Departure Spring Summer Fall
Exquisite Santiago, with its neoclassical architecture, colonial style winding side streets and panoramic views of the Andes, boasts both geographical beauty and a fascinating history. This tour is your chance to learn about Santiago’s evolvement from 1541 and discover its wealth of cathedrals, museums and arts. Enjoy Chilean cuisine and taste its wines. Learn about Vina Del Mar’s affiliation with its Sister City, Sausalito, since 1960. Discover coastal villages and Isla Negro. Extend your stay to the mystical Easter Island. Historical Chile & Easter Island Extension is a sojourn for those of you travelers who wish to learn more about those precious places closer to home.
Paintings courtesy of Susan Sternau,
Easter Island Sketchbook
Day 1: Arrival to Santiago
Meet & Greet by our representative and driven to Hotel
PM Half Day City Tour of Santiago
The tour begins with us being picked-up from the hotel in the morning and taken downtown to Mercado Central. Next to the market is Plaza de Armas, Santiago’s main square and kilometer zero, the point from which all distances in the country are measured. Famous architecture in the square includes the Metropolitan cathedral and the central post office, originally built as a house for Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia.
From here we walk towards the Alameda, the main street of the city center, via busy pedestrian walkway Paseo Ahumada. Next we climb Cerro Santa Lucía, where Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro Valdivia. From the top of the hill there is a great 360 panoramic view of Santiago.
Welcome dinner in a local restaurant (transfers & guide assistance included) Overnight in Hotel Torremayor or similar (Dinner)
Day 2: Culinary tour in Santiago
The adventure starts driving downtown to La Vega, a renowned market famous with locals who crowd the stalls from dawn until early afternoon each day. After exploring the market maze and admiring the variety of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, spices and meats, we start buying ingredients for the menu to be prepared later with our chef-guide. Our menu will consist of an olive oil tasting (Chile is world renowned for its olive oils) and a dish such as ceviche to start with, followed by our choice of main course to be enjoyed with wine and a typical Chilean dessert with coffee.
When we arrive we start to prepare our chosen meal in the chef’s specially-designed kitchen. We enjoy some delicious appetizers with our aperitif and then sit down to the main meal to enjoy the fruits of our labor! Satisfied from our downtown exploration, the home-cooked food and good Chilean wine, we are driven back to our hotel to rest. Overnight in Hotel Torremayor or similar (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 3: Full day wine tour in Maipo Valley
Our exclusive tour begins with a visit to Perez Cruz, a boutique winery located on the estate grounds of the Perez Cruz family in the Maipo Alto valley. The vineyard is surrounded by beautiful scenery which complements the modern, elegant architecture of the manor. The tour then continues with a visit to the legendary Concha and Toro winery in Pirque. The wine is accompanied by a selection of cheeses, nuts, dry fruits and freshly baked breads. Return to our hotel in Santiago. Overnight in Hotel Torremayor or similar (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 4: Full day Human rights tour
Today we will visit two places which will show us part of Chile’s recent history:
Museo de La Memoria
The Museum of Memory and Human Rights (in Spanish: Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos) is a Chilean museum located in Santiago, dedicated to commemorate the victims of human rights violations during the military regime led by Augusto Pinochet between 1973 and 1990. It was inaugurated by former President Michelle Bachelet on January 11, 2010, which formed part of government works celebrating the bicentennial of Chile.
After visiting Museo de la Memoria we will have lunch in a local restaurant in Santiago to then continue with our tour and visit: Villa Grimaldi Park
Villa Grimaldi is considered the most important of DINA’s (Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional, the Chilean secret police) many complexes that were used for the interrogation and torture of political prisoners during the governance of Augusto Pinochet. It is located at Avenida José Arrieta 8,200 (now 8,401) in Peñalolén, on the outskirts of Santiago, and was in operation from mid-1974 to mid-1978. About 4,500 detainees were brought to Villa Grimaldi during this time, at least 240 of whom were “disappeared” or killed by DINA. It was also the location of the headquarters of the Metropolitan Intelligence Brigade (BIM).
Overnight in Hotel Torremayor or similar (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 5: Full day tour to Valparaiso & Viña del Mar
We start our tour by driving west to the coast, passing through the central wine producing valley of Casablanca with its fertile farmlands famous for their orchards, citrus groves, grape plantations and wonderful mountain backdrop. The ocean comes into view as we arrive in Valparaiso.
From here we head to fashionable neighboring coastal city Viña del Mar. En route we stop for lunch at a seaside restaurant. In Viña we admire the famous city ‘flower clock’ and visit the center city main square with its amphitheater hosting the famous Viña del Mar International song festival every summer.
Reflect on the day’s colorful sights and poetry! Overnight in Hotel San Martin or similar (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 6: Zapallar, Cachagua and Maitencillo
This tour will take us to the northern coasts of the region where we will see a variety of beautiful beaches and the seaside towns of Maitencillo, Cachagua and Zapallar.
Our first stop is Zapallar. A Small and closed shell-shaped bay, surrounded by steep hills that create an exceptional microclimate. Magnificent flora and careful urban development makes it the most exclusive and socially privileged town along the coast. From here we then visit Cachagua, a small village that is characterized by its houses hidden among the coastal vegetation, charming individually designed commonly built with logs and roofs made of reed and mud plaster. Our next visit will be to Maitencillo another seaside holiday village where we will enjoy a delicious lunch – another special village with its combination of beautiful wild gardens with the seascape. After lunch we will walk further along the coast where we will visit the Maitencillo viewpoint and it’s amazing vista. Return to the hotel.in Viña del Mar Overnight in Hotel San Martin or similar (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 7: Full day tour to Isla Negra & Pomaire
In this tour we will visit the Pacific coast to discover the quirks and story of Chile’s Poet Laureate, Pablo Neruda, before visiting a traditional handicraft orientated village called Pomaire.
We will start by visiting the village of Isla Negra to visit the last home, of the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, Nobel prize winner for Literature. Enjoy a lunch menu at local restaurant. Conntinuing along “Ruta 78” we head to the village of Pomaire with its main attraction of the main street full of shops and stalls selling various locally produced crafts made with clay. The pottery is characterized by its reddish color and smooth, shiny surfaces. The town’s pottery producing tradition dates back to before the arrival of the Colonial Spanish. Return to the hotel in Santiago.
Overnight in Hotel Torremayor or similar (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 8: Full day active tour to Maipo Canyon: Choose between a hike or horseback riding
We’ll start the day driving to Cascada de las Animas, a natural paradise with over 3600 hectares of rugged mountains and valleys, rivers, springs and waterfalls, which is nestled between high mountains and forests alongside the roaring rapids of the Maipo River, only 60 kilometers southeast of Santiago Chile. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Here you will be able to choose between these two activities:
1.Waterfall Trek
This short trek takes you into the nature sanctuary along a well maintained trail to the spectacular “Cascada de las Animas” (Waterfall of the Spirits).
2. Two Hour Horseback Ride in the spectacular Chilean Andes
This ride will take you on a tour through the 10,000 acre private Nature Sanctuary at our ranch on the Maipo River.
Return to the hotel in Santiago. Overnight in Hotel Torremayor or similar
Day 9: Day at leisure & Farewell Dinner Show
Your day is free to stroll around the city.
Arrival to the Los Adobes de Argomedo decorated according to the big farms that used to operate in Chile at the beginning of the past century. Here it is possible to find the charm of the wines and the taste of the foods while observing a show with suits, live music and different types of folkloric dances of the Chilean regions. Return to the hotel in Santiago. Overnight in Hotel Torremayor or similar (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10: TAdios Chile!
Transfer to Santiago Airport for your onward flight to Easter Island or homebound. (Breakfast) End of Services
NOTE: This tour needs 6 persons to guarantee departure
Included
– Partial Proceeds (Donation) to the Sausalito Historical Society
– Copy of Easter Island Sketchbook by local artist Susan Sternau
– Private transportation
– English speaking guide in transfers and excursions
– Meals per itinerary
– Accommodations in 3-4 star hotels
– Entrance fees to parks and museums
Excluded
– International airfare
– Gratuity
– Trip Insurance
CALL NOW to BOOK 415-331-3791
EASTER ISLAND EXTENSION (5 Days)
Day 1: Arrival Easter Island (Easter Island, Chile)
After the flight from Santiago to Easter Island, we’re met at the airport by our friendly local guide and taken to the main town and captital of Easter Island, Hanga Roa, where almost 90% of Easter Island’s inhabitants live.
We check in to our hotel and our guide tells us about the upcoming itinerary. Then we enjoy a good night´s rest, ready for tomorrow’s adventure. Overnight Hotel O’Tai, Hanga Roa (4 nights)
Day 2: Tongariki, Ahu te pito kura, Anakena
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we drive along a coastal road until reaching Hanga Te’e and the ancient temple of Vahiu with Ahu Akahanga and Ahu Tongariki alter sites.
Afterwards, we continue to Ahu Te Pito Kura, an amazing perfectly rounded stone used for ceremonial purposes. We continue our exploration at Ahu Nau Nau and Rano Raraku, whose border is ringed with some of the Moais leading towards the quarry inside the crater rim. Here the Moai were cut from Volcanic tuff and some 150 unfinished figures were mysteriously left there. We finally head down to Anakena Beach, the legendary landing place of Hota Matua (founder of the island) before journeying back to our hotel in Hanga Roa. (Breakfast, Box Lunch)
Day 3: Rano Kao, Orongo, sunset at Tahai
After breakfast we start driving towards Rano Kau volcano, the biggest on the island, whose enormous crater is now a fresh water lake with floating green fields of totora reeds. Nearby we find the ruined village of Orongo where almost 50 stone buildings, amazing “bird-man” petroglyphs and Ahu Tahai ceremonial center are located. We drive back to hotel. Overnight (Breakfast)
Day 4: Akivi, Vinapu, Puna Pau, Vinapu
We start the day by visiting Ahu Akivi again. Unlike other Rapa Nui ceremonial sites, Akivi is not located on the coast and the moai are facing the ocean rather than with their backs to it – very enigmatic for researchers. We then visit Hanga Poukura, an unrestored Ahu (stone platform) located on the island’s southern coast.
The afternoon is free for spending time at your leisure. There is an optional boat trip, with or without snorkeling (Additional cost) Overnight (Breakfast)
Day 5: Departure – Easter Island to Santiago de Chile
After a morning spent packing, relaxing and soaking up final views, we are driven back to the airport in time for the flight back to Santiago…Adios Isla de Pascua! End of services
CALL NOW for DETAILS 415-331-3791
Included:
– All transportation as indicated in the itinerary (Shared tour with 14-20 persons minibus)
– Four nights at a 3 star hotel
– English speaking guide
– Rapa Nui NP entrance fees
– Meals: everyday breakfast (except first day), Box Lunch on day 2
Excluded:
– Flight tickets
– Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
– Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip)
– Voluntary tipping of guides and staff
– Items of personal nature
HOTEL O’TAI:
Embodies cultural mystique
Beautiful gardens
Indigenous flora
Outdoor pool
Lovely decorated rooms
