S O U T H E R N   L A T I T U D E S

T O U R S

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Exploring Unique & Picturesque Chile

The Tours:
Southern Latitudes currently offers four tours in Chile. From north to south: The Atacama Desert, a showcase of wonderful archaeological and geological sites. The Lakes Region with it's smoking, snow capped volcanoes. The Southern Highway (Northern Patagonia), a thousand mile gravel road leading to the continents most remote corners. Torres del Paine (Southern Patagonia), one of the world's most spectacular national parks literally at the end of the earth. These tours can be combined with each other or with a fly fishing trip (see other web site) and are fully customizable and private. You can go where you want when you want. Return to the hotel early to enjoy a Jacuzzi or stay out late to get those sunset photos. With David's guidance your trip is planned to your specifications. David is your guide throughout your entire experience in Chile once you arrive at the starting point. If you begin in Torres del Paine and finish in the Atacama Desert David accompanies you the entire way. Nobody else in Chile offers this kind of service. The tours can also be as active or restful as you would like. There are many options for hiking or biking or simply see the sights from the comfort of the vehicle.

Your nights are spent at the finest hotels in Chile. Terrado Suites in Iquique, Hotel del Lago in Pucon and Hosteria Coyhaique in Coyhaique to name a few. Often our tours take us to remote corners where quaint bed and breakfast style inns will accommodate you. Some nights you'll have the option to enjoy spa facilities, gamble at a modern casino or just check your e-mail. You are guaranteed the best the area has to offer. Most of the hotels have excellent restaurants and full service bars but we often go into town to sample the delicious Chilean cuisine. First grade beef or savory seafood accompanied with one of Chile's renowned wines are a perfect end to the day.

Your Guide: David Frederick
Born and raised in Seattle, David has been the owner and operator of Southern Latitudes since it's beginnings in 1993 and was guiding for two years prior to that in southern Chile. David is fluent in Spanish and graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Fisheries Biology and has a great love for travel and fly fishing. He has extensive experience in guided tours from years of guiding in Alaska, Montana and Sun Valley, Idaho.

Geography:
Chile is located on the southwest side of the continent of South America. It runs from 17 degrees S. latitude in the north to about 56 degrees S. latitude in the south never getting more than about 100 miles wide at any point. Superimposed on the West Coast of North America it would reach from Ketchikan, Alaska to Acapulco, Mexico! Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina border Chile.

Interesting Facts: The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the driest land mass in the world. Chile is the #1 producer of copper in the world and #2 in farm raised salmon. The Chilean economy is the strongest and most stable in Latin America. Easter Island, a Chilean territory, is 1500 miles from the nearest inhabited land making it the most isolated place on earth. 10% of all the active volcanoes on the planet are found in Chile. The Mapuche Indians of southern Chile were the last to be conquered in all of the Americas. Language: Spanish Population: 15 million Capital: Santiago Currency: Peso (about 520 pesos=$1.00) Length: 2672 Miles Government: Democracy

GUEST COMMENTS Dear David, I can't tell you how much the Herrings and I enjoyed our travels with you in Chile. The raw beauty and vastness of the Atacama region was breathtaking. I try to describe it to friends by telling them to think of all the beautiful US National Parks in Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Montana, quadruple their size, add in numerous snow capped active volcanoes and then subtract the normal throngs of tourists who would be there with you. Of course we also loved the spectacular coastline and the wooded beauty of the Lakes Region. In retrospect the variety was awesome-every day a visual delight and so different from the one before. The care with which you planned our route was obvious. You certainly did a great job in fulfilling the objective of providing us as many photo ops as possible. We were also greatly impressed with your skills as a driver. Despite the many gravel and dirt roads, despite the steep grades and sharp drop-offs, we always felt comfortable in your hands. Two things we really admired were your considerable skills with the language and your ability to relate so well to the local people. Both enabled us to go places and do things we never could have arranged or done on our own. Of course, we also greatly appreciated how well you were able to relate to us and what a good traveling companion you were. It's not easy for people to go from being total strangers to spending eighteen hours a day together for two weeks. We enjoyed your company, your conversation and your good humor as much as we did your beautiful countryside. Thanks for providing us with fantastic travel experience. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend this kind of trip to anyone who asks. Best regards, Gail Sermersheim Senior Vice President & General Manager HBO

Season:
At this time the general season for the travel tours is Nov. 15 through May 15. Some things to consider. If you are thinking about combining with a fly fishing tour the fishing season is from Nov. 15 to the first Sunday in April. The wet season in the high mountains of the Atacama Desert is January and February. The chance of snow in Torres del Paine increases dramatically after Apr. 15. The dry season in the Lakes Region is January, February and March.

Cost:
Cost is $350.00 per person per day based on double occupancy. A 50% deposit is required to secure your dates. This deposit is non-refundable unless you find a replacement but can be used for a future reservation if you must cancel. Final payment must be received 30 days prior to arrival in Chile. Included is guide service for duration of the trip, all ground transportation upon your arrival, all food and lodging, park and museum entrance fees etc. Not included are airline services, alcoholic beverages, extra services such as spas, telephone, laundry or gratuities.

Travel Tips:
Southern Latitudes does not offer any airline packages to Chile. It is recommended you contact your travel agent for all flight arrangements. Please contact David directly for assistance in planning your trip. Here is helpful information to get you started. Just about all international flights arrive in Santiago, the capital of Chile. The U. S. carriers are American and Delta. There are several South American carriers including Lan Chile Airlines. Flights leave from Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta and Miami. Flights inside of Chile should be made with Lan Chile. The Atacama tour starts in Calama and ends in Arica. The Lakes Region tour starts in Puerto Montt and ends in Temuco. The Southern Highway tour starts in Puerto Montt and ends in Balmaceda. The Torres del Paine tour starts and ends in Punta Arenas. Lan Chile Aitlines services all of these cities.