Best time to visit Chile

To avoid the crowds in Torres del Paine, opt for a visit to Navarino Island for some of the most epic trails in Patagonia – it also happens to be the world’s southernmost hiking route.

The waters off Punta Arenas play host to humpback whales enjoying a good feed and in Francisco Coloane Marine Park, you can even kayak amongst them.

Chile’s Lake District is sublime in January with fabulous weather for everything from kayaking to horseback rides.

Head for the Aysen region where you can do everything from kayaking in the Marble Caves to rafting on Baker River – and the chance for puma spotting too.

Discover some of the most off-the-beaten-track scenery in Patagonia as you explore the Aysen region. Marvel at innumerable glaciers, go kayaking in the Marble Caves and rafting on the intrepid Baker River.

On the pampas of Torres del Paine, puma tracking excursions achieve incredible success with female pumas hunting throughout the day to feed growing cubs.

Enjoy water-based pursuits in the scenic Lake District including kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming. Waterfalls are also flowing strongly from the glacial melt.

Enjoy Chile’s vibrant wine harvest festivals (vendimias). Colchagua Valley’s is particularly popular with an array of high-end wines, grape stomping competitions and cueca dancing.

Autumn colours burst across Patagonia in striking contrast with its turquoise lakes and snowy peaks. There are far fewer people too, which is always a bonus!

Temperatures are just right for adventures in the Atacama Desert including hikes through the surreal Moon Valley, dips in sky-blue lagoons and wanders in between El Tatio Geysers at sunrise.

Your chances are fantastic for puma-spotting in Torres del Paine as mothers debut their cubs and you’ll see Patagonia in all its fiery, autumn glory.

Skies are especially clear in the Atacama Desert, making for unreal stargazing – this is your chance to see the Milky Way without an ounce of light pollution.

Enjoy the celebrations of Chile’s wine harvest festivals including the always-entertainng grape stomping, folk music and traditional dancing.

Easter Island is glorious in April when the crowds have dispersed, there’s a good amount of sunshine and snorkelling is top-notch.

Chile’s urban hubs like Santiago and Valparaíso are in fine form with pleasant temperatures, perfect for exploring museums, street art and top-notch restaurants.

May begins the ‘secret season’ for puma tracking in Torres del Paine, when guanacos congregate in specific areas, drawing these elusive predators out. Turn your eyes to the sky too as condors may be soaring overhead.

The Atacama Desert experiences near-perfect stargazing conditions. Boasting the majority of Earth’s ground-based astronomy projects, rest assured you’ll be in for something special.

Enjoy the fascinating sights of Easter Island in relative solitude, letting you linger longer and snap as many pics of the moai statues as you like.

Around mid-June, Chile’s ski season officially begins where Andean slopes laden with fresh powder offer sublime skiing conditions at world-class resorts.

There’s no end to the wonders of the Atacama Desert, from daytime adventures to exceptional stargazing. Join expert astronomers with a cup of hot chocolate and marvel at the skies.

Enjoy wandering walks around the bohemian hills of Valparaíso, taking in its history and rainbow-coloured houses – and a good deal of seafood too.

Skiers find bliss in July, when consistent snowfall results in ongoing powder conditions at world-class Andean ski resorts.

This time of year offers a far cosier experience in Chile’s wine regions complete with roaring fireplaces and crowd-free tastings.

The Atacama Desert is in spectacular form, ideal for hiking through its otherworldly valleys and admiring the unique wildlife that calls it home, while stargazing remains incredible.

Experience some of the clearest stargazing in the Atacama, the world’s driest non-polar desert, where state-of-the-art telescopes reveal the secrets of the Milky Way.

The famous Santa Rosa Storm typically hits towards the end of August, delivering incredible powder conditions to the Andean slopes, which combines with spring corn snow – perfect for all abilities.

Head to Termas de Chillán to combine epic skiing with soothing soaks in volcanic hot springs – sublime to say the least.

The Fiestas Patrias, Chile’s greatest cultural holiday, is celebrated in mid-September with incredible street festivals in Santiago, traditional cueca dancing competitions and scrumptious food everywhere you look.

The Gulf of Corcovado turns into one of the world’s most important blue whale feeding grounds, while southern right whales migrate to Patagonian waters and Chile’s coastline hosts nearly 40% of the world’s whale and dolphin species.

In late September, the Lake District comes alive with wildflowers, blooming in beautiful contrast with the snowy peaks, and superb conditions for enjoying the outdoors.

An all-year-round destination, Easter Island is particularly lovely in October when the crowds haven’t arrived yet but the weather is perfect for exploring its maoi statues and hiking trails, and snorkelling in the clear, temperate waters.

October is one of the very best months for discovering Torres del Paine, when wildflowers offer bursts of colour, there’s 12+ hours of daylight and wildlife is exceptionally active.

If the winter rains were sufficient, the Atacama Desert explodes with over 200 species of wildflowers, colouring the usually barren landscape in vibrant hues.

Experiencing up to 16 hours of daylight, trekking season begins in Torres del Paine with fewer crowds than you’ll find in the peak months. Baby guanacos are born and pumas are out in full force – and successful sightings are high.

Easter Island is relatively free of visitors and the weather is just-right for trekking to see famous archaeological sites like Ahu Tongariki.

This is a prime month for exploring the Chilean fjords on a cruise, including daily adventures by Zodiac boat where you’ll marvel at glaciers up-close and spot graceful sea lions.

On a visit to Easter Island, you’ll want to spend all your time outside, discovering the island’s famous statues and archaeological sites, or soaking up the sunshine on one of its beaches.

The marine life! From the adorable penguin chicks of Isla Magdalena to the immense whale activity off the coast of Patagonia (humpbacks, orcas and more), you’ll be totally spoiled with sightings.

With up to 18 hours of daylight in Torres del Paine, embarking on its iconic treks are possible once again and the conditions are practically perfect too.

The Wine Valleys of central Chile are simply idyllic and December is a fantastic time for tours and tastings.