Central Holidays
Chile / Independent

BEST OF PATAGONIA & EASTER ISLAND

9 Days - 8 Nights

Travel to the end of the world, then go even further to the navel of the world. The southernmost tip of the South American continent, PATAGONIA is one of the remotest spots on earth, wild and rugged with breathtaking landscapes. About the size of France, it has fewer people per square mile than the Western Sahara. Yet, even more remote is Easter Island, halfway between Chile and Tahiti. Known for centuries as the navel of the world, it boasts the world’s most enigmatic archaeological mysteries. Mystical and magnetic, these are once-in-a-lifetime – maybe more! – adventures.

Arrive in Punta Arenas and transfer to the bus station for bus transport through the Pampa to the city of Puerto Natales, gateway to the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, where you will spend the night.

Morning transfer to pier to board your ship. As you sail along, see Guanocos Island and the Fjord of the Last Hope before arriving at Balmaceda Glacier. Here you may spot cormorants and sea lions amid its rocky outcrops. Later, we visit the Serrano Glacier, with its sheer walls of ancient blue ice and massive icebergs. Hike through the lush forest to the foot of the glacier, then have lunch and explore some more before sailing back to port. (B,L)

Our first visit today is to Milodon Cave Natural Monument. In the largest cave see a replica of the Milodon, a giant herbivore that went extinct around the late Pleistocene era. Visit National Park Torres del Paine with its glacial peaks and granite monoliths. Explore Amarga Lagoon overlooking the 7800-foot high Horns of Paine, the 5-foot Salto Grande waterfall, and glacially-fed Grey Lake. After lunch we return to Puerto Natales. (B,L)

At agreed time, transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago. (B)

Board your flight to Easter Island. Arrival and transfer to selected hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. (B)

Today we visit the fabled Ahu Vaihu and Akahanga temples – stone platforms where the massive Moai (monolithic figures carved from volcanic stone) and Pukaos (the hats on some Moai statues) were assembled. Next it’s on to Rano Raraku, home to 397 Moai in various states of production. Then see Ahu Tongariki, a ceremonial platform with 15 huge Moai, and the largest transported Moai – 30 feet long and 85 tons. Then visit Anakena, the island’s best beach with a row of Moai with their backs mysteriously turned to the sea. (B)

We begin with a morning visit to the Ana Kai Tangata, an eerie cave hidden amid sea cliffs with an elaborate series of birds etched into the black rock. Afterwards we visit Vinapu, an ahu exhibiting very advanced stonemasonry, featuring precisely fitted large basalt slabs that continue to perplex archaeologists. Discover the Rano Kau Volcano then see the remains of Orongo, the village where the sacred Birdman ceremony was performed. (B)

Delve into Ahu Akivi, one of the few sacred places in Easter Island where the Moai actually face the sea. Legend says they represent the seven explorers who were sent by King Hotu Matu’a before his colonization voyage. Continue on through the Ana Te Pahu caverns, lava tubes that provided housing to the inhabitants and refuge from 19th century slave drivers. Then see Puna Pau, a quarry inside the crater where the red stone Pukao crowns were made between 1250 and 1500 AD. (B)

Transfer to the airport to embark to your next destination. (B)

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