santiagochile - Departamento de Ingeniería Civil

BID FOR HOSTING
ITEA Annual Conference and School on Transportation Economics
SANTIAGOCHILE
JULY 2016
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
1. Invitation to Santiago, Chile
Local Organizing Committee Letter
FCFM Dean Letter
Transport Minister Letter
3
2. Host Institutions
Universidad de Chile
Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
Complex Engineering Systems Institute
Transport Engineering Division
8
3. Conference Venue
The Venue
Venue Facilities
Venue Access
Auditorium & Meeting Rooms Capacities
13
4. Welcome To Santiago
About Chile
About Santiago
Culture
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Travel
19
5. Timetable
6. Preliminary Budget
School Estimated Expenses
Conference Estimated Expenses
School And Conference Fees & Balance
7. Appendix
Recommended Restaurants
Recommended Hotels In Santiago
4
6
7
9
10
11
12
14
14
15
17
20
24
28
32
33
34
35
40
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51
INVITATIONTO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Santiago, November 5, 2014 Professor Robin Lindsey President International Transportation Economics Association Professor Sauder School of Business University of British Columbia 2053 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Dear Professor Lindsey We are delighted to bid for the organization of the 2016 Annual Conference and School of the International Transportation Economics Association. As a local organizing committee, it would be an honor for us to be in charge of both events. As members of the Transport Engineering Division at Universidad de Chile, we have participated in several previous Kuhmo-­‐Nectar Conferences and strongly believe that crossing the Equator and moving the 2016 edition of the ITEA Annual Conference and School to South America presents itself as a matchless opportunity to disseminate, in this part of the world, the state-­‐of-­‐the art in transport economics research and lecturing, which is characteristic of this combined one-­‐week event. Moreover, we believe that Chile, and in particular Universidad de Chile are the best country and insititution to host the event, for the first time, outside North America or Europe, given the number of transport economists doing academic research and the resources we have at our disposal. Interestingly, in our country we have the rather unusual case that a Professor that has done high quality research in transport economics, Associate Professor Andrés Gómez-­‐Lobo, is currently the Minister of Transport. Andrés has agreed to give a plenary talk at the conference to share his experience leading the transport ministry, should the scientific committee find this as interesting as we do. We propose the conference to be held at the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (FCFM) of Universidad de Chile (www.fcfm.cl), to which our Transport Engineering group belongs. Our faculty has all the necessary facilities to successfully run both the Conference and the School, from top notch infrastructure and technology to highly qualified human resources. The conference will be co-­‐organized by Instituto Sistemas Complejos de Ingeniería (www.isci.cl), a research institute to which all faculty at the Transport Engineering Division belongs. FCFM facilities are at walking distance of Santiago´s city center and we are well connected to the rest of the city by frequent bus and Metro services. Conference attendees will have easy access to discover what our city has to offer in terms of historical and cultural heritage, gastronomical and touristic attractions. Complementing the academic program, we will develop an attractive social program for the attendees to get a glimpse of Chilean gastronomy and culture, as well as providing the opportunity to visit Santiago´s surroundings, featuring scenic vineries and sky resorts along the Andes Range. Thank you very much for considering our bid to host the 2016 Annual Conference and Summer School of the International Transportation Economics Association. Yours sincerely, Leonardo J. Basso Chair local organizing committee Associate Professor Transport Engineering Division Civil Engineering Department Universidad de Chile Alejandro Tirachini Member local organizing committee Assistant Professor Transport Engineering Division Civil Engineering Department Universidad de Chile Karla Jaramillo Executive secretariat local organizing committee Institute Complex Engineering Systems Universidad de Chile HOST
INSTITUTIONS
HOST
INSTITUTIONS
Universidad de Chile
The Universidad de Chile was founded on the 19th of November, 1842. It is the oldest higher education
institution in Chile. Generating, developing, integrating and communicating knowledge in all the areas of
knowledge and culture are the mission and basis of the activities of the University.
• Among the first Presidents of the University are
the founder, the Venezuelan humanist and jurist
Andrés Bello (1843 – 1865), and the Polish scientist
and mineralogist Ignacio Domeyko (1867 – 1883).
• The University is located in the capital city
Santiago de Chile and it is a public university with
international quality. All the areas of knowledge
are pursued in their lecture halls and today the
university is at the top of the Chilean university
system with respect to teaching, research, creation
and outreach.
• Faculties and Institutes: Distributed in five
campuses and several experimental stations in
Santiago and other Regions of Chile:
14 Faculties: Architecture and Urbanism - Arts Agricultural Sciences - Sciences - Physical and
Mathematical Sciences - Forestry Sciences Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy - Social Sciences
-Veterinary and Animal Sciences - Law - Economy
and Business - Philosophy and Humanities Medicine - Dentistry.
4 Interdisciplinary Institutes: Public Affairs Communications - International Studies - Nutrition
and Food Technology.
• The Universidad de Chile has 40.083 students:
29.442 undergraduate students
10.641 graduate students in Doctoral, Masters and
Professional programs
Faculty: 3412 which 1420 are full time and 1087 with
Ph. D.
• 20 Chilean Presidents have been students of
the Universidad de Chile (61% of the total). Also,
the two Chileans who received the Nobel Prize,
Gabriela Mistral (1945) and Pablo Neruda (1971),
both in Literature, were members of the University.
• 169 Premios Nacionales, the highest distinction in
the country (83% of the total), have been awarded
in different fields to distinguished persons that
have been alumni, professors or researchers of the
University.
• Universidad de Chile is placed among the 500
best higher educational establishments in the
World Ranking of Universities (University Shanghai
Jiao Tong) and in the tenth place among its LatinAmerican peers in the Latin-American Ranking of
Research Institutes (SCImago Research Group,
Spain).
HOST
INSTITUTIONS
Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
The Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (FCFM, for its acronym in Spanish) has been in existence
for over 170 years. It is focused on higher education and on the development of basic sciences, engineering
sciences and technological applications. At present, it offers a Civil Engineering program with nine
specializations, Geology, three bachelors of sciences and more than 30 graduate academic programs.
Its background, results and commitment to
excellence, places it amongst the best Chilean and
worldwide Engineering and Science Faculties.
The FCFM vision consists of a strong and solid
commitment to the nation and its students,
addressing undergraduate and graduate training,
scientific and technological research, transference,
innovation and entrepreneurship, according to a
rigorous standard of excellence.
The Faculty responds creatively and effectively to
the challenges imposed by globalization, the wide
access to information and inclusion of the country
within the world stage. Its goal is to foster deep
and active links with the productive environment,
meeting the current demands and exploring
emerging developments. Research is conducted
with increasing proximity to the needs of the
country and society, contributing to the innovation
and application of the latest technologies.
The scientific excellence of the FCFM is confirmed
by the many distinctions received by their members.
Actually the FCFM hosts 13 National Awards (A
distinction given every two years by the National
Commission for Scientific and Technological
Research). 54% of ISI publications originated in
FCFM have an impact factor Q1.
The Universidad de Chile obtained 131 from a total
of 581 Fondecyt projects, becoming the leading
research institution in Chile, of which 41 were from
FCFM, showing the quality of their researchers.
Conicyt, through their program Fondequip,
awarded funding to 35 projects (at national level) of
which 5 were from FCFM.
The National Seismological Centre; the first wind
map; the first sustainable electric micronetwork
that operates in LatinAmerica; the first solar car;
the first autonomous vehicle; the first satellite built
entirely in Chile; the first vaccine against alcoholism
was developed at the FCFM among others. These
facts depict the importance of the Research and
Development in FCFM.
HOST
INSTITUTIONS
Complex Engineering Systems Institute
The Complex Engineering Systems Institute (ISCI, for its acronym in Spanish) is a prestigious scientific
research centre hosted at the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the Universidad de Chile.
The Institute has 53 researchers from the
Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad
Católica de Chile, Universidad de Santiago de
Chile and Universidad de Los Andes. They include
outstanding researchers and young promises; all of
them Ph.D. from renowned universities and authors
of several publications in international magazines
with ISI standard. The Institute was funded in
2008 by the Government of Chile, through ICM
and CONICYT, in addition to private and public
resources for applied projects.
The work the Institute aims to bridge is the
gap between frontier research and important
applications to problems where infrastructure,
human behavior and management interact.
This challenge has successfully integrated the
techniques of engineering, operations research,
mathematics, economics and management to
creatively address interrelated research issues.
The essential mission of the Institute is also to
establish a worldwide reference in Engineering
research and education outside the USA and
Europe, contributing to a better understanding of
relevant problems and attracting high-level young
researchers. By strengthening formal academic
links among these different groups, the Institute
has effectively contributed to establish a new
Engineering research and education agenda within
the country.
Since its creation the Institute has organized more
than 60 international conferences in the fields of
engineering, economics and related subjects.
Some of these examples are the 8th Symposium
on Transportation Analysis, TRISTAN (San Pedro
de Atacama, Jun 2013), the 9th International
Conference on Transport Survey Methods, ISCTSC
(Puyehue, Nov. 2011) and eight versions of TOI, an
international Industrial Economics conference,
held every year.
HOST
INSTITUTIONS
Transport Engineering Division
The Transport Engineering Division (TED), part of the Civil Engineering Department at Universidad de Chile,
was created in 1971 to undertake teaching and research activities in the wide area of transport studies. TED
is involved in both undergraduate and graduate academic programs, including a professional degree in
Civil Engineering major in Transport (duration 6 years), a MSc in Transport Engineering (2 years) and the
PhD program in Complex Engineering Systems (4 years). All of these programs take place at the Faculty
of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of Universidad de Chile. Currently, TED is integrated by 5 full-time
faculty, 7 part-time lecturers and research assistants and research students.
Our faculty develops research in transport
economics, industrial organization, travel behavior,
urban economics, land use, big data applications,
network modeling, logistics and traffic engineering.
In terms of research outputs, our faculty has
published 74 articles in the period 2009-2014,
in some of the most prestigious international
journals in the transport and economics fields,
including the journals of the Transportation
Research series, Transport Science, Journal of
Transport Economics and Policy, Canadian Journal
of Economics, American Economic Journal (Micro
and Economic Policy) and Journal of Industrial
Economics. Furthermore, members of TED are
part of the Editorial Board of Transportation,
Transport Policy, Economics of Transportation and
Journal of Air Transport Management, and have
published a number of books as authors and coeditors, including Transport Economic Theory
(Elsevier), Hybrid Predictive Control for Dynamic
Transport Problems (Springer), Risk Habitat
Megacity (Springer) and Transport Survey Methods
(Emerald). Finally, regarding technological transfer,
two projects stand out: Santiago´s land use model
(MUSSA) currently commercialized by Citilabs
(Cube Land) and a Big Data project in collaboration
with the Public Transport Planning Authority,
which sheds lights on current travel behavior and
public transport operations for the whole Santiago
metropolitan area.
CONFERENCE
VENUE
CONFERENCE
VENUE
THE
VENUE
The proposed venue for the meeting is the Faculty
of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (FCFM, in
its Spanish acronym form) at the Universidad de
Chile. The Beauchef Campus houses the faculty’s
laboratories, classrooms, sports facilities, and
green areas.
The campus is located in the center of Santiago, its
installations are comprised of two separate blocks,
framed by the streets Blanco Encalada, Plaza Ercilla,
Tupper, and Club Hípico, and divided by Beauchef,
upon which the main entrance is found.
VENUE FACILITIES
Convivial venue with all facilities
• IT equipment: Each department has at least
one laboratory with highly technological
equipment.
• Wi-fi: 100% coverage and IP phone system in
all the faculties and institutes.
• Libraries: 48 libraries, a digital library, 3.032.000
volumes, access to 60.000 electronic journals
and more than 170 multidisciplinary databases
to support research and teaching.
• Cafeteria
• Sports and physical activity: Sport areas to
be used by students and professors. Interfaculty sports competitions take place there
throughout the year. The Universidad de Chile
has 19 university sport teams. The FCFM has a
heated swimming pool, gymnasium, basketball
court, soccer court among others.
CONFERENCE
VENUE
VENUE
ACCESS
The Beauchef campus is located walking distance
from the center of the city:
a block down the street of the same name as the
station to the street “Ejercito Libertador”.
How To Arrive By Metro
• Arriving at the intersection, turn left in the
southern direction for three blocks until reaching
Ave. Blanco Encalada.
The closest Metro station to the Faculty is Toesca,
on line 2.
Toesca station:
• Find the exit in the western direction and walk
• Once there, turn right and go one more block,
reaching the intersection “Vergara” street.
CONFERENCE
VENUE
• Cross Ave. Blanco Encalada to enter the Beauchef
campus through the Geology building located
in Plaza Ercilla 803; or by Ave. Blanco Encalada
2002, where the Civil Engineering and Geophysics
building is located.
How To Arrive By Bus
Transantiago bus routes that pass by the Beauchef
campus are:
• 506, from Maipú to Peñalolen, that passes down
Ave. Blanco Encalada. This is useful for those that
are coming from Maipú (Ave. Pajaritos), Estación
Central (Ave. 5 de Abril), Santiago Centro (Ave.
Matta), Ñuñoa (Ave. Grecia) and Peñalolén (Ave.
Grecia).
• 507, from Pudahuel to Peñalolén, which also goes
down Ave. Blanco Encalada. Serves those coming
from the neighborhoods of Pudahuel (Ave. José
Joaquín Pérez), Quinta Normal (Ave. Mapocho &
Ave. Matucana), Santiago Centro (Ave. España &
Av. Matta), Ñuñoa (Ave. Grecia) & Peñalolén (Ave.
Grecia).
How To Arrive By Bicycle
There are various cycle routes that pass quite close
to the Beauchef campus on Club Hípico and Ave.
Matta in downtown.
Within the school there are spaces to park bikes.
How To Arrive By Car
Unfortunately at this time, the Beauchef campus
does not have interior parking. Limited parking
can be found on the bordering campus streets of
Tupper, Almirante Latorre, José Miguel Carrera,
Domeyko and Claudio Gay, among others.
CONFERENCE
HOST
INSTITUTIONS
VENUE
Meeting Rooms – Beauchef 851
Meeting Rooms – Salón Gorbea
CAPACITY
AUDITORIUM
& MEETING
ROOMS
Auditoriums and meeting rooms are all equipped
with computer, projector, curtain, whiteboard
microphone and wi-fi.
Auditorium
Location
Floor
Capacity
Auditorio Humberto Fuenzalida
(G108)
Salón Gorbea
Geología
3
92
Escuela
3
285
Auditorio Beauchef 851
Beauchef 851
1
196
CONFERENCE
HOST
INSTITUTIONS
VENUE
Capacity Meeting Rooms
WELCOMETO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
ABOUT
CHILE
Chile is a breathtaking land of mountains, desert,
glaciers, dazzling lakes, and incomparable contrasts
on a colossal scale. A thin strip of land running
some 3,000 miles down the Pacific coast of South
America, flanked down the Andes. Chile stretches
from the belly of South America to its foot, reaching
from the driest desert on earth to vast southern
glacial fields. Chile is known today for its solid
economy, superb infrastructure, and great wines.
The country is an example of resilience, creativity,
and industry, placing Chile among the world’s most
notable emerging nations.
FACTS AND FIGURES
•Full name: Republic of Chile
•Population: 17.3 million (UN, 2011)
•Capital: Santiago
•Area: 756,096 sq. km (291,930 sq. miles)
•Major language: Spanish
•Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 82 years
(women) (UN)
•Monetary unit: Chilean peso (CLP)
•Main exports: Copper, fish, fruit, paper and
pulp, chemicals
•GNI per capita: US$15,230 (World Bank, 2013)
•Internet domain: .cl
•International dialing code: +56
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Torres del Paine, Chile.
Economy & Institutions
In a world of constant change, Chile is a beacon of
economic and institutional stability despite having
a rather short history after the dictatorship; Chile
ranks alongside the most developed economies in
the world. It has attracted a number of well-known
multinational and foreign investors with its open
and competitive economy. In December 2012,
Standard and Poor’s upgraded Chile’s credit rating
to AA- with stable outlook due to the resilience of
its economy. This upgrade solidifies Chile´s position
as Latin America´s highest rated nation and puts its
credit worthiness on par with Japan´s and Taiwan’s.
Chile, one of the most open economies in the world,
has signed more free trade agreements (FTAs) than
any other nation. It had FTAs with more than 90%
of its trade partners in 2008, including Australia,
China, India, Japan, Mexico, the US, the EU and
South Korea. It has developed its trade integration
with the world through unilateral tariff reductions
(currently a flat rate of 6% and an effective rate of
about 1%), free trade agreements (FTAs), and multilateral agreements. In addition to Chile’s success
in international free trade and macro-economic
management, it has also made remarkable progress
its reducing poverty: since 1990 it has slashed its
poverty rate to 13% from over 40 percent in the
early 90s. This dramatic improvement is the result
of ambitious and effective social policies and
economic growth that has averaged 5.5% since
1990.
These positive macroeconomic figures though,
may mask a harsh reality, which today the nation
struggles with: a strong inequality, the worst for all
OECD countries. Chile has a Gini Coeficinet above
0.5 and the richest 1% of the population holds
30.5% of all wealth.
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
An Attractive Business Hub
Chile was ranked No. 1 in Latin America and 19th
in the world in terms of e-readiness and investment
attractiveness for the 2008 – 2012 period, according
to the Business Environment Rankings published by
the Economist Intelligence Unit. The ranking was
led by Canada, Singapore and Denmark, with Chile
placed between Norway and France and ahead of
Spain, Israel, South Korea, China and India. From
2005 to 2008 Chile’s capital Santiago has been in
the top three along with Sao Paulo and Miami in the
yearly rankings of The Best Cities to do Business in
Latin America, published by the business magazine
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
AméricaEconomía. In May 2009 the Economist
magazine put Chile at position 17 in the ranking
that measured the environment for business in 82
countries, and the outright leader in Latin America.
A Connected Nation
Chile’s advanced communications systems,
logistics, and world-class air and sea ports have
helped connect it to world markets and bridge
distances with other global business centers. There
are 20 airlines linking the Chilean capital with the
rest of the world, with daily flights to New York, Los
Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Toronto, Madrid,
Frankfurt, Auckland, Sydney, and more than 30
cities in Latin America.
Modern Infrastructure
Chile is internationally recognized for its outstanding
developments in the areas of architecture,
design and both road and housing infrastructure,
with projects located in the most diverse of
geographical conditions. Moving through Chile
is convenient, easy and safe, as the country has
excellent land transport networks and air transport
connections. It has modern infrastructure, services
certified to international standards, and a range of
hotels that grows in quantity and quality in its main
destinations, as well as first class facilities that host
events for tourism development associated with
business and conventions.
A Land of Contrasts
The scenic contrasts of Chile are astounding.
Its national parks total 14 million hectares and
within them coexist a diverse range of ecosystems
that have deservedly been declared World
Biosphere Reserves. Chile is blessed with stunning
geographical contrasts; from Atacama, the world’s
highest (and driest) desert, through the lush
landscapes of wine country and the Lakes Region,
to the glaciers, mountains, and Pampa of Patagonia.
Add to that the omnipresent Andes mountains,
3,000 miles of coastline, 5 UNESCO World Heritage
Sites, and the world’s clearest skies, and it is safe to
say that few countries can boast such diversity.
Sustainability
The public and private sectors are working for the
development of sustainable tourism by promoting
the adoption of sustainable practices throughout
the industry. The aim is to position Chile as a
sustainable tourism destination, preserving its
natural and cultural heritage, as well as providing
opportunities in socio-economic development in
all of the country’s tourism destinations and the
communities that inhabit them.
Climate
The diverse climate of Chile ranges from the
world’s driest desert in the north (Atacama),
through a Mediterranean climate in the center,
humid subtropical in Easter Island, to an oceanic
climate, including alpine tundra and glaciers in the
east and south. According to the Köppen system,
Chile within its borders hosts at least seven major
climatic subtypes. There are four seasons in most
of the country: summer (December to February),
autumn (March to May), winter (June to August),
and spring (September to November).
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Santiago Oriente, Chile.
ABOUT
SANTIAGO
Founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia, the Chilean
capital is today a modern, sprawling, and vibrant
metropolis with over 7 million inhabitants (40%
of Chile’s total population). Flanked on one side
by the Andes mountain range, and the Coastal
range on the other, the city has a unique natural
backdrop. Today, Chile’s capital is a dynamic,
modern city where colonial mansions sit among
soaring skyscrapers, folk art becomes fashion
and Latin and European cultures intertwine. After
living in the shadow of other great South American
cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, the
real boom came a few years ago in celebration
of Chile’s bicentennial. Santiago invested a small
fortune into the construction of cultural centers,
museums, and parks, across the city. Vitacura and
Las Condes bloomed with stylish new art galleries,
and the somewhat run-down areas of Barrio Brasil,
Barrio Italia, and Barrio Lastarria were given a
thorough makeover and transformed into a vibrant
public arts district, a laid-back and alternative
nightlife hub, and a chic gastro area respectively. It
is also a clean, safe and friendly city with excellent
infrastructure and countless options for visitors,
both within the city itself and nearby. Yes indeed.
Santiago has finally arrived and established itself
as a destination in its own right. It is an ideal
destination for Meetings and Incentive travel. With
a world class hotel infrastructure of over 14,500
hotel rooms within the urban radius, its excellent
transportation system, a vibrant restaurant scene,
and irresistible pre and post travel options, the city
is well and truly on the map.
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Santiago Oriente, Chile.
Neighborhoods
Santiago is a city where the traditional meets
contemporary. Its historical center is home to
countless monuments, quaint side streets, and
colorful plazas. This is also the administrative
center of the city, where Palacio de la Moneda (the
Government Palace), ministries, public offices, and
financial institutions are located in a classic grid
formation. Nearby, the Parque Forestal provides
some much-needed main green space. Clustered
around it in the tiny side streets – in an area known
as Lastarria – are local designer stores, cafés, and
boutique hotels, a sign of the area’s resurgence
over the past few years, and its status of one the
city’s hottest places to be. This is in sharp contrast
to areas such as the leafy and stylish Providencia,
Las Condes, and Vitacura, which are a testament
to Santiago’s constant growth over the past two
decades. Avant-garde architecture abounds, home
to residences, office blocks, luxury hotels, and
corporate headquarters for some of Chile’s (and
indeed the World’s) leading companies.
Getting Around
Santiago has an integrated system of urban
transportation which was inaugurated in 2008.
Santiago’s Metro system is the most modern and
efficient in Latin America, comparable to that of
many European cities. 210 kilometers of urban
highways cross the city connecting the center
with commercial areas and the surrounding
neighborhoods. Taking a taxi in Santiago is safe
and relatively cheap, there is a base price of 250
pesos (USD 0.50) plus around 100 pesos for each
200 m driven (or per minute when waiting), no
tipping is required for taxis. Taxis are in abundance,
both in the city and for journeys between the city
and Santiago’s international airport. The official taxi
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
La Moneda, Chile.
Parque Forestal
Barrio Lastarria, Santiago.
Barrio Lastarria, Santiago.
companies have offices at the airport, and can be
found just after passport control.
Source: Metro de Santiago
Airport
Located a short distance from Chile’s capital,
Santiago Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez
International Airport (SCL) is the county’s largest
airport and is one of South America’s key transport
hubs. The airport has domestic and international
services to destinations in Europe, Oceania, and
The Americas. In 2011 it was the 9th busiest airport in
Latin America and the 6th busiest in South America
by passenger traffic. It is the 7th busiest airport
in Latin America by aircraft movements, serving
124,799 operations. It is also the only connecting
point for air traffic between Latin America and
Catedral de Santiago, Chile.
Oceania. Its location in Chile’s most populated area,
as well as in the central part of the country makes
of it an ideal main hub and maintenance center
for most local airlines such as LAN Airlines, Sky
Airline and PAL Airlines. LAN Airlines accounts for
approximately 82% of the total airport commercial
operations. The Airport is owned by the Chilean
State and operated since July 1998 by SCL Terminal
Aéreo Santiago S.A. Sociedad Concesionaria,
a consortium of companies formed by Agunsa
(Chile), Grupo ACS (Spain) andVancouver Airport
Services (Canada). The Air traffic control is handled
by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (Chile).
Its ICAO category is 4E. The airport functions as a
joint civil-military facility. It is the headquarters of
the Chilean Air Force 2nd Air Brigade and where its
10th Aviation Group is based.
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
July in Santiago
Shopping
The month of July is winter in Chile. However, the
Mediterranean climate of the Central Valley means
that Santiago the weather is milder than the rainy
south, with average maximum temperature of 18°C,
with only a slight possibility of rain.
Shopaholics will be happy in Santiago, with myriad
shopping options from knitwear, copperware and
other handicrafts from local artisan markets, to the
huge malls of Alto Las Condes, Parque Arauco, and
Costanera Center, where international brands are
plentiful. Lapislazuli – a semi-precious blue stone –
makes for beautiful jewelry items. Patio Bellavista,
a permanent craft market which also has very good
restaurants, is a great place to pick up wool goods,
jewelry and woodwork at good prices. Nearby
you will find small artisan jewelry stores and the
excellent Artesanos de Chile store, ideal for more
indigenous crafts.
Weather table
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Teatro Municipal, Chile.
CULTURE
SANTIAGO
Chile has made a surprising contribution to the
arts; from fine arts to political rock, classical music
to hip-hop. The city’s cultural offerings now rank
alongside those of Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, and
Mexico City. Santiago is reinventing itself, with arts,
nightlife, and restaurant scenes that have never
been better, making this thriving and sophisticated
metropolis into the civic, cultural, and historical
nucleus of the country.
Music & Dance
Music in Chile ranges from folklore, to popular and
classical. La Cueca is the national dance, while the
music of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and Mapuche
music from the south of the country are perhaps the
more emblematic of the indigenous musical forms.
Folk music exploded in Chile between 1950 and
1970, led by such groups as Los Cuatro Huasos and
Los Huasos Quincheros. Perhaps the most famous
composer of this period was Violeta Parra. In the
mid-1960s, native musical forms were brought to
the fore by the Parra family by way of a movement
known as ‘La Nueva Canción Chilena’ (‘The new
Chilean Song’), which was linked with social and
political activists and reformers such as Victor Jara,
Inti-Illimani, and Quilapayún. Another notable
band from this period is Los Jaivas, a majestic
progressive rock band that fused psychedelic
sounds with native South American instruments.
The 1980s were marked by the confrontational Los
Prisioneros, whose clever, politically-motivated
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
songs (with a strong anti-Pinochet message)
became the soundtrack for an entire generation.
The 1990s saw La Ley and Los Tres gain international
acclaim, while today’s music scene is dominated by
artists such as Francisca Valenzuela, Chico Trujillo,
and Anita Tijoux, whose song ’1973’ was featured
in an episode of the US series ’Breaking Bad’. Chile
has also given the world an extraordinary classical
pianist. Claudio Arrau (1903-1991) was known for
his interpretations of a vast repertoire spanning
from the baroque to 20th-century composers such
as Beethoven, Schubert, and Chopin. He is widely
considered one of the greatest pianists of the
twentieth century.
Art
Established in 1849 in the Universidad de Chile,
the Chilean Academy of Painting has helped foster
fine painting and inspire young artists. Chile’s most
celebrated artist, Roberto Matta, a seminal figure
in 20th century abstract expressionist and surrealist
art. Born in Santiago, he studied architecture
and interior design, graduating in 1935. That
spring, he journeyed from Peru to Panama and
completed surreal drawings inspired by of many
of the geographical features he witnessed. He first
encountered Europe while serving in the Merchant
Navy, and during his travels he was able to meet
artists like Arshile Gorky, René Magritte, Salvador
Live Music
The city’s main venues for rock music are the
modern Movistar Arena (www.movistararena.cl/)
for large shows, and the Teatro Caupolican (www.
teatrocaupolican.cl/), which is a particular local
favorite. More intimate shows take place at the
excellent Teatro Nescafé de las Artes (http://teatronescafe-delasartes.cl/), from such diverse genres
as jazz, hard rock, flamenco, and electronica. Jazz
lovers will enjoy the two latest hot spots; La Casa
en el Aire (www.lacasaenelaire.cl), House Rock
& Blues (www.houserock.c) and El Perseguidor
(www.elperseguidor.cl). For classical music, ballet,
and opera, Santiago’s wonderful Teatro Municipal
(www.municipal.cl/) is the most important venue
in the capital. Declared a National Monument in
1974, and among those who have performed here
are Mikhail Baryshnikov, the Bolshoi Ballet , Zubin
Mehta, Plácido Domingo, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa,
and Luciano Pavarotti.
Sculpture, Museo de Bellas Artes.
Painting, Roberto Matta.
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Museo de Bellas Artes, Chile.
Dalí, André Breton, and Le Corbusier. Carlos
Sotomayor (1911-1988) is considered one of the
main exponents of cubism from South America.
Camilo Mori (1896-1973) was the founder of the
Group Montparnasse, while Claudio Bravo (19362011) was a hyperrealist who lived and worked
in Morocco from 1972. With its rich history of
influences, from early native Mapuche and colonial
Spanish to the more dominant, present day
influence of America, Chile’s art scene is a mesh of
forms, mixed to create a distinct Chilean style that
is prevalent in the country’s thriving contemporary
art scene.
Galleries
The Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo
Nacional de Bellas Artes or MNBA), is one of the
major centers for Chilean art and for broader South
American art. Established in 1880 (making it the
oldest in South America), it was designed by the
French-Chilean architect Emile Jecquier in a fullblown Beaux-arts style and is situated in the Parque
Forestal of Santiago. The nearby Museum of
Contemporary Art (MAC) has been the articulating
axis of contemporary visual arts for over 50 years.
One of the Museum’s most important objectives
is to lead the field of visual arts, particularly in
two aspects: to maintain and strengthen its role
as preserver of the national contemporary artistic
memory, and to develop an annual agenda intended
to maintain its positioning as the country’s most
important art center. Santiago’s art scene has taken
root in affluent neighborhoods like Vitacura, with
contemporary galleries like Galería Animal (www.
galeriaanimal.com). The recently relocated gallery
opened its doors with an exhibition displaying a
collection of works by world-renowned artists such
as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Alfredo Jaar, Gonzalo
Cienfuegos and Roberto Matta. Sala Cero (www.
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SANTIAGO DE CHILE
salacero.cl), is housed in a raw concrete building on
the city’s fashionable shopping street, specializing
in art mainly from Chile. The first of this new breed
of galleries, Isabel Aninat Galería de Arte (www.
galeriaisabelaninat.cl), is an art space that dates
back to 1983, and is dedicated to promoting
Chilean and international contemporary artists.
Performing Arts
Santiago is known for its theater, including large
playhouses and small-scale, independent theater
groups. If you are curious or speak Spanish, try
the city’s well-regarded, vibrant theater scene.
Well-established theaters with high-quality,
contemporary productions and comedies in an
intimate setting include Teatro Bellavista and
Teatro Alcalá, both in the bohemian Bellavista
neighborhood. It is the Teatro Municipal, however
that is the jewel in the crown of Santiago’s art scene.
The neoclassical theater, Santiago’s main venue for
classical music, opera and ballet, oozes charm with
its sumptuous marble, red velvet and crystal interior.
The National Chilean Ballet holds productions
from April to December, including contemporary
and classic productions. There are musical events
and special productions throughout the year;
the best way to find out what’s on is to check the
theater’s website. Elsewhere, visiting orchestras,
the Fundación Beethoven, and contemporary acts
play at the Teatro Oriente.
within the lemon-colored, neoclassical Palacio
de la Real, built in 1807 and the historic site of
the first Chilean congressional session. Perhaps
the best known is the splendid Museo Chileno
de Arte Precolombino (www.precolombino.cl),
which houses more than 1,500 objects related
to indigenous life and culture throughout the
Americas make the Pre-Columbian Museum one of
the best in Santiago. Since it opened in 2010, the
hugely controversial but fascinating Memory and
Human Rights Museum (www.museodelamemoria.
cl) has shone the light on the difficult and fractious
history of the Pinochet years from 1973-1990.
The museum’s displays are mostly multimedia
recreations of key moments, including film and
radio, newspaper clippings and personal writings.
The superb English-language audio guide is a
must for non-Spanish speakers. In stark contrast
is La Chascona (www.fundacionneruda.org), the
Santiago home of the late Nobel Prize-winning
poet Pablo Neruda. Eccentric and absorbing,
the house is stuffed with books, whimsical curios,
trinkets, and toys he collected during his travels
around the world. A fascinating insight into the life
a fascinating man.
Museums
The city offers a wide range of museums, among the
highlights are Palacio de la Real Audiencia/Museo
Histórico Nacional (www.museohistoriconacional.
cl), which holds a superb collection of more than
70,000 colonial-era pieces, from furniture to suits
of armor to home appliances. This fascinating
collection of artifacts is laid out in 16 display rooms
Poet, Pablo Neruda.
Neruda’s House “La Chascona”, Santiago.
WELCOME TO
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
EAT
SANTIAGO
The culinary scene in Santiago is vibrant, with
great food to be found in hole-in-the-wall ‘picadas’
(informal local restaurants) to more sophisticated
dining experiences in swish venues in the uptown
areas. The finest dining and most innovative chefs
are found in affluent suburbs of Las Condes,
Vitacura and Providencia. Downtown, dine late at
night like the locals on traditional Chilean meals
with a modern flair.
Dishes
Chilean cuisine may lack the color and flair of their
noisy, Peruvian neighbors, but there is nothing
dull about it. Seafood is terrific here, and several
of the national dishes are based on this. Caldillo
de congrio is a hearty fish stew, celebrated by the
Chilean Nobel Prize winner poet Pablo Neruda in
his “Oda al Caldillo de Congrio.” . Machas a la
Parmesana are razor clams topped with cheese,
white wine, and cream, and quickly grilled. Ceviche
is white fish marinated in lemon juice, and mixed
with ingredients such as ginger, chili pepper, and
red onion. Other highlights include erizos (sea
urchins), picoroco (barnacles), centolla (Antarctic
spider crab), and the sensational lobster from the
Juan Fernández islands. Meat forms part of many
traditional dishes. Pastel de choclo is basically
an earthenware bowl filled the brim with ground
beef, chicken, olives, a boiled egg, and topped
with mashed corn. The empanada is a beef pie
made with ground beef, although there are many
alternative fillings. Patagonian lamb is very good.
The new breed of chefs perform makeovers of
traditional fare, creating innovative and interesting
variations. Chileans love sandwiches, and a visit
to a local Dominó restaurant is the ideal place to
sample their huge beef or pork sandwiches topped
with mayo, avocado, and tomato. Irresistible!
Dining Times
Santiaguinos dine a much later than in Europe and
North America. The more upscale restaurants don’t
open for lunch until 1.00pm, and dinner begins at
around 8.00, although most don’t start getting busy
until well after 9.00pm. Most close between lunch
and dinner, and many are closed on Sunday night.
The more informal places—especially the bar/
restaurant kind—don’t stop serving during the day,
so meal times are more flexible.
Dress Code
In the more high-end restaurants, people tend to
dress smartly for dinner, but rarely are a coat and tie
necessary. In more informal places, no dress code
applies.
Tipping
A 10% gratuity is standard in Chile. Some restaurants
may include it automatically, so be sure to look at
the check. Should service be particularly good, you
might wish to be more generous, although anything
above 20% is highly unusual.
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DRINK
SANTIAGO
Wine
Beer
Chile is a producer of excellent wines. It is no
surprise then that most restaurants have an
extensive wine list. The good news is that apart
from the high-end restaurants, Chilean wine is
great value for money. A good bottle can be
bought a local store for under US$10 (probably
double that price in restaurants). The international
popularity of Chilean wine has grown dramatically
over the past 10 years, and because Chilean wine
has moved slowly up the ladder into the premium
and ultra-premium bracket, it is now capturing
the attention of wine enthusiasts and collectors
worldwide. Chile’s wine tradition dates back to the
days of the Spanish conquest, although modern
winemaking techniques and technology were only
introduced in the late 1970s, when the Spanish
winemaker Miguel Torres imported the first
stainless-steel wine tanks. Chile is a winemaking
paradise. Mother Nature has blessed the country
with a natural geography that creates the perfect
terroir -- that is, a combination of local climate
and geology. Central Chile’s Mediterranean-like
climate produces lots of luminosity and minimal
but sufficient rainfall outside the winter months. Try
Carménère, a smooth red once considered a lost
variety after being wiped out in Europe, but now
thriving in Chile. The country also boasts excellent
Cabernet Sauvignon, elegant Pinot Noir, and crisp
and fruity white wines, especially those from the
coastal areas.
Until a few years ago, Chile’s beers were poor
compared to those of their neighbors. Only
Kunstmann, an independent brewery in the
southern city of Valdivia, made anything noteworthy.
Today things are very different. Craft beers are
everywhere, and there ae some excellent ones
too. Try the aforementioned Kunstmann in all of
its varieties, and Capital. For a lager-type beer, the
local Escudo is probably the pick of the bunch.
Other Drinks
Perhaps the most emblematic drink is the pisco
sour, a heady mix of grape brandy, lemon juice,
and simple syrup. It is the perfect aperitif, so start
your meal the way Chileans do. Chileans and
Peruvians are divided on who invented the pisco
sour (evidence leans in favor of Peru), but the drink
was certainly popularized in this country. Beware.
These babies have a kick! Pisco can also be a
sipping drink, with new high-end brands on the
market creating a buzz (literally!). Among the best
are Kappa and Waqar. Vaina is another traditional
local elixir. It is a mixture of port, red vermouth,
creme de cacao, and egg yolk, making a deliciously
sweet and creamy drink.
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SLEEP
SANTIAGO
The Basics
With over 14,500 hotel rooms available (of which
50% are 4 or 5 star), Santiago’s hotel infrastructure
ranks among the best in Latin America. Prices are
competitive, especially in the month of June which
is in between the two peak tourist seasons. In terms
of the types of quality accommodation available,
there is everything from charming boutique
properties to multi-storey international chain
hotels.
Where to Stay
Given Santiago’s curious mix of architectural
styles and socioeconomic levels, where you stay
could very well shape your opinion of the city.
The cheapest accommodations are undoubtedly
in the gritty downtown area, but you may find it
somewhat congested with people and traffic during
weekdays. The area does have tons of character
found in certain parts, particularly in he Lastarría/
Parque Forestal neighborhood, located on the east
side of Cerro Santa Lucía. Some visitors prefer the
upscale ambience of Las Condes. While it may lack
the local color of downtown Santiago, it has superb
infrastructure and a decidedly serious functionality.
Somewhere in between the two is Providencia, with
its leafy streets, restaurants, and shops.
International Brands
The arrival of large international chain hotels to the
city is indicative of Santiago’s position as a major
hub for business in Latin America. W, The Ritz-
Carlton, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Place, NH, Novotel,
Ibis, Renaissance, Sheraton, Marriott, Hilton,
InterContinental, and Radisson are among the big
names in the Chilean capital. They will soon be
joined by Four Seasons and Sofitel, just two of the
37 hotel projects currently underway in the city.
Boutique Properties
Not only is Santiago seeing an increase in large,
international chain hotels, but the city has also
undergone something of a revolution in boutique
hotels over the past five years. Among the highlights
are Lastarria Boutique Hotel and The Singular (both
around the Lastarria area), The Aubrey and Castillo
Rojo (in Bellavista), and Le Reve Boutique Hotel (in
Providencia).
Mid-Range
There are also some excellent 3-4* properties more
focused on business travelers. The Atton chain (3
hotels in Santiago), is the perfect mix of creature
comforts, functionality, and location. Plaza del
Bosque (also 3 hotels) is another good example.
WELCOME TO
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TRAVEL
SANTIAGO
Travelling in Chile or even a vacation in Chile will
always involve covering large distances. It has
affectionately been tagged ‘the thin country’, the
longest and narrowest on the continent, with a
length of 3,230 miles and an average width of only
120 miles. It is land of extremes, both in terms of
geography and climate. It has a long tradition of
democratic government, a strong economy and
a solid infrastructure; it is one of the most stable
in Latin America. The North has the Atacama
Desert, the driest place on earth, scattered with
a lunar like landscapes and home to the ancestral
indigenous Inca and pre-Inca civilizations. Central
Chile is similar to the Mediterranean, containing
the nation’s capital Santiago, a city surrounded
by fertile wine producing valleys and world-class
ski resorts. Continuing south takes you through
Chile’s Lake District, 12 beautiful lakes create a line
running north to south surrounded by lush green
forests, rapids, waterfalls and active snow capped
volcanoes that dominate the landscape. From
Puerto Montt Chile’s land has been broken up into a
land of glaciers and fjords, with access to the south
being solely by boat or plane. Chilean Patagonia
is almost a separate country, and at one time even
had its own government. Offering unrivalled views,
untouched wide-open spaces, and the spectacular
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, it is one of the
world’s last true wilderness retreats. Deep into the
Pacific Ocean lies Easter Island, the worlds largest
‘open air’ museum, and home to over 600 Moai –
giant stone statues thought to be over 800 years old.
It is one of those places that stir the imagination.
Santiago
Santiago sits in a valley between the coastal
mountain range and the mighty Andes, all reaching
altitudes of over 7000m, with constant snow capped
summits that can be seen year round. A turbulent
political past makes for impassioned art. Explore
the mind of Chile’s best-loved poet at La Chascona,
a museum located in Pablo Neruda’s former home
in Bellavista. Then head to the Museo Chileno de
Arte Precolombino near the Plaza de Armas for a
vivid glimpse of indigenous life and culture before
the Spanish arrived. A complete tour of the city
should always include a market, the enormous La
Vega being the most entertaining. In a city that
never seems to stop for long, park yourself on a
bench on the Plaza and watch the world go by. At
night, head to Providencia for lively bars, Ñuñoa
for cheap beers, or bohemian Bellavista’s cafe-bars
and live music venues.
The neoclassical Municipal Theatre, Santiago’s
main venue for classical music, opera and ballet,
oozes charm with its sumptuous marble, red velvet
and crystal interior. If you are curious or speak
Spanish, try the city’s well-regarded, vibrant theater
scene. Wherever you go, you’ll never be far from
the signature drink, pisco sour. For a quick snack
or lunch, grab a bowl of ceviche while taking in
the cacophony of the Mercado Central, Santiago’s
colorful food market. The finest dining and most
innovative chefs are found in affluent suburbs of Las
Condes and Vitacura. Downtown, dine late at night
like the locals on traditional Chilean meals with a
modern flair, such as beef marinated in cilantro or
conger eel with barnacle sauce at Confitería Torres,
the oldest restaurant in Santiago.
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SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Nearby Attractions
Valparaíso is Chile’s most captivating city, and,
accordingly, it is the most popular coastal
destination and an obligatory cruise ship port of
call. During the 19th century, Valparaíso ranked as
a port town of such wealth that few others in the
world could compare, but in the years following the
completion of the Panama Canal, Valparaíso sunk
into poverty. Today, especially on hills such as Cerro
Concepción and Cerro Alegre, the city’s run-down
buildings are experiencing a rebirth. With so many
gourmet restaurants and boutique hotels opening
at such a fast pace, Valparaíso is quickly becoming
the choice destination for dining and lodging on
the coast. The historical importance of this city,
paired with the vibrant culture of local porteños,
is far more intriguing than Viña, a reason why
UNESCO designated Valparaíso a World Heritage
Site in 2002.
Wine is a big deal in Chile. Just outside the city limits
of Santiago, the scenery opens into a patchwork
of poplar-lined agricultural fields and grapevines,
and tiny towns hearken back to a quieter, colonial
era where it is common to see weathered adobe
homes, horse-driven carts, and dirt roads leading
to Wine Country. Tours are available at a large
number of Wineries, but if a full-blown, 2-day, and
in-depth wine experience is not for you, it would
be best to stick with the handful of wineries that
are within a 1-hour drive of the capital. Concha y
Toro is the most famous of all, and is Chile’s largest
wine producer. For a more intimate, boutique
experience the biodynamic Odfjell Vineyards, the
organic Santa Emiliana, and the very boutique Von
Siebenthal are the best. Coastal vineyards such
as Casas del Bosque and Casa Marín can also be
combined with trips to Valparaíso. For full-on wine
programs, the Colchagua Valley stands out as the
zone par excellence for the Carmenere variety and
remarkable syrah and Cabernet sauvignon. The
valley is home to Chile’s new boutique wineries that
produce almost exclusively for export. At the heart
of central Chile, Colchagua combines the best of
country traditions, hospitality and modern winery,
setting new standards in wine production as well as
an example in local development and integration
through cooperation on all levels. Colchagua Valley
can be experienced aboard the historic “Tren del
Vino”, a steam engine train offering wine tasting
and folklore entertainment while passing by the
valleys most famous vineyards. The valley also has
some great hotels.
White water rafting is a great option for those with
an appetite for adventure, and wanting to escape
from the city. The class III rapids in the Maipo
Canyon are the best.
A good off-the-beaten-track destination is the
La Campana National Park. This is a real treat for
hikers and nature lovers. Located in the Valparaíso
Region, it covers approximately 80 square
kilometres and is home to one of the last Chilean
Wine Palm forests. Climbing Cerro La Campana
(Bell Mountain) is a great hiking trip on a day off.
From the summit, you can see the Pacific Ocean
on clear days as well as the Aconcagua mountain,
the highest mountain in the Americas. At 6,960.8
meters (22,837 feet), it is located in the province of
Mendoza, Argentina. Charles Darwin climbed to
the summit on August 16, 1834. A plaque on the
path to the top commemorates his ascent. The
hike last approximately 8 hours. There are some
lovely places to stay in the area too, and plenty of
restaurants serving traditional Chilean dishes.
Skiing in Chile is world class. The country’s awesome
Andean terrain and excellent resorts are no longer
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SANTIAGO DE CHILE
just a summer refuge for ski fanatics and foreign ski
teams, it’s now a hot destination for even recreational
skiers, especially in July and August. In 2006, North
American guests came close to ranking number
one in client visits at the major Chilean ski resorts.
The allure? Andean skiing delivers a combination of
world-class terrain, glorious weather, and an exotic
journey that is without peer. The novelty of skiing
from June to October does have some cache, but
skiers have also discovered that the Andean terrain
has everything from easy groomers to spine-tingling
steeps, and with so few people on the slopes here,
that powder lasts for days, not hours. From mid-July
to late September, a 3m (9 3/4-ft.) base of snow is
guaranteed. There are few lift lines, and passes are
generally 50% cheaper than ski resorts in France,
Austria, and Switzerland. The ambience is relaxed
and conducive to making friends and waking
up late. The major resorts in Chile are top-notch
operations with modern equipment and facilities.
Resorts centered on the Farallones area, such as
Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado, can be
reached in a 1- to 1 1/2-hour drive from Santiago
or the airport, and can be visited for the day. At
a little over 2 hours from Santiago, the venerable,
world-renowned Portillo can be visited for the day,
but most skiers headed to that resort bunk in their
all-inclusive hotel, which must be booked from
Saturday to Saturday during most of the season.
Adventurous skiers and snowboarders are finding
that heliskiing lets them put tracks down where
no one has before, and others are striking out and
visiting the country’s unsung, smaller resorts such
as Corralco, where they find intimate settings and a
more “Chilean” experience.
Atacama
The Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth,
offering amazing scenery, numerous activities,
and year round good weather. The best base for
exploring the Atacama region is the town of San
Pedro, made almost entirely of adobe brick – a mix
of local mud and straw. The archaeological museum
holds an extraordinary collection of artefacts, whilst
its streets are lined with indigenous handicraft
markets and its outskirts contain ancient ruins
and thermal springs. There are many wonderful
places to see; one of the best is the Valley of the
Moon whose unique lunar landscape is an amazing
geological spectacle, transformed at sunset into
a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows and orange. The
El Tatio Geysers, at an altitude of 4,321m, are the
highest in the world and are best viewed at dawn
when the changing atmospheric pressure causes
the geysers to erupt, spewing steam up to 10
meters high. The Atacama salt flat, stretching 50
miles across is a blinding white mass. Interesting
fauna includes 3 types of flamingo, and nearby
major archaeological sites, geyser fields and quaint
Andean hamlets. San Pedro de Atacama is also
the starting point for trekking in the area. Due to
volcanic eruptions, strange geological formations
protrude from the Altiplano and are surrounded by
emerald green lakes. Treks include the climbable
Licancabur 5,916m with its ceremonial alter at the
summit. The town of San Pedro in the center has a
first class hotel infrastructure, thus making it a center
for luxury adventure travel. RECOMMENDED STAY:
3-4 NIGHTS
Patagonia
Chilean Patagonia is one of the remotest and
beautiful areas of the world, with lush forests,
deep fjords, spectacular shaped mountains and
awe inspiring glaciers. Amongst the scenery is an
abundance of wildlife including llama, guanaco,
rhea, condors and Magellan penguins. Punta
Arenas, the southern most town of its size in the
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world is at the tip and from Punta Arenas you can
take a cruise to Ushuaia (Argentina) around the
island of Tierra del Fuego which means land of
fire, named after the fires lit by Onas Indians; the
early explorers thought the land was literally on fire.
This is where the sea and the mountains meet, the
Pacific and Atlantic oceans merge and the roaring
40’s blow; it is a legendary passage of water. The
town of Puerto Natales, 3 hours north, is a wind
blown town reminiscent of a western film. Colourful
wooden houses, hotels and posadas are scattered
across the landscape. The route north can be
broken up with an overnight stay in an ‘estancia’
(farmhouse), which provided superb traditional
food and enormous wood fires. From here the road
heads into the best national park in Patagonia,
Torres del Paine.
Inside, its trademark twin granite peaks preside
over a string of iceberg-studded lakes ranging
in color from emerald green to aquamarine to
grey, encircled by huge glaciers, waterfalls and
surrounded by forest. The park is a World Biosphere
Reserve with an abundance of wild flora and fauna,
a network of over 250 km of outstanding walking
trails, as well as a wide range of facilities making
it Chile’s best-equipped park. RECOMMENDED
STAY: 3-4 NIGHTS
Lakes Region
South of the Bío-Bío River, Chile is transformed. The
climate cools and becomes much more humid; dairy
farms replace the vineyards; and lagoons, lakes, and
emerald forests of ancient trees appear. The Andes
lose altitude but more than make up for it in beauty,
sprouting magnificent white-capped volcanoes.
This is one of the most popular destinations in Chile,
not only for its beauty, but also for the cultural and
outdoor activities available, and its well-developed
tourism infrastructure. But the many national parks
and preserves give visitors a chance to immerse
themselves in virgin forest unique for its stands
of umbrella-shaped araucaria and 1,000-year-old
alerce trees immerse themselves in virgin forest
unique for its stands of umbrella-shaped araucaria
and 1,000-year-old alerce trees. Chile’s southern
region is a multitude of lakes and volcanoes
and is also home to one of the most remarkable
indigenous cultures, the Mapuches, who, for
nearly 3 centuries, defended their homeland from
the Spanish conquistadors. Of particular interest
is the chain of national parks that extends along
the Argentine border, with wonderful scenery of
lakes, forests and volcanic plateaus. Adventurous
travelers will find near limitless opportunities for
hiking and mountaineering, white water rafting,
mountain biking and horseback riding, among
other activities. For the more relaxed there are
hot springs to soak in, bird watching, lava caves
to explore or an Andean lake cruise. Each of the
towns in the Lake District contains excellent hotels,
dining, shopping and diverse attractions for all
tastes, ages and level of fitness. RECOMMENDED
STAY: 2-3 NIGHTS
Easter Island
Situated in eastern Polynesia some 3,700 km (5hr
flight) from mainland Chile it was discovered in 1771
on Easter Sunday by Spanish conquistadors on their
way to the Indies. Easter Island is a World heritage
Site, but also the most isolated place on the planet.
It has been called an ‘open air museum’ on account
of the Moai, or stone statues, of which there are
over 600 that can be found on the island, with 300
Moais on one volcano! Not all the Moais were
finished, and many can be found at varying stages
of construction, showing the elaborate carving
techniques used with only rudimentary tools. The
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SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Lake Cucao, National Park Chiloé, Chile.
purpose of the Moai still remains a mystery and
archaeologists are trying to understand this ancient
civilization by interpreting the ancient language of
Rapa Nui – a Polynesian dialect. The inhabitants
are mostly Polynesian and the Island itself is made
up 3 volcanoes, each of which can be explored
on foot and the quiet little towns of Hanga Roa
and Orongo with their incredible stonewalls and
birdman ceremonial sites adding to the islands
charm. In addition to the cultural and archaeological
interests, there are beautiful beaches, clear waters
and coral reefs, as would be expected of a pacific
island. RECOMMENDED STAY: 3-4 NIGHTS
Chiloé Island
The “Great Island of Chiloé” is a land of myths and
magic -- of emerald, rolling hills shrouded in mist,
and tiny, picturesque coves that harbor a colorful
palette of wooden fishing skiffs. With the exception
of a few small towns, the landscape here by and
large is pastoral, with a deference to development
that tends to make travelers feel as if they have
been transported back a century. Across the
island, wooden churches modeled after a Bavarian,
neoclassic style appear like a beacon in every bay;
they are so lovely and architecturally unique that
UNESCO recently deemed them World Heritage
sites. RECOMMENDED STAY: 1-2 NIGHTS
Self-Drive
If you steer clear of the desert and southern
Patagonia, Chile is a great place for self-drive
journeys. Highways are excellent, the cities are easy
to get around, and going off-road can make for an
amazing experience. Instead of just hiring a car and
making your own route, there are companies who
can tailor an itinerary for you, providing a luxurious
Land Rover Discovery equipped with GPS and
everything you need to get you from A to B, then
C, D...
TIMETABLE
ITEA2016
TIMETABLE
ITEA 2016