14 Days Chile Culture and Mystical Landscapes
This trip takes you to the Easter island, Santiago and Atacama
Day 1: Transfer Airport/Santiago Hotel – Half Day Santiago City Tour.
At morning our guide will be waiting you on the arrival gate for to give you the welcome to Chile and transport you at your Hotel located in Lastarrias neighborhood, where you can leave your luggage and go out to lunch at surroundings by your own.
Check in will be at 15:00 hrs, so after that our guide will be waiting you at 16:00 hrs in the hall of your hotel for to start our 4 hrs. city tour through the main points of Santiago. If you want, our guide can go with the group to change money in a good place.
Santiago City Tour Half Day: Do you want to know how Santiago was founded and what life in this beautiful capital is like? This half day tour gives you an introduction to our wonderful city. You will be able to explore the main neighbourhoods (financial, commerce, bohemian and historical) and have a good idea of what life in this city is like.
We will visit downtown, the Santa Lucia hill, La Moneda government palace, La Constitución square, Main Square, the Cathedral, Central Market and the old Congress. After that we will go to Bellavista, Providencia and Las Condes neighbourhoods, as well as the El Golf area (Sanhattan) where you can learn more about the modern Santiago.
Day 2: Transfer Hotel / Airport – Flight to Easter Island – Transfer Airport / Hotel
At 06:00 am our guide will be waiting you at your hotel for to transfer you to Santiago airport in order to take your flight to Easter Island.
Approx. At 13:30 of Easter Island time, you will be picked up at the airport with a flower necklace according to local Polynesian tradition. Transfer to your hotel and lunch included.
You will have the afternoon free for to rest and enjoy your hotel.
At your arrival in the Easter Island Airport, you need to paid the Rapa Nui National Park fees valid for 10 days. The price nowdays is US$ 80 p/person (only cash) and allow you to enter in the island.
Day 3: Historic Pathways Tour & Dinner Show
At 10:00 our local guide will pick up you for your Historic Pathways Tour:
Unearth some of the gems of Easter Island´s fascinating past with stops at several significant sites of interest. Head to Puna Pau, the small crater that acted as the scoria quarry for the moai's famous topknots, before continuing to the site of the island´s most intricate stone work at Ahu Tahira in Vinapu, where the moai platform is reminiscient of the legendary masonry of the Incas of South America. Take in the breathtaking views at the giant cauldron of Rano Kau, a miniature eco-system and the largest volcano crater on the island.
Experience the wind on your face at the clifftop ceremonial village of Orongo, and discover the significance of the Birdman Cult that emerged out of the ruins of the Moai building era. Peer off the precipice at the ocean below where once a year during the Birdman competition, brave warriors from the island's various clans would climb down the steep rocky cliffs to the swirling ocean below and swim out to the small islets off the coast in an attempt to bring back the first egg of the manutara bird, therefore winning the right for their clan to rule the island for the following year. Finish the day with a visit to Ahu Akivi, the renowned seven inland moai that stand gazing oceanwards, and explore the large and unique cave system of Ana Te Pahu, known affectionately as "The Banana Cave".
Lunch is not included in the tour, but there is an opportunity to have lunch at a small restaurant in Hanga Roa halfway through the day.
At night our guide will pick you up at 21:30 approx for to go to a dinner show with typical food, dance & music native of island.
Day 4: Moai Monuments Tour
At 10:00 our local guide will pick up you for your Moai Monuments Tour:
Uncover the secrets of Easter Island by piecing together the many clues given to us by the gigantic sculpted megaliths that cover this mysterious land. Start the journey by visiting the ahu platforms at Tahai, where the clear morning light brings alive the moai that look over this restored ancestral village of the Rapanui people. Visit the ruins of the fallen moai at Ahu Akahanga, where three platforms sit untouched since the Rapanui turned on the traditions of their ancestors and began toppling the moai. Stand in awe at the restored site of Ahu Tongariki, where fifteen stone giants stand watch over the land as silent sentinels, dwarfing all who come into their presence.
Spend a bulk of the afternoon absorbing the grandeur of the moai that sit half emerged from the soil Rano Raraku, the volcano crater that acted as a stone quarry and birthplace for these immense figures. Visit Ahu Te Pito Kura, the site of the largest moai to ever stand on an ahu, and see the legendary magnetic stone that according to island history, was brought to Easter Island from the original Polynesian homeland of Hiva by the first king, Hotu Matuʻa. Finish the day taking in the coconut palms, turquoise water and white sand at Anakena Beach, and gazing upon the post-modernist style moai of Ahu Nau Nau.
Day 5: Transfer Hotel / Airport – Flight to Santiago de Chile – Transfer Airport / Hotel
At 10:00 am our local guide will pick you up for your transfer to Easter Island Airport.
At your arrival to Santiago de Chile (19:30 approx.) our guide will transfer you at your hotel in Santiago.
Day 6: Full Day Valparaíso & Viña del Mar.
Valparaiso is one of the most culturally rich cities in Chile. It was declared as a World Heritage in 2003 by the UNESCO due to its historical importance as it was the principal port in the Pacific until the year 1914. This city was a melting pot, and a place where people from France, England, Germany, Yugoslavia, Holland and Chile were mixed among each other. It stands out for its spontaneous architecture built on 41 colorful hills.
At the North of Valparaiso you can find the "Garden City", called Viña del Mar. Its ornamentation, beaches and rich cultural activities make Viña del Mar an important place to visit.
In this tour we will visit the “Concepción” and “Happy” hills, Sotomayor square, Valparaiso harbor, Flower Clock, Municipal Casino and Ecuador walk. We will enjoy the best seafood on the harbor by visiting one of the local restaurants, where you can dine with a beautiful view of the ocean.
Day 7: Full Day Cajón del Maipo.
We will go to the south of the city of Santiago leading to the side of the San Ramón mountain
range to enter in the heart of the Andean mountain range following the Maipo river. Near to 800 meters of altitude the so-called Maipo Valley ends to give life to the Cajon del Maipo. In this place we will find towns with very important ecological and outdoors characteristics. We will drive through the mountain vegetation and rock formations admired by climbers and mountaineers. After an hour of driving we will make our first stop in San Jose de Maipo where we will learn a little bit about the history of the main city of Cajon del Maipo, along with its main square and church. In addition we will meet local people, buying their typical products of the area that we will later taste with a privileged landscape.
Then we will continue towards the interior of the mountains passing the last towns of the Cajon until arriving to the detour that will lead us to the Yeso Reservoir. We will cross waterfalls, canyons, lava formations, hanging glacier ("Mesón Alto") and old constructions of the workers who built the largest artificial water reserve of Santiago de Chile:
El Yeso reservoir at 2500 meters of altitude, with 8 square kilometers and inaugurated in 1964. It is an artificial lake that offers turquoises colors and a beautiful mountain landscape. Some people practice kayaking, windsurfing and fishing, although it is not usual to see them. In general it is a place where birds come to nest due the lagoons of altitude.
Here we will make a tasting of typical Maipo products (subject to good weather, if not we will make in elsewhere on the route). On our way back to Santiago, we will make a stop at the Casa Bosque restaurant, which surprises visitors with its architecture and decoration (like goblins) as well as its rich cuisine.
Day 8: Transfer Hotel / Airport – Flight to Calama – Transfer Airport / San Pedro de Atacama Hotel. Astronomic Tour
At 09:00 am our guide will be waiting you at your hotel for to transfer you to Santiago airport in order to take your flight to Atacama Desert.
Approx. at 14:00, you will be picked up at Calama airport and transfer to your hotel and have lunch (included).
At night you will be picked up at 20:30 approx for to have a Astronomic Tour (regular shared service):
San Pedro de Atacama is an exceptional place to observe the sky and stars. A vehicle will transfer you from your hotel to the observatory, only 10 minutes from town. The tours start with an explanation and display of the stars that can be observed at the given time of year. Then will continue with observations of really impressive objects, such as the craters of the moon, the rings of Saturn, star clusters, galaxies, and other marvels of the universe, then there will be a talk on everything you have just seen. The tour ends by sharing the experience around hot chocolate, cookies, wine, and snacks, returning to San Pedro, a good time to either continue enjoying the evening or resting for the following day.
Day 9: AM Atacama Flat Salt Tour – PM Cejar Floating Lagoon Tour
At 08:00 am, our local guide will pick you up to visit one of the most typical lanscapes of Atacama desert.
In this expedition, we will visit:
Toconao (Kunza “Lost Corner”) which enchants for its simplicity, calm of its people, special climate, beautiful architecture and craftsmanship.
Quebrada de Jerez that stands out in its agricultural activities.
The marginal zone of the Salar de Atacama known as Laguna Chaxa located in Sector Soncor Flamenco National Reserve.
At 15:00 we will go to the relaxing Cejar Lagoon experience.
The Atacama Saltflat is the largest salt deposit in Chile and is formed by a depression without water outlet that receives from the San Pedro river and multiple streams where the water seeps from the mountain range.
To the interior is Laguna Cejar, beautiful and mystical of turquoise color. Its great salt content generates the floating effect which makes for a relaxing bath and a fun experience.
After Cejar Lagoon we will visit Ojos de salar: water coming from underground lagoons where small reeds and seaweed grow on its banks. Finally, in Laguna Tebenquinche we will enjoy the great whiteness of salt, next to an aperitif and contemplating in its waters the reflection of the Andes Range an unforgettable show.
Day 10: Tatio Geysers Tour
At 05:00 am our local guide will be waiting at your hotel for your Tatio Geysers Tour:
The Tatio (from the Kunza "tata-iu") which means "the crying grandfather" is the highest Geyser field in the world. Located in the cordillera of the Andes NE of San Pedro de Atacama is the largest group of geysers in the southern hemisphere and the third largest in the world, after Yellonstone (USA) and Dolina Giezerow (Russia).
The maximum expression of these fumaroles begins between 06:00 and 07:00 hrs. Approx. With temperatures reaching 85 C. In our return it is possible to observe fauna such as vicuñas, llamas, ñandúes, vizcachas, etc. While in the flora stand out the giant Cactus, llaretas, coirón, etc. In addition we will visit the small ancestral town of Machuca, its few inhabitants are dedicated mainly to agriculture, grazing and cheese production. Very close to the place is the Laguna Salada where families of flamingos, ducks and seagulls live with an impressive landscape of beauty.
You can be dropped off in the hotel or in the downtown where you can lunch. You will have the rest of the day free for to rest and enjoy your new year celebration by your own.
Day 11: Puritama hotsprings & Moon Valley Tour
At 09:00 our local guide will be waiting at your hotel for your Puritama Hotsprings Tour:
Located in a large stone ravine, Puritama (from the Kunza Puri-Agua, Tama-Caliente). The place is designed for family rest, with a set of 8 pools of warm water, which have a temperature between 25 to 30 ° C, the water has medicinal and therapeutic properties as it is nourished by the minerals that the Rio Puritama brings. This wonder is an exception of nature in the middle of the driest desert in the world. We invite you to be part of this totally revitalizing experience.
You will be dropped off in the down town (at our local agency office) where you can lunch at surroundings and wait the next tour at 16:00 hrs from the agency, Moon Valley Tour.
Moon Valley is a desert landscape, a geomorphological wonder. Our ancestors called it Las Salinas, now known worldwide as Valle de la Luna, a set of landscapes of incomparable beauty that resemble a fragment of the lunar landscape to which it owes its name. In 1982 it was declared a Nature Sanctuary and is part of the Flamingos National Reserve. In this place you can observe a geological show of great interest especially at sunrise and sunset. During your visit you can see: Ckari ravine, salt caverns, the famous natural formation known by our ancestors as The Three Watchers today called the three Marias, dune major; majestic body of sand and viewpoints such as Honda ravine and Coyote stone.
You can be dropped off in the hotel or in the downtown where you can dinner and return to the hotel by your own.
Day 12: Transfer Hotel / Airport – Flight to Santiago de Chile – Transfer Airport / Hotel
At 10:00 am our local guide will pick you up for your transfer to Calama Airport.
At your arrival to Santiago de Chile (16:30 approx.) our guide will transfer you at your hotel in Santiago.
Day 13: San Cristobal hill & shopping tour – Dinner Show at night
Before to leave Santiago de Chile you will have the oportunity to buy gift to your family or friends in your country. We will visit:
- Los Dominicos handcraft village, where you can see the locals working in their products
- Costanera Center shopping mall: Here you can up to the highest building in Santiago having a panoramic view of the City (optional). This shopping mall is the biggest one in the City and have the modern installations.
- San Cristoball hill, where you will visit the Summit with the virgin that watch over Santiago. Here you will find other traditional chilean products.
- Blue Stone (optional): If you want to buy typical chilean jewels we recommend you to visit this place and know the works with lapis lazuli stones.
Dinner Show: This night you will have a nice dinner in a restaurant of Santiago where you will enjoy our typical music and dance. You can choose between differents menú with chilean or international cusine. We think this is a good way to say goodbye.
Day 14: Transfer Hotel / Airport. End of Service
Depending your flight details our guide will pick you up at your hotel to transfer you to Santiago Airport where you can take your international flight.