Adventure & Sports Tourism in Chile
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, or thrill to the sight of a spectacular landscape after a long wilderness trek, then Chile’s definitely the place for you!
Ski down Chile’s mountains and volcanoes, or go for its many water sports – including scuba diving, surfing, kayaking and kitesurfing – in the vast Pacific Ocean. Grab your sandboard and hit the dunes or zipline through lush forest canopies.
Trekking routes await you throughout the Andes; hike at more than 4,000 meters above sea level on the northern highlands, or tackle mountaineering trails of varying difficulty in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park.
If you are keen on sport fishing, venture deep into the trout-filled Patagonian rivers and lakes where you’ll experience some of the best fly fishing in the world. All this in the midst of breathtaking natural beauty like nowhere else on earth!
DIVING
Forests of seaweed that dance along the ocean currents, colorful starfish and schools of fish live together in the depths of the Chilean coast. Come and discover the underwater paradise hidden at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean!
Start your expedition on a boat from Chañaral de Aceituno or Punta de Choros Cove to dive into the Pingüinos de Humboldt National Reserve. See how the penguins, sea lions and sea otters glide through the waters with enviable skill.
Wonder at the intense colors of the sponges and starfish at Los Molles and Pichidangui, close to Zapallar, or dive around the shipwreck in Quintay, close to Valparaiso.
The warm and crystal waters of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) will surprise you with a stunning visibility of between 40 and 60 meters. Explore the mysterious caves and find the submerged Moai on the Las Áncoras reef.
Enjoy the underwater paradise of the Juan Fernández archipelago. Its transparent waters, the immense density of fish, as well as moray eels, lobsters and the chance of diving with the playful South American fur seal will immediately captivate you.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Feel your own heart resonate with your horse’s heartbeat. Enjoy a quiet trot or a thrilling flat-out gallop. Exploring its many trails and gorges on horseback is one of the greatest pleasures for travelers in Chile.
Ride through dunes and oases in the great northern desert. See the magical landscapes of San Pedro de Atacama and discover the mystical Elqui Valley on intense escapades of up to 4 days, riding through the high mountains of the Andes and sleeping under the stars.
Admire the strength and agility of the Chilean rodeo horse in the central heartland, and enjoy their peaceful companionship as you trek through the National Parks or along the coast. There are few rides as thrilling as bareback expeditions through the volcanoes and craters of Rapa Nui!
Inhale the heady perfume of ripe grapes as you canter through colorful vineyards. Get an authentic view of the ranching traditions of untamed Chilean Patagonia, and enjoy a sense of real freedom as you journey along ancestral trails through the dense southern woodlands.
ICE FIELD WALKING
Here is an overwhelming sight. Walking between ice and glaciers will take you to a universe of new sensations. With firm and safe strides you’ll feel how your heart grows tight with the enormity of the white desert and the iridescent waters of its lagoons.
Don’t forget to put crampons on your boots and carry your walking stick to advance firmly on the route. Seize the opportunity to visit one of the world’s largest ice fields in the Chilean Patagonia; it’s one of the best places to live this adventure.
Walk through the ancient frozen ice formations hidden in the Torres del Paine and San Rafael Lagoon National Parks. Explore your adventurous side and discover the crevasses, rivers and tunnels formed by the glaciers while walking along the Yelcho Ice Field in the Carretera Austral. To top off your trip, don’t forget to toast with a whiskey on the rocks with ice from this Chilean site. Cheers!
CABLE RIDING
Release your adventurous spirit and feel the freedom of floating through the air. Take a deep breath and slide along the cable that hangs from the trees to take a look at Chile from above. The wide variety of landscapes make each trip an unforgettable and unique experience.
Have fun and enjoy these rides at heights of more than 25 meters, hanging in your harness. In the central area, the rides from tree to tree will amaze you with cable rides for kids and steep river crossings. Its widespread popularity at destinations like Cajón del Maipo makes it possible to do this all-year round and also offers different levels of difficulty.
If you’re into adrenaline, you’ll find a challenge at the “El Condor” ride in Pucón. This is the longest ride in South America, at more than 3,500 meters in length and with six stations, crossing the Villarrica, Quetrupillán and Lanín Volcanoes.
Dream about being a bird in the south of the country to enjoy the clear sight of ancient forests! Soar through the air in the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve and visit the end of the world, riding the cables above the beautiful sights of the General Carrera Lake.
KAYAKING
One of the best ways to enjoy Chile’s superb natural environment. Paddling with specialist guides and equipment, you’ll find more than 1,200 rivers of differing complexity to choose from, and calm lakes and lagoons with breathtaking surroundings reflected in their crystal-clear waters.
Alone or in pairs, this sport is popular from the central region to Patagonia, with multiple routes of varying intensities among magnificent landscapes and abundant native wildlife.
Test out your skills and balance first on the calmest sections of the Maipo River in the Metropolitan Region and then hit the waters of the Maule Valley. If you’ve some experience under your belt, you might tackle the rushing Trancura River close to Pucón and enjoy the wooded landscapes surrounding the lakes at Caburga, Calafquén, Conguillío and Riñihue.
If you’re confident in your kayak and skilled in the water, then head for the world-famous Futaleufu River on the Carretera Austral, or the Baker River close to General Carrera Lake; tricky, adrenaline-filled routes with challenging rapids and unexpected waterfalls.
KITESURFING AND WATER SPORTS
A hybrid between surfing and parasailing, you can find this sport, only for adventure junkies, on the Chilean beaches, which are the perfect setting for doing it. Winds with different intensities turn the country’s coast into the ideal destination to fly over water, both for beginners and experts.
Secure the board to your feet, get your kite ready and start enjoying speed along the country’s central coast. The beaches of Matanzas, Pupuya and La Boca de Rapel are the kings of kitesurfing and are also the ideal setting for windsurfing. The particular wind, called “Surazo”, reaches between 30 and 40 km/h which allows performing tricks worthy of the circus.
The lakes of southern Chile, located among mountains and green forests, have won a spot in the hearts of skilled kitesurfers. Destinations such as Villarrica, Caburgua and Llanquihue Lakes are now the favorites to take long flights and perform amazing pirouettes. With the help of motorboats, the experience is even more thrilling.
MOUNTAINEERING AND CLIMBING
Are you adventurous? Enjoy a challenge? Ready to put yourself to the test? Get your pulse racing with Chile’s multiple climbing opportunities. Infinite mountains, snowy peaks and even volcanic craters are among the challenges in store for you.
Take a deep breath and look up … at the world’s highest volcano in northern Chile. The Ojos del Salado, standing at 6,893 meters, provides an exciting challenge for experienced mountaineers who come from all over the world to test their skills.
And if the mountains of the Andes aren’t thrilling enough, how about an adrenaline-filled ascent of the Parinacota volcano; its perfect cone, coated in eternal snow is the ultimate adventure. Would you rather start with something simpler? In Santiago, the San Ramón range and urban hills like Manquehue are a great option for beginners.
Southern Chile’s high peaks and volcanoes are ideal for expert climbers. These demanding climbs call for crampons and extra vigilance; aim for the summit of the Villarrica volcano or scale the granite towers of the Torres del Paine – a truly unspoiled wilderness experience.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Do you enjoy getting up close and personal with nature? Then why not visit Chile on two wheels? Its diverse geography, richly-varied landscapes, trails and peaks make it perfect for beginners and experienced cyclists alike.
Rise to the challenge of cycling in the world’s driest desert with its infinite stretches of sand and vast salt flats. Follow the trails of the Lauca National Park or head downhill on the coastal routes of Pan de Azúcar National Park to reach the deep blue ocean waters of the Pacific
Venture on a mountain bike through the steep Andean foothills in the central region, whose beautiful valleys are filled with natural obstacles to get your adrenaline pumping!
Take it up a notch in the south: the Carretera Austral has become a veritable hidden treasure for cycling fanatics. Enjoy extreme landscapes with intense colors and exotic vegetation near Puerto Natales. Visit the antique cold storage plant at Puerto Bories and the famous Milodon Cave, another National Monument. These trails at the end of the world are tailor-made for exhilarating cycling adventures.
OVERLAND
If you like adventure, a variety of experiences and traveling with a group or your family, here in Chile there’s an amazing itinerary for you. Rent a 4×4 or a motor home and enjoy your vacation in an unforgettable overland expedition.
Visit the landscape of the Chilean high plateaus. Contemplate the amazing archaeological sites, volcanoes, salt flats, geysers, hot springs, old saltpeter offices, flamingo colonies, northern valleys such as Azapa, and cities like Arica and Iquique. Lose yourself along the trails and routes of the north of Chile and discover the scenic beauty of these lands.
Discover the south of Chile in your motor home and start your trip through the Chilean Patagonia. Puerto Montt welcomes you with the beautiful Carretera Austral to carry on through the Queulat National Park, the Puyuhuapi hot springs and the General Carrera Lake.
Go on an adventure in this trip through Chile, where Torres del Paine awaits you with its unconquered landscapes. Come on, let’s go on an adventure!
PARASAILING AND AERIAL SPORTS
Experience the feeling of floating on the air and the adrenaline of a quick drop. The wild Chilean geography, full of hills and high mountains is the perfect setting for skydiving and all sorts of aerial sports.
Open your arms, sprint and jump into the adventure of parasailing in the north of Chile. Iconic places like the Morro de Arica or the Dragón Hill in Iquique give you amazing thrills that end by the seashore or on its steep dunes.
In Santiago, skydiving is one of the most popular adventure sports. Jumping out of a plane at more than 4,000 meters will get your heart racing and have you feeling like a bird.
The south of the country also has amazing places to conquer your vertigo. Destinations such as Pucón and Lican Ray offer clear skies for the adventure of group flying. Hungry for more? Try the thrilling experience of floating at 700 meters while pulled by a motorboat at Villarrica Lake. Parasailing is the ideal activity to enjoy the view from above.
SPORT FISHING
Wade into the clear water, listen to the echoing birdsong and enjoy a magical change in the atmosphere from the moment you cast your first line. Considered as one of the oldest sports in the world and renowned as an effective therapy for stress, fishing in Chile is a veritable balm for the soul.
Enjoy the early morning solitude in calm northern coves, go deep into the exuberant forests of the south, or relax on a boat in the splendor of the lake district. Practice and perfect your technique, whether it be fly fishing, trolling, drifting or all three. You can fish all year round in Chile and you’ll find an astonishingly wide variety of species living in its waters.
In Patagonia, you’ll find luxury lodges located on the very shores of mighty rivers like the Simpson and Baker. Try your luck in their many pools and enjoy a tussle with the salmon swimming upstream to spawn.
For a real taste of adventure, hire a seaplane to take you into truly virgin territory, like Tierra del Fuego’s Grande river. Dare to try for one of the famed giant brown trout, a species which can weigh over 15 kilos – a real trophy for the expert fisherman. The generally accepted practice is catch-and-release to preserve the species and environmental balance.
RAFTING
Among green forests, lakes, fjords and inlets, experience adrenaline-filled adventures on the rivers of central and southern Chile. Tumbling down from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean, these deep, powerful torrents offer exhilarating and challenging rapids and are simply ideal for rafting.
Beginners can learn basic rafting skills on low-intensity stretches like the Maipo River, close to Santiago. If you’re traveling in a group, the Claro river in the Siete Tazas National Park is ideal for a safe and exciting family rafting experience.
Need more speed? Then try rafting near Pucón. The Trancura and Liucura Rivers will set your pulse racing as you weave through the rocks and confront the swirling currents of their class 4 and 5 rapids.
If you are a rafting expert, face the ultimate challenge of the Futaleufu River in Patagonia! Set in truly breathtaking landscapes, its class 5 rapids are notoriously long and complicated. With its swift currents and thrilling descents, this river will leave you gasping for breath. The Baker river is considered another ‘must’ for rafting fanatics: its turbulent, turquoise waters make for an unforgettable adventure.
SANDBOARDING
Sand, sun and adrenaline, the perfect mix that makes sandboarding one of the up-and-coming activities in the country. Blessed with a wide variety of dunes of different shapes and sizes, Chile is one of the perfect places to slide down one of them at high speed.
With the world’s driest desert, you’ll be able to surf the sand on its neverending dunes in the north. Visit the heart of San Pedro de Atacama and go on the adventure of sliding through the steep heights hidden in the Marte Valley on your board.
In Iquique, get an ovation while pirouetting on the dunes. Face the imposing Dragón Hill, which at 350 meters is considered the highest urban dune on the planet. Challenge its wavy peaks and feel like a flying fish surfing on its sand waves.
Right by the ocean and with a privileged view, you can also sandboard in the central area of Chile. The beaches close to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar are a delight for adrenaline junkies. Their extremely steep slopes make it necessary to wear goggles, boots and protection.
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
Have a blast at over 2,000 meters above sea level! Visit one of Chile’s many ski resorts and appreciate these world-class slopes – an essential destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts in the austral winter.
Head for the Andes and discover a pure white paradise for snow and sports enthusiasts. Dare you tackle some of the foremost ski slopes in South America? Chile has areas ideal for both beginners and more seasoned skiers.
Just a few kilometers from Santiago, the famous Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado ski resorts cling to the steep Andean flanks. Ride the extensive chairlifts, enjoy long descents and dare to try exhilarating torchlit night skiing.
Are you a born thrill-seeker? Then try the steep slopes of Portillo, near the Andean pass that leads to Argentina; here the abundant snow cover provides the ideal soft landing as you practice tricks and turns on your skis or snowboard.
Don’t miss the southern ski resorts either; demonstrate your skills on the rollers, rainbows, rails and kinks and reach for the sky with each jump! If you still have energy to burn, how about heliskiing? Explore untouched mountain tops on skis or snowboard and enjoy awe-inspiring views of the craters and volcanoes.
SURFING
Do you love the sensation of salt spray on your face and feeling your heart pounding with each new wave? Chile has more than 4,000 kilometers of coast for you to explore. Ride some amazing waves in this true surfers’ paradise.
A temperate year-round climate, warm seas and a crazy wave called ‘El Gringo’, make Arica an essential destination for surfers from around the world. In Iquique, spectators applaud great surfing performances as the fanatics ride the perfect tubes formed at Cavancha beach.
In the central area of the country, Punta de Lobos in Pichilemu has been baptized the ‘world surfing capital’. It welcomes adrenaline junkies with waves of over 4 meters in height and currents that provide enviable conditions for surfing.
Constitución, a little further south, has hosted many international surf competitions because of its happy mix of calm beaches and strong waves, but it’s on nearby beaches like Dichato and Buchupureo that surfers are really put to the test by a combination of thundering waves and rugged rock formations.
HIKING AND TREKKING
Clear your thoughts, test your stamina and get right back to nature. Hiking or trekking is easily the best way to see Chile and enjoy its magnificent landscapes from within.
Put on your most comfortable walking shoes and head off on a real adventure. One superb trek begins at the Lejía Lagoon, high above San Pedro de Atacama. At more than 4,000 meters above sea level, the impressive views include mighty volcanoes, rugged hills and the extraordinary Miscanti Lagoon.
In the central region, don’t miss hiking the trails of the La Campana National Park close to Valparaiso. Designated a World Biosphere Reserve, your visit might include a hike of up to 8 hours on the stunning Palm Tree route. Close to Santiago, in the Cajón del Maipo valley, the El Morado Natural Monument rewards trekkers with vistas of its spectacular snow-capped peak.
To the south, the Huerquehue National Park surrounds beautiful Caburgua Lake, and the Villarrica National Park includes a trail which climbs its the eponymous volcano. Hiking and trekking enthusiasts are spoiled for choice in Patagonia, which has dozens of national parks and reserves with trails of all levels of difficulty. One in particular, the Torres del Paine National Park, boasts some of the finest trekking routes in the world: its glaciers and lakes, set against the backdrop of the famous granite towers, will remain etched in your memory forever.
