Chile & Easter Island - Polynesian Mystery in the South Pacific

A 8 day trip to Chile

The Polynesian Island of the South Pacific are one of the most mysterious places on Earth. Far away from all coasts, a culture developed that today's scientist have not yet deciphered. Politically part of Chile, it is culturally an siland nation in it's own right. Opt for the new 5 starts "Explora Lodge".

General Information

Photos
Detailed Itinerary

Places Visited 

Santiago de Chile, Valparaiso, Easter Island

Departure Dates 

Flexible and customizable for private departures.

Detailed Itinerary 

Day 1:

Arrive this morning in Santiago de Chile, gateway to the Andes, situated between mountain peaks and the Pacific Ocean. Your tour guide will accompany you to your international 4 stars hotel in the green heart of the city, the Hotel Radisson or the Hotel Torremayor. Private sightseeing of Santiago and it's environs: After a hearty breakfast, your guide introduces you to this city nestled between mountains on your private sightseeing tour: Enjoy a city tour visiting both the historic and modern centers of Santiago, as well as a trip to neighboring San Cristobal for a good look at the surrounding area. Dinner tonight is on us.

Day 2:

Full-day private excursion to Concha y Toro Winery
Visit to Concha y Toro, one of the most famous Chilean vineyards around the world. Located in the Maipo River canyon, planted with grapevines of the most noble French stock such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir and others. Founded in 1883 showing today a most modern technology in cooling equipment, stainless steel tanks, filters and oak casks which has lead as making of exceptional wines such as Don Melchor, Cabernet Sauvignon, Casillero del Diablo, third in sales surpassed only by France and Italy. Take the afternoon at leisure for shopping around.

Day 3:

Hanga Roa:
Arrival to Easter Island. Reception at Mataveri Airport with flower necklaces. Transfer to the hotel in Hanga Roa. Overnight.

Day 4:

Moai Route, Anakena Beach:
A full day tour, along the Moai Route visiting the "Ahu" (ceremonial platfrom ruins) Vaihu, a place surrounded by enormous statues which have fallen face down, and the Ahu Akahanga, where the first king of the island was buried. Further along, trip to the Rano Raraku Volcano, which is the most spectacular crater in the zone and where the former island-people carved the giant statues from the volcano's quarry, situated close to the southern shore of the island. Here it is possible to observe the differents stages in the Moai construction, the biggest one still remains at the basis of the quarry and is more than 20m long and weighs just under 200 tons. Afterwards, visit to Ahu Tongariki, the biggest Ahu on the island with 150 Moais, destroyed by a tidal wave in 1960 but restored to ots original position. Finally, expedition to Te Pito Kura, an ancient settlemnt with a mystical circular stone, finishing at Anakena Beach. Free time to enjoy the warm sea waters that surround the island. In the afternoon, return to the hotel. Lodging.

Day 5:

Rano Kao Volcano, Orongo:
Half-day tour to the Rano Kao Volcano, whose deep crater of lush vegetation contains a large fresh water lake covered with totora. Afterwards, expedition to the Cultural Centre of Orongo, situated at the top of the crater at over 300 m above sea level and where every year the Bird Man or Tangata Manu ceremony takes place. There more than 100 petroglyphs that represent the Make-Make god and the Manutara seabird among the others. Visit to Ana Kai Tangata, a cavern where the island people took refuge during times of war and where many pre-historic paintings can be seen. Finally, visit to Ahu Vinapu, where the interesting architectural style reminds us the Inca's legacy, due to the perfection of the cuts and location of the stones. Retunr to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 6:

Ahu Akivi:
Half-day excursion, visiting Ahu Akivi, a big platform, which is composed of 7 Moais, all of them facing the sea; the Ana Tepahu Caverns and the quarry of Puna Pau, where the top part of Moais were sculpted (named Pukao, which means "typical hairstyle"). Finally, visit to Ahu Tahai. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

Day 7:

Hanga Roa, Santiago de Chile:
Transfer to Mataveri Airport at the agreed time for the departure flight. Farewell with shell necklaces.

Day 8:

Visit to Valparaiso, the oldest port in Chile. Though no longer its largest port, it retains tremendous historical significance and beauty, as well as being home. to the Chilean House of Assembly and Senate. The upper and lower parts of the city are connected through 16 funicular railways constructed around the turn of the century, a time when the city experienced tremendous growth. Parts of Valparaiso are considered to become a UNESCO heritage site. From Valparaiso, continue along the coast to the beautiful beaches of Vina del Mar, the Garden city, named for its many parks and green spaces.
Then journey home or continue on: After breakfast transfer back to the airport for your flight to Santiago or continue with another tour: See Patagonia, the Southern Andes and Buenos Aires on our "The Very Best of Argentina" tour or continue on the very popular "Tango, Samba, Waterfalls" tour to Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls, the Atlantic Rainforest and Rio de Janeiro.

Price

What's Included 

2 half-day sightseeing
3 full-days sightseeing
7 buffet breakfast
2 include dinners
4 stars hotels
transfers & taxes

Price 

Please inquire for a custom quote. The price is customized based on final hotel choices, travel dates, and other custom preferences.