Day 1 - Santiago / Calama / Atacama We meet at the airport and board our flight to Calama. On arrival, we drive to San Pedro, crossing spectacular landscapes and a salty cordillera. We take some time to settle in to our hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. After a guided orientation of the town of San Pedro (including the Church, the main square, the market and the interesting Archaeological Museum), we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we journey to Death Valley and Moon Valley, both part of the National Reserve Los Flamencos and located only a few kilometers from San Pedro. In Death Valley (also known as Mars Valley), you’ll experience one of the most desolate and arid landscapes on the earth. At Moon Valley, we hike around, savoring the great geological spectacle that has been compared with the surface of the moon, its angular geology and rocks sculpted by millennia of erosion. We’ll visit the salt mine before climbing the large sand dune to marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors that cover the Andes at sunset. We then return to San Pedro de Atacama where you can enjoy dinner at your leisure. Overnight at Hotel Altiplanico.

Day 2 - Atacama We set out this morning on a biking excursion to the surrounding towns. We’ll visit the Pukara de Quitor, a strategically located 12th Century pre-Inca fortress. Traversing farmlands, we arrive at Tulor, the site of the area's earliest known settlement, more than 2,000 years old, consisting of circular dwellings connected by passages and patios. Only part of the settlement is visible, the rest is covered by the constantly shifting desert sands. We return to San Pedro, and have lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, we leave San Pedro, past the impressive Licancabur volcano and arrive at the quaint village of Toconao, known for its buildings constructed of liparita, the local volcanic stone. Nearby, we visit the Jerez valley, a stunning, lush region in stark contrast to the surrounding desert landscape. We continue our journey to the Salar de Atacama, the largest salt lake in Chile, on the National Reserve Los Flamencos. On our arrival at the Chaxsa Lagoon, we sip a cocktail and watch a vast array of bird life, including the vibrant pink flamingos. We return to the hotel for an evening at your leisure. Overnight Hotel at Altiplanico.

Day 3 - Atacama This morning, we go on a magnificent hike though Death Valley for an intimate experience of this arid landscape. We return to the hotel and reward your adventures with a decadent lunch in a local restaurant of your choice. Take the afternoon and evening at leisure to explore on your own. Overnight Hotel Altiplanico.

Day 4 - Atacama After breakfast, we visit the Centinelas de la Pakana to see the mysterious stone column formations created by violent volcanic activities thousands of years ago. We explore the incredible surrounding ecosystem of the Tara Salt Flat (4,500 meters in altitude) and enjoy a boxed lunch. Overnight Hotel Altiplanico.

Day 5 - Atacama / Calama / Santiago We get up very early and travel to the Geysers del Tatio located 98 kms from San Pedro where we enjoy a picnic style breakfast and watch the sun rise over the geothermal field. See the geysers and pools of boiling water and mud at their most active time of day, in the surreal early light of the morning. Once the sun is up, we’ll plunge into the springs for a rejuvenating soak in 40°C water. Afterwards, we’ll visit the small Andean village of Machuca, and descend to the Puritama Hot Springs for a second opportunity to bathe in some warm waters. After some time to enjoy the facilities at the Puritama Spa, we’ll have an aperitif and a snack before returning to the hotel. This afternoon, we transfer to the airport in Calama, and fly to Santiago. On arrival, we head to our hotel, and after settling in, dinner is at your leisure. Overnight Ritz-Carlton Santiago.

Day 6 - Santiago / Easter Island We return to the airport this morning for our flight to Easter Island, some 2,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean. After checking in to our hotel and having lunch, we’ll visit the stone masterpiece of Ahu Vinapu, a structure similar to those built by the ancient Incas. We proceed up the Rano Kau volcano to the ceremonial village of Orongo, the center of the "Bird Man" cult and learn of the traditional ceremonies historically performed here. The houses in Orongo, made of soft stone, have been meticulously restored, but the cliff side has been left untouched: it is adorned with hundreds of petroglyphs such as Tangata Manu, the manutara, , and Make-Make, the god who, it was believed, created the world. Take time to appreciate the views of the three islets Motu Nui, Motu Iti and Motu Kao-Kao, and take in the vast panorama of the Pacific Ocean and the huge sky. Tonight, dinner is at your leisure. Overnight Explora Casas Rapa Nui.

Day 7 - Easter Island Begin your day with a drive along the south-eastern coast of the island, including a stop at the Rano Raraku volcano, where 95% of all moai were carved. We walk to the top of the volcano's crater and see many of these magnificent statues and a beautiful fresh water lake along the way. You continue on to the restored Ahu Tongariki, a splendid platform that holds a row of fifteen moai. This site was completely destroyed by a tidal wave caused by an earthquake in 1960, and was restored in 1992. Journey along the north coast through La Perousse Bay and stop at Ahu Te Pito Kura, the site of the largest moai ever transported and erected onto an ahu. Your next stop is the beach of Anakena, where a bush lunch will be arranged for us. See the Ahu Nau Nau, and the Ahu Ature Huki. From Anakena we’ll carry on to Vaitea, then return to the hotel. Overnight at Explora Casas Rapa Nui.

Day 8 - Easter Island This morning you have a choice between a hike or a horseback ride. Begin at Ahu Akivi, the ahu dating from 1460, where seven moai were completely restored in 1960 by Dr. William Mulloy. Your horseback riding takes you to the Maunga Terevaka Volcano, located 600 meters above sea level and the highest point on the island. From this vantage point, you will see a staggering 360° panoramic view of the island. If you decide to hike, you will travel to Ana te Pahu, a beautiful natural lava tube cave once used for shelter by ancient islanders. Today it is still used by islanders as a shelter for various types of plants and trees. We’ll explore the Father Sebastian Englert Museum, located just above the 6th century ceremonial Tahai complex. Then, we’ll stop in the town of Hanga Roa and a visit the fascinating Artisan Market. We meet the rest of the group for a fabulous BBQ lunch. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure to make discoveries on your own. Overnight Explora Casas Rapa Nui.

Day 9 - Easter Island Depart in the pre-dawn for Ahu Tongariki to experience a Sunrise on Easter Island, a unique and unforgettable way to start a day. Feast on a delicious final breakfast here in this idyllic setting. We return to the hotel, freshen up and prepare for our flight back to Santiago.