Visiting Chile in September

Spring is showing its face in Chile this month, with temperatures beginning to warm up but still none of the crowds of peak season. Santiago sees highs of around 20C this month, which makes it a great time for a holiday in Chile’s capital, pleasantly warm enough to sightsee. Nearby Valparaiso is only slightly cooler, with mostly dry days to appreciate the UNESCO World Heritage Site, including its vibrant architecture and hilltop views.

The Lake District is also pleasant to explore this month, cool enough to get out hiking, biking and scaling volcanoes, but warm enough to make the blue lakes glisten in the sunshine. There’s some snow left if you’d like to grab your toboggan after a morning spent soaking up the views and visiting the attractive Alpine-style villages.

If you fancy hiking in the Central Valley, the worst of the cold, wet weather is over here too, so it’s a good time to get out and explore before it’s too busy. Or enjoy some guaranteed dry weather in the Atacama desert, where you can hike in the canyons, explore the salt flats, and watch geysers erupt in the shadow of volcanoes – it’s still cool at night but not as freezing as the winter months. If you’re lucky, you can experience the Flowering Desert, especially near Copiapo, where the tiny amounts of rain spur the flowers into exuberant life.

Patagonia is slowly starting to open up again this month, although the area’s famously strong winds are also picking up, so it’s better to postpone your visit than battle the elements in September.

Festivals: The Fiestas Patrias take place this month on September 18 and 19, with national holidays marked across the country. On the first day, Independence Day, Chileans celebrate in ramadas, or temporary shelters with roofs made of branches, enjoying traditional food and drinks. The second day marks the commemoration of the First Assembly of the Government, with a parade in Santiago, bareback horse races, rodeos and kite-flying for children, plus some quirky competitions like contests to climb greased poles.

Best for: Santiago without the crowds, Lake District, Atacama, festivals