Chile is a country of remarkable beauty offering outstanding natural wonders, excellent hospitality and a rich culture. It is a land of extremes, both in geography and climate. In the far north, the Atacama Desert is the world’s most arid. Mediterranean landscapes of central Chile give life to the nation’s exciting capital, Santiago, surrounded by fertile wine-producing valleys and world-class ski resorts. To the south are the green forests, waterfalls and snow-capped volcanoes of the Lake District while further south again is the great wilderness of Patagonia. And deep in the Pacific is Easter Island, with its mysterious moais. Vassa Holidays Pvt Ltd prides itself on offering exclusive services such as meeting guests before they clear immigration in Santiago and the unique private Andes crossing in the Lake District.

See flocks of flamingoes on salt lakes in the Atacama Desert. Go horse-riding through the Valley of the Moon. Rise before sunrise to view the fumaroles and geysers of El Tatio. Join celebrated chef Carlos Garcia with a market tour, cooking demonstration and lunch at his renowned restaurant, Fabula. Participate in the vintage at a vineyard in the Central Valley and join the grape pickers. Visit the Presidential Palace, not normally open to the public and tour the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art with a curator. Marvel at the human-like statues on Rapa Nui, Easter Island.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

March-May: Take part in the grape harvest, picnic in the vines and savour new blends. Week before Easter: Religious week-long Semana Santa or Holy Week celebrations are held throughout the country. Mid-September: For Fiestas Patrias, community festivals celebrating various local patron saints. Weatherwise: Chile is a year-round destination with hot summers and cold to very cold winters in the mountains and far south. With easy access via Santiago, skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes in the Andes from July to September.