Chile Santiago, Easter Island, and Atacama Desert
Best time to visit: October- March
Best for: Families, Friends, Solo Travelers, and Couples
Head off an 11-day adventure to discover Santiago, Easter Island and the Atacama Desert. Enjoy the delicious Chilean wines, the world’s driest desert, and cultural icons on this can’t miss journey.
From the lunar landscapes of Atacama to the rock art of Easter Island this trip features unique experiences, delicious food, and some of the world’s best wines.
What to expect
Santiago & Central Region:
- Taste the some of the world’s best wines at Chile’s Wine Country, close to Santiago.
- Find European history and architecture dating from the founding of Santiago in 1541.
Atacama Desert:
- Enjoy the earth’s clearest skies and driest desert where you will find 3 of the world’s top 5 astrological observatories.
- Marvel at the lunar landscapes of Atacama.
- Explore the petroglyphs and rock art dating back 10,000 years.
Easter Island:
- Appreciate one of Earth’s most unique destinations and a general cultural icon (UNESCO World’s Heritage Site).
- Meet a unique culture in the most isolated place on the face of the earth.
- Marvel with archaeological mysteries with over 600 Moai, human shaped statues 800 years old.
- Enjoy scuba diving in the Pacific Ocean.
Sample Itinerary
Santiago
Dynamic and cosmopolitan Santiago is a vital and versatile city. It has become one of Latin America’s most modern cities in recent years. With its many museums, events, theatres, and other entertainment and cultural opportunities, it is not only the political but also the cultural centre of the country. Its central location makes it a great base for visiting other areas: it is possible to ski in the nearby Andes and later be on the beach in the same day. The city’s diversity shines through in its many contrasting neighborhoods. Set out to explore the city streets and you’ll discover beautiful and original art galleries, design shops and handicraft markets, as well as a great selection of restaurants, bars and cafes.
Upon arrival to Santiago International Airport you will be met by a local representative who will assist you before escorting you on a private transfer to your hotel.
Today enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour by walk: no matter which way you turn, walking the streets and neighbourhoods of Santiago leaves you awed by its architecture and inspired by the art and culture. This four-hour walking tour starts with a short vehicle transfer to put us right in front of the presidential palace, La Moneda. From La Moneda we’ll pause in front of the historical yet still relevant Court of Justice, National Congress and former Customs (now the Pre-Colombian Art Museum) to reach the Plaza de Armas. As the heart of the city, dating back to the Spanish conquerors, this is where you’ll find the Cathedral, City Hall, Central Post Office and National Historical Museum. In the plaza you’ll see artists at work, various chess games and possibly a dance performance. The tour will continue to the colourful and typical market of Santiago “Mercado Central”. This is the place where many Santiaguinos do their normal shops, full of fresh vegetable, fruits, fish and selfish. Take a walk inside to appreciate the beautiful French architecture of the market. After this visit, continue to Lastarria neighbourhood to explore by foot this peaceful area of the city which has a lively atmosphere due to the vicinity of Fine Arts.
Santiago
After about 1h30min of a panoramic transfer, arrive to Valparaiso, and be amazed by this colorful city port, famous for its stacked hills and winding stairs with incredible street art. This UNESCO World Heritage city takes you back in time as you climb the winding stone stairs or head up in one of the famous funiculars. The hills are connected by an ingenious network of twisting streets, stairways, cable cars, flower-filled balconies and lookout platforms, a unique cityscape with spectacular views of the bay from which the city takes its name.
Your city tour shows you downtown Valparaíso in the lower areas as well as the colourful hills, where you can truly appreciate the magic of the city, and enjoy unforgettable sea views. Visit Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda’s Valparaíso residence, “La Sebastiana” (opened from Wednesday to Saturday). Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant during the journey.
Cooking Class with Tatan
Discovering new cultures is a top priority for guests traveling abroad. From a more enriching Chilean experience we invite you into the home of a local chef. Enter into his kitchen as he impresses you with his culinary delights based on local, seasonal products and paired with excellent Chilean wines. Meet with other like-minded travelers and make new, Chilean friends as you gather round to enjoy good food and thrilling conversation
Santiago-Easter Island
Your guide meets you in the lobby of the hotel and escorts you to your waiting vehicle for your direct transfer to Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez airport. Upon arrival at the airport, your guide is on-hand to assist with check-in formalities.
Domestic flight Santiago / Easter Island
Discovered in 1771 on Easter Sunday (hence its name) the island is more ‘Polynesian’ than South American in character. This 64 square mile island was annexed by Chile in 1888 and is now famous as the world’s largest ‘open air’ museum because of the moai, the large stone statues of which there are well over 800 scattered on the island. Although different theories exist as to how and why these monuments were created, the moai and other elements of the Rapa Nui culture remain a mystery due to the lack of documentation from this period.
Upon arrival at Mataveri airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Set on one and a half hectares of land Altiplanico Rapa Nui hotel has a panoramic view of the shoreline of one of the world’s most unique destinations. The hotel is designed in the style of a traditional Easter Island boathouse and features luxurious gardens, a beautiful swimming pool facing the sea and large open spaces to relax after encountering the seductive mysteries of the island.
Easter Island
During your stay, enjoy this unique island, by visiting to the ancient ruins of Ahu Akahanga, the mysterious and fascinating site of Rano Raraku, the volcanic crater that served as the quarry and birthplace of the island’s 1,000-odd moais (397 of which are located at Rano Raraku). Ahu Tongariki (with the largest collection of standing moais on the island (15), one statue reaching 22 feet), La Perouse Bay to visit Ahu Te Pito Kura (the world’s navel) and the impressive archaeological zone of Anakena, where the first settlers landed on Easter Island.
Visit the beautiful sea-cliff cave of Ana Kai Tangata, used as a refuge during the days of social conflict. Exploring the island will give you a great sense of the cultural aspects and the amazing natural landscapes that this remote destination offers.
Easter Island-Santiago
At agreed time the guide will be at the hotel lobby to transfer you to Mataveri airport to board your flight to Santiago.
Domestic flight Easter Island / Santiago
Arrival to Santiago!
Santiago-San Pedro de Atacama
Domestic flight Santiago / Calama
The quaint oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama sits in the driest desert in the world and is the main base for explorations in the area. Ancient cultures and travelers from all over the world intermingle in this age-old town with dirt roads and adobe homes. The streets have a pleasant, artistic, bohemian vibe, and its adobe buildings maintain a certain charm and unique character. San Pedro is the starting point for fascinating tours that explore the region’s plentiful attractions: active geysers, lagoons renowned for their intense colors, and breathtaking salt flats that will astound you.
Welcome to the driest desert in the world!
Upon your arrival at Calama’s airport, you are met by the representative of Tierra Atacama for a one-and-a-half-hour transfer to your hotel.
Facing the majestic Licancabur volcano, Tierra Atacama combines outdoor adventure and sports with indoor comforts, hospitality, and excellent service. The hotel’s architecture, interior design and gardens were designed by some of Chile’s leading creative talent, using furniture and handmade accessories with local materials for an authentic, Chilean atmosphere. Enjoy one of the welcoming private corners of the hotel such as a seat by one of the terrace fires pits, lounge next to the pool or relax on one of the shady outdoor decks. As night falls, take in the brilliant stars and bask in the peace and wonder that is the Atacama Desert.
San Pedro de Atacama
Spend your stay at the hotel, taking advantage of the daily activities available for you.
Every evening before dinner meet the guides who will share with you the activities scheduled for the following day, they will assist you to choose the best outing according to your interests and health conditions. Activities are shared with other hotel guests with English Speaking Guide.
San Pedro de Atacama-Santiago B
At the agreed time, your will be transferred to Calama airport to board your departure flight.
Domestic flight Calama / Santiago
Arrival to Santiago.
Santiago
Check out and international flights from the Santiago Airport