Visit Chile’s capital city, Santiago, explore beautiful, mysterious Easter Island and its curious Moai statues with a local guide, and spend two nights relaxing in Chile’s charming beach towns.
Day 1: SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Your private driver and English-speaking guide await you at the Santiago airport! After settling into your hotel in the heart of the Chilean capital, you’ll take a private tour of this beautiful city at the foot of the Andes with your English-speaking guide. A modern metropole, Santiago has preserved its historic neighborhoods – true artifacts of the city’s past. The visit begins in the Republica neighborhood, home to Chilean artistocrats until the end of the 20th century. You’ll make your way to the Palais de la Moneda, where you’ll wind through the charming pedestrian streets in the heart of the historic quarter to arrive at the Plaza de Armas. Next stop: the famous Mercado Central, a lively, traditional spot perfect for a midday lunch stop! After lunch you’ll go to the top of the Cerro San Cristobal for a panoramic view of the city before visiting the modern neighborhood El Bosque, home to the highest tower in Latin America.
After dinner, the evening is free for you to get settled in your accommodations and visit the neighborhood at your leisure.
Lunch at your leisure, dinner included. Night and breakfast at your four-star hotel in the heart of Santiago.
Day 2: SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Today is free to explore the city as you wish!
Lunch at your leisure, dinner included. Night and breakfast at your four-star hotel in the heart of Santiago.
Day 3: SANTIAGO DE CHILE – MAIPO CANYON
After breakfast you’ll head out to explore the Maipo Canyon! This is a favorite spot for locals to relax or practice extreme sports during the weekend.
The day begins with a walk to the heart of the Cascada de las Animas where you’ll cross paths with various birds, foxes, small native critters… and two beautiful pumas!
In the afternoon you’ll go to the Embalse del Yeso for a spectacular view of the striking turquoise lake nestled in the mountains.
Lunch at your leisure, dinner included. Night and breakfast at your four-star hotel in the heart of Santiago.
Day 4: EASTER ISLAND
Easter Island has a subtropical climate with mild temperatures year-round. Nonetheless, we recommend that you bring a light jacket, as the island can be windy and/or rainy.
The island is split in two by the airport’s landing strip, large enough to accommodate spaceships in case of emergency landings! There is no other inhabited place on earth farther from a continent than the mysterious Easter Island, located 2,300 miles off the shores of Chile. We still don’t know how the island’s population of Polynesian descent arrived on the island. Equally mysterious: the construction and transportation of the 300 giant Moai statues made of basalt for which the island is famous. The Moai are perched on stone platforms known as Ahu. About 2000 people call the island home, the majority of whom live in Hanga Roa. The population is about 70% Polynesian; the rest of the population is comprised of Chileans and expats.
After breakfast you’ll head to the airport for your flight to the majestic Easter Island!
On arrival at the Mataveri airport, you’ll be greeted with flower necklaces and go through the island’s entry requirements before your private driver takes you to your hotel. (Island entry fee of $80 not included).
The remainder of the day is free to settle into your hotel and explore the beautiful surroundings!
Lunch at your leisure, dinner included. Night and breakfast at your elegant four-star hotel on Easter Island.
Day 5: EASTER ISLAND
After breakfast you’ll follow the southeastern and northeastern shores of the island with your private English-speaking guide to reach the village of Hanga Roa.
Here, you’ll visit the Vaihu temple and Akahanga, where the king Hotu Matua Tongariki is thought to be buried. Next, you’ll visit Te Pito Kura where you’ll see the largest Maoi of the island, before heading on the the Cantera Rano Raraku, the quarry of the Rano Raraku volcano where stone was extracted for the Maois. The next stop is Ahu Tongariki, the island’s largest collection of Maois – fifteen to be exact! Nau Nau is hands-down one of the most beautiful Maoi collections. You’ll top off the day at the breathtaking Anakena beach before heading back to the village.
Lunch (lunchbox during the excursion) and dinner included. Night and breakfast at your elegant four-star hotel on Easter Island.
Day 6: EASTER ISLAND
This morning your private English-speaking guide will take you to the Tahai archeological site, made up of houseboats and three Moai platforms, Ahu Tahai, Ahu Vai Uri and Ahu Ko Te Riku. You’ll see the Rano Kao volcano with its mile-wide crater (complete with a lake!). The next visit will be of the Orongo ceremonial center, home to the largest concentration of petroglyph rock carvings.
The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the island at your leisure.
Lunch at your leisure, dinner included. Night and breakfast at your elegant four-star hotel on Easter Island.
Day 7: EASTER ISLAND
After breakfast you’ll meet your private English-speaking guide to visit the Ahu Akivi temple and its seven Moai, all facing the sea. Next, you’ll visit Te Pahu, one of the island’s deepest caves. Here you’ll discover objects and engravings that are proof of the site’s long-lost inhabitants. The last visit of the morning will be at Puna Pao, the enormous quarry where the Moai’s red headdresses were extracted.
The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the island at your leisure.
Lunch at your leisure, dinner included. Night and breakfast at your elegant four-star hotel on Easter Island.
Day 8: EASTER ISLAND – SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Enjoy your last morning on this exquisite, mysterious island, before your private driver takes you to the airport for your flight back to mainland Chile. Before departure you’ll receive traditional seashell necklaces!
When you arrive in Santiago, simply cross the street from the airport and rest up in your hotel!
Meals at your leisure. Night and breakfast at your conveniently located, four-star hotel in Santiago.
Day 9: SANTIAGO DE CHILE – VALPARAISO AND VINA DEL MAR
After breakfast, your private English-speaking guide and driver will take you to the gorgeous Pacific port city of Valparaiso. En route, you’ll discover the agricultural Curacavi Valley and the wine-producing Casablanca Valley. In Valparaiso, you’ll see the Congreso, the Plaza O’Higgins and the Plaza Italia. You’ll visit la Sebastiana, home of 1971 Nobel Laureate for literature, Pablo Neruda. You’ll take a stroll around the Cerro Concepcion to see the Paseo Atkinson, Paseo Gervasoni and the Paseo Yougoslavo. Don’t forget to charge your camera – the walk is picturesque! The funicular will take you down to the Plaza Sotomayor, and you’ll then head to the Muelle Prat port. Another funicular will take you to the Paseo 21 de Mayo. Perched up high you’ll have a breathtaking view of the city, including the Iglesia Matriz de Valparaiso, the stock exchange, the Mercurio building, and the Plaza Victoria.
Next stop: Viña del Mar, a charming neighboring city, where you’ll discover the Avenida Peru and Acapulco beach. You’ll return to Valparaiso with your driver this evening.
Meals at your leisure. Night and breakfast at your picturesque boutique hotel in Valparaiso.
Day 10: VALPARAISO
Today is free for you to explore this charming, colorful city as you desire!
Meals at your leisure. Night and breakfast at your picturesque boutique hotel in Valparaiso.
Day 11: VALPARAISO – ISLA NEGRA – VINA MATETIC – SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Your private English-speaking guide and driver will join you after breakfast to visit Isla Negra, a gorgeous beach town forty minutes away. You’ll visit Pablo Neruda’s favorite house, that he built himself!
You’ll then head to the Matetic vineyard for lunch, followed by a wine tasting. Buen aprovecho!
You’ll return to Santiago at the end of the day.
Lunch and dinner included. Night and breakfast at your four-star hotel in the heart of Santiago de Chile.
Day 12: SANTIAGO – Departure
Your private driver will pick you up and take you to the airport for your return flight to the US.
Chile and Mysterious Easter Island
From $4,635/person
Rate based on double occupancy
Included
• Domestic airfare (Santiago – Easter Island and Easter Island – Santiago)
• Hotels with breakfast
• Meals as indicated
• Transport as indicated
• Activities as indicated
• Entry tickets for sights and activities as indicated
Not included
• International airfare
• Meals, unless indicated
• Beverages, unless indicated
• Easter Island National Park entry fee ($80)
• Gratuities
• Personal insurance
• Personal expenses
