Day 1
Overnight flight to Santiago.
Ideal day to start this trip: Monday
Day 2
Reception at Santiago airport and transfer to your selected hotel in the heart of the city. Afternoon, tour Santiago. A journey through the main streets of Santiago, viewing the neoclassical Moneda Palace, built in the 18th century and current seat of government, the Plaza de Armas, or main square with its cathedral, the Museum of National History and the Central Post Office, all with very different architectural styles. Continue to the Parque Forestal, based on the Champs d’Elysee in Paris, the Fine Arts Museum and Santa Lucia Hill where the city was founded in 1541. Continue to the bohemian area of Bellavista and climb San Cristobal Hill for a panoramic view of the city with the Andes Mountains in the background. The tour finishes with a visit to the handicraft village of Los Graneros del Alba (closed Monday; an alternative is substituted). 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
Santiago - San Pedro de Atacama - Moon Valley
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Calama. Reception at the airport in Calama and transfer to the town of San Pedro de Atacama.
Afternoon half-day Moon Valley excursion. Departing at 3 pm (5 pm in the summer), this trip takes us through the Salt Mountain Range, visiting the Valley of Mars (also known as Death Valley) and the Three Marias - natural rock formations in the desert. We end up by climbing a huge sand dune in the Moon Valley, from which we will watch the sunset over the Andes. Evening return to San Pedro de Atacama.
Day 5
Tulor, Quitor, Atacama Salt Lake and Toconao
Morning half-day archeological tour to Tulor and Quitor. Departure at 9 am to visit the Padre Gustavo Le Paige Museum, which has an important anthropological collection of the Atacemeńan culture. Then continue to the indigenous Fortress of Quitor where the first shepherds of this civilization lived. Continue on to one of the “ayllus” or settlements which reflect the social system and communal aspects of this subsistence society and the ruins of Tulor which is composed of a series of round rooms connected to each other and with communal patios. Today, this site is covered partly by the sands of the desert and represents an archeological enigma.
Afternoon half-day excursion to the Atacama Salt Lake and Toconao
Upon leaving San Pedro de Atacama (3 pm departure in the winter, 4 pm in the summer), we head along the side of the huge salt flat and continue until arrival at Toconao, a village where the inhabitants dedicate themselves to the working of the local liparite stone. Visit the old church and wander around the handicraft shops before a short visit to the Jeri Valley, an oasis in the center of the desert. Continue to the Chaxa Lagoon, where three types of pink flamingoes breed. Return to San Pedro de Atacama.
Day 6
Full day Tatio Geysers with Machuca Village
Early departure (around 4:00am) from San Pedro towards the El Tatio Geysers.
A guided walk around the geothermal field as the fumaroles of steam which appear at dawn rise into the sky. Journey through the Andes mountains, with wonderful views of the Putana volcano and the peaks of Torcopuri. Return to San Pedro, stopping on the way to visiting Machuca, picturesque village of shepherds where the ancient llama caravans used to rest from their travels on the "Inca Highway".
Day 7
Transfer to Calama airport to take the flight to Santiago and connect with flight to Easter Island (connecting flight operates Sunday only). Reception at Mataveri International Airport and transfer to your selected hotel.
Day 8
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 moai which were thrown into the sea can be clearly 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 Tongariki, which has been recently restored and which houses the largest number of Moais which were destroyed by a large tidal wave in 1960. Finally, the beautiful Anakena beach with two temple platforms or Ahus. Following a picnic lunch (included), 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 9
Half-day excursion to Orongo: Rano Kau and Vinapu. Depart for a visit to Ahu Vinapu which is made up of two ruined Ahus (temple platforms), one of which has stonework which is remarkably similar to that 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 towards the Rano Kao 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 also fertility symbols known as 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.
Leisure in the afternoon, 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 10
Half-day excursion to Akivi: Puna Pau and seven Moais. Half-day excursion 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, particularly of interest not only for its location, at the center of the island, but also for the legends which surround the seven Moais, or statues, 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 the town 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, Friday and Sunday
Day 11
Transfer to Mataveri Airport for flight back to Santiago and connect with international flight back home.
Easter Island
Anakena Beach
Atacama
