Arrival in Santiago, reception and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, a city tour of Santiago including a visit to the Government Palace, the Main Square, the Cathedral and a visit to the museum of precolumbian art. An excursion to the Cerro San Cristobal viewpoint for a beautiful panoramic view of the city. Santiago de Chile was founded in 1541 and is in a beautiful setting with only 62 miles separating the Pacific coast from ski resorts in the high Andes. You will find 17th Century architecture and lively markets set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

After breakfast, private transfer back to Santiago airport for the flight to Calama, set in the middle of the Atacama desert. Arrival and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Accommodation at the hosteria.

Tour of San Pedro de Atacama, cradle of the Atacama Culture during the pre-Columbian period. Followed by a visit to the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt mountain range) and the only view of the massive salt flat with the Licancabur volcano in the background. We will then visit the Pukara de Quitor. In the afternoon, excursion to the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) which astonishes visitors with its geological formation of salts and carbonates and where nature has shaped an astonishing landscape. Return to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.

After breakfast, we will visit the Archaeological Museum Padre Le Paige where we will witness an exhibition showing the evolution of Atacamanian life over the last 11,000 years. We will then visit the town church, The Main Square, the house of Pedro de Valdivia (a conquistador and the founder of Santiago). Toconao stands out with its bell tower, alleys and craft workshops. After lunch, a visit to Lake Chaxa to view the three species of flamingoes amongst many other birds.

Very early morning departure to the Tatio Geysers to experience this spectacular demonstration of volcanic activity. In the middle of the Andean mountains, the El Tatio Geysers at 4,500 metres above sea level gush fumaroles at dawn. We will also visit the village of Caspana with its fertile terraces, architecture in Liparita stone and characteristic mud-roofs. We will continue with visits to the villages of Toconce and Vegas de Turi on an awe inspiring route which takes us through Chiu-Chiu and Lasana, with their important cultural and historical legacies including one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Chile. Box lunch on route. Return to Calama in the afternoon for your transfer to the airport and your return flight to Santiago. Reception and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Rapa Nui, otherwise known as the Easter Islands. The flight will take approximately 5 hours. Arrival, traditional welcome and transfer to your hotel.
Rapa Nui is the most isolated, inhabited island in the world.
Located 2000 miles (3200 km) west of Chile and over 4000 km from Tahiti, it was discovered by the Dutch in 1772, Admiral Jacob Roggeween landed there on Easter Sunday and gave the island its present name. He was the first European to describe the unusual statues carved from the volcanic rock from Rano Raraku. Standing as tall as 18 ft (5.5 m) and weighing up to 100 tons, the statues are known as moai, and each are supposed representations of clan chieftains. These moais, were placed on top of platforms called ahu, which in turn served as a family burial vault.

After breakfast, a full day's tour visiting Vaihu, where eight toppled Moai lie, Akahanga, Rano Raraku volcano, where the statues are half buried, Ahu Tongariki, where the largest Ahu (or platform) is located, Te Pito Kura (a large rock believed to have been brought from Tahiti) and Ahu Nau Nau (where the Moai are in particularly good condition).

Today, a half day's excursion to Rano Kau volcano, site of ancient petroglyphs and the ceremonial temple of Iorongo, Vinapu (site of meticulous stonework found nowhere else on the islands) along with the Anakai Tangata caves. Excursion to Ahu Akivi, the famous seven Moais, believed to be one of the last built around 1460 and measuring 14 feet in height and weighing 12 metric tons. The caves of Ana Tepahu and Puna Pau, a quarry, from where the red hats that are worn by some of the Moai were made is also visited today.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight back to Santiago and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, return transfer to the airport for the flight south to Punta Arenas. Arrival to Punta Arenas, located on the very tip of the continent. Reception and journey onto Puerto Natales, the gateway to the Torres Del Paine National Park. Overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, a full day excursion by boat to the beautiful Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Boxed lunch is included. Return to Puerto Natales and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, we travel into the Torres del Paine National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978). This park is Chile's showpiece: a world biosphere reserve with all the diverse scenery of Alaska in only 180,000ha (444,600ac). The Torres Del Paine are spectacular granite pillars which soar almost vertically for more than 2000m (6560ft) above the Patagonian steppe. A visit to the Milodon cave; where in 1896 the scientific world was fascinated by the discovery of skin, bones and other parts of an extinct animal, the Milodon (Mylodon Darwini). The tour continues with visits to Lake Sarmiento, Nordennskjold, Pehoe, and Lago Grey; site of the Grey Glacier. Return to your hotel in Puerto Natales.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Punta Arenas in time for your flight to Santiago and connecting flight home.

Please Contact Us

• Accommodation at recommended hotels including breakfast and taxes Meals indicated
• All local flights in Chile
• All private transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary with local English speaking guides
• All entrance fees

• International tickets to/from Santiago Meals not indicated
• Airport taxes
• Meals not mentioned in your itinerary
• Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, etc Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident

For current availability contact us at info@amazingchile.com and we will send you the relevant trip dossier along with a 90 day fixed quote, terms and conditions.