Chile
Chile is truly one of the most remarkable places on Earth. 
A land of extremes and superlatives, this sliver of a country on the western edge of South America – over 2600 miles long, but only 110 miles wide – is home to both the world’s driest desert and rainiest place. From snow-capped volcanoes and icy fjords to sunny beaches, fertile vineyards and underwater caves, almost every scenery is available here. The mystical Easter Island is also a part of Chile.
A land of extremes and superlatives, this sliver of a country on the western edge of South America – over 2600 miles long, but only 110 miles wide – is home to both the world’s driest desert and rainiest place. From snow-capped volcanoes and icy fjords to sunny beaches, fertile vineyards and underwater caves, almost every scenery is available here. The mystical Easter Island is also a part of Chile.Its friendly people, top-notch accommodations and dinning, and wealth of recreational opportunities make Chile a memorable and “All Ways Surprising” destination.
Our Chilean Highlight tour includes all the destinations you should not miss in this amazing country: the capital city of Santiago, the Atacama Desert, Easter Island, Patagonia and the Lake District. You may then choose from a wide variety of side trips to fit your specific interests. Or you may choose to pamper yourself staying at the unique Explora hotels in Atacama, Patagonia or Easter Island. You will enjoy daily tours and activities at each lodge, guided by experienced guides, and enjoy fantastic local meals and Chilean wines. Trek the desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, or travel to remote Easter Island and Patagonia.
Suggested Itinerary
Chilean Highlights: Santiago,Atacama & Easter Island - 11 days/10 Nights
Day 1: USA – Santiago
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Santiago.
Day 2: Santiago
Reception at Santiago International Airport and transfer to your selected hotel in the heart of the city. Afternoon tour of Santiago. A journey through the main streets of Santiago, viewing the neoclassical Moneda Palace, built in the 18th century and current seat of government, the Plaza de Armas, or main square with its cathedral, the Museum of National History and the Central Post Office, all with very different architectural styles. Continue to the Parque Forestal, inspired by the Champs d’Elysee in Paris, the Fine Arts Museum and Santa Lucia Hill where the city was founded in 1541. Continue to the bohemian area of Bellavista and climb San Cristobal Hill for a panoramic view of the city with the Andes Mountains in the background. The tour finishes with a visit to the handicraft village of Los Graneros del Alba (closed Monday; an alternative is substituted). Return to your hotel. 
Day 3: Santiago
Full day of touring around Santiago.
Day 4: Santiago – San Pedro de Atacama – Moon Valley
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Calama. Reception at the airport in Calama and transfer to the town of San Pedro de Atacama.
Half-day Moon Valley tour in the afternoon. Departing at 3 pm (5 pm in the summer), this trip takes you through the Salt Mountain Range, visiting the Valley of Mars (also known as Death Valley) and the Three Marias natural rock formations in the desert.
You will climbing a huge sand dune in the Moon Valley, from which you will watch the sunset over the Andes. Evening return to San Pedro de Atacama.
Half-day Moon Valley tour in the afternoon. Departing at 3 pm (5 pm in the summer), this trip takes you through the Salt Mountain Range, visiting the Valley of Mars (also known as Death Valley) and the Three Marias natural rock formations in the desert.
You will climbing a huge sand dune in the Moon Valley, from which you will watch the sunset over the Andes. Evening return to San Pedro de Atacama. Day 5: Tulor, Quitor, Atacama Salt Lake and Toconao
Half-day archeological tour to Tulor and Quitor. Departure in the morning to visit the Padre Gustavo Le Paige Museum, which has an important anthropological collection of the Atacemeñan culture. Then continue to the indigenous Fortress of Quitor where the first shepherds of this civilization lived. Continue on to one of the “ayllus” or settlements which reflect the social system and communal aspects of this subsistence society and the ruins of Tulor which is composed of a series of round rooms connected to each other and with communal patios. Today, this site is covered partly by the sands of the desert and represents an archeological enigma. 
Afternoon half-day tour to the Atacama Salt Lake and Toconao. Upon leaving San Pedro de Atacama, you will head along the side of the huge salt flat and continue until arrival at Toconao, a village where the inhabitants dedicate themselves to the working of the local liparite stone. Visit the old church and wander around the handicraft shops before a short visit to the Jeri Valley, an oasis in the center of the desert. Continue to the Chaxa Lagoon, where three types of pink flamingoes breed. Return to San Pedro de Atacama.
Afternoon half-day tour to the Atacama Salt Lake and Toconao. Upon leaving San Pedro de Atacama, you will head along the side of the huge salt flat and continue until arrival at Toconao, a village where the inhabitants dedicate themselves to the working of the local liparite stone. Visit the old church and wander around the handicraft shops before a short visit to the Jeri Valley, an oasis in the center of the desert. Continue to the Chaxa Lagoon, where three types of pink flamingoes breed. Return to San Pedro de Atacama.
Day 6: Atacama
Full-day tour of the El Tatio Geysers and Puritama Hot Springs.
Early morning departure to El Tatio. Picnic breakfast in the geothermal field before a guided walk through the fumaroles, which release steam columns into the cold air. Return toward San Pedro along a mountain road with views of the Putana Volcano and the peaks of Torcopuri. Visit the cascading pools of Puritama Hot Springs hidden in a mountain canyon surrounded by pampa grass. Bathe in the warm waters (changing rooms and bathrooms available) before returning to San Pedro.
Early morning departure to El Tatio. Picnic breakfast in the geothermal field before a guided walk through the fumaroles, which release steam columns into the cold air. Return toward San Pedro along a mountain road with views of the Putana Volcano and the peaks of Torcopuri. Visit the cascading pools of Puritama Hot Springs hidden in a mountain canyon surrounded by pampa grass. Bathe in the warm waters (changing rooms and bathrooms available) before returning to San Pedro.
Day 7: Atacama - Santiago
Transfer to Calama airport to take the flight to Santiago and connect with flight to Easter Island. Reception at Mataveri International Airport and transfer to your selected hotel.
Day 8: Easter Island
Full-day tour of Rano Raraku: Vahiu , Anakena and Ahu Tongariki.
The tour starts in Hanga Roa. Taking the road along the coast, you will head toward the ruins of the temple of Vaihu, which is still today as it has been after centuries of neglect. The red hats of the moai which were thrown into the sea can be clearly seen. Continue to the site of Akahanga, where several of the statues are face down, as they were abandoned during their transportation. Then on to the volcano of Rano Raraku and the “factories” where the Moais were carved from the rock. Here, there are more than 300 statues in different stages of production. A walk around the crater reveals a small lagoon and more Moais in the center.
Continue to Ahu Tongariki, which has been recently restored and houses the largest number of Moais, which were destroyed by a large tidal wave in 1960. Finally, the beautiful Anakena beach with two temple platforms or Ahus. Following a picnic lunch (included), time to bathe in the Pacific Ocean or explore the surrounding countryside.
Return to Hanga Roa in the afternoon and transfer back to your selected hotel.
Day 9: Easter Island
Half-day tour of Orongo: Rano Kau and Vinapu. 
Depart for a visit to Ahu Vinapu which is made up of two ruined Ahus (temple platforms), one of which has stonework remarkably similar to that found in Inca sites. Studies have backed up the theory that the first inhabitants of the island came from the continent. The journey continues along the coastal road towards the Rano Kao volcano. Next to the crater is the ancient ceremonial site of Orongo where there are many petroglyphs. There are images of the “bird man” Tangata Manu, the god creator Make Make and also fertility symbols known as Komari. From the edge of the crater, you can see the three small islands of Motu Iti, Motu Nui and Moto Kao Kao, which play an important part in the bird man legends.
Free afternoon to explore the town of Hanga Roa and the Museum of Sebastian Englert.
Depart for a visit to Ahu Vinapu which is made up of two ruined Ahus (temple platforms), one of which has stonework remarkably similar to that found in Inca sites. Studies have backed up the theory that the first inhabitants of the island came from the continent. The journey continues along the coastal road towards the Rano Kao volcano. Next to the crater is the ancient ceremonial site of Orongo where there are many petroglyphs. There are images of the “bird man” Tangata Manu, the god creator Make Make and also fertility symbols known as Komari. From the edge of the crater, you can see the three small islands of Motu Iti, Motu Nui and Moto Kao Kao, which play an important part in the bird man legends. Free afternoon to explore the town of Hanga Roa and the Museum of Sebastian Englert.
Day 10: Easter Island
Half-day tour of Akivi: Puna Pau and seven Moais. Half-day tour of Ahu Akivi, the archeological center of the Roihi sector. This was the first area to be restored in the 1960s. It is a ceremonial area, particularly of interest not only for its location at the center of the island, but also for the legends which surround the seven Moais, or statues, found there. Then visit Puna Pau, a site to the east of the town of Hanga Roa in a small crater. This is where the “pukao,” or hats which crowned the Moais, were carved. On the journey, it is possible to see the path where they were transported including some of the hats which were left on the wayside. Afternoon to be spent at your leisure, exploring close the town or perhaps just relaxing in the southern sun.
Day 11: Easter Island – Santiago – USA
Transfer to Mataveri Airport for flight back to Santiago and connect with international flight back home.
Other Great Places to Visit
