Overview

From sophisticated Santiago, with its internationally praised vineyards, to majestic ancient forests and soaring volcanoes, Chile is a jewel with a fascinating history, a diverse ecology, and a modern, colorful culture. Our days in Patagonia bring you close to some on nature’s most magnificent landscapes in Torres del Paine National Park. Easter Island (Rapa Nui), is on many a bucket list. It is a perfect combination!

Day 1 – Sunday Nov 5  Santiago Arrival (D)
We will be met on arrival after clearing government formalities and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Welcome dinner at the hotel with a glass of wine. Our guide will join us for a tour briefing and the welcome dinner.
Overnight at Hotel Director Vitacura Standard (Room or similar)

Day 2 – Monday Nov 6 Santiago (BL)
After breakfast we depart from the hotel in Santiago; the city’s downtown area awaits us. Proceed through the main avenue of the city, Alameda del Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins, passing by the San Francisco Church, the oldest monument of the country erected in 1568 housing a convent, miraculously withstanding several earthquakes.
We visit the Santa Lucía Hill, where the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia founded the city on February 12th 1541. After a quick visit to its top, we descend to the Lastarria Neighborhood, located right below the hill. This recently renovated neighborhood houses little cute cafés and exquisite eateries.   From here, we will be taken to the La Moneda Palace, nowadays the neoclassical style government palace, but originally constructed to house the Mint of the Spanish Crown during the 18th century. A few blocks away, a walk along Paseo Ahumada until all reach Plaza de Armas (The Main Square). When Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541, he laid out this square as the heart of the newlyformed city. This bustling spot houses the oldest buildings of the capital: The Cathedral Church of Santiago, rebuilt in 1748 on the site where all four previous churches were destroyed by fires and earthquakes, the Central Post Office and the National Historical Museum, the former “Real Audience” or Spanish Royal Court.
A visit and guided tour of the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, which has a collection of 3000 art pieces on display, mainly from the Incas, Mayas and natives from the different regions of Chile is followed by the Bellavista Neighborhood, a lively place, core of the night and artistic life, where pubs, cultural centers and international gastronomy can be found. Return to the hotel in Santiago. Overnight at Hotel Director Vitacura similar.

Day 3 – Tuesday Nov 7 Wine Country, Valparaiso, Viña Del Mar (BL)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. We depart this morning through the Casablanca and Curacavi valleys. We stop at Veramonte Vineyard, surrounded by acres of native forests; it receives the breezes and morning fogs that blow from the Pacific Ocean, and give the ideal conditions for growing white varieties (Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay) and reds of cold weather (Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah). We have a guided tour and wine tasting of 3 wines such as: Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc, Ritural Pinot Noir and Primus The Blend. Upon arrival at the Pacific coast, visit Las Salinas and Reñaca beaches and then continue to Viña del Mar, known as the garden city for its beautiful parks. We will have lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage site where stairways and old funicular lifts lead up to the hills on which the city is built. Dating back to the 16th century, the architecture of this quirky town is attractive and eclectic. Return to Santiago. Overnight at Hotel Director Vitacura or similar.

Day 4 – Wednesday Nov 8 Santiago / Punta Arenas / Torres del Paine National Park (BD)
EARLY MORNING: Transfer to the airport for our flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrical transfer to the Torres del Paine National Park.( approximately 3-hour drive). We will be part of the activities and excursions offered by the Lodge. The hotel’s goal is that we enjoy everything that the national park offers. The AllInclusive program includes all the tours, with guides and baqueanos who will make you feel like you are at home. Overnight at Remota Lodge (Mountain view rooms).

Day 5 – Thursday Nov 09 Torres del Paine National Park (BLD)
A sample full day excursion by vehicle into Torres del Paine National Park: We will get to know the lakes,rivers and waterfalls with beautiful colors and the majesty of the Paine massif. In addition to the flora and fauna there is the beautiful scenery throughout our trip which ends in Laguna Azul, where we will have lunch with a gorgeous view, weather permitting, of the famous Torres del Paine. Overnight at Remota Lodge (Mountain view rooms).

Day 6 – Friday Nov 10 Torres del Paine National Park (BLD)
Excursion to Torres del Paine National Park: Today we will focus on lakes and icebergs.Grey Navigation in Lago Grey by boat, where we can see the Grey glacier and the stunning blue icebergs. Overnight at Remota Lodge (Mountain view rooms).

Day 7 –Saturday Nov 11 – Punta Arenas / Santiago flight/ Depart Santiago (B)
Transfer to Punta Arenas airport (approximately 3-hour drive) for the flight to Santiago. Arrive and connect with a flight to your onward destination or overnight and continue to Easter Island.
Extension To Easter Island Nov 11 – 15, 2023

Day 7 – Saturday Nov 11 Overnight Santiago (D)

Dinner in the hotel tonight. Overnight: Holiday Inn Airport Hotel.

Day 8 – Sunday Nov 12 – Easter Island by flight (BD)
Breakfast is served at the hotel. Transfer across the street to the airport to board our flight to Easter Island. We will be met on arrival and taken to our hotel. Our guide will join us for dinner. Overnight Taha Tai Hotel or similar.

Day 9 – Monday Nov 13 Easter Island (BD)
Orongo & Ahu AkiviWe leave our hotel this morning and head towards the Cave Ana Kai Tangata,where birds are drawn in a stylized painting, representing Manutara (sea swallows) and whose precious egg was the center of the annual Bird Man competition. Later visit Vinapu sector, an archaeological site which has large basalt slabs made similarly to the Cuzco Inca construction. Continue to Rano Kau, with a lake and small islands of reeds and lush vegetation. We visit Orongo ceremonial village where the ceremony of the Bird Man competition was performed. The sacred character is represented as a human shrunken body with a large beak and is sculpted in many engraved stones. Return to your hotel at Isla de Pascua. This afternoon we visit Ahu Akivi, one of the few platforms on the island where the Moais face the ocean. Legend tells that they represent the seven explorers sent by King Hotu Matu’a before his colonization voyage. We continue our trip toward the site of Puna Pau, a small red scoria crater, where the Pukao were made, a kind of hats or topknots placed on top of some Moais. Finally, visit Ahu Uri Aurenga, which has a single statue and the distinction of an orientation in the line of the winter solstice, marking not only the beginning of this season (tonga), but also the time of different taboo (prohibitions) regulating fishing and other activities. Astronomically it is also facing east, lined with two neighboring hills, and Maunga Mataengo and Maunga Tararaina, as well as 2 smaller Ahu nearby. Return to your hotel at Easter Island. During the evening, enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. Overnight Taha Tai Hotel or similar.

Day 10 – Tuesday Nov 14 Easter Island (BD)
Akahanga, Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki & Anakena Beach
Full day Easter Island excursion to visit the ruins of the temple of Akahanga, where the hats of the moai are the outstanding feature. They lie where they fell when the platform was destroyed. Continue to the volcano of Rano Raraku, where all the Moai on the island were carved out of the rock. Climb to the edge of the crater of the volcano to appreciate the small lake inside and moai scattered about the inner slopes in various stages of construction. Continue to Ahu Tongariki, where many of the huge moai were toppled by a large “seaquake” in 1960. Finally, the tour ends at Anakena beach with its two beautiful ahus (stone platforms). There is time for a bath in the sea before returning to your hotel. Overnight Taha Tai Hotel or similar (BD).

Day 11 – Wednesday Nov 15 Easter Island – Santiago / Departure (B)
The day is at leisure until our transfer to the airport for the flight to Santiago. Arrive and connect with your flight home or an onward destination.

Pre-Tour: Buenos Aires, Argentina Nov 2–5, 2023

Day 01 – Thursday Nov 02 Arrive Buenos Aires (D)
We will be met upon arrival at Ezeiza International Airport, Buenos Aires and escorted to our hotel. Our representative will assist us with check-in procedures. Tonight’s dinner is at the hotel restaurant; our guide will join us for dinner. Overnight at Loi Suites Recoleta Hotel.

Day – 2 – Friday Nov 03 Buenos Aires (BD)
Highlights: Recoleta–Palermo–Plaza de Mayo – Puerto Madero San Telmo–La Boca:
Today, we will live all the porteño magic. In this overview of the Paris of South America we will visit the glamorous neighborhoods of Recoleta and its most famous cemetery, Palermo, May Square and the Pink House, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the newest & trendiest Puerto Madero Area and many other emblematic buildings and palaces of unique architectural, historical, and cultural value. The visit would not be complete without the picturesque neighborhood of San Telmo, residence to the porteño aristocracy until the end of the 19th century and Caminito Street, in the colorful Italian immigrants’ neighborhood of La Boca. Time to rest at the hotel before dinner with a Tango Show and lesson at la Ventana. Overnight at Loi Suites Recoleta Hotel.

Day 3 – Saturday Nov 04 Buenos Aires (BLD)
Venture out of the city on a full-day visit to a historic, working estancia in the Argentine pampas—the great plains that sweep through hundreds of miles of the country’s heartland. Savor an asado barbecue lunch cooked over an open fire, and witness traditional gaucho riding skills, music, and the romantic rural way of Argentine life. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Loi Suites Recoleta Hotel.

Day 4 – Sunday Nov 05 Buenos Aires – Santiago by flight (B)
Depart for the airport for our flight to Santiago. We will be met after clearing government formalities and escorted to the hotel to join the group.