Santiago, Atacama, Easter Island, and the Chilean Lake District

Day 1	Santiago
Day 2	Santiago/City Tour
Day 3	Santiago/Vineyard/Folkloric Dinner Show
Day 4	Santiago/Atacama/Moon Valley
Day 5	Atacama/Quitor/Tulor/Atacama Salt Lake/Toconao
Day 6	Atacama/Tatio Geysers/Puritama Hot Springs
Day 7	Atacama/Santiago/Easter Island
Day 8	Easter Island/Rano Raraku/Anakena Beach
Day 9	Easter Island/Orongo/Ahu Akivi
Day 10	Easter Island/Santiago
Day 11	Santiago/Puerto Montt/City Tour/Puerto Varas
Day 12	Puerto Varas/Petrohue River Falls/All Saints Lake/Boat to Peulla
Day 13	Puerto Varas/Island of Chiloe
Day 14	Puerto Varas/Santiago

This tour includes accommodations for 12 nights (3 nights in Santiago, 3 nights in Atacama, 3 nights in Easter Island, and 3 nights in Puerto Varas); and 17 meals (13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 1 dinner). 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodations include 22 meals.

Elevations: Santiago is 1,700 feet above sea level, Atacama is 8,005 ft., Tatio Geyser is 14,107 ft., and Petrohue is 810 ft.

Discover the archaeological sites, salt lake lagoons, and geysers of the Atacama Desert. Explore the mysterious Moai statues on Easter Island and learn about who created them and how. Appreciate the natural beauty of the Lake District, with its emerald green lakes, pristine forests, and snow-capped volcanic peaks. You will also have a city tour of Santiago and visit a nearby winery. This is a great way to experience three of Chile's most fascinating regions and its capital city.

Activities: Cultural/historical sightseeing, hiking, and boating.

Day 1: Santiago

Depart to Santiago via overnight flight.

Day 2: Santiago/City Tour

After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you will have a panoramic city tour of Santiago, which will include Parque O'Higgins, Plaza de Armas (the city's historic center), Palacio de la Moneda, ex-National Congress, Mapocho Station Cultural Center, Santa Lucia Hill, the place of Santiago's founding in 1541,and the Bohemian district of Bellavista. Overnight in Santiago. (B)

Note: Check-in time is 2:00 PM. We can request early check-in but cannot guarantee it.

Day 3: Santiago/Vineyard/Folkloric Dinner Show

Today you can choose to visit one of the following vineyards around Santiago (included in price): Concha y Torro, Cousino Macul, and Undurraga. In the evening, you will have a folkloric dinner show with typical Chilean dishes, dances, music, and costumes. Overnight in Santiago. (B,D)

Day 4: Santiago/Atacama/Moon Valley

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Calama. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.

In the afternoon, you will have a half-day excursion to the 'Moon Valley', which will include visits to the Valle de Marte, overlook of the Salar de Atacama, Valle de la Muerte, and Tres Maria. The Highlight of this excursion is a view of the sun setting over the desert valley. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)

Day 5: Atacama/Quitor/Tulor/Atacama Salt Lake/Toconao

The Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth, and is considered to be the archaeological capital of Chile. The dryness of the climate has preserved relics of the various cultures inhabiting the region. You will visit the Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum, which displays a large collection of artifacts unearthed by Father Gustavo Le Paige, a Belgian priest and archaeologist, and local villagers. After the museum, you will visit the Pucara de Quitor, an Atacama Fortress from the 12th century, and Tulor, one of the oldest human settlements of the region, known for the circular construction of its houses.

In the afternoon you will have a half-day excursion to the Atacama Salt Lake and the oasis town of Toconao. The Lake is an important nesting site for three species of flamingos, and contains 40% of the world's lithium reserves. Toconao is known for its Liparita (volcanic) stone houses and the Church and bell tower of San Lucas, which dates to the mid-18th century. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)

Day 6: Atacama/Tatio Geysers/Puritama Hot Springs

Early morning (4:00 AM) you will depart for an excursion to the Tatio Geysers, the world's highest geyser field at 14,107 ft. above sea level. The steaming fumaroles, which reach a height of 160 ft., are a sight to behold, especially at sunrise, against the backdrop of the altiplano.

In the afternoon you will visit the Puritama Hot Springs, which will be much appreciated after an early rise and day of exploration. The mineral rich waters are 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B,L)

Day 7: Atacama/Santiago/Easter Island

Early morning transfer to Calama for the flight to Santiago and Easter Island. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Easter Island. (B)

Note: The connecting flights from Calama to Easter Island are only available on Wednesdays and Sundays, and there are no flights from Santiago to Easter Island on Mondays and Thursdays.

Day 8: Easter Island/Rano Raraku/Anakena Beach

Full day excursion visiting the archaeological center of Akahanga and the quarry at Rano Raraku volcano, where all of the moai on the island were carved. You will see over 300 statues in various stages of completion, and one giant moai, 21 meters (69 ft.) tall. You will also visit Ahu Tongariki, the largest ahu (burial site), whose moai were re-erected after a tsunami flattened the statues, Ahu Te Pito Kura, site of the largest moai moved from the quarry, and the ahu Nau Nau at Anakena Beach. Picnic lunch at Anakena Beach. Overnight in Easter Island. (B,L)

Day 9: Easter Island/Orongo/Ahu Akivi

Half day tour to the Rano Kau crater, the Orongo ceremonial village, with its birdman petroglyphs, and Vinapu with its two ahu. Half day tour to Ahu Akivi with its seven moai facing the sea, the caves of Ana Te Pahu, and Puna Pau, the volcanic crater where the pukao (reddish stone hats/headdresses) that some moai wear were carved. Overnight in Easter Island. (B)

Day 10: Easter Island/Santiago

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Santiago. (B)

Day 11: Santiago/Puerto Montt/City Tour/Puerto Varas

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Puert Montt. Upon arrival, you will have a panoramic city tour of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas. Puerto Montt is the main transportation hub for travelers to Chiloe, Chilean Patagonia, and the Lake District. You will drive through the downtown area, passing the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, and then along Av Angelmo to the small fishing village and ferry port of Angelmo, where you can visit the fish and crafts markets.

The tour continues to the city of Puerto Varas, on the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue. Puerto Varas was founded by German immigrants, and has the feel of a European village. You will drive through the center of town, passing the Plaza de Armas, the Municipal Casino, and historic private residences. The tour finishes at Philippi Hill, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, Lake Llanquihue, and Osorno Volcano, before being taken to your hotel. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 12: Puerto Varas/Petrohue River Falls/All Saints Lake/Boat to Peulla

Beginning in Puerto Varas, you will drive by bus along the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue with magnificent views of Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, past Ensenada, to Petrohue River Falls. You'll have an opportunity to walk around and take photos. The tour continues by bus to Petrohue on the western shore of All Saints Lake. At Petrohue, you will board a catamaran and ride across the breathtaking All Saints Lake to the village of Peulla. In Peulla, you will lunch at Hotel Peulla, and can observe Tronador Volcano and walk around the village. Return by catamaran to Petrohue and by bus to Puerto Varas. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B,L)

Day 13: Puerto Varas/Island of Chiloe

Depart to Puerto Montt for the ferry ride across the Chacao Channel to the Island of Chiloe. Chiloe is known for its unique architecture (wood-shingled churches and palafitos - houses and businesses built on stilts), mythological creatures (the mermaid La Pincoya, and the troll, El Trauco), and delicious seafood (especially curanto, a potato and seafood stew). The first stop is Ancud, the Island's largest city, which was founded by the Spaniards in 1767 to protect Chile's coastline from foreign invaders. You will visit Fort San Antonio, walk through the fish market, visit the Museo Chiloté, which hosts the island's history and mythology, and finish at Huaiquen Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the channel. The tour continues with a drive through Castro, Chile's third oldest city, famous for its palafitos. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 14: Puerto Varas/Santiago

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Santiago and your final destination. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner