Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Chile – Santiago – Easter Island – Hanga Roa – San Pedro de Atacama
100% customisable for you
Your adventure in Chile starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and settle in for your overnight 14-hour flight to Santiago, which will land early tomorrow morning.
When you arrive, you’ll be privately transferred to a centrally located hotel, perfectly located for exploring. After settling in and grabbing a bite to eat, the rest of the day is yours for the taking: stroll through Parque Forestal, a picturesque tree-lined park that stretches from Plaza Italia to the Fine Arts Museum, or simply lounge poolside, ready for the real exploring to begin tomorrow.
This morning, you’re heading to the remote Easter Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, so fuel up with a hearty breakfast before you leave. After a short private transfer to the airport, board your five-and-a-half-hour flight to Hanga Roa, arriving in the late morning (set your watch back two hours). Another private transfer will then drop you at your hotel for a three-night stay. Spend the rest of the morning relaxing amid the palm trees and tropical flowers, lulled by the sound of the waves, then amble into the picturesque town to watch the surfers.
In the afternoon, we’ve arranged for you to visit the ancient village of Orongo, set on the slopes of the Rano Kau volcano. This sacred site was where the traditional Tangata Manu (Birdman) ritual was once performed in honour of the god Makemake, and your friendly guide will give the lowdown on its cultural significance. The tour finishes at Vinapu, an Incan archaeological site steeped in mythology.
The next two days are all about exploring the natural wonders of Easter Island and visiting the mysterious moai stone statues left by the ancient Rapa Nui people. No one truly knows their history, but it’s thought these impressive stone figures were originally carved by hand to ward off evil spirits, then placed on ahu (temple platforms) along the coast, facing inland to keep watch over the local community.
Today, we’ve arranged a guided tour of the island’s moai. Alongside an expert guide, begin at the remote traditional villages near Vaihu before making your way to Aku Akahanga, an ancient archaeological site home to 13 fallen statues. Next, visit Rano Raraku quarry, where most moai were carved, before heading to three more moai hotspots: Ahu Tongariki, Anakena Beach and the north coast.
If you’re still full of beans after all that exploring, we can also arrange for you to climb Poike Volcano, discovering its lesser-visited sites with an expert guide.
What better way to start the day than seeing a glorious sunrise? This morning, your guide will pick you up at dawn to visit the majestic Ahu Tongariki. As the sun rises behind its 15 moai statues, the area is bathed in golden light, and the fields below are shrouded in imposing shadows.
Later, visit Ahu Akivi, a historic site where seven moai look out over the ocean, and the Puna Pau volcano quarry, where red rock was used to carve pukao (traditional headdresses) for the island’s statues.
Afterwards, it’s onto the Tahai archaeological site to gaze at some of the best-preserved Moais. Don’t miss the restored Ahu Ko Te Riku, the only complete statue on the island with white coral eyes. It’s thought the islanders used coral to enhance the Moais’ mana (spiritual powers).
Not quite ready to head back to your hotel? We can also arrange a private tour of Easter Island’s hidden gems and off-the-beaten-track spots.
Today, you’re heading back to Santiago. Before leaving, however, pay a visit to the Iglesia de la Santa Cruz in Hanga Roa, a beautiful 20th-century church that blends Catholic architecture with local Polynesian influences. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting on a Sunday, you can attend Sunday Mass, a community-wide event that combines Spanish liturgy with hymns sung in Rapa Nui.
Later, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport for your four-and-a-half-hour flight to the capital, where you’ll stay overnight in a nearby hotel.
In the morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport, this time for a two-hour flight to Calama. For the next three nights, you’ll be staying in the Atacama Desert, the driest non-polar desert in the world, so when you arrive, pick up your hire car and drive an hour to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. En route, enjoy the majestic views of the Cordillera de la Sel (Salt Mountain Range).
After a few hours relaxing, it’s time to explore. The Cordillera de la Sel might be famed for the Vallecito de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) and its lunar-like landscapes, but the less-visited Vallecito (Little Valley) is equally beautiful, with rock canyons in reddish, copper and ochre tones illuminated by the intense sun. Alongside a private guide, wander through this fascinating valley before visiting the Valley of the Moon and stopping at the Likanantai viewpoint for a few fab photos.
The Puritama thermal baths are on today’s hit list. Rich in natural minerals, including calcium, magnesium and sodium, locals have enjoyed these revitalising thermal pools for centuries. Now it’s your turn.
Located in a canyon with spectacular mountain views, there are eight thermal pools to choose from, each resting at a relaxing 28°C to 31°C. There’s no public transport here, so either drive or hike through Guatin Canyon (also called the Valley of the Cactus) to get to the baths.
After night falls, we’ve arranged a guided stargazing session using astro telescopes and binoculars. The Atacama Desert is one of the best places in the world for astronomy, thanks to its dark skies and lack of light pollution, so sit back and admire the starry sky before ending the evening with an expertly mixed cocktail.
Ready to see more stunning landscapes? This morning, drive to the Salar de Aguas Calientes Sur, set near the Argentinian border. Stretching across the heart of the Andes Mountains, over 13,000ft above sea level, this magical salt flat sits in a volcanic crater and features a turquoise lagoon edged with white salt crusts, bubbling hot springs and striking reddish rock formations against a backdrop of distant volcanoes.
Continuing on, head to the Miscanti and Miniques lagoons in the Los Flamencos National Reserve, home to three types of flamingo (Andean, James’s and Chilean). With a bit of luck, you might also spot vicunas (the wild ancestors of alpacas), emus and wolf-like red foxes called culpeos.
Sunrise is the best time to see the El Tatio geyser field, so set your alarm clock early this morning. Here, you’ll be treated to a truly surreal sight, as the cold air reacts with the heated geysers to create dramatic clouds of steam. Just be warned: nights can be very cold, so pack thermal layers to stay snug.
Afterwards, take a dip in El Tatio's naturally heated thermal pools, enjoy lunch overlooking the geysers and stop at Guatin Canyon to stretch your legs among a forest of towering cardon cacti. If you’re not too tired after your early start, we can also arrange for you to head up in a hot air balloon to see the desert from the sky.
Later in the afternoon, drive one hour and 15 minutes back to Calama Airport, return your hire car and board your two-hour flight to Santiago, where you’ll be staying for the night.
For your last night in Chile, we’ve arranged a meal in a top restaurant, so spend the evening savouring traditional cuisine and toasting to your time in this beautiful country.
Sadly, your Chilean adventure has come to an end. Take one final stroll around the city to soak up the sights, before your private transfer to Santiago’s international airport. Your overnight flight will take just over 14 hours, and you’ll arrive back in the UK the next day.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
