What to do for a week in Chile?
 

Hi,

I am considering a week in Chile around Thanksgiving next year, together with my wife and small child. Any suggestions for what to do/see?

-LTZ

I spent Thanksgiving week 1995 in Chile: a few days in Santiago, fly down to the lake district (Puerto Montt) and then fly to Punta Arenas and overland to Torres del Paine (the highlight).

I was there over Thanksgiving in 2002, a work-related trip. Santiago has warmed up nicely by late November, but the Lake District and farther south is still quite cool and rainy in late November.

Thank you both.

thit_cho,
was it the overland route or Torres it self that was the highlight?

So far from just looking at the guide book Santiago + Valparaiso seems like the easy way out, and I am wondering how much effort I should put into getting away from there (with an infant).

Torres del Paine was the highlight.

Also, we enjoyed visiting the penguin colony at Seno Otway (sp?), which is around an hour from Punta Arenas by road.

With one week, I do not think you have time for Torres del Paine. You would need to take a flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas and then travel by bus to Puerto Natales. Then another bus ride would take you to TDP. It would be 4.5 to 5 hours of bus ride just to get to the park. Weather is often unsettled still in November.
I would suggest you stay a couple of days in Santiago, maybe a couple more in Valparaíso or Viña del Mar and then rent a car and do a night in the Colchagua wine valley a couple of hours from Santiago (or rent a car to visit the vineyards in the Casablanca valley on your way to the coast). This would give you three different things to do in the week and weather in the central region of Chile is very pleasant by late November.

Huentetu,
Thanks for your input. I suspect you're right, and that is indeed my plan currently.

Which is better, Valparaíso or Viña del Mar? I was considering just staying for points at Sheraton there. Would I be doing myself a dis-service?

The Sheraton is gorgeous and all rooms have ocean views. Viña and Valparaíso are right next to each other, so it doesn't really matter which you are in.

thnaks! I'm always afraid of losing local flavor when staying in chains.

I spent last Christmas in Vina, and the Sheraton looks like it is built into the side of the rocks facing the ocean....beautiful place.
Vina is small enough to walk everywhere and the water front is active with restaurants and parks.
It is a nice bus ride from Santiago to Vina through the mountains.
Beautiful country Chile

I agree that the Santiago/Valparaiso combo is a good one for your one week trip. As for staying in Vina or Valpo, yes they are right next to each other, but Vina would probably be the better choice as it is more of a beach town, where Valpo is more of an industrial city. Both are worth visiting, but Vina should make a better base.

To Huentetu and others

We are travelling to El Calafate January 8 and need to return to El Calafate on January 17. We would like to travel to TDP. Is it necessary to go from El Calafate to TLP by way of Puerto Natales? or is there a direct option? Do you have any suggestions on where to stay in TDP for people without big budget?
Thanks

If you child is old enough to enjoy the water, Vina Del Mar has a wonderful beach and the Sheraton is right on the beach. Valparaiso is also on the water, but it is much more commercial. Santiago offers much variety within the city for tourists, but we went to Vina just to have a few days of beach relaxation. With children at ages 7 and 8, the Vina beach was perfect but be prepared for stronger rays of sun. With a one week trip, I would stay in only two places so not to lose so much time flying from place to place. I'd save the Lake District for a warmer time of year.

The kiddo will be 16 months...

I think satiago and vina seems like good options.