Highlights
- Feel the pulse of urban life, art, and literature in Santiago
- Voyage through Atacama's canyons and valleys on horseback
- Marvel at the steam of El Tatio's geysers and soak in the Puritama Hot Springs
- Uncover the mysteries of Easter Island's monoliths and Polynesian culture
Brief Itinerary
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Welcome to Santiago | Santiago |
Day 2 | Santiago Walking Tour | Santiago |
Day 3 | Fly to San Pedro de Atacama, Horseback Riding | San Pedro de Atacama |
Day 4 | Atacama Desert Geysers & Hot Springs | San Pedro de Atacama |
Day 5 | Atacama Desert Hot Air Balloon, Planetarium Night Sky | San Pedro de Atacama |
Day 6 | Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), Fly to Santiago | Santiago |
Day 7 | Fly to Easter Island, Easter Island Cooking Class | Easter Island |
Day 8 | Easter Island Tongariki Sunrise & Orongo | Easter Island |
Day 9 | Easter Island Archaeological Sites & Anakena Beach | Easter Island |
Day 10 | Fly to Santiago | Santiago |
Day 11 | Santiago Bike & Wine Tour, Depart Chile |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Santiago

Centro is the financial hub and the neighborhood to see monumental colonial architecture while walking on paseos (pedestrian-only walkways). For street art and urban photography, there's Barrio Brasil. Feel the beat of nightlife and fine dining in upscale Providencia, or go for a stroll there in Parque Bustamente and Parque de las Esculturas.
Day 2: Santiago Walking Tour

Chile's cultural roots are next on the agenda with a visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts with its collection spanning centuries across South America. In Barrio Bellavista, visit La Chascona, a home owned by Chile's eccentric poet, diplomat, and politician, Pablo Neruda. At the end of your tour, your guide will recommend a local restaurant and the best areas for vibrant nightlife.
Day 3: Fly to San Pedro de Atacama, Horseback Riding

Get ready for the adventure level to go up a notch today as you make your way to the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth. A private transfer will take you from your hotel to Santiago Airport for a two-hour flight traveling more than 932 miles (1,500 km) north to Calama, then transfer to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. But you won't rest long before exploring this fascinating region.
There's no better way to see the vistas and dramatic rock formations of the Catarpe Valley than on horseback. After getting ready with a helmet, saddle, and other necessary gear, your guide and riding instructor will lead you through a four-to-five-hour ride. Your tour leader will highlight the features that make this area famous, such as the Devil's Throat canyon or Chulakao Ravine. There will also be plenty of time to take photos and appreciate the landscape. After a full day, you'll have time to rest at your hotel.
Day 4: Atacama Desert Geysers & Hot Springs

El Tatio, at 14,107 feet (4,300 m) in the Andes Mountains, is one of the highest geothermic fields on the planet. It's also home to the largest geysers in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be an early wake-up today, giving you a full-day tour to explore this diverse area on foot.
The geysers' steam fumaroles (created when Andes snow melts through cracks in the earth's magma) reach up to 164 feet (50 m)—a site to see and photograph. El Tatio is also an ideal vantage point for views of the mountains and volcanoes. Marvel at local wildlife like vicuñas, culpeos, and even flamingos, acclimated to this high-altitude environment. From the geysers, see the steam wafting from Puritama Hot Springs. With water temperatures hovering around 95°F (35°C) and a soak rich in minerals, you'll rejuvenate after a long day before returning to your hotel.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Atacama Desert Hot Air Balloon, Planetarium Night Sky

Get up before dawn today for an incredible journey by hot air balloon. Conditions are ideal in the early morning to see the sun's pink and gold hues rise over the desert. There will be a pre-flight safety briefing over coffee and tea as your balloon inflates in preparation for the one-hour ride. After taking off, you'll have time for photos and to appreciate the landscape. You and the crew will celebrate the journey with a champagne toast and breakfast.
After a morning floating above the clouds, you'll have the afternoon free to rest. The stories of the night sky will then unfold as you spend the evening in an observatory 4.3 miles (7 km) from San Pedro de Atacama. Your guide will point out stars and constellations, explaining how the sky changes with hemispheric shifts. Then, you'll use a telescope to take a closer look. With 10 telescope orientations to choose from, you'll see nebula and star clusters from all directions.
Day 6: Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), Fly to Santiago

In the afternoon, leave the Atacama behind and transfer to Calama Airport. From there, catch your flight south to Santiago Airport, where a private driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel for the evening.
Day 7: Fly to Easter Island, Easter Island Cooking Class

Rapa Nui's cuisine stems from ancient rituals and a culture of living off the land with seafood and root vegetables as the primary ingredients. Get a taste of Polynesian cooking in a class at a local restaurant. Learn how to cook in the earth, prepare dishes—such as mashed taro with sweet potato and fish ceviche—and then enjoy dinner from the fragrant dishes you've created.
Day 8: Easter Island Tongariki Sunrise & Orongo

Day 9: Easter Island Archaeological Sites & Anakena Beach

Day 10: Fly to Santiago

Day 11: Santiago Bike & Wine Tour, Depart Chile

On your final morning in Chile, you'll breathe fresh air with a 5-mile (3 km) bike ride through the Maipo Valley wine country south of Santiago—known as the "Bordeaux of South America." Meet your guide at the 19th-century mansion of Las Majadas de Pirque and set out on a scenic 1.5-hour ride. Your guide will point out historic vineyards such as Concha y Toro and explain the history of wine production in the area, spanning more than a century. Learn about the Andes Mountains' unique climate and soil, and be introduced to boutique wineries and the area's famous cabernet sauvignon.
At William Fèvre Chile vineyard—a partner vineyard of William Fèvre wine production in Chablis, France—a local expert will teach you more about mountain-grown wines such as the Espino chardonnay and Chacai cabernet sauvignon with a tasting. Toast the end of your time in Chile here, and then transfer to your hotel to prepare to catch your international flight. Safe travels!
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