The best of Chile

Day 3 | Santiago – Calama – San Pedro de Atacama

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be taken to the charming desert village of San Pedro de Atacama. This colourful village, situated at 2,440 metres above sea level, forms a green oasis in the rugged landscape of the Atacama. In the afternoon, you’ll go on a special excursion to the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna), an otherworldly landscape that owes its name to the surreal rock formations and sand dunes. You’ll drive into the salt mountain range and make your first stop at the Great Sand Dune. Here, you’ll walk along a sandy path to a panoramic viewpoint, where you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the desolate landscape. You will then visit the Tres Marías, three salt sculptures formed by erosion that stand like sentinels in the desert. On the way back, you’ll take a short walk past the Amphitheatre, a geological formation of clay, salt and gypsum, whose layered structures have stood the test of time. The day ends at the famous Mirador de Cari, at an altitude of 2,550 metres, better known as the ‘Piedra del Coyote’. From this iconic viewpoint, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Andes, whilst the setting sun paints the rock formations in an ever-changing palette of red and orange hues. A magical end to the day in the Atacama Desert. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your accommodation.
Overnight stay: Cumbres San Pedro | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | San Pedro de Atacama

You’ll set off early in the morning, before sunrise, for the vast Salar de Atacama. The first stop is at the Chaxa Lagoon, an oasis in the salt flats. The shimmering water’s surface reflects a unique ecosystem where flamingos and other high-altitude birds live in peace. As the sun slowly rises, the sky takes on different hues with every passing minute, revealing one of the most spectacular and dramatic landscapes in the world. An experience you won’t soon forget. The journey continues to Piedras Rojas. Here, you’ll be taken to an altitude of 3,800 metres and take a walk of about an hour to these copper-coloured rock formations. The intense red hues are the result of iron oxidation in the rocks and form a striking contrast with the surrounding lagoons and salt flats. In this enchanting setting, you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast whilst surrounded by the silence and unspoilt beauty of nature. After breakfast, you’ll continue your journey to the Altiplano lagoons, the Miscanti and Meñiques lagoons. Here you’ll have time to take photographs and simply enjoy the breathtaking surroundings. You will then visit the picturesque village of Socaire, renowned for its traditional agricultural terraces. Here you will enjoy a tasty lunch before travelling on to the village of Toconao. This charming village, built from volcanic rock, offers spectacular views of the endless white plains of the Salar de Atacama. At the end of the day, you’ll return to San Pedro de Atacama. Overnight: Cumbres San Pedro | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | San Pedro de Atacama

You’ll set off very early in the morning, before sunrise, for the El Tatio geysers. Loosely translated, El Tatio means ‘godfather’. The geyser field is situated in the Andes Mountains in northern Chile at an altitude of 4,200 metres. With more than 80 active geysers, El Tatio is the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere and the third largest in the world. It is a fantastic spectacle, especially at sunrise. You’ll have time here to enjoy this extraordinary natural phenomenon. Afterwards, you’ll drive to the village of Machuca, a resting place for the llama caravans of yesteryear. In the afternoon, you’ll return to San Pedro de Atacama and have the afternoon at your leisure.
Overnight: Cumbres San Pedro | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | San Pedro de Atacama – Calama – Santiago

After breakfast, you will be taken to Calama Airport, where you will board your domestic flight to Santiago. Once you arrive, you will be taken to your hotel. Santiago offers the charm and culture of Latin America with an interesting mix of colonial, Victorian and ultra-modern buildings. In the very heart of the city lies the central square, Plaza de Armas, with its colonial buildings and cathedral, about five blocks south of the River Mapocho, which winds from east to west and divides the city in two. You’ll also find the presidential palace, La Moneda, the Chilean Parliament building and Santa Lucía Hill, the site where the city was founded. In the evening, you can enjoy the city’s many excellent restaurants and cosy bars.
Overnight stay: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Santiago

Santiago is a vibrant city full of life. On street corners, you’ll find many local street vendors proudly displaying their artisanal products or local delicacies, such as mote con huesillo (a traditional dessert with syrup, peaches and barley) or handmade sopaipillas (deep-fried pastries), which are traditionally served with pebre (a Chilean condiment). Together with your guide, you’ll head to the centre of Santiago today, where you’ll visit the La Vega Central and Mercado Central markets. These are Santiago’s most famous markets. Naturally, you’ll have the chance to sample various fruits and vegetables here, some of which may be new to you. The guide will tell you more about the architecture of the Mercado Central, as well as the history of the building, which dates back to 1872. You’ll have the opportunity to sample a variety of fresh fish and seafood, caught earlier that day. Afterwards, you’ll return to your hotel and have the afternoon free to spend as you wish. For stunning views of the city and the Andes, head to the summit of Cerro San Cristóbal or visit Santiago’s tallest tower, the Gran Torre de Santiago. Visit the top of the tower just before nightfall. This way, you’ll see the sun sink behind the high peaks of the Andes, creating a stunning play of colours until all the lights in the city centre come on
Overnight stay: Cumbres Lastarria | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Santiago – Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine

You’ll be leaving Santiago for the far south. You’ll be collected from your hotel and taken to Santiago Airport. Here, you’ll board your domestic flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, you’ll be welcomed by a member of staff from your accommodation and, together with other hotel guests, you’ll travel on to your accommodation in Torres del Paine National Park. On the way to Hotel Las Torres, you’ll visit Estancia Cerro Negro, situated on the route between Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine National Park. This estancia is the perfect place to enjoy a traditional lamb barbecue and experience life on an authentic Patagonian estancia. Cerro Negro (Black Mountain) has been owned by the Kusanovic family since 1944, when Antonio Kusanovic Jersic bought the estate after emigrating from Croatia. The estancia, which is still in operation, covers 6,000 hectares and is home to between 2,000 and 4,000 sheep (depending on the season) and 300 head of cattle. The sheep are usually shorn once a year, and each sheep yields around 4.5 kg of wool. A skilled shearer can shear between 200 and 250 sheep a day. Depending on your arrival time in Punta Arenas, you can have lunch or a light snack at Cerro Negro and watch the skilful shearers at work. You can walk around here and take a look at the old house, which now serves as a sort of museum and still retains many features from the 1940s when the estancia was built. Afterwards, you’ll be taken to Hotel Las Torres. This accommodation is strategically located at the starting point of the park’s main hiking trails. From the hotel, it is about an 8-hour walk to the base of the famous three towers (Las Torres), which you can reach on foot or partly on horseback. From Las Torres, you won’t see the three towers straight away as they are hidden behind Mount Almirante Nieto. Depending on the weather conditions, you may be able to see the peaks of the three towers.
Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres | full board including organised activities in an international group

Days 9 and 10 | Torres del Paine

During these days, you will enjoy your stay in Torres del Paine. This national park in Patagonia is considered one of the most extraordinary unspoilt natural areas in the world. Due to its unique flora, fauna and spectacular landscapes, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. The area boasts stunning cliffs, rocks, glaciers, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and lagoons. The Grey, Tyndall and Balmaceda glaciers are remnants of what was once a much more extensive system. If you’d like to explore the park in a more active way, you can opt for trekking, horse riding and/or climbing. During your stay at Hotel Las Torres, you can take part in the various activities offered by the hotel. These activities can be either full-day or half-day excursions.
Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres | full board including activities offered in an international group

Day 11 | Torres del Paine – Punta Arenas – Santiago

Today you will be taken to Punta Arenas Airport, from where you will take a domestic flight back to Santiago. You will spend the night here in an airport hotel so that the following day you can walk from your hotel to the check-in desk in good time for your domestic flight to Easter Island.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Santiago | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Santiago – Easter Island

After breakfast, you’ll walk to the check-in desk for your domestic flight to Easter Island. The flight from Santiago to Easter Island takes approximately 5 hours. The island is world-famous for the fascinating Moai statues of the Rapa Nui culture, which can be found all over the island. Upon arrival at Easter Island airport, you will be welcomed in the traditional manner with a floral wreath. You will then be taken (possibly with other travellers) to your hotel, accompanied by an English-speaking guide. The rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. For example, you could visit the nearby church and village, where you’ll see Catholic and indigenous symbols and statues. Next to the church, you’ll find a local market and museum displaying many Rapa Nui artefacts.
Overnight stay: Hotel Puku Vai | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Easter Island

Today you’ll learn a great deal about the ancient culture of Rapa Nui. You’ll set off southwards with your guide, taking in stunning views of the black volcanic coastline and the Pacific Ocean. Your first stop is at Hanga Te’e, where you can see a variety of fallen Moai statues from Ahu Vaihu. You will then travel on to Rano Raraku. This volcano is home to an ancient quarry that supplied the stone from which around 95 per cent of the island’s sculptures were carved. Then it’s time for lunch and to explore the area. You’ll then head to your next highlight, Ahu Tongariki. This is the largest restored Ahu on Easter Island and features 15 moai standing side by side on a platform. You’ll drive on to the east coast and arrive at Te Pito o Te Henua, regarded as the ‘navel of the world’, with the nearby Ahu Te Pito Kura. Finally, you’ll be taken to Anakena Beach, famous for its beautiful white sandy shores lined with palm trees. After visiting the nearby restored Ahu Nau Nau, you’ll have some time to relax or take a refreshing dip in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Puku Vai | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Easter Island

After breakfast, your guide will collect you from your hotel and take you to Rano Kau, an extinct volcano. On the way, you’ll enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the island and make a short stop at the viewpoint overlooking a crater lake. You will then travel on to the ceremonial village of Orongo. This village is the ceremonial centre of the ‘Birdman’ myth, which began when the original inhabitants of Easter Island stopped making the statues. Your guide will tell you all about the island’s fascinating history and culture. From the crater lake, you’ll have a lovely view of the three islets off the coast of Easter Island. You can also see rock carvings here. You will then drive down the volcano to Ahu Vinapu, where you will see an Ahu featuring interesting stone carvings; some believe there may be a connection here with the more angular stones found in Peru. Before returning to your hotel for lunch, you’ll visit a cave where you can see some interesting wall paintings. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Ahu Akivi with its seven prominent Moai statues. This is the only place on the island that isn’t on the coast and the only statues that do not face the coast, but instead look out over the village. Legend has it that these statues represent the seven explorers sent to Rapa Nui by the late King Hotu Matua. From here, you’ll travel on to Hanga Poukura, an extraordinary Ahu site where a number of fallen Moai statues lie. Next, you will visit the main Puna Pau quarry, which was the sole source of the red scoria used by the Rapa Nui to carve the Pukao. Before returning to your hotel, you will visit the ceremonial site of Tahai, featuring three ahus.
Overnight: Hotel Puku Vai | bed and breakfast

Day 15 | Easter Island – Santiago

Your stay on Easter Island comes to an end today. You will be collected from your hotel and taken to Easter Island Airport, from where you will fly back to Santiago. You will arrive there in the evening. Upon arrival at the airport, you will spend the night at the airport hotel once more, so that you can collect your rental car the following morning and continue your journey to the wine region.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Santiago | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | Santiago – Colchagua Valley

(approx. 200 km | 3-hour drive)

In the morning, you’ll collect your rental car and drive to one of Chile’s wine regions. You’ll be staying at Terra Viña, situated in the heart of the Colchagua Valley. This is one of Chile’s best-known wine regions. It produces wonderful, full-bodied Cabernet, Carmenère, Syrah and Malbec wines – winners of international awards!
Overnight stay: Hotel Terra Viña | bed and breakfast

Days 17 and 18 | Colchagua Valley

These days are free to plan as you wish. You can relax in the surroundings, go for walks through the gardens and vineyards, or head out in your rental car. A lovely way to round off your trip through Chile.
Accommodation: Hotel Terra Viña | bed and breakfast

Day 19 | Colchagua Valley – Santiago – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your unique journey through Chile has come to an end. You will drive to Santiago Airport and return your rental car. You will then board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam, where you will arrive the following day.

Day 20 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.