Bespoke holidays and honeymoons to Chile and Easter Island
This fabulous itinerary can be enjoyed either as an escorted tour or on a private tailor made basis. The Chile tour is two weeks then the Easter Island extension can be added for 3 nights on the island (or tailored for longer on a private basis). Call us on 01728 748209 to book your South American adventure or complete the enquiry form.
Group tour prices from £3,695 per person (including flights from London and based on 2 sharing a room).
This tour is best enjoyed in our winter months, dates for group trips 2015 - 2016 are as follows:
Departures from London 18 October, 8 November 20 December 2015 and 17 January, 7 & 28 February 2016.
Chile is an extraordinarily beautiful country, encompassing just about every type of landscape on Earth from the arid desert of the north through verdant lakes and pastures to the soaring peaks and glaciers of Patagonia. This expansive tour explores Chile’s spectacular desert, mountain scenery and Patagonian wilderness and allows time to discover some great Chilean traditions.
Outline itinerary two weeks :
Day 1 – To Santiago: Fly from London to Santiago, via Madrid, with LAN / Iberia. (N)
Day 2 – Santiago: Morning arrival. Transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. (N)
Day 3 – Santiago: Morning tour of Santiago, including the cathedral, the historic main square, the central market and San Cristóbal Hill for views across the city and the Andes beyond. Afternoon drive into the countryside to the Undurraga vineyard for a tour and wine tasting. (B)
Day 4 – To San Pedro de Atacama: Early morning flight to Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama for 3 nights at the Hotel Altiplanico. Afternoon excursion to the Valley of the Moon to see the mesmerising change of colours at sunset. (B)
Day 5 – Atacama desert: Full-day journey into the spectacular desert landscape. Visit the Cejar lagoon and the Atacama salt flats, where pink flamingoes may be seen, and stop at the small village of Toconao, with its white volcanic stone buildings. (B)
Day 6 – Atacama desert: Day at leisure. Alternatively, take an optional excursion to El Tatio geysers, the hot springs or the 17thcentury fortress of Pukara de Quitor. (B)
Day 7 – To Puerto Varas: Fly to Puerto Montt, via Santiago, and transfer to the town of Puerto Varas, surrounded by shimmering lakes and perfectly conical snow-capped volcanoes. Stay 2 nights at the Cabana del Lago Hotel, set on the lake. (B)
Day 8 – Chilean Lake District: Morning visit to Petrohué Falls and take a boat trip on Lake Todos los Santos. In the afternoon, drive up the lower reaches of the Osorno volcano for spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. (B)
Day 9 – To Patagonia: Fly to Punta Arenas and visit Otway Sound and the Magellanic penguin colony (November to March). Continue to Puerto Natales, set amid jagged peaks and the glassy waters of Last Hope Sound. Stay overnight at the Hotel CostAustralis (fjordview room). (B)
Day 10 – To Torres del Paine: Drive across the wilds of Patagonia to Torres del Paine National Park. Full-day tour taking in the dramatic scenery of granite peaks, emerald lakes, waterfalls and ancient lenga forests. There is also the opportunity to meet the local rangers and learn about their work in the park. Stay at the Hotel Rio Serrano for 2 nights, with views of the Paine massif ’s ‘horns’ – the mountain peaks. (B, L)
Day 11 – Torres del Paine: Morning boat excursion on Grey Lake, close to the glacier. Afternoon at leisure or optional tours. (B)
Day 12 – To Punta Arenas: Drive to Punta Arenas, visiting a traditional Patagonian estancia en route. Discover how people live in this remote region and enjoy a typical quincho barbecue for lunch. Transfer to Cabo de Hornos for 1 night. (B, L)
Day 13 – To Santiago: Short tour of Punta Arenas, situated on the Magellan Strait, before your flight to Santiago. Stay overnight at the Hotel Plaza San Francisco. (B)
Day 14 –To London: Morning at leisure or take an optional tour of the Pre-Columbian Museum or Los Dominicos handicraft market. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London, via Madrid, with LAN / Iberia. (B)
Day 15 – London: Afternoon arrival. (N)
Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
Easter Island extension
4 Nights from £895 per person
Easter Island is officially part of Chile yet, lying 3,790km west of Santiago, it is the world’s most remote inhabited island. A visit to Easter Island is an extraordinary experience, with 600 or so moai statues scattered around the island, dramatically set against the dark waters of the Pacific Ocean, a reminder of the civilisation that once thrived and faded on these shores. The windswept landscape of volcanic craters, lava formations and sandy beaches adds to the otherworldly feel.
Day 14 – To Easter Island: Morning flight to Easter Island. Stay 3 nights at the Hotel Otai, located in the small town of Hanga Roa. (B)
Day 15 – Easter Island: A full-day excursion to various moai platforms, the quarry at Rano Raraku and Anakena beach, the site of the island’s first settlement. (B, L)
Day 16 – Easter Island: Half-day tour of Rano Kao volcano and the ceremonial village of Orongo. (B)
Day 17 – To Santiago: Transfer to the airport for a flight to Santiago. Stay at the Hotel Plaza San Francisco for 1 night. (B)
Day 18 – To London: Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport for a flight to London, via Madrid, with LAN / Iberia. (B)
Day 19 – London: Afternoon arrival. (N)
National Park fee: Easter Island National Park fee is not included and is payable locally.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
Contact us for a quote for either an escorted group tour or a private bespoke package to Chile and Easter Island.