Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Easter Island,Santiago & Central Valley,Atacama Desert
100% customisable for you
Once immigration and customs formalities have been completed, our driver will transfer you to your centrally located Santiago hotel. The city is one of Latin America's safest and exploring on foot is a pleasure, so you can take full advantage of Santiago's thriving arts and restaurant scene. Our detailed destination Dossier recommends the hot spots. Sip a glass of Chilean wine or the country's signature cocktail, a pisco sour, on a rooftop terrace and admire the view. Santiago stretches before you, with a backdrop of the Andes framing the background.
Today we've arranged an included day trip to the colourful city of Valparaiso, located about an hour's drive from the capital. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 for its architectural and cultural significance, this charming city has a long history of trade and commerce. 'Valpo', as it is known, is downright delightful, with its century-old ascensores (elevators) linking the lower and upper parts of the historic centre. You'll take a walking tour through two of its prettiest neighbourhoods, Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre, as well as paying a visit to Pablo Neruda's house, La Sebastiana. A hearty lunch of fresh seafood and other local produce is included.
The mysterious moai stone heads of Rapa Nui draw tourists to this remote Pacific island. Depart Santiago this morning for the five-hour flight west, landing at lunchtime. After a short transfer you'll be settled in to your comfortable hotel. This afternoon, relax and read up on a little about the island's history. There are approximately a thousand moai scattered across the island. Carved and transported up to ten miles from the stone quarries in which they originated, they generally face inwards from the sea. Some say this is because the islanders believed themselves to be the only people in the world and so any threat of attack would come from within. Thus the moai face inwards to ward off evil.
The Rano Raraku quarry is an essential part of any Easter Island itinerary for it was here that the majority of the stones originated. Today, some stand where the islanders left them but others are only partially carved or excavated giving you a fascinating insight into the quarrying process. Later, visit Rano Kau, a stunning volcanic crater to the south of the island characterised by vivid vegetation and the azure water of its caldera lake. Hike the crater rim and visit Orongo, an ancient ceremonial village where the Tangata Manu (birdman) competition took place. By now you'll appreciate why the charm of Rapa Nui extends far beyond its famous moai.
Flights to the Atacama take two hours, and land at the nearby city of Calama, an hour's drive from the main tourist centre of San Pedro de Atacama. Should you wish, you can remain in Calama to visit one of the world's largest copper mines at nearby Chuquicamata. Don a hard hat and join a free tour to the rim of the excavation site with a knowledgeable guide. You get a better appreciation of the sheer scale of the operation when you see just how large the truck tyres are. In San Pedro, check into your hotel, unpack, relax and prepare to be wowed by the world's driest desert.
Depart San Pedro de Atacama early this morning with a private driver to connect with the mid-morning flight back to Santiago. Your direct overnight flight back to the UK leaves this afternoon, and takes just over 14 hours.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
