Easter Island and Atacama

Live the history of Chile's capital city Santiago with the impressive back drop of the Andes.
Discover Easter Island one of the remotest islands in the world and learn about the giant Moai statues
Visit the colourful port town of Valparaiso, and former home of the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
Explore the Atacama Desert with visits to the Moon Valley and also the high altitude geysers at El Tatio.
Expert English speaking guides sharing their wealth of knowledge.
Direct flights with British Airways from London Heathrow to Santiago are possible (regional departures are also available)
Itinerary can be tailor-made to your requirements.

Discover the contrasts of Chile from colourful towns and striking volcanoes to giant Moai statues

Your Chilean adventure starts in its capital Santiago where you can explore its numerous coffee shops and admire its impressive backdrop of the Andes mountains. From Santiago you fly north to Atacama the world's driest desert. Explore this unique landscape with visits to the Atacama salt flat, moon valley and Tatio geysers. From Atacama you fly back to Santiago where you spend a couple of nights in the colourful port town of Valparaiso. Finish your trip on the remote Easter Island where you will spend a couple of days learning about the ancient cultures which built the giant Moai statues across the island.

Day 1 ( Santiago )

Arrival in Santiago

On arrival into Santiago international airport you are met and taken by private transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 2 ( Santiago )

Santiago - Santiago city tour

This entertaining half day tour consists of visiting the main attractions of Santiago, the country’s most important cultural, cosmopolitan and artistic hub. We start out with a visit to the high points of the city’s civic centre, such as Cerro Santa Lucia (a centrally located historic urban park), the La Moneda Palace (presidential offices) and the traditional Plaza de Armas square, a meeting place for Santiago’s diverse and multicultural expressions. We later walk through the Parque Forestal, a park running parallel to the Mapocho river with a variety of tree species offering a refreshing break from the urban agitation of the city’s centre. We’ll visit the nearby Museo de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts) and continue on to Barrio Bellavista, Santiago’s bohemian neighbourhood, with some of the best bars and restaurants in the city. Return to hotel.

Overnight at Altiplanico Bellas Artes. Standard room

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 3 ( Calama )

Flight from Santiago to Calama – San Pedro de Atacama

Private transfer to Santiago airport for your flight to Calama in the north of Chile. On arrival you are met and taken by shared transfer to San Pedro de Atacama.

In the afternoon enjoy an excursion to the Moon Valley.This tour is an invitation to get to know one of the most exceptional sites near San Pedro de Atacama. Going through the Cordillera de la Sal (salt mountain range) amazing rock sculptures can be admired on the way, such as Las Tres Marias (the three Marys) an interesting geological formation near an old salt mine. The tour ends in Valle de la Muerte (death valley), an area that is unique for its peculiar rock formations and an absolute desert landscape: no plants or insects manage to survive in this arid environment, believed to be one of the most barren in the country. From here, one of the best views of the Andes Mountain Range and its volcanoes can be enjoyed, especially at sunset when this natural amphitheatre offers a breathtaking coloured spectacle.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 4 ( San Pedro de Atacama )

Tatio Geyser excursion

We leave at dawn, heading northeast along a dirt road. Upon arriving at the Tatio Geysers, one of the highest geothermal fields in the world, we watch the cauldrons of boiling water shoot blasts of water vapor high into the air. We will explore the area briefly on foot and then enjoy breakfast. On our way back, we will enjoy gorgeous views of the high plateau. Along the way, you can see large bogs featuring plenty of wildlife, and appreciate how the flora and fauna changes as we make our way down. We also stop in the town of Machuca, situated 4,000 meters above sea level.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 ( San Pedro de Atacama )

Atacama Salt Flat and Toconao excursion

This is a tour to get a first-hand experience of the work performed by artisans and farmers, and to also admire the unique landscapes in San Pedro. The outing starts out with a visit to Toconao, a village located at an altitude of 2,475 meters (8,120 ft.) that offers a glimpse of the peaceful life and skills of Atacama artisans who carve volcanic stones, specially liparita or pumice. Next are Quebrada de Jerez (Jerez creek) with its fruit plantations and Chaxa lake in the Altiplano (high plateau), located in Salar de Atacama (Atacama salt flat). Spending time in the Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos (Los Flamencos national reserve) is a rewarding experience, admiring the three varieties of flamingos reflected in the lake’s crystal waters. It consists in a remarkable and unique ecosystem found in an area -that in spite of its barrenness and rocky terrain- amazes us with its vitality.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 6 ( Calama - Santiago )

Flight from San Pedro de Atacama – Calama – Santiago - Valparaíso

Shared transfer to Calama airport for your flight with LAN to Santiago. On arrival at Santiago you are met and taken by private transfer to the town of Valparaiso on the Pacific Coast.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 7 ( Valparaiso )

Day at leisure

Free day in Valparaiso.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 8 ( Valparaiso – Santiago - Easter Island )

Easter Island

Private transfer from Valparaiso to Santiago airport for your flight to Easter Island with LAN. On arrival you are met and taken by shared transfer to your new hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 8 ( Valparaiso – Santiago - Easter Island )

Day 9 ( Easter Island )

Full day Easter Island excursion

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 ahu. Time for a bathe in the sea before returning to Hanga Roa in the afternoon.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 ( Easter Island )

Half day Easter Island excursion

Ahu Akivi is the archaeological centre of the Roihi sector and was the first site to be properly restored in the 1960’s. It is a ceremonial site which is particularly interesting not only because of its location (in the centre of the island) but also because of the legends which surround the Seven Moai which are situated on the platform or Ahu. The tour also visits Puna Pau, to the east of the town of Hanga Roa which is situated in a small crater of red stone. This is where the “pukao” or hats (topknots) which crowned the moai were made. On the way it is possible to see the path where they were transported, including some examples of the pukao which have fallen by the wayside. Return to the hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 11 ( Easter Island - Santiago )

Flight from Easter Island to Santiago

Shared transfer to the airport for your flight back to mainland Chile. On arrival you are met and taken to your hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Day 12

Departure for the UK

Private transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

If you wanted to extend your time in South America then why not consider adding on a couple of nights in Buenos AIres in Argentina?

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Hotels

Easter Island

Taha Tai

San Pedro de Atacama

Casa Atacama

Santiago

Altiplanico Bellas Artes

Valparaiso

Casa Higueras

Casa Higueras is a boutique hotel nestled on the hillside overlooking the Valparaiso bay. This original mansion built in the 1920's by English and German immigrants is located in the heart of Cerro Alto a district which is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

Pricing

All prices shown represent a from price per person based on low season travel unless otherwise stated.
Availability of tour components and flights seats change continually, affecting the final price. The lead-in price given is therefore for guidance only.
To obtain a tailored quote for you and your party, please call one of our travel experts today.

From (date dependent) 1st December 2023 - 15th December 2024

from £4,075pp

Important Info

Important info

Documentation - It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure. We regret that we cannot accept liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry correct documentation. If failure to have all necessary travel and other documents results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalty being imposed on us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly.

Visas - British Passport holders may be required to obtain a visa prior to arrival or may be required an electronic visa or via on arrival. We recommend you check the official embassy or consulate website of the country/countries you are planning to visit. This information can change from time to time. If flying with a US carrier or flying via the US with any airline, you will be required to hold an ESTA under the Visa Waiver Programme - even if you are not stopping in the USA. This will be your responsibility to obtain.

Vaccination - Please check with your doctor or health professional on the type of vaccinations you may require to travel to Brazil and ensure that you give enough time before departure to undergo any course of vaccination/medication required. For the most up to date travel information and advice

Inclusions

International return flights including all taxes

Service of an English speaking professional guide in each region/city

All ground transport in a car or boat

Airport transfers as per the itinerary

All entrance fees to include local government taxes and additional flights where indicated as per the itinerary.

Meal plan as per the itinerary

Exclusions

Laundry

Tips

Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages including mineral water

Visas