Chile At a Glance
Chile is one of the most fascinating
gap year destinations. Nowhere else can you stand in the
world's driest desert (near San Pedro de Atacama), gaze at snowcapped peaks then turn your
head to see cool Pacific rollers creaming inland. For
gap year travellers who have been
fascinated by geography, this long, impossibly thin line of Chile has always produced a
moment of astonishment. The longest country in the world, Chile is a country of startling
contrasts and extreme beauty, with attractions ranging from the towering volcanic peaks of
the Andes to the ancient forests of the Lake District. There are a multitude of very good parks
here, and plenty of opportunities for fine
gap year adventure travel. Chile is justly famous as
the location of Torres del Paine, considered by many to be the finest nature travel
destinations in all of South America.
No
gap year traveller in Chile can miss the amazing landscape of this wonderful country. The
most obvious factor in Chile's remarkable slenderness is the massive, virtually impassable wall
of the Andes, a mountain range that is still rising and that contains more than fifty active
volcanic peaks. The western border is of course the Pacific Ocean. To the north the land rises
and becomes more arid, until one reaches the forbidding Atacama Desert, one of the most
inhospitable regions on earth. In the centre of the country, however, is a long and expansive
river valley, a five hundred mile corridor occupied in the north by vineyards and great farms
and in the south by primeval forests and enchanting lakes. Santiago, the capital, anchors the
northern and more prosperous section of the central valley. The lush Lake District to the
south, however, is the homeland of Chile's indigenous peoples, the Araucanians.
Chile's intoxicating wilderness is complemented by its sophisticated cities, developed
infrastructure, a gripping history and a fast-evolving culture. All of which combines
to make
gap year travel here reassuringly easy, always inspiring, often surprising and never,
ever disappointing.
Chile's climate is as diverse as its geography. Santiago, due to its position in
the central region, has a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. Spring,
between September and November is mild. Summer, between December and February, is
dry and hot with temperatures that can reach over 30°C (87º F) and cooling down
at night. and on the coast this temperature drop can be much more extreme.
On the coast and in the mountains the difference in temperature is much more extreme.
Autumn falls between March and May, and temperatures decrease gradually. In winter,
mornings are cold, some as low as -2º C (28º F) and although the temperature rises
at midday it rarely exceeds 15°C.
Things to do
At weekends, gap year volunteers in Chile tend to go down to the lively small town of Vicuña, which has museums
and some inexpensive restaurants, or seek the brighter lights of La Serena. Important
both historically and economically, the seaside city of La Serena is a popular focus
of tourism and the centre of a fertile fruit growing region, particularly papayas,
custard apples (chirimoyas) and grapes. It is one of Chile's oldest post-Columbian
cities and has a number of museums as well as its beautiful beaches.
More ambitious long weekend destinations might include Santiago, Valparaiso and
Viña del Mar. For the adventurous gap year travellers, and those able to endure long bus journeys, are
the Atacama Desert in the North of Chile, and the lively Argentine city of Mendoza
over the Andes.
A gap year in Chile will leave you astounded with the landscapes and natural beauty it has to
offer. Here's a sneak peak for you to plan our your travel during your gap year in Chile.
Valparaíso: Valparaíso is one of the most atmospheric port cities in Latin
America - a city with sinuous hills and a labyrinth of precipitous streets and colourful
clapboard houses that inspired the poet Pablo Neruda.
Chile's Lake District: Chile's beautiful Lake District is made up of national
parks that offer staggeringly lovely views of ancient monkey puzzle trees, pristine
alpine lakes and perfectly shaped volcanoes.
Parque Nacional Lauca: Parque Nacional Lauca in the north of Chile is a UNESCO
World Biosphere Reserve - look out for flamingos, rheas (an ostrich-like bird).
Chiloé: The quirky island of Chiloé has colourful and old wooden churches
to marvel at.
Volcán Villarrica: One of the world's most active volcanoes, Volcán Villarrica
near Pucón, is safer than it sounds - it is also one of the world's most monitored,
so you should have plenty of warning of any imminent eruption.
Fishing: The best spots are in the Lake District and Patagonia. The rivers
and streams off the carretera austral, the road that penetrates deep into Chile's
southern wilderness, are remarkably clear and offer great opportunities for fly-fishers.
White-water rafting: White-water rafting down any number of the country's spectacular rapids is
popular with many taking a gap year in Chile - you'll find specialist operators offering trips down the
Maipo near Santiago, the Trancura near Pucón, as well as the Bio-Bio river in Region VIII. Specialist
operators can organise week-long trips. The scenrey around the Bio-Bio includes hot springs and
waterfalls.
Skiing: The world-famous Portillo resort, has hosted many national ski teams, including the Austrian
and Italian skiers over for the European summer. Other ski slopes in the area can be found at
Farellones-El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. The ski season usually runs from June to
September, so if you would like to ski on your gap year you should plan keeping this in mind.
Antarctica: Voyage to the world's last undiscovered wilderness, Antarctica,
from Chile's southernmost city, Punta Arenas.
Culture and Customs
Chile Culture is very rich and is largely influenced by the European heritage that
prevails in the cultural structure of the country from the very beginning of the
establishment. Chile has always been one of the most progressive countries in America
in the field of art and culture
The inhabitants of the country are a combination of both indigenous groups and Spanish. This has been
the result for the country being occupied by the Spaniards for a long period. Roman Catholic is the
religion that most of the population follows. The natives are culturally very rich and enjoy doing several
cultural activities. Spanish is the most commonly spoken language in Chile, though English language,
learning and teaching is popular among students, academics and professionals. A number of
gap year
volunteers get involved with teaching English particularly in the rural areas of Chile where resources are scarce.
Art & Literature
Chile's most famous contributions to literature have come from Nobel Prize poets
Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral, whose homes and birthplaces are now museums that
attract literary pilgrims to Chile. Many
gap year volunteers to Chile include a visit to the museums.
Chilean music, particularly folk music, has had international acclaim since the
1960s, when Violeta Parra and her children Angel and Isabel made their names as
politically committed singers and songwriters. Folk music has been an especially
important outlet for the country's oppressed, and was frequently performed overseas
by exiles during Pinochet's reign. until the military coup of 1973, its cinema was
among the most experimental in Latin America
The cueca is the national dance. It originates from peasant folklore and some sources
believe that it emerged as a symbol of the newborn republic in rebellion against
the Spanish crown. Man and woman dance to the classic rhythm, twirling their kerchiefs
in the air.
The most important festival in the Norte Grande region takes place in the small
town of La Tirana. Each year, from the 12th through the 18th of July, some 40.000
believers arrive to celebrate the Virgin of Carmel, Chile's patron saint. Activities
include songs and dances that seem to go on 24 hours a day for the whole week of
ceremonies.
The annual Festival Internacional de la Canción (International Song Festival), in
Viña del Mar is an extremely popular event with
gap year travellers. In February, the liveliest musicians
from every Latino country flock to the beautiful outdoor amphitheater, Quinta Vergara,
and surrounding public park for a week of song, dance, and limitless fiesta.
Chilean cuisine is a reflection of the country's topographical variety, featuring an assortment of sea food,
beef, fruits, and vegetables. Traditional recipes include include cazuela, empanadas, humitas and curanto.
Living with a Chilean family gives our
gap year volunteers in Chile an opportunity to sample some
local cuisine.
Description of any country in South America would be incomplete without the mention
of sports. Association football (soccer) is Chile’s most popular sport. The varied
landscapes also give the option of pursuing popular sports like skiing and surfing.