Chile

Starting Price:	$4,724.00
Trip Length:	8 days
Includes airfare allowance from Miami (US)

Moais

Anakena Beach

Sunset in Easter Island

Santiago and Easter Island

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

Easter Island, whose global name came from a Dutch explorer in 1722, still holds visitors in thrall. Rapa Nui, as the natives called it, literally meaning “Navel of the World”, is one of the most remote and populated islands in the world. Long ago, its inhabitants began building the monolithic statues known as Moai; today anthropologists are still not sure why or what the statues are meant to signify. At any rate, this destination is both exotic and mysterious. During this tour you will also spend two nights in Santiago, a fascinating and modern city.

We will also spend two days in Santiago to visit this fascinating and modern city. Near Santiago we may visit Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, Valle Nevado, Isla Negra and the Pablo Neruda Museum or the wineries Cousińo Macul winery and Concha y Toro.

Currently the flights to Easter Island operate on Sunday, Tuesday Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, so ideal days to start this trip (with 5 days in Easter Island) are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. These can be modified to suit your schedule by rearranging the itinerary or spending less/more time in Easter Island. This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 3, 4, 5-star and deluxe hotels. The Deluxe option is with the newly built Ritz Carlton Hotel in Santiago.

This tour includes airfare allowance from Miami (US), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via Miami; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Visited Cities:
Santiago, Easter Island

Day 1

Overnight flight to Santiago. Ideal days to start this trip: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Day 2

Reception at Santiago airport and transfer to your selected hotel in the heart of the city.
Afternoon city tour of Santiago. We will pick you up from your hotel to explore the historic and modern sights of Santiago de Chile. We will start our tour at the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago’s main avenue, visiting La Moneda, the Government Palace, where we will explain to you the historical and actual meaning of this place. We will enjoy a walk through the pedestrian streets of Huerfanos and Ahumada, where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated. We will then visit the famous Plaza de Armas, the main square of the city, which is surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and other historical buildings such as the City Hall and the Post Office, both dating from colonial times. Next we head to Santa Lucia Hill, the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. It is a lone steep rock, with many plants and an antique building rising steeply from the city below. From here you can see the Parque Forestal (park) on one side and the Mapocho River on the other. We will cross the river to visit Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Santiago. Return to your hotel.
Note: check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed).

Day 3

Full day of touring around Santiago. On this day, you may choose from one of the following excursions:
Vina del Mar and Valparaiso
Valle Nevado
Isla Negra - Pablo Neruda Museum
Cousińo Macul and Concha y Toro wineries

Day 4

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Easter Island. (Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday only). Reception at Mataveri International Airport and transfer to your selected hotel.

Day 5

Full-day tour of Rano Raraku: Vahiu , Anakena and Ahu Tongariki
The excursion starts in Hanga Roa. Taking the road along the coast, we head toward the ruins of the temple of Vaihu, which is still today as it has been after centuries of neglect. The red hats of the Moais, which were thrown into the sea, can clearly be seen. Continue to the site of Akahanga, where several of the statues are face down, as they were abandoned during their transportation. Then on to the volcano of Rano Raraku and the “factories” where the Moais were carved from the rock. Here, there are more than 300 statues in different stages of production. A walk around the crater reveals a small lagoon and more Moais in the center. Continue to Ahu Tongarik—destroyed by a large tidal wave in 1960, but recently restored. It houses the largest number of Moais. Finally, the beautiful Anakena beach with two temple platforms or Ahus. Following a picnic lunch (included), it is time to bathe in the Pacific Ocean or explore the surrounding countryside. Return to Hanga Roa in the afternoon and transfer back to your selected hotel.

Day 6

Half-day excursion to Orongo: Rano Kau and Vinapu
We depart for a visit to Ahu Vinapu, which is made up of two ruined Ahus, one of which has stonework that is remarkably similar to what is found in Inca sites. Studies have backed up the theory that the first inhabitants of the island came from the South American continent. The journey continues along the coastal road toward the Rano Kau volcano. Next to the crater is the ancient ceremonial site of Orongo, where there are many petroglyphs. There are images of the “bird man” Tangata Manu, the god creator Make Make and the fertility symbols Komari. From the edge of the crater, you can see the three small islands of Motu Iti, Motu Nui and Moto Kao Kao, which play an important part in the bird man legends.

Afternoon is at leisure with time to explore the town of Hanga Roa and the Museum of Sebastian Englert. We recommend paying a visit to the local church with its extraordinary wood carvings.

Day 7

Half-day excursion to Akivi: Puna Pau and seven Moais
We go to Ahu Akivi, the archeological center of the Roihi sector. This was the first area to be restored in the 1960s. It is a ceremonial area, of particular interest not only for its location, at the center of the island, but also for the legends which surround the seven Moais found there. The legend says they are the sons of Maori Sorcerer sent to look for the hoe of King Hotu Matua. They look out over the ceremonial center and then farther the ocean. A week after the Spring equinox, they look directly at the setting sun. Around the site you will find many caves.
Then visit Puna Pau, a site to the east of Hanga Roa in a small crater. This is where the “pukao,” or hats which crowned the Moais, were carved from soft volcanic Scoria. On the journey, it is possible to see the path where they were transported including some of the hats which were left on the wayside. Afternoon to be spent at your leisure exploring close to town or perhaps just relaxing in the southern sun.

Evening Farewell Polynesian Dinner and Show: This unique event will give you an opportunity to savor the most typical Rapa Nui and Polynesian food, prepared in an earth-oven, locally called “Umu” or “curanto”. Dinner consists of chicken, meat or fish cooked in the Umus, and a glass of beer, juice or soft drink. After dinner we will enjoy a typical Polynesian show with dance performed by a local folk-group with body-paint. Round trip transfers included. Operates only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Day 8

Transfer to Mataveri Airport for flight back to Santiago (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday only) and connect with international flight back home.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Santiago
3-star	Stanford, Panamericano or similar.
4-star	Orly, Galerias, Meridiano Sur Petit Hotel or similar.
5-star	Santiago Marriott, Bosque Park & Suites, Santiago Park Plaza or similar.
Airport	Holiday Inn Express (Santiago Airport), across from the airport
Deluxe	Ritz Carlton, Aubrey, W, Le Reve or similar.
Easter Island
3-star	Hotel Gomero, O'Tai (standard room) or similar.
4-star	Hotel Iorana (superior room), Taha Tai, Puku Vai or similar.
5-star	Hotel Iorana (suite), Hotel Altiplanico or similar.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

8 days , from $4724

Occupancy Type	3-star	4-star	5-star	Deluxe
Double	$4724	$4871	$5163	$7357
Single	$5443	$5740	$5771	$8888

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($).

Prices include air transportation from Miami to Santiago in economy class, domestic air from Santiago to Easter Island return, hotel accommodation including daily continental breakfast, all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling and guided tours including all entrance fees, where applicable. Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote).

The order of tours in Easter Island may be different and is subject to confirmation locally.

All services and transfers in Easter Island are provided in a medium sized group. Order of the tours may vary. Private tours available for an additional cost.

Excursions around Santiago
Full day excursion to Vina del Mar and Valparaiso
Depart for the Central Coast traveling through the valleys of Curacaví and Casablanca. The latter is known for its recent success as a wine producing area and there is a stop to visit one of the vineyards and taste some wine. Continue to the coast and visit the beach area of Reńaca and the town of Vina del Mar, known as the Garden City for its pretty parks and flower lined streets. Visit the Gaming Casino and the coastal road. In the afternoon continue to the picturesque port of Valparaiso built in the XVI century on a total of 43 hills which are reached by narrow windy streets, staircases and a series of lifts (funiculars) which is now declared by UNESCO as World Heritage Site because of its eclectic architecture and urban development. Visit the Museum house of Pablo Neruda, La Sebastiana. The house is situated on one of the hills overlooking the bay and contains some of the poets collections, specifically related to the sea. Return to Santiago.

Full Day excursion Valle Nevado
Valle Nevado ski resort is in the mountains near to Santiago at a height of 3.025 meters/ 9,982 feet above sea level and very close to Santiago. Following the river Mapocho up the valley pass through some small mountain villages before starting to climb the mountain proper up a series of hairpin bends. The views are incredible and there is a good chance of seeing condors all year round. The quality and variety of the runs as well as the usually clement weather make this one of the best ski areas in the southern hemisphere. Skiing is available from June – August (lift pass, ski rental etc not included) and the rest of the year it is possible to enjoy the mountain air and wonderful views.

Full Day excursion to Isla Negra – Pablo Neruda Museum
Depart Santiago in the morning for a full day heading towards the coast. Enjoy the first stop in Pomaire, a small village where the inhabitants work the local clay to make a variety of dishes, pots and interesting sculptures amongst other handicrafts. Continue to Isla Negra, a small beachside community with a pretty beach backed by fragrant pine trees. This is the place where Chilean Nobel Prize for Literature winner Pablo Neruda chose to build one of his houses. The eccentric architecture houses some of his collections, including bottles, figureheads from ships, shells and various other eclectic articles.
There is time for lunch locally after the visit (not included) before returning to Santiago.

Full day excursion to Cousińo Macul winery and Concha y Toro winery
We will visit two of the oldest and most historic wineries in Chile:
Vińa Cousińo Macul, founded in 1856, is still owned and run by the direct descendents of Matías Cousińo, the founder of the vineyard and owner of the Lota coal mines in the south of Chile. The cellars were built in the French style using “cal y canto” a mixture of egg white and lime as “cement”. Time for lunch (not included) before continuing to Vińa Concha y Toro. Founded in 1883 by Don Melchor Concha y Toro, it is today the largest producer of export wines in Chile. It has more than 11 thousand barrels of French and American oak oriented to the production of fine wines with a capacity to store over 8 million 200 thousand liters of wine in steel holding tanks. The tour takes us to the landscaped gardens of the colonial house and the vineyards. We will also learn about the wine making process, and will visit the modern processing plant and the old cellars. Afternoon return to Santiago and transfer to your hotel.

Currently the flights to Easter Island do not operate on Monday and Thursday, so ideal days to start this trip are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

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