13 Days | Epic Easter Island & the Atacama Desert Discovery
- Discover Santiago’s food scene, sampling empanadas and local flavors with a private guide.
- Marvel at Easter Island’s moai and uncover the island’s rich history with local insights.
- Stay at a luxe oasis-like lodge and enjoy guided desert exploration and epic stargazing.
- Taste renowned wines with private estate tastings in Maipo Valley’s scenic vineyards.
- Let your Destination Expert enhance your stay with private Explora Rapa Nui excursions.
A Travel Experience Like No Other
This sample itinerary was created by experts and is meant to inspire your next trip. It is ready to be customized to suit your interests, tastes and budget so you can connect with local cultures and experience authentic travel on your own terms and depart whenever you choose.
Day 1: SANTIAGO
The Adventure Begins
Welcome to Chile!
Upon arrival to Santiago, you will be greeted by a local representative as you exit the aircraft. This representative will assist with fast-track service at Customs, help with luggage collection and deliver you to your awaiting vehicle.
To ensure your comfort, an English-speaking guide will be waiting for you outside of Customs holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel to assist with check-in.
To accommodate early flight arrivals into Santiago, an early check-in will be arranged at your hotel.
Where you’ll be staying: The Singular Santiago
Day 2: SANTIAGO
City Streets and Tasty Treats
Tantalize your senses with an unforgettable gastronomic tour through sensational Santiago. Meet your professional driver and private guide to take in the aromas and flavors of enticing Chilean cuisine. Your first stop is La Vega Central Food Market, a bustling marketplace offering some of the freshest produce that the fertile lands of Chile have to offer. Next, visit the historic Mercado Central before indulging in a traditional Chilean empanada at a local favorite. Stroll through the Plaza de Armas, observing the Santiago Central Post Office, the National History Museum, and Santiago City Hall. Make a stop at the presidential palace of La Moneda, a former colonial mint which now serves as the offices for select Chilean officials. By this time, you'll have worked up a healthy appetite which can be satisfied in the Providencia neighborhood. Enjoy lunch at a traditional Chilean restaurant, featuring a flavorful menu served alongside a glass of fine Chilean wine. After your delicious meal, visit the up-and-coming district of Barrio Italia, home to boutique shops, antique stores, art galleries and even mouth-watering desserts. Your final stop is at a traditional Dulcería that offers a range of Chilean pastries. Indulge in one more sweet treat here before your private driver transfers you back to your hotel.
Lacking the international recognition that the mouth-watering Novoandina cuisine of Lima or the extravagant asado barbecues of Buenos Aires command, tonight you will discover that the Chilean capital of Santiago deserves a seat at the table of gastronomic excellence. Reservations will be made in advance at the restaurant of your choice, and round-trip transportation in a private vehicle will also be provided. Our Destination Experts top recommendations for fine dining in Santiago include: Borago, Aqui esta Coco, Osaka, and Cuerovaca. Please note: Your meal is not included and will be paid for on location. Reservations are confirmed at the time of booking and are subject to availability.
Where you’ll be staying: The Singular Santiago
Day 3: SANTIAGO TO EASTER ISLAND
En Route
Join your professional driver and English-speaking guide for a private airport transfer.
Board a flight in Santiago with direct service to Easter Island. Approximate flight duration is five hours and 30 minutes.
Please note that the flights are not included and must be purchased separately.
Enjoy a shuttle airport transfer with a professional driver between the airport and Explora Rapa Nui.
Surrounded by trees, prairies and views, Explora Rapa Nui boast a privileged location from which to explore Easter Island. All programs include accommodations, transfers to and from the airport, meals and drinks, and a selection of more than 30 exploration routes designed by the outdoor team. After settling into your accommodations and taking a tour of the grounds, an in-house guide will provide an orientation of the area and help design your personalized itinerary. Recommendations will be based on your interests, fitness level, and the weather forecast to help curate a completely customized experience. Guests traveling together may wish to participate in different activities or simply relax and take in the views. Prepare to immerse yourself in Rapa Nui’s history through hikes, bicycle explorations, snorkeling and diving activities.
Where you’ll be staying: Explora Rapa Nui
Day 4: EASTER ISLAND
Lace up for Some Fresh Air
Embark on an array of optional half-day shared hikes across Easter Island, each tailored to cater to different interests and fitness levels, with personalized recommendations provided by Explora's on-site experts. Delve into the Hotu Iti area, where the moai statues, hewn from volcanic slopes, stand as enduring symbols of Rapa Nui's heritage. Choose from hikes like Ara Moai, starting at the renowned Rano Raraku quarry and traversing old moai transportation routes, or venture to the advanced level hike of Hotu Iti, which takes you through archaeological remains and rock gardens to the awe-inspiring Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial platoform in the island boasting a row of 15 majestic moai statues. Explore the rugged landscapes of the Lava Flows area with hikes like Roiho, leading through lava fields and coastal paths to Hanga Kioe Bay. Uncover the mysteries of the Miru area, where hikes like Mahatua offer coastal vistas, archaeological sites, and the opportunity to relax on Anakena beach. Discover the Poike area's unique scenery with hikes like Puakatiki, leading to panoramic views atop Puakatiki Hill and the iconic Tongariki site. Traverse the enigmatic cultural landscape of the Rano Kau area with hikes like The Bird Man, venturing to the Rano Kau crater rim and the ancient ceremonial village of Orongo. Journey through the South area with hikes like Akahanga, exploring farmlands and archaeological sites, or Puna Pau, where you'll ascend Maunga Tanga Roa for stunning 360° views of the Island and visit the Pukao quarry, featuring red scoria hat-like structures that were formerly placed on top of the moai.
Where you’ll be staying: Explora Rapa Nui
Day 5: EASTER ISLAND
Pedal through the Past
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Easter Island with a selection of shared guided biking excursions curated by Explora. On-site expert guides will provide personalized recommendations based on your preferences and abilities, ensuring an unforgettable experience for every adventurer. Pedal along inland routes, meandering through traditional Rapa Nui crop fields as ancient tales echo in the breeze. Encounter the mesmerizing Ahu Akivi, where seven majestic moai stand sentinel overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean. Venture to Ahu Tongariki, home to 15 imposing moai, each bearing witness to the island's storied past. Uncover the mysteries of Te Peu, an ancient village adorned with archaeological wonders that provide a glimpse into the island's ancient culture. In Tahai, discover the unique and only moai with coral eyes, delving deeper into the island's mystique. Ascend Terevaka Volcano for unparalleled 360° panoramic views of the island, or discover ancient settlements such as Mahatua, each offering unique perspectives on Easter Island's rich heritage and natural beauty. Whether biking uphill or exploring lowland archaeological vestiges, each journey offers a fascinating exploration of Easter Island's history and landscape.
Where you’ll be staying: Explora Rapa Nui
Day 6: EASTER ISLAND
Hidden Gems
For travelers seeking adventure on the azure waters surrounding Easter Island, a plethora of optional sea-guided shared excursions are available, tailored to various interests and fitness levels. On-site experts stand ready to curate personalized recommendations. The crystal-clear waters surrounding the island, with low plankton levels, offer unparalleled visibility for underwater explorations. One option, Motu Nui, promises a breathtaking journey southwest from the fishermen's cove in Hanga Roa, flanking the coast to witness majestic cliffs and the volcanic formations of the islets. Alternatively, snorkel around the Bird islets, renowned for their abundance of avian species and unbeatable clear water conditions. The boat ride to this area provides views of the cliffs, the Rano Kau crater, and Motus. For a different experience, venture to Motu Tautara, an islet teeming with marine life and surrounded by protected coastal areas. During the boat trip, you can appreciate a different view of the Tahai complex, as well as other archaeological sites located on the northwest coast of the island. For those seeking an underwater adventure, Discover Scuba Diving offers an easy introduction to Rapa Nui's submarine world. After completing this experience, participants receive a Discovery or Baptism PADI Certificate. Meanwhile, Rapa Nui Diving invites certified divers to an advanced exploration of sunken moai and intricate submarine caves.
Please note: Diving and snorkeling tours may incur an additional cost. Speak with your FROSCH Travel Advisor to help curate your perfect day.
Where you’ll be staying: Explora Rapa Nui
Day 7: EASTER ISLAND TO SANTIAGO TO MAIPO VALLEY
A Change of Scenery
Enjoy a shuttle airport transfer with a professional driver between the airport and Explora Rapa Nui.
Fly direct from Easter Island to Santiago. Flights are subject to change based on availability. The flight duration is approximately 5 hours. (Separate Purchase)
Enjoy a private transfer from Santiago to your accommodation in the Maipo Valley. Approximate travel duration is 45 minutes.
Founded in 1880, the Santa Rita winery is set amongst 40 hectares of Renaissance-style gardens offering a colorful sanctuary just 45 minutes from the Chilean capital of Santiago. One of the country’s most distinguished estates and responsible for a huge proportion of its quality wines, the central colonial mansion now houses a boutique hotel, Casa Real.
Where you’ll be staying: Casa Real Hotel
Day 8: MAIPO VALLEY
Of Vineyards and Vintages
Immerse yourself in the magical production of Viña Santa Rita as you are taken on an approximately 1-hour guided tour of the estate. You'll be taken through the gardens and vineyards, shown the wine making and production process, and end off with a high-end tasting of two Gran Reserva wines, and two Ultra Premium wines paired with cheeses and crackers. You'll also be gifted with a carved wine glass.
Amidst the Santa Rita vineyards, on the foothills of the Andes, sits the Museo Andino, a large, modern museum that houses a collection of around 3000 archeological and ethnographic artifacts created by the Pre-Columbian peoples who inhabited these lands, as well as works from the mixed cultures of Chile and Latin America.
The collection was assembled by Ricardo Claro and María Luisa Vial de Claro, who in 2006 donated the items to the Fundación Claro Vial, making them available to the community in a museum that is open to all, with the support of the Cultural Donations Law.
Where you’ll be staying: Casa Real Hotel
Day 9: MAIPO VALLEY TO SANTIAGO TO CALAMA TO SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Onward and Upward
Enjoy a private transfer from your accommodation in the Maipo Valley back to your Santiago hotel or the airport.
Board a flight from Santiago to El Loa Airport in Calama. Approximate travel time is 2 hours.
Please note that flights are not included in the price and must be purchased separately.
You will be privately transferred from Calama Airport to your accommodations in San Pedro de Atacama by a professional driver and local guide. Approximate travel time is one hour.
This evening, enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Where you’ll be staying: Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Day 10: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Lose Yourself in Nature
Upon departing San Pedro de Atacama at 5pm, enjoy a private guided tour of the impressive Moon valley. With beautiful shapes and colors located only 8km from San Pedro de Atacama, you can walk and enjoy a great geological spectacle that has been repeatedly compared with the surface of the moon, with its angular geology and rocks sculpted by millenniums of erosion. Visit the salt caverns before climbing the large sand dune where you can marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors that appear over the Andes at sunset. You will be brought back to your hotel in San Pedro by 8pm - just in time for a great dinner of local specialties at any number of locales in town.
Inspired by the mystical desert landscape under an incredible star-dotted night sky, Kunza Spa offers an exodus to a world of unequaled pleasures. After a day visiting the sights – on foot or by bike – this is the perfect reward. Just enjoy a massage or therapy or simply relax on the outdoor terrace with views over the desert and the volcanoes. There is a towel and meal service next to the pool while enjoying these majestic sights; the Chilean desert was never more inspiring or tempting. The spa offers five private therapy rooms, three outdoor pools, two outdoor Jacuzzis, two saunas, a gym, outdoor terrace as well as a delightful Day Spa program, and is open from 9 am to 10 pm daily.
Where you’ll be staying: Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Day 11: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
A Journey Back in Time
This sensational excursion starts as you and your private guide and driver head towards the Atacama Salt Flat where you will be able to observe two or three different pink species of flamingos at the Chaxa Lagoon. Afterwards you will head to the breathtaking Miscanti and Meñique Altiplanic Lagoons at the altitude of 4,200 m (13,500 ft). These intensely blue colored waters are located at the foot of neighboring volcanos and boast an impressive landscape. Later you will stop by the charming town of Socaire, famous for its agricultural terraces. There you will enjoy a nice lunch and then continue on to the settlement of Toconao which is constructed from volcanic rock and well known for spectacular views of the Atacama Salt Flat.
Where you’ll be staying: Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Day 12: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Nurtured by Nature
Before dawn breaks, set out from your hotel with private guide and driver heading north. After a two hour ride, you will reach one of the most important geothermal fields in the world, the Tatio Geysers. Here you will learn about different geothermal manifestations and see these high altitude geysers, located 14,173 feet (4,320 meters) above sea level, firsthand. Surrounded by spurts of water and vapor, bask in the unique beauty of the Andes and this incredible natural phenomenon.
Please note:
Due to the altitude, bring warm clothes as temperatures will be considerably low. This excursion is not recommended for pregnant women and young children.
The recommendation is to have a light dinner the night before and no alcohol.
Where you’ll be staying: Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Day 13: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA TO CALAMA TO SANTIAGO
Until Next Time...
Enjoy a one hour and 30 minute transfer through the Atacama desert with your private driver and guide.
Board a direct flight from Calama to Santiago. Approximate travel time is two hours. Please note that flights are not included in the price and must be purchased separately.
Contact your FROSCH Travel Advisor for more info and to request a custom quote today.
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