Chilean Frontiers: Patagonia and Easter Island

Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Santiago.

Upon arrival this morning at Santiago International Airport, we'll meet our guide who will travel with us during the mainland Chile portion of the program, and transfer to the hotel with an early check-in time to rest. At mid-day, have lunch with a welcome orientation and an introductory lecture on Chile, past and present. Explore the historical sites of Santiago on a walking tour this afternoon, ending our first day in Chile with a light dinner of tapas.

Today explore the Pacific coast cities of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso. Valparaíso is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and funiculars along sloping hills. Viña del Mar is a popular coastal resort town with stunning beaches. Visit Museo Fonck, a small but well-curated archaeological and natural history museum with comprehensive exhibits on the Rapa Nui and other pre-Columbian cultures. Along the way, stop at a vineyard to learn about and taste Chile's award-winning wine. Dinner is on your own to explore the tasty local fare.

Return to the Santiago airport this morning for the flight to Punta Arenas in Patagonia. We continue with a 3-hour drive to Puerto Natales, with a box lunch on the road. Continue to Puerto Natales, along the way, admire Patagonia's breathtaking vistas, snow-capped mountains, and rolling plains dotted with guanacos. Check-in and then before dinner, evening briefing.

This morning check-out of the hotel and journey to the majestic Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, part of the southern ice fields in the Magallanes Region. Our excursion starts on the dock of Puerto Natales, with a cruise through the dramatic landscapes of Seno de Última Esperanza ("Last Hope Sound"). Upon arrival, disembark on the dock in front of the Serrano Glacier and take a short walk to observe the impressive glacier walls. Have lunch at Perales farm. Our navigation proceeds to the massive Balmaceda Glacier before returning to Puerto Bories, next to Puerto Natales. Next, begin the road trip to Torres del Paines to the hotel on the southern border of Torres del Paine National Park. Dinner at hotel.

After breakfast, listen to a lecture on Geological History of the Southern Andes to prepare us for the landscapes that lie ahead. Drive through Torres del Paine National Park, with views of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos, the famous mountain with black granite, horn-like spires. Walk along the shores of stunning Lake Pehoé and visit the furious Salto Grande Falls, which pour the waters of Lake Nordenskjöld into Pehoé. Continue over the gentle Nordenskjöld Trail until reaching its picture-perfect lookout point. Return to our vehicle and drive south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey for a picnic lunch. We'll have time to walk around Lake Grey for more views of the glacier before returning to the hotel.

This morning gather for a talk on the flora, and fauna of the Southern Andes. Today explore the scenery along the route to Laguna Azul on the northeastern side of the park. Admire the local flora and fauna and the picturesque landscapes, including the beautiful Paine Waterfall. Upon arrival at Laguna Azul, hike to a lookout point for a magnificent view of the lagoon and the granite towers that gave the park its name. Have a picnic lunch. Continue along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento to the calcium formations on the shores where guanacos are sometimes seen. On our way back we will enjoy panoramic views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoé, and the Paine Massif.

After Breakfast, say farewell to Torres del Paine and drive about 2-hours to Puerto Natales for flight back to Santiago. En route, visit the massive prehistoric Milodón Cave, where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890s. The site is located in a transition zone where forests and arid plains meet and is home to a large number of bird species. A boxed lunch will be provided. The flight to Santiago is approximately 3.5 hours. PLEASE NOTE: The departure location is determined by the available air schedules and flight times. If the flight from Puerto Natales is not operating we will drive to Punta Arenas to take a flight to Santiago. Say goodbye to our mainland guide who will not be traveling to Easter Island. Transfer to our hotel, with this evening free to rest and have dinner on your own.

We depart early for the flight to Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. Rapa Nui is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for the archaeological treasure of more than 1000 Maoi stone statues that were created roughly between 800 and 1200 by the Maoi people. Upon arrival, we encounter a very different landscape from the mainland, taking in the sights as we head to our hotel for lunch and check-in. The afternoon is at leisure to rest or explore the surroundings; the Hanga Roa town center is within walking distance. This evening, we'll get together for a lecture on Rapa Nui by a local expert and meet our local guide. Dinner is on your own with time to explore.

In the morning, set out on an excursion to see the famous monoliths of Rapa Nui-the moai. The first stop is Tahai Ceremonial Complex, which includes three of the stone ceremonial platforms known as ahu: Ahu Vai Ure, which is topped by five moai, and Ahu Tahai and Ahu Ko te Riku, each with a single moai. The road along the coastal area is bumpy, but there are many ahu in this section of the island. Lunch is on your own today. This afternoon, we have an excursion by boat with snorkeling available. Sail among the three small islets (the largest of which is Motu Nui) that face Rano Kau Cliff, in an area with a high concentration of marine life. Return to the hotel for dinner.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day field excursion to archaeological sites along the southern coast. Visit Ahu Vinapu, a site that has raised curiosity because of the resemblance in construction to the pre-Columbian structures found in Cusco, Peru. Continue to Ahu Akahanga, known as the "Platform of the King," with its 12 moai of various sizes and shapes and four ahu. Next, continue to Rano Raraku, the famous quarry of the moai. Ascend the steep terrain on foot to view the quarry where the massive moai were carved from hard basalt. The moai are in all phases of construction here, with many incomplete statues still fixed in stone, including a massive one at 70 feet tall. After a picnic lunch at Rano Raraku, depart for Tongariki, the largest ahu on the island, which was destroyed in 1960 by a tsunami. The day concludes at Anakena, a sheltered white sand beach surrounded by palm trees, for time to swim. Dinner is on your own.

After breakfast, take a morning field excursion to Parque Nacional Rapa Nui to study the Orongo Ceremonial Village and Rano Kau. Orongo is on the edge of Rano Kao crater lake, containing a bog filled with totora reeds floating on fresh water. The park, located on the island's southwestern point, provides remarkable views of the entire island. Return to the hotel. Lunch is on own, and the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Hanga Roa. This evening, enjoy a delicious traditional dinner.

After breakfast, head to the airport and board the flight back to Santiago, with lunch during the flight. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in, and overnight. A sandwich and drink will be provided by hotel.

Set out for a day in the city. Begin with a visit to the Metropolitan Park of Santiago. Then take the funicular or ecological bus to the top of the hill, with amazing and commanding views of the sprawling city below. Have some time to walk around the area before a farewell lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel, with time at leisure to get some rest, do some last-minute packing, and get ready for the flight back home. Enjoy a late afternoon refreshment before heading out to the airport to catch international flights to the U.S.

Arrive home.