Chile & Easter Island: Norte Chico

by Greg Benchwick

Discover Chile and Easter Island. Includes FREE planning and background information. Caught between the ocean and the Andes, Chile?s Norte Chico, or Little North, is unique unto itself. Gone are the vast open spaces of the desolate Atacama Desert to the north, and the lush valleys and mountains of the south are still but a whispered fantasy. This is a land in transition. Heading down from Norte Grande, the harsh desert landscape begins to yield signs of life: a cactus here, a scrub brush there. Then finally, you hit one of the many chartreuse river valleys, a welcome sight in a land rough-hewn in browns and grays. And while Norte Chico may hold less attraction than the big sights to the south, there?s a lilting air of blue-skied desert mysticism that keeps your attention. La Serena, a coastal colonial capital, is the largest city in the region and a must-see for anybody visiting. From there is the Elqui Valley, home to Chile?s pisco production, new-age communes and cutting-edge observatories. And further north are some amazing national parks, muscle-bound mining towns, and mile upon mile of uncharted coastline just waiting for you to set up camp or charge out for an afternoon surf. Wildlife lovers won?t want to miss the playful penguins of Reserva Nacional Ping?ino de Humboldt and Parque Nacional Pan de Az?car. And high in the Andes, the seldom-visited Parque Nacional Nevado Tres Cruces is a great place to spot vicu?a and flamingos. It would seem that despite its diminutive moniker, the little north is just a bit bigger, and just a bit badder, than most people thought.

Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

Greg Benchwick is an internationally acclaimed travel writer and children's author. His work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Lonely Planet, Conde Naste and more than 50 newspapers, websites and magazines worldwide. He has authored over 40 travel books and coffee table books for Lonely Planet and the Fodor's guide. When he’s not adventuring around the globe, or making up stories about passenger pigeons, Greg writes speeches and human interest stories for the United Nations on conservation, education and climate change.

Over the past 10 years with the United Nations, Greg has served as the coordinating author on a number of publications on climate change and conservation.

He is an expert on travel, international development, food, wine, Latin America, sustainable travel and adventure sports, and has also contributed as an authoritative expert for such media outlets as Newsweek, The Washington Post, BBC Radio, Rick Steve’s Radio and Let’s Travel Radio.

In his free time, Greg writes short stories, children's books and screenplays, and adventures around the American West with his eight-year-old daughter and their 100-pound Newfoundland.