Here's
a new trip for us! We have had groups visit Santiago
in the past but this will be our first trip to Easter Island.
We
start off with 4-nights in Santiago where we will enjoy a diverse
choice of optional tours ranging from taking walks along the Paseo
Ahumada, wine tasting, hiking the mountains of Patagonia to a
natural mineral hot spring, bicycling and more. Click
here to see the tours
The
old town of Santiago offers stalls selling trinkets and
surrounded by Colonial buildings and full of street painters
and musicians who perform all sorts of concerts on the stage.
Climbing up the exuberantly landscaped Santa Lucía hill - via
a maze of swirling stairways, turrets and fountains - is
an essential part of the Santiago experience. Your reward
is sweeping views over the city. The narrow streets and village-like
atmosphere of Bellavista, the capital’s arty, bohemian quarter,
make for a great wander.
We’ll offer a wine tasting
tour that was one of the highlights of our last trip with a beautiful
setting. There are also many
excellent beaches about
an hour and a half’s bus ride away.
On
the 11th we will fly to Easter Island, the mysterious island that
has had researchers baffled for years. We a nice variety of day
tours set up and they are included in the cost:
EASTER
ISLAND
DAY
ONE:
We'll
start our tour of the island by driving along the southern coast.
Our first stop are at Ahus 
Vaihu
and Akahanga. Ahu, which means "sacred place," refers
to the rectangular stone platform on which the famous Moai (enormous,
100-ton basalt statues) were often erected. Next we'll head to
the volcanic crater of Rano Raraku. This might be the most impressive
site on the island. Seventy standing sentinels, embedded up to
their shoulders in grass on the south slope of the volcanic crater
Rano Raraku, lead the way to the quarry or "nursery"
inside of the impressive crater rim. This is where the Moai were
cut from volcanic tuff, and some 150 figures remain here in all
stages of completion. They are mute witnesses to the mystery that
suddenly stopped all work. You visit the Ahu of some of the nearby
Moai, and check out the holes in the crater rim that were used
to maneuver the statues. We'll drive to Ahu Te Pito Kura on the
northern coast and visit the Anakena beach, the legendary landing
place of the island's founder Hota Matua. After swimming and relaxing
in this piece of South Pacific paradise, return to the hotel for
the evening.
DAY
TWO:
Drive
to Rano Kau Volcano, the biggest on the island, whose enormous
crater is now a fresh water lake with floating green fields of
totora reeds. This site offers an 
exceptional
view of three tiny and craggy off-shore islands: Nui, Motu and
Kao-Kao. Perched 400 meters above the lake on the crater wall
is the ceremonial village of Orongo, where the bizarre "bird
man" ritual took place. The partially restored village has
48 oval buildings built out of overlapping stone slabs. Over the
cliffs you can see an amazing string of "bird man" petroglyphs.
The Ana Kai Tangata
cave sits at the end of a beautiful little bay. A rocky trail
leads you to the cave entrance, and venturing inside you see a
few paintings relating to the birdman culture. Once you've explored
the cave, return to your hotel and have the afternoon free.
DAY THREE:
At the ceremonial center of Ahu Akivi there are seven standing
Moais who, unlike most others, look out at the sea. It is said
they represent the sons of a Maori sorcerer sent to search for
Rapa Nui, the home for King Hotu Matua. However, 
Georgia
Lee states "their function was to look out over the ceremonial
area... the ocean just happens to be out there in the distance."
Approximately a week after the spring equinox, the seven statues
all look directly at the setting sun. This inland ahu was restored
in 1960, and all around the site are volcanic caves which you
are free to explore. The most impressive caves are called "Two
Windows" and the "Cave of the Banana." Before returning
to your base, visit Ahu Tepeu and the quarry Puna Pau, where topknots
- hats or hairpieces for the Moai, in essence - were carved from
the soft volcanic scoria.
After our 4-nights
on Easter Island we fly back to Santiago and spend one more night.
We felt it was best to break up our flights and not try to return
home in one day. We will have another full day on the 16th before
heading to the airport for our 11pm flight that gets us back to
LA on the 17th.
This
will certainly be another epic trip that you will love. We're
also very happy with the price we've been able to bring this in
at which includes not just the air but the tours on Easter Island!
INCLUDES:
OUR
GROUP AIR: Deduct $700
with your own international air (we will still include the flight
to/ from Easter Island)
06 September 15:00:
AA2543 Los Angeles Intl, CA, US (LAX) to Dallas/Fort Worth Intl,
TX, US (DFW) 06Sep23 20:14
AA0945 Dallas/Fort
Worth Intl, TX, US (DFW) 06Sep23 21:20 to Arturo Merino Benitez,
Santiago De Chile, CL
(SCL) 07Sep23 7:50 Economy American Airlines
11 September:
LATAM Airlines 9:05 am arrival at 12:45 pm to Easter Island
15 September:
LATAM Airlines 2:40 pm arrival at 9:05 pm to Santiago
16 Sep23 22:55: AA0940 Arturo Merino Benitez, Santiago
De Chile, CL (SCL) to Dallas/Fort Worth Intl, TX, US (DFW) 17Sep23
6:55 D Economy American Airlines
AA1994 Dallas/Fort Worth Intl, TX, US (DFW) 17Sep23 09:00 to Los
Angeles Intl, CA, US (LAX) 17Sep23 10:24 Economy American Airlines
Sign
up for this Trip!
OUR
HOTELS:
SANTIAGO,
CHILE - Crowne Plaza - 4-star
Website
- Tripadvisor
Review
With
a location near all of the most popular attractions and convenient
access to public transportation, Crowne Plaza® Santiago makes
it easy to experience everything the city has to offer.Crowne
Plaza is also the ideal choice among hotels in Santiago for business
travel. We are within walking distance of IBM and Telefonica headquarters
and a 15-minute subway ride to Costanera Center. Complete any
last-minute tasks at our 24-hour business center, dine with 24-hour
room service and rest well with our Sleep Advantage® program.
As a hotel near downtown
Santiago, Crowne Plaza makes it easy to explore the city. Venture
to the Plaza de Armas and marvel at its architecture. Taste world-renowned
wines at nearby vineyards. Discover the Chilean National Zoo before
climbing San Cristóbal Hill for sweeping views from the
highest point in the city. We are also the best Santiago hotel
near museums like La Chascona House, the National Museum of Natural
History and the Museum of Visual Arts.While here, be sure to try
authentic Chilean cuisine at our restaurant, Caruso. Play a game
of tennis on our outdoor courts, then relax in the whirlpool.
And at Trafalgar Bar, listen to live music with your favorite
drink to end a perfect day in Santiago.
Easter
Island - 3-STAR
Website
- Tripadvisor
Review
Our
hotel offers the best location on the island to fully enjoy your
stay. We're located on one of the main streets, just 2 minutes
walk to the sea and all services you need. Hotel O'tai is a perfect
place to stay on easter island with a beautiful environment. Like
an oasis!
Our rooms are surrounded
with lush garden and a large pool. Our large rooms offers all
the comfort you need for an enjoyable stay. Just perfect, for
relaxing after an island tour! In a middle of our resort, you'll
find our beautiful swimming pool, surrounded by palmtrees and
other natives flower.
