Wine and Wonder: Santiago, Valparaiso & Easter Island

Upon arrival to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago, pass through Customs, collect your baggage and proceed through the Arrivals exit. Here you will find a local representative holding a sign with your name on it. After meeting this representative, you will be directed to an awaiting vehicle and transferred to your hotel. Approximate transfer time is 40 minutes.

The balance of your day is at leisure to relax, refresh and explore the Chilean capital at your own pace.

 Accommodation: Hotel Le Reve

One of the best ways to experience Santiago is through its historical development. Today's excursion begins with your private guide escorting you to Santa Lucia Hill, where the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia founded the city. From here you will continue to Plaza de Armas, the main square, which is surrounded by the Cathedral, the main post office, the National Historic Museum and the municipality of the city. You will also visit Constitución Square and see the government palace, La Moneda. Your next stop of the day will be the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Created to guard, study and spread the artistic legacy of all pre-Columbian people of America, it is an excellent addition to any tour of Santiago. Later, continue onward to the Central Market, where you will visit a typical seafood restaurant to enjoy a tasty lunch (not included, to be paid for on-site). Afterwards, you will drive through Barrio Bellavista with its many cultural activities, art galleries, theaters and restaurants, and finally, you will make a last stop at the San Cristóbal Hill, a very well-known recreational area with a fantastic view of the city. After visiting San Cristóbal Hill you will be returned to your hotel in Santiago.

Tonight, set out to discover some of the best gastronomy that Santiago has on offer. Arranged to coincide with your preferred dining time, reservations will be made with the restaurant of your choice (subject to availability). To take you to and from the restaurant, private transfers will be arranged. Top dining choices in Santiago include La Mar which specializes in Peruvian fusion and seafood dishes (ceviche in particular), Bocanariz, an innovative restaurant and wine bar where each dish is intended to pair with one of many the venues exceptional wines, and Osaka, an impressive and unique sushi restaurant. If you have another dining option in mind, please speak with your Destination Specialist. Please note, your food and drinks are not included and are to be paid for on-site.

Start off your day in the heart of an area called Maipo Alto, which you will be privately transferred to in the morning. In this wonderful corner of Chile, you will find the Pérez Cruz Vineyard, a place full of history as well as excellent vines. Specially designed to merge with the surrounding landscape, the cellars stand out not only for the quality of the wines but also for their architecture. Here you will find 550 hectares of magnificent grapevines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Carménère, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. All of these come from this small yet prodigious production, which in 1993 evolved into a wine making project that has earned a fair deal of prestige. The estate is owned by the Pérez Cruz family, who show great dedication to viniculture, participating actively in the production to assure that traditions, quality, and care for the environment meet the highest of standards. Following your tour of the vineyard, which will be paired with two wine tastings, you will be returned to your hotel in Santiago.

Following breakfast in Santiago, you will be met in the hotel lobby by your private driver and begin the transfer to Valparaiso. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure in this spectacular ocean-side city, renowned for its impressive architecture, cobbled avenues and postcard perfect vistas.

 Accommodation: Somerscales Hotel Boutique

On this walking tour you will have the opportunity to discover much of Valparaiso’s cultural attractions, natural beauty and Chilean charm. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this important port city was once commonly referred to as the “The Jewel of the Pacific” (before the opening of the Panama Canal). You will have time to explore the downtown area, Sotomayor Plaza, Echaurren Plaza, the well-known harbor area along with the Prat Pier, and much more. You will also visit some of the city’s famous colorful hills and neighborhoods. There, high above the metropolis there is a fantastic collection of brightly painted houses and panoramic views. The upper and lower parts of the city are connected with 16 funicular railways constructed around the turn of the century when the city experienced tremendous growth. Part of this excursion will include a ride on one of these historical cable cars, as well as the public trolleybus. The fantastic cultural atmosphere combined with stunning architecture offers one of the best urban experiences in Chile, which you'll experience first-hand on this walking tour. Following the tour, your guide will escort you back to your hotel.  

Following breakfast in Valparaiso, you will be met in the hotel lobby by your private driver and begin the transfer to Santiago. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Consider an early night as tomorrow you travel to Easter Island.

 Accommodation: Hotel Le Reve

Today you'll make your way by land and air to reach Easter Island. Following a private transfer to Santiago's airport, board a flight with service to Easter Island (not included). Upon arrival to Easter Island, make your way through border control, collect your baggage, and look for a local representative holding a sign with your name on it. After meeting this representative, you will be directed to an awaiting vehicle and transferred to your hotel. Approximate transfer time is 10 minutes. After check-in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure and get set for adventure in the days ahead.

 Accommodation: Hotel Ohana

Set out in the early hours of the morning to catch the spectacular sunrise breaking over Easter Island. Departing an hour and half before dawn, you will drive to the ceremonial complex of Ahu Tongariki, located in the Hanga Nui Bay. This ahu is the largest on the island and it is formed by 15 moais. Here you will be positioned to watch the rising sun while being surrounded by the awe-inspiring landscape. After sun-up, settle in for a tasty breakfast either at this spectacular location or in the comfort of your hotel.

Later in the day, your next adventure begins with a transfer to Vaitea, a former sheep farm located at the foot of the Ma'unga Terevaka Volcano. Upon arrival, you will start a hike uphill through a eucalyptus forest to an approximate height of 500 meter (1,650 feet) above sea level until reaching the top of the volcano. This is the youngest and highest volcano of the island. Here you will find a variety of interesting small volcanic cones and basins. Among these lies one of the islands three crater lakes known as Rano Aroi. In addition to the beautiful surrounding landscape, at the top of the summit, you will also enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the island and the Pacific Ocean. After a nice break and a little rest and relaxation, you will start the hike down to the ceremonial center of Ahu Akivi where you will find seven moais fiercely looking towards the ocean. The position of these statues is quite unique as most all others face inland. After completing the trek, you will be returned to your hotel.

The majority of the day is yours to explore and enjoy Rapa Nui, though ends with a unique delight. Watching the sun bathe in the waters of the Pacific Ocean with incredible surrounding scenery is an amazing experience, and Easter Island is the perfect place to live it. On this tour you will leave the hotel an hour and half before sunset and drive to the ceremonial complex of Ahu Tahai. This place is renowned for being an important archaeological site of the island and was restored in 1974. It is comprised of three ahu: Ko Te Riku (with repaired eyes), Tahai (with an eroded moai), and Vai Uri (with 5 moais). Here you will enjoy a breathtaking sunset with these beautiful sculptures as a backdrop. Be sure to bring your camera, this is the perfect setting to take amazing pictures! Following sunset, you will be returned to your hotel.

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport ahead of your flight (not included) to Santiago. Upon arrival to Santiago, make your way to the Holiday Inn Airport Hotel, located directly outside of Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago

 Accommodation: Holiday Inn Airport Hotel

Following breakfast, collect your belongings and prepare for your onward travels.