KE’s Tim Greening has just returned from 2.5 months travelling around Chile and Argentina and can not stop talking about how good these countries are. His trip included trekking in the Paine National Park, mountain biking across the Lake District of Northern Patagonia, driving over 5000 kms from Santiago past Aconcagua and up through the Argentinean Andes to Jujuy, across the Atacama to Antofagasta and back down the Chilean coast to Santiago. Finally flying back to Calama and joining a KE Red Hot Chile trek from San Pedro… But why does he think Chile will be one of 2016's hottest adventure destinations?

1. The people

They're as diverse as they come, from gauchos with Welsh ancestors in Southern Patagonia to native atacamenos Indians in the northern desert but everywhere they are friendly. Even in the large metropolis of Santiago I never felt threatened, Chile has to be one of the safest countries in the world at the moment.

2. There's nowhere like it

Trekking around the glaciers of the Torres del Paine and staying at the eco camp at Las Torres was one of my favourite weeks of the trip! You can not miss the “W” or “Paine Circuit” treks.

3. One of the most surreal environments on the earth

The Atacama Desert sits at the northern tip of Chile, sandwiched between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. One of the highest and driest places on earth it is known for its salt lakes, flamingo filled lagoons, sand dunes, bizarre geological formations and mysterious volcanic peaks.  From the pretty laid backed oasis village of San Pedro, you can explore the superb 'Valley of the Moon', trekking through picturesque river gorges to isolated Indian shepherd communities.

4. Get high... to almost 6000m!

Trek to the summit Licancabur Volcano (5920m) and be rewarded with the views of nearby peaks and a panorama that extends over Chilean and Bolivian territory to the salt flats of the Atacama. Nestling in the summit crater is a small lake, one of the highest on earth and in several places on the crater rim there are ancient Inca ceremonial ruins.

5. Ski and Surf!

Which other capital city in the world are you only an hour from superb skiing in the Andes or surfing on the Pacific? Santiago is known as the 'leafy capital home' to 40% of Chileans and is packed full of gorgeous hillside walks, sidewalk eateries, museums and cosmopolitan culture.

6. Furry friends are everywhere

A whole host of wildlifes have learnt to adapt to Chile’s three main habitats; high in Andes, low coastal areas and fertile valleys. Most famously is the Alpaca which you’ll find grazing alongside the trails in the Andes. Winning the ‘cutest animal’ prize is the chinchilla, sought after for its fur it lives in the bamboos of rain forests in the southern Andes. Standing tall and proud you’ll see flamboyant flamingos in on mudflats, estuaries, lagoons and salt-lakes in Chile.

7. It's filled with volcanoes

The menacing snow capped volcanoes which stand tall in the national parks are a magnetic draw for outdoor enthusiasts. Chile harbours over 120 active volcanoes but Lincancabur Volcano is bar far one of the most impressive. Although climbing it is a challenge in itself!

8. Adventure from end to end

The long thin country of Chile has to be one of the most diverse in the world. From north to south it is 4270 kms long but only averages 177 kms in width, east to west and 80% is mountainous. All the ingredients for an adventure capital…

>> View all Holidays in Chile and Patagonia