Our supplier will provide one transfer from the airport to the hotel. Flight times will be gathered prior to departure and that transfer will be scheduled to meet the largest group of arrivals. Upon your arrival, you will be assisted through the Traveler's Visa process, go through customs, immigration and then be assisted with baggage claim before being transferred to your 5 star hotel. 

You will enjoy the location of our hotel - with so much to do just outside our doorstep! What a way to start your adventure!

Most flights will arrive in the morning. Once in Santiago, transfer to our hotel, Pullman Santiago El Bosque. 

Santiago was founded in 1541 and has been the heart of Chile since colonial times. The city has evolved over time and today is a bustling metropolis and the seat of the country’s political and economic power. Santiago is located in the middle of the country and is framed by the Andean peaks and nestled in the Maipo Valley, which is also home to many major wineries

Afternoon Tour of Panoramic Santiago We begin by touring the main avenues in the city’s civic center. Highlights include La Moneda Palace, which was completed in 1805 (after more than 20 years of off-and-on construction). The neoclassical building was the home of Chilean presidents until 1958, and today is the seat of the government. Continue exploring narrow streets, eventually arriving at the Plaza de Armas, a picturesque square surrounded by the 18th-century Cathedral Metropolitana, the National Historical Museum, and the central post office. Leaving downtown, head toward Parque Forestal, which leads to the Fine Arts Museum, and Bellavista, the artsy, bohemian center of Santiago? Ascend Santa San Cristóbal, a beautiful public park whose peak—the perfect place for a panoramic shot of the city—is crowned with a 118-foot statue of the Virgin Mary. Descend and travel the other direction to the neighborhoods of Pedro de Valdivia Norte, Las Condes and Vitacura, the modern commercial districts and great places for shopping. 

We return to Pullman Santiago El Bosque for a Group Happy Hour to get to know the other travelers in this group!

Dinner on your own.

Overnight: Pullman Santiago El Bosque

After enjoying your delicious breakfast at Pullman Santiago El Bosque, you have a Free Day in Santiago. At your leisure, explore Santiago on your own, visit Vina & Valparaiso or take an optional excursion to Concha y Toro vineyards. The possibilities for excursions are endless: historical tours to horseback riding, alpaca farms to ‘adrenaline junkies’ activities in the Andes. 

Let me know what you are interested in and I can help find the right day tour for you.

Dinner on your own.

Overnight: Pullman Santiago El Bosque (B)
https://all.accor.com/hotel/B461/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps  
 

We are up and moving this morning to enjoy our breakfast buffet, before we depart. We will transfer to the airport for our flight to the mysterious Easter Island (about 5 hours).  

   NOTE: This flight is EXTREMELY LIMITED and crucial that it is purchased at time of registration. Once this flight is completely booked, there will be no ability to join this tour, so please purchase your flight at time of registration! 

     FLIGHT INFO: LA 841 FRI SCL IPC 930A1255P 

     LA 844 TUE 2 IPC SCL 1155A 635P

     As of today, this flight is approximately $590 but will go up as plane fills & time passes.

Maximum weight allowed by the airline on this flight...20 kilos or 44 pounds.

Arrive on Easter Island and transfer to Altiplanico which will be our home base for the next four nights as we explore the mystical Easter Island. The hotel has a panoramic view of one of the most original destinations in the world. Altiplanic Rapanui is designed in the style of a traditional Rapanui boat house. Surrounded by colorful gardens, a beautiful pool overlooking the sea and with wide open spaces, ideal to relax after returning from the encounter with the mysteries of the island. 

The rooms are independent, joined by exterior corridors, stone, sand, or grass, each has a private terrace.  In the bathroom the shower opens to the sky to feel the closest nature. The decoration is simple but careful, each one is different from the previous one. All are spacious and comfortable with ocean views.

http://www.altiplanico.cl/altiplanico-rapa-nui-isla-de-pascua/

Dinner on your own this evening. You may eat at our resort or select from the many other options on the island. Reception can help you make these arrangements. (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/chile/easter-island-rapa-nui/restaurants/a/poi-eat/1006882)

Overnight: Hotel Altiplanico Rapa Nui, Easter Island (B) 

We awake on one of the most remote islands in time to enjoy our breakfast buffet prior to our morning tour. We meet our guide and begin with a visit to the archaeological zone of Tahai. There you will see the famous gigantic statues. From there, you will go to the local museum started by Father Sebastian Englert. The tour will proceed to Ahu Vinapu with its incredible stone walls similar to those built by the ancient Incas. The architecture of these walls is sometimes used as an argument to support the theory that the early islanders came from South America. In the afternoon, you will visit the archeological sites of Rano Kao, Orongo and Vinapu. 

Dinner is on your own this evening. 

Overnight: Hotel Altiplanico Rapa Nui, Easter Island (B)

 

Have a hearty breakfast this morning because we have a full day ahead!

Our full day tour will start with a visit to the ruins of Vaihu. From there, the tour will proceed to the Ranu Raraku volcano’s quarry which is the classical symbol of the island and original factory of the moai. The statues can be admired in the different stages of production, from carving in the rock to upright position and lying face down on their intended road to the platforms. Then you will continue to Ahu Tongariki, formerly the biggest platform on the island, which was destroyed by a tidal wave in 1960, and from there past La Perouse Bay to the beautiful archaeological zone of Anakena Beach where you will be served your picnic lunch next to the beach and near to Ahu Nau Nau. 

We end our fabulous day by returning to Hotel Altiplanico Rapa Nuii.

Dinner is on your own this evening. 

Overnight: Hotel Altiplanico Rapa Nui, Easter Island (B, L)

Our day begins before dawn to experience one of the most memorable sunrises you will ever see!

Tongariki Sunrise - The trip starts out very early. About 6:00AM, we will drive down a road that leads to the southern coast area until reaching Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial center in all of Polynesia. This ancient site has fifteen Moais standing there, more than 45.9 ft. tall! Each Moais is representative of the islanders’ ancestors, hence their different shapes and sizes. 

The waves crashing against the cliffs and the sun timidly rising from behind the gigantic sculptures are part of this great sunrise spectacle. Great time for photos and walking around the site. (Tour includes a light breakfast) 

At the end of the tour, return to your hotel for a quick re-group before our next tour.

Hidden Treasures of Easter Island (half day) - This excursion visits many of the hidden and often missed sites on the island that are difficult to find without a guide. This is a fantastic complement to the Moai Monuments and Historic Pathways Tours. All of the sites on the tour are located a reasonably short walking distance from the vehicle, making it an ideal third day of exploration for those who are unable to manage a day hike. The sites visited are Ahu vaihu , Ahu hanga pokura, Ahu uri aurenga, Ahu one makihi .

After our Hidden Treasures tour, we return to Hotel Altiplanico for an afternoon of relaxing or you can add an additional excursion of your choice. Dinner is on your own this evening. Due to the tight time frame, it is recommended that you eat at our resort this evening.)

This evening after dinner, we will gather for a unique excursion: Easter Island’s only hands-on stargazing and astronomy experience.

Star Gazing  We will learn about the principles of basic astronomy, Polynesian voyaging and navigational techniques and the archeo-astronomy of Rapa Nui Gaze at the night sky on one of the most remote islands in the world, looking at the beauty of the stars, planets, clusters, nebulae and galaxies visible through our high-powered telescope, viewing stars and constellations visible only in the Southern Hemisphere. An amazing experience not found anywhere else in the world.

Overnight: Hotel Altiplanico Rapa Nui, Easter Island (B)

This morning we bid farewell to Hotel Altiplanico and our island playground and transfer to the airport for our flight to Santiago. This flight arrives in enough time to book an evening flight back to USA, or you could extend your stay in Santiago or book a post-trip – I can help you with any of that!