San Pedro de Atacama is a small northern town with tremendous history and close proximity to many natural geographical wonders. From the geysers of El Tatio to the Valley of the Moon, from the historic town of Toconao to the mountain hot springs of Puritama there are a host of natural and historic wonders here.

Easter Island still holds a very special mystery and magic. Rapa Nui, as the natives called it, literally meaning the Navel of the World, was discovered on Easter Sunday and thus to this day it is usually and simply referred to as Easter Island. But this island holds an intrigue far greater than one might imagine.

We will also spend two days in Santiago to visit this fascinating and modern city. Near Santiago we may visit Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, Valle Nevado, Isla Negra and the Pablo Neruda Museum or the wineries Cousiño Macul winery and Concha y Toro.

Day 1
(Monday): Overnight flight to Santiago.

Day 2
(Tuesday): Reception at Santiago Airport and transfer to your selected hotel in the heart of the city. Afternoon city tour Santiago. A journey through the main streets of the civic center of the city of Santiago, viewing the neoclassical Moneda Palace, built in the 18th Century and current seat of Government, the Plaza de Armas, or main square with its cathedral, the museum of National History and the Central Post Office, all with very different architectural styles. Continue to the Parque Forestal, based on the Champs Elysee in Paris, the Fine Arts Museum and the Santa Lucia Hill where the city was founded in 1541. Continue to the bohemian area of Bellavista and climb the San Cristobal Hill for a panoramic view of the city with the Andes mountains in the background. The tour finishes with a visit to the handicraft village of Los Graneros del Alba (closed Mondays  an alternative is substituted). Return to your hotel.

Day 3
(Wednesday): Full day of touring around Santiago. On this day you may choose from one of the following excursions: Vina del Mar and Valparaiso; Valle Nevado; Isla Negra - Pablo Neruda Museum; Cousiño Macul winery and Concha y Toro winery.

Day 4
(Thursday): Santiago-San Pedro de Atacama- Moon Valley Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Calama. Reception at the airport in Calama and transfer to the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Afternoon half day Moon Valley Excursion Departing at 3 pm (5 pm in the summer), this trip takes us through the Salt Mountain Range, visiting the Valley of Mars (also known as Death Valley) and the Three Marias - natural rock formations in the desert. We end up by climbing a huge sand dune in the Moon Valley in order to see the sunset over the Andes from a wonderful viewpoint. Evening return to San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 5
(Friday): Tulor, Quitor, Atacama Salt Lake and Toconao Morning half day Archeological Tour to Tulor and Quitor 9 am departure to visit the Padre Gustavo Le Paige Museum, which has an important anthropological collection of the Atacemeñan culture. Then continue to the indigenous fortress of Quitor where the first shepherds of this civilization lived on this defensive site. Continue on to one of the "ayllus" or settlements which reflect the social system and communal aspects of this subsistence society and the archeological village of Tulor which is composed of a series of round rooms connected to each other and with communal patios. Today, this site is covered partly by the sands of the desert and represents an archeological enigma. Afternoon half day excursion to the Atacama Salt Lake and Toconao Upon leaving San Pedro de Atacama (3 pm departure in the winter, 4 pm in the summer), we head along the side of the huge salt flat and continue until arrival at Toconao, a village where the inhabitants dedicate themselves to the working of the local liparite stone. Visit the old church and wander round the handicraft shops before a short visit to the Jeri Valley, an oasis in the center of the desert. Continue to the Chaxa Lagoon where three types of pink flamingoes breed. Return to San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 6
(Saturday): Full day excursion to El Tatio Geysers and Puritama Hot Springs Early morning departure (4:00 am.) to El Tatio. Picnic breakfast in the geothermal field before a guided walk through the fumaroles which release steam columns into the cold early morning air. Return towards San Pedro along a mountain road with views of the Putana Volcano and the peaks of Torcopuri. Visit the cascading pools of Puritama hot springs hidden in a mountain canyon surrounded by pampas grass. Bathe in the warm waters (changing rooms and bathrooms available) before returning to San Pedro.

Day 7
(Sunday): Transfer to Calama airport to take the flight to Santiago and connect with flight to Easter Island. Reception at Mataveri International Airport and transfer to your selected hotel.

Day 8
(Monday): Full day tour of Rano Raraku: Vahiu , Anakena and Ahu Tongariki The excursion starts in Hanga Roa and taking the road along the coast, we head towards the ruins of the temple of Vaihu, which is still today as it has been after centuries of neglect. The red hats of the moai which were thrown into the sea can clearly be seen. Continue to the site of Akahanga, where several of the statues are face down, as they were abandoned during their transportation. Then onto the volcano of Rano Raraku and the factories where the moais were carved from the rock. Here there are more than 300 statues in different stages of production. A walk around the crater reveals a small lagoon and more moai in the center. Continue to Ahu Tongariki which has been recently restored and which houses the largest number of moais which were destroyed by a large tidal wave in 1960. Finally, the beautiful Anakena beach with two temple platforms or Ahus. Following a picnic lunch (included), time to bathe in the Pacific ocean or explore the surrounding countryside. Return to Hanga Roa in the afternoon and transfer back to your selected hotel.

Day 9
(Tuesday): Half day excursion to Orongo: Rano Kau and Vinapu Depart for a visit to Ahu Vinapu which is made up of two ruined Ahus (temple platforms) one of which has stonework which is remarkably similar to that found in Inca sites. Studies have backed up the theory that the first inhabitants of the island came from the American continent. The journey continues along the coastal road towards the Rano Kao volcano. Next to the crater is the ancient ceremonial site of Orongo where there are many petroglyphs. There are images of the "bird man" Tangata Manu, the god creator Make Make and also Komari, fertility symbols. From the edge of the crater, you can see the three small islands of Motu Iti, Motu Nui and Moto Kao Kao which play an important part in the "bird man" legends. Afternoon is at leisure with time to explore the town of Hanga Roa and the Museum of Sebastian Englert. We recommend paying a visit to the local church with its extraordinary wood carvings.

Day 10
(Wednesday): Half day excursion to Akivi: Puna Pau and 7 Moai Half day excursion to Ahu Akivi, the archeological center of the Roihi sector. This was the first area to be restored in the 1960s. It is a ceremonial area, particularly of interest not only for its location, at the center of the island but also for the legends which surround the 7 Moais or statues to be found there. Then visit Puna Pau, a site to the east of the town of Hanga Roa in a small crater. This is where the "pukao" or hats which crowned the moais were carved. On the journey it is possible to see the path where they were transported including some of the hats which were left on the wayside. Afternoon to be spent at your leisure exploring close to town or perhaps just relaxing in the southern sun.

Day 11
(Thursday): Transfer to Mataveri airport for connecting flight back to Santiago and connect with international flight back home.

Day 12
(Friday): Arrival in the US.

DETAILED PRICING

Occupancy Type	3 Star	4 Star	5 Star Deluxe
Double	$ 4784	$ 4897	$ 5119 / $ 5233	Book it Now
Single	$ 5812	$ 6036	$ 6060 / $ 6268	Book it Now