The Best of Chile & Easter Island

Begin your exploration of the Atacama Desert on an engrossing hike across the varied terrains of volcanoes, geysers, salt flats and blue lagoons that populate this spectacular region of Chile. Designed to highlight the unrivalled grandeur of the desert, this excursion will see you pass through the most notable locations, from steep mountainsides dusted with exotic fauna and glistening lagoons enlivened by pink flamingoes to the breathtaking Mars Valley, a landscape of soaring rusty mountains unlike anywhere else on the planet.

Later that evening, you can take advantage of the resort's enviable location in one of the least light-polluted regions in the world and discover the constellations with an entrancing stargazing session. Taking place in the lodge's on-site observatory, the activity will be both educational and engaging, beginning with a briefing of the basic concepts of the universe before you step up to the telescope and marvel at the mesmerising constellations that hang above the desert.  

Make the most of your stay in Santiago and add a tour of the city to your itinerary. Flanked by the Andes to the east and the Chilean Coastal Range to the west, Santiago's modern skyline is beautifully contrasted against a striking backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Teeming with remnants of the country's Spanish colonial past, such as Plaza de Armas, which homes two of the city's finest neoclassical landmarks, 808 Palacio de la Real Audiencia and the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral, a tour of the city provides a vivid insight into the country's rich and varied past. Spend the day soaking up the steep history of this rich city before spending the night browsing Santiago's fantastic culinary scene and nightlife. 

Intimately explore the intriguing volcanic landscapes of Rapa Nui on an inspiring hike taking you through the island's most fascinating locations. Begin with a tour of the Papa Vaka, an archaeological complex that contains a number of ancient petroglyphs, before continuing onwards to Hotu Iti, a verdant terrain dotted with archaeological remains, rock gardens, and traditional farming sites. Next, you'll enter the island's iconic site of Ahu Tongariki, home to the fifteen moai statues that are known around the world for their impressive stature. A once-in-a-lifetime sight, the statues are unlike any attraction on Earth, as well as being the heaviest to ever be erected. 

Later that afternoon, you'll embark on an expert-led adventure through the various sea caves that reside at the feet of the island, enjoying marvellous views of the dramatic cliffs and the Rano Kau crater and Motus islets along the way. Disembarking from Hanga Roa's cove, you'll enjoy a leisurely ride before venturing into the waters for an enthralling snorkelling excursion around the islets. Boasting unrivalled visibility, the waters are teeming with an array of exotic marine life including blue-striped orange tamarin and yellow-longnose butterflyfish, as well as endemic species such as Easter Island butterflyfish and the Easter Island angelfish.

Your journey through Chile's Patagonia begins with an exhilarating hike through Torres del Paine National Park, one of the country's most spectacular natural areas, which encompasses mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers. The park is paved with a number of hiking trails, each offering spellbinding vistas, from the horn-like granite peaks of the Cuernos del Paine to the turquoise waters of Lake Nordenskjöld.

The following day, you'll visit the majestic Grey Glacier, a colossal body of ice fed by The Southern Patagonia Ice Field, one of the world's largest ice masses. You'll depart from the lodge and catch a catamaran ride along the crystalline waters of Lake Pehoé, disembarking at the Paine Grande hotel for a short walk towards the Grey Refuge. Halfway up the ascent, you will be able to spot the Grey Glacier, continuing down onto the beach of Lake Grey to board a boat that will take you up close to the soaring ice walls of the glacier.