Overview of Atacama and the Easter Islands
Easter Island is the most isolated island on earth but 1,200 years ago a
double-hulled canoe filled with seafarers from a remote culture landed
upon its coast. Over the centuries that followed, an extraordinary
culture developed on the remote island.
Equally diverse and
unique
is the Atacama desert, the driest desert
on earth stretching along the Chilean coast to the south. This tour
combines the best of both.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Hanga roa
After your arrival at Mataveri airport you will experience a
traditional reception with flower necklaces. A short transfer takes you
to your hotel. We recommend you to use the remainder of the day to visit
the church of the village; among the various statues there you will find
traditional Roman Catholic symbols together with indigenous ones. On
Sunday morning you are welcome to attend mass. The artisan market and
the local museum are located next to the church. In the museum you can
marvel at the Rapa Nui artefacts; two originals were removed from the
island and replaced by reproductions, but the remainder of items in the
museum and the other two Rongorongo carvings are original artefacts.
Day 2:
Anakena
Today you will learn more about the fascinating history of Rapa Nui.
After leaving Hanga Roa, we will drive to the south along the coastal
road. You will have views of the Poike Peninsula and the whole coastline
consisting of black volcanic rock. We will make our first stop in Vaihu
to visit archaeological sites. On the road to the next stop we will pass
several Moai, lying along the street indicating the "Camino de los Moai",
the "Trail of the Moai" on which they were maneuvered to their
destinations. At Ranu Raraku - the quarry where a lots of Moai were
sculpted - we will have a picnic lunch, and afterwards we will start
walking up the Ranu Raraku volcano. You certainly will be impressed by
our next highlight - the restored giant Ahu Tongariki and its 15 moai,
which are the largest worship site on the island.
Continuing
on our excursion, we will take a small break to visit two beaches, one
of them being Ovahe, a small bay with a cave and nearly pink-colored
sand; after another short drive we will reach Anakena with its white
sandy beach and coconut palm trees inviting you to rest in the sand and
swim in the warm Pacific water. Drive back to Hanga Roa. (B,BL)
Day 3:
Ceremonial Village Orongo
From Hanga Roa it is a 30 minute drive to the volcano Rano Kau with the
ceremonial village Orongo. You will be surprised by the perfect round
shape of the Crater Lake. Orongo is the ceremonial center of the cult to
the bird-man "Hombre Pajaro", which started after the further building
of Moai had stopped. Your guide will explain this "new" culture of the
island and show you the petroglyph images of Tangata Manu (bird man),
Make Make (the god who created him) and Komari (a fertility symbol).
This site commands a view of three small islets in the Pacific: Motu
Nui, Motu Kao Kao and Motu Iti. You will have the rest of the day for
your leisure and relaxation. (B)
Day 4: Santiago
Transfer to the airport for
your flight to Santiago. (Flight not included) Transfer to your hotel.
(B)
Day 5:
Santiago to Calama - San Pedro and the Moonvalley
Transfer to airport in time to board the flight to Calama (not included) (B)
Arrival at
the airport of Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro is
an unusual colorful village located 2.440 m / 8.000 ft above sea level
in the middle of a green oasis. In the afternoon you will be taken into
the mystifying Valle de la Luna, the famous Moon Valley. At sunset you
can see how the light intensifies the impression of a moonscape. We will
climb a sand dune to watch this spectacle and then return to the hotel.
Overnight in San Pedro.
Day 6:
San Pedro, Toconao and the Atacama Salt Lake
After breakfast you will visit San Pedro de Atacama - the centre of a
Paleolithic civilization that built impressive rock fortresses on the
mountains encircling the green valley. The colonial church was
constructed in 1577 and is the largest and most beautiful church in the
region. The extraordinary archaeological museum (closed on Mondays) of
Padre Gustavo Le Paige shows, among its many archaeological pre-Hispanic
artifacts, several amazingly well preserved mummies, including one known
as "Miss Chile." After this visit you drive 4 km / 2,5 mi to reach the
pre- Columbian village Tulor with an approx. age of 3000 years. The
archaeological remains are the oldest evidence of human settlement in
the valley. In the early afternoon you will start your tour to Toconao,
a village where locals dedicate themselves to the manufacture of white
volcanic stone sculptures. You continue to the huge Atacama Salt Lake,
an inland sea formed millions of years ago. You will be overwhelmed by
the vast emptiness with the white salt crusts stretched out in front of
you as far as your eyes can see.
Day 7:
El Tatio and Machuca
In the morning you will depart early at 4:00 am to reach the El Tatio
Geysers at an altitude of 4.300 m / 14.108 ft before sunrise. It is the
highest geothermal field in the world in a remote setting and has
spectacular scenery. Make sure to bring warm clothes because it is very
cold in the morning at this altitude. At dawn, powerful spurts of steam
shoot out from various blowholes. The steaming ponds are encrusted with
brilliant salt crystals reflecting the metal-blue sky at dawn. You will
have enough time to enjoy this beautiful natural wonder before we return
and drive to the village Machuca where the ancient llama caravans used
to rest from their travels on the "Inca Highway". Today only few people
live here. Afterwards, we will return to San Pedro de Atacama. Leisure
time in the afternoon. Overnight in San Pedro. (B)
Day 8:
San Pedro - Calama
After breakfast, a transfer takes you to the airport to board your
departure flight. (B)
End of
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