PACKAGE #1) SAN PEDRO de ATACAMA
The Atacama Desert is a vast expanse of barren basins, plains and mountains punctuated by fertile oases where the Inca and other empires penetrated south from the central Andes. It’s virtually an open-air archaeological museum that bears traces of the Incas, Spanish conquistadors and their colonial heritage, and remains of mining towns that burst with life during the 19th century nitrate (saltpeter) boom.
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile’s “archaeological capital” is an oasis of colonial adobes in the midst of Inca ruins, great salt lakes where flamingos poise on one leg and the world’s highest geyser fields. El Tatio’s steaming fumaroles are a perfect daybreak excursion.
Day 1: Santiago - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama
- Departing Santiago for the two-hour flight to Calama.
- Reception at Calama’s airport and transfer to Hotel Casa de Don Tomás in San Pedro de Atacama.
- Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day 2: San Pedro & surroundings (B)
- Half-day touring San Pedro’s colonial adobe architecture and churches, the market, and shop for hand crafts and the local market. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day 3: San Pedro & surroundings (B)
- Visit El Tatio’s geysers and hot springs at dawn, and take a thermal bath in the Puritama River. - Back in San Pedro, tour the Padre Le Paige Museum’s Archaeological collections.
- Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day 4: San Pedro & surroundings (B)
- Visit the Atacama Salt Lake and hike along crusty paths, while viewing many species of flamingos.
- During the afternoon, hike through the Moon Valley to see the sunset over remarkable mountains formations.
- Evening at leisure. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day 5: San Pedro - Calama - next destination.. (B)
- Breakfast & check-out. Transfer to Calama’s airport. Flight out.
Estimated Cost: $1615 per person double occupancy (cash discount available)
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PACKAGE #2) TORRES DEL PAINE - PATAGONIA
If a Chilean destination has a high international profile, it’s definitively Torres del Paine National Park.The slender granite needles that pierce the sky above the grassy steppes are an unforgettable symbol of Patagonia majesty. But, there is so much more in the geography and history of a land whose mere name has excited the imagination for centuries, and now is recognized as a U.N. World Biosphere Reserve. Twenty-five years ago, no one would have dreamed of traveling here except in summer. Now, with the crowds that fill Paine in January and February, you may prefer the shoulder seasons of March/April, and services now are available even longer…
Day 1: Santiago - Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales
- Departing Santiago for the four-hour flight to Punta Arenas.
- Reception at Punta Arena’s airport and transfer to Martín Gusinde Hotel in Puerto Natales.
- En route visit the penguin colony of the Otway Sound (Open Nov thru Feb)
- Afternoon/Evening at leisure. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day 2: Puerto Natales, Serrano & Balmaceda glaciers (B)
- Full-day tour by boat through Last Hope Sound. Near Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers, watch for cormorants and sea wolves’ colonies. On arrival enjoy a short walk in the surroundings.
- Afternoon return to Puerto Natales. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day 3: Torres del Paine and its surroundings (B)
- Early departure for a full-day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park. En route, visit the Milodon’s cave.
- Hike past magnificent views of the lakes, rivers and waterfalls and the giant granite pillars.
- Visit the Lake Sarmiento, Lake Nordenskjold, Amarga Lagoon, Lake Pehoe, Lake Grey and enjoy breathtaking views of the site and local fauna.
- Overnight at Hotel Pehoé within the park.
Day 4: Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales (B)
- Breakfast. Day free/at leisure.
- Late afternoon return to Puerto Natales. Overnight at Martín Gusinde Hotel.
Day 5: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - next destination.. (B)
- Breakfast & check-out. Transfer to Punta Arena’s airport. Flight out.
Estimated Cost: $1800 per person double occupancy (cash discount available)
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PACKAGE #3) EASTER ISLAND - THE REMOTEST PLACE ON EARTH
Fascinating, Enigmatic, Mysterious. These are just a few of the words that tell about the beauty and allure of the islands. A three or four-day program will put you in contact with an ancient civilization lost in time. Even so, today we can still enjoy traces of those old days in the song and dances of the natives. Easter Island is an open-air museum isolated in the middle of the South Pacific. Friendly natives, transparent waters teaming with sea-life, pleasant semi-tropical climate, petroglyphs and Maori stones built 1.200 years before Christ are scattered around the volcanic landscape of the island, with mysteries still to discover.
Day 1: Santiago - Easter Island
- Departing Santiago for the five-hour flight to Easter Island (Rapa Nui).
- Reception at Mataveri airport with flower and shell necklaces. Transfer to Hotel O’Tai.
- Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day 2: Easter Island (B)
- Half-day tour of Orongo village, overlooking Rano Kau volcano, whose crater is filled with a freshwater lake.
- Explore more than 100 petroglyphs representing the Make-Make God and the Manutara seabird, among others, and possibly watch the Bird Man ceremony.
- Continue with the Ahu Vinapu with its interesting architecture. Evening at leisure. Overnight.
Day 3: Easter Island (B,L)
- Full-day tour along the moai route...
- Visit Vaihu with its enormous fallen statues, the ruins of Akahanga, the Rano Raraku volcano and the spectacular crater in Poike, where you will see the Moai in different stages of construction.
- Continue to Anakena beach. Late afternoon return to your hotel. Overnight.
Day 4: Easter Island (B,D)
- Half-day tour visiting Ahu Akivi, the big platform composed of seven moai all facing the sea.
- Continue with a visit to the Ana Pepahu caverns, the quarry of Puna Pau and Ahu Tahai.
- Evening farewell dinner/show. Overnight at selected hotel.
Day 5: Easter Island - Santiago (B)
- Breakfast & check-out. Transfer to Mataveri airport. Flight out.
Estimated cost: $1495 per person double occupancy (cash discount available)
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PACKAGE #4) SANTIAGO
Chile's capital city is cosmopolitan, the financial, cultural, and political center of the country. It's graced with tree-lined streets, parks, distinctive neighborhoods, ample assortment of restaurants and hotels. In addition to its own attractions, Santiago is near ski resorts, beach resorts and the ideal base for excursions into the Central Valley and either extreme of Chile.
Santiago spread between the Andes and the coastal range, stretches between the Rio Mapocho and the Rio Maipo, and within these natural boundaries, offers a number of scenic, cultural and historical attractions easily seen in a few days. Exploring beyond the city limits, sporting and recreational activities are easily available.
Includes:
- Private transfers (IN & OUT) SCL-Hotel-SCL.
- Three (3) nights hotel accommodations at Galerias Hotel w/breakfast.
- Private city tour (approx. 4hrs).
- Dinner/Show at Bali-Hai restaurant.
Estimated cost: $530 per person double occupancy (cash discount available)
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Note:
Rates are land only prices and are subject to change without notice.
Hotel accommodations in 3-4 star hotels
English Speaking guides
Transfers
Meals: B - Breakfast/ L- Lunch/ D - Dinner
