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

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Note: The itinerary below reflects our suggested excursions for the Atacama portion of the tour. The exact order of the tours may vary, depending upon your arrival date. Excursions in Atacama for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodations are offered on an a la carte basis, meaning you can choose from a number of different alternatives.

Day 1: Santiago.

Depart to Santiago via overnight flight.

Day 2: Santiago.

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. Overnight in Santiago.

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

Day 3: Santiago-City Tour-Winery Tour.

In the morning, 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.

In the afternoon, you will visit your choice of one of the following vineyards around Santiago (included in price): Concha y Torro, Cousino Macul, and Undurraga. Overnight in Santiago. (B)

Day 4: Santiago-Atacama-Salt Mountains-Moon Valley-Mars 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 Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains) which features magnificent geological formations and sediments of various colors. You will visit the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) and Valle de Marte (Mars Valley), and enjoy an amazing sunset. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)

Day 5: Atacama-Toconao-Atacama Salt Lake-Chaxa Lagoon-Minique and Miscanti Lagoons.

Today you will have a full day excursion to the Altiplanic Lagoons. One the way, you can see the impressive Licancabur Volcano, and will stop at the oasis town of Toconao, known for its Liparita (volcanic) stone houses, which are quarried nearby. The town also features the Church and bell tower of San Lucas, which dates to the mid-18th century. You will also visit the Atacama Salt Lake and Chaxa Lagoon. The Lake is an important nesting site for three species of flamingos, and contains 40% of the world’s lithium reserves. Box lunch.

After lunch, you will visit the small village of Socaire, and then continue on to Minique and Miscanti Lagoons, where you will have time to walk around and enjoy the surroundings. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B,L)

Day 6: Atacama-Tatio Geysers-Baltinache Lagoons or Laguna Cejar.

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. Following the tour, you will be returned to your hotel.

In the afternoon, choice of Baltinache Lagoons or Laguna Cejar. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)

Day 7: Atacama-Santiago.

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

Day 8: Santiago-Easter Island.

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

Day 9: Easter Island-Rano Raraku-Anakena Beach.

Full day excursion visiting the archaeological site 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 10: Easter Island-Orongo-Ahu Akivi.

Morning visit to the Rano Kau extinct volcano crater (1.6 km in diameter), the ceremonial village of Orongo, which features the largest concentration of Petroglyphs on the island, with images of post-moai deity’s, such as Tangata Manu (birdman), Make Make (the creator), and Komari, and then to Ahu Vinapu. After lunch (not included), the tour continues on to Ahu Akivi, site of the seven moais overlooking the sea, the Caves of Ana Tepahu, among the largest on the island, and Pun-a-Pau quarry, the sole source of red scoria that was used to carve the pukao (topknots) of some of the moia. Overnight in Easter Island. (B)

Day 11: 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 12: Santiago-Puerto Montt-Puerto Varas-City Tour.

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 13: 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 Natura, 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 14: Puerto Varas-Island of Chiloe-Ancud.

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 built on stilts), mythological creatures (the mermaid La Pincoya, and the troll, El Trauco), and delicious seafood (especially curanto, a potato and seafood stew). You will visit Ancud, the Island’s largest city, which was founded by the Spaniards in 1767 to protect Chile’s coastline from foreign invaders. Stops include Fort San Antonio, a walk-through of the fish market, Museo Chiloté, which hosts the island’s history and mythology, and Huaiquen Hill for a panoramic view of the city, the channel, and the Island of Cochino. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 15: Puerto Varas-Puerto Montt-Santiago.

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

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner