safes at the hotels. Don't hesitate to ask your guide which places one should be particularly attentive to and the areas that one should avoid.
Electrical Plugs
US electrical devices are not compatible with most Chilean electrical plugs, except in the city of La Paz, where plugs are 110 volts.
We recommend that you carry an adapter, because the plugs are 220/230 volts, as in Europe.
Does Trekking in the central Andes require particular precautions?
We recommend that you be very well equipped for all of the trips in these extreme countries. Altitudes are very high and you are likely to suffer from the cold without adapted equipment, in particular during the southern winter (from June to September). If you respect this advice, you will easily be able to appreciate your trip and to enjoy the beauty of the landscapes, because the cold is dry and not wet/humid.
In which countries can one find the most interesting souvenirs?
It is in Bolivia where the craft industry is the richest and most abundant: wool articles, musical instruments, jewels, minerals, etc. Chile's craft industry is not as extensive.
Safeguarding the Environment
Chile is equipped with an important network of natural reserves, which protect the fauna and very diversified flora. On the other hand, the respect of the environment is not yet a major concern in the poorer Bolivian part of the central Andes. You will surely encounter there, gracious vicunas or guanacos, wild species close to the LAMA, pink flamingos and viscaches (small rodents that live in high altitudes).
We count on you:
- Not to seek to approach these animals too close;
- In order to not leave your garbage behind you, please remember to always carry with you a little bag for your personal waste: bring it back to the next hotel or camp
- Separate your waste: do not to leave behind those very polluting items such as batteries, etc... but, instead, bring them back home with you, as there is no recycling for this type of material in Chile
- In the camp sites, use the toilets or toilet-tents; if there are not any, move yourself away from water sources. In nature, burn, without creating a fire hazard, your toilet paper after use.
We count on you:
- Not to seek to approach these animals too close;
- In order to not leave your garbage behind you, please remember to always carry with you a little bag for your personal waste: bring it back to the next hotel or camp
- Separate your waste: do not to leave behind those very polluting items such as batteries, etc... but, instead, bring them back home with you, as there is no recycling for this type of material in Chile
- In the camp sites, use the toilets or toilet-tents; if there are not any, move yourself away from water sources. In nature, burn, without creating a fire hazard, your toilet paper after use.
