The Best of Chile

Enjoy the Full Experience Program at Nayara Hangaroa on Easter Island. Start your day with an a la carte breakfast at Poevara restaurant, which offers views of the ocean. Go for a mid-morning swim in the pool that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Each night’s stay entitles you to two half-day excursions. You could choose to walk to Ahu Tongariki, the largest ahu on Easter Island with 15 moai, and explore Anakena Beach. Another option is to follow the Ara O Te Ao Trail, one of the oldest paths on the island, to the Rano Kau lookout point, the island’s largest crater. Then visit Orongo, an ancient ceremonial village. Enjoy a leisurely lunch. In the evening you can explore the market, church and centre of Rapa Nui’s only village, before watching the sunset at Ahu Tahai. You can also exchange a half-day excursion for the following: a 50-minute relaxation session or massage at the Spa, three hours’ use of a bike or three hours’ use of a quad bike. Enjoy fresh seafood for dinner at Kaloa, the two-level restaurant, paired with your choice of beverage from the open bar. (Shared Activities & Transfers; Included: Lunch & Dinner, & Beverages; Daily sundown cocktail; Fitness Level: Easy to moderate; Activities included: Two half-day explorations per night stay up to 10 explorations)

Dive into the fascinating history of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) on this full day adventure. Meet your guide at your hotel in the morning. First, visit Ahu Akahanga to see the well-preserved remains of an ancient Rapa Nui village. Continue to Rano Raraku, a volcanic quarry that is one of the most important archaeological sites on the island. It was here that the inhabitants of Rapa Nui carved their stunning moais. Take a break for lunch, before driving to the Ahu Tongariki platform, the island’s largest ceremonial structure, where you will have time to take photographs with its 15 large moais. Proceed to Ahu Te Pito Kura to see the impressive moai PARO, the largest statue ever erected in an Ahu. It stands 33 ft high and weighs 85 tons. Your guide will also show you a large spherical stone known as the navel of the world. According to legend, it was brought to the island by king Hotu Matua 'a himself. Finally, make your way to Anakena, where you will have some time to relax and enjoy the beach. (Duration: 7 hrs; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance)

Discover Orongo, a restored stone village that was the center of a birdman cult from the 18th century to the mid-19th century. Your guide will pick you up in the morning from your hotel in Hanga Roa. Visit the Ana Kai Tangata cave to see drawings of stylized birds on one of the walls. The drawings represent the Manutara, or sooty tern. As part of the cult’s rituals, hunters used to race to bring the first manutara egg back undamaged from the nearby islet of Motu Nui. Proceed to the Vinapu sector to see the large basalt slabs that are similar to the Inca constructions in Peru. From there, head to the Rano Kau Volcano and soak in the natural beauty of its lagoon. Then explore Orongo, where the annual ‘bird man’ ceremony was held. Your guide will show you engraved images of this sacred individual that had the body of a shrunken man and the large beak of a bird. Afterwards, return to your hotel. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: Morning or Afternoon; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included)

Through the numerous explorations available to guests, you will be able to discover the ancient culture of Atacama and its singular wildlife, as well as the varying natural landscapes in this vast territory. Expert guides will help guests plan your activities to match your interests in the time available. Whether you prefer trekking, horseback riding or cycling the explorations will enable you to discover volcanoes, mountain chains, salt flats, geysers, lakes and wetlands as well as towns which presser the Atacameño culture. More than 20 treks, 10 bicycle explorations, 10 horseback rides and even 7 options for more challenging mountain climbs are yours to choose from in addition to a nightly Stargazing exploration of the amazing Atacama night sky with Explora’s own observatory. For more detailed information on all the activities offered by Explora Atacama, please visit their website: http://www.explora.com/explora-atacama/explorations/exploring-atacama.htm

Discover some of the prominent attractions of northern Chile during this full day tour. Travel in a private vehicle to the picturesque town of Toconao, for a close look at its ancient buildings made of volcanic rock and local stone. The still-standing 18th-century church and its bell tower are an example of the region’s distinctive architecture, and were declared a National Monument in 1951. Next, drive to the Salar de Atacama, or Atacama Salt Flats, located within Los Flamencos National Reserve. Your knowledgeable guide will show you around the Laguna Chaxa with its abundant salt deposits. On a good day, you could spot some of the three species of flamingos that inhabit the region. Later, travel to the small community of Socaire to see its traditional church. Continue driving up to an altitude of nearly 14,000 feet to visit the Altiplanic lagoons of Miscanti and Miniques that are a magnet for wildlife. Listen to your guide’s interesting narrative about the formation of these picturesque lagoons and what makes them special. Try spotting various endemic species of flora and fauna, while you hear the legends associated with this magical region. As you journey back to San Pedro de Atacama, make a stop to relish lunch. (Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Tickets included)

The Rainbow Valley and Hierbas Buenas are very much part of the scenic highlights of the region and are an insider's tip. Marvel at the fabulous petroglyphs of Hierbas Buenas. Carved in the rocks thousands of years ago these petroglyphs dipict local animals, such as the llama, and other symbols important to the Atacameño people. Rich with many different minerals, the Rainbow Valley decorated with many different hues spanning the full range of the rainbow. (Approximately 4 hours. If you have a preference for timing, please tell your travel consultant at the time of booking, otherwise our team will schedule the tour at the best available time. Private Activity)

At Hotel Casa Real near Santiago, Chile, you can choose from various included activities and experiences to make the most of your stay. You could head out on a guided tour of Centenario Park, famed for its European-styled gardens designed by French landscape designer Guillaume Renner. The ancient Roman baths, a neo-Gothic chapel, and the historic wine cellar are some of the attractions you will visit. As part of this tour, sample three of the winery’s fine wines paired with sumptuous food. During your stay here, you could stop by the onsite Museo Andino to browse the collection of around 3,000 archeological and ethnographic artifacts. In your free time, make use of the complimentary bike rentals to explore the sprawling vineyard at your own pace. At sunset, enjoy a private, self-guided wine tasting session on the outdoor terrace or in the Red Hall. Alternatively, sip on a glass of house wine from the complimentary bottle thoughtfully provided in your room. (Tours included in your stay at Hotel Casa Real; Includes full board with all meals, aperitif, soft drinks, sparkling and premium wines; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance)

Torres del Paine National Park affords travelers a variety of natural panoramas including lakes, rivers, glaciers, extensive forests, singular mountain formations, hundreds of birds and many different mammals and plant species as well as the traditional culture of Patagonia, the gaucho. At Explora, expert guides will meet with you daily to explain the many explorations and help you pick which ones best fit your interests and physical capabilities. Choose from a variety of half-day and full-day treks exploring the natural wonders of the Park. Explora also boasts its own private stables within the National Park and exclusive, specially-bred horses. Riding through these iconic landscapes with the gauchos is truly a once in a lifetime experience and can be tailored for any level.