TRAVEL IN CHILE

Options before or after the main trip


We know Chile very well (Open Sky owner Alex Ros spent his most formative years there, and has been taking groups to Chile since 2004), and you've saved time on a usual Antarctic trip by flying instead of spending 4 days at sea, so why not explore some of its treasures too?

We can give those interested further details, but to give you a sense of what we can facilitate:

TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Torres del Paine National Park is the jewel of southern Patagonia, and it's just a 3.5-4 hour drive away from Punta Arenas, where our Antarctic trip starts & ends. We've been there countless times (can vouch that it's worth it!), and would love to help you explore it.

It's also possible to fly in or out of Puerto Natales, a pretty Chilean town at the end of a fjord that has direct flights to/from Santiago and is only an hour away from the park.

Special option, particularly for photographers, but appreciated by all:

PUMA TRACKING in Torres del Paine

We've been doing this since 2018 and the experience is always exhilarating. Together with a very specialized local partner company that is serious about conservation—and whose experience & passion show—we primarily explore an area just east of the national park border they discovered to be the only place in the world where pumas can be reliably spotted in the wild on over 90% of days.

EASTER ISLAND

Santiago/SCL is the only airport (besides Tahiti) with direct flights to this truly mysterious and beautiful island in the middle of the South Pacific. We've been there several times and it never ceases to fascinate. Consider 3 to 4 nights before or after Antarctica.

Special option, particularly for photographers, but appreciated by most:

Photographing the MILKY WAY over AHU TONGARIKI

We took 11 photographers to do this in December 2019 and it was epic. Via a specialized photo partner on the island that has been doing this for years. Timing depends on lunar cycle*, and is of course weather-dependent (though having several nights available for it on the island visit helps).

*On this trip, if before Antarctica, this should be possible between December 9-14, 2022. If after Antarctica, through the end of December would work.

SANTIAGO

Chile's capital city, beautifully-set at the base of the Andes, is certainly worth visiting (and OSE owner Alex spent most of his formative years here, so we have a special bond Santiago, and love to share that).

OTHER OPTIONS IN CHILE like the Atacama Desert, or the Lake District in central Patagonia, or wine country, etc.

Even second or third-time visitors to Chile can find plenty worth exploring. We're happy to discuss options.