Description

 Your Tour includes:

·      Return international economy flights, including taxes

·      All accommodation

·      Touring with guides and entrance fees

·      All transportation and transfers

·      English speaking local guides

Eclipse & Atacama Itinerary

Day 1 –Fly to Santiago

Fly to Chile’s sophisticated capital Santiago, arriving the same day due to crossing the International Date Line. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Day 2 - Santiago

This morning, embark on a city tour will allow you to experience its eclectic contrasts. Stroll around the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral to admire the colonial facades, before walking down Ahumada Boulevard, the city’s main commercial street. Explore the bohemian Bellavista by road, and drive up San Cristobal Hill for views over the city and the towering Andes Mountains. Finish the tour in the modern area of Santiago to wander the chic neighbourhoods. Your afternoon is at leisure.

 Day 3 – Santiago to San Pedro De Atacama

Rise early and transfer approximately 2 hours to the airport to board your flight to Calama. On arrival transfer to your hotel in the desert oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. This afternoon, you’ll see some of San Pedro’s most famous landscapes with a drive out to Death and Moon valleys, some of the direst spots on the planet.

Day 4 – San Pedro De Atacama

Travel to the otherworldly Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile. Visit Chaxa lagoon, part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve en route to to reach Miscanti and Miniques lagoons, which sit on the high plains at the base of two colossal volcanoes of the same names. Travel to the village of Socaire. Here you will see ancient agricultural terraces with irrigation channels. After lunch, travel another peaceful village with typical colonial architecture built in Liparita (volcanic stone), Toconao. Explore the village before returning to your hotel.

 Day 5 – San Pedro De Atacama

Rise early and travel deeper into the Atacama to visit El Tatio Geysers. Set within a ring of volcanoes, there are about 80 lively geysers and fumaroles, which are at best at sunrise. Have a guided walk amongst the mud craters and small bubbling geysers. Wander freely before travelling through the Andes Mountain Range with impressive views of Putama Volcano and Tocorpuri Mountains. Visit the small desert village Machuca to see the typical terrace farming system, mud houses with straw rooves, and its local fauna such as llamas, alpacas and flamingoes. This afternoon, travel to an archaeological site where you can see Petroglyphs, stone scultped figures with drawings of llama and shamans, among others. Then, visit the Rainbow Valley. Keep an eye out for the wild vicunas as you journey to and from San Pedro.Today is a full day touring. This day you will be reaching an altitude of 4320 metres above sea leve for a short period of time.

Day 6 – San Pedro De Atacama - Santiago

Transfer back to Calama and fly back to Santiago. On arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 7 – Eclipse at La Serena

Take a flight north by private charter to the seaside city of La Serena, one of the best place to witness the solar eclipse. From the airport you’ll be transferred up to a prime vantage point, where you can settle yourself comfortably to enjoy the show. Return to the airport and fly back to Santiago. Your evening will be at leisure.

Day 8 - Santiago

Today is a free day to spend as you wish in Santiago. You may wish to take part in an optional half day vineyard tour to sample some of Chile’s finest wines (payable locally).

Day 9 – Santiago to Valparaiso

Travel to the coast, to visit the manicured seaside resort of Vina del Mar and the bohemian port town of Valparaiso. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaiso is a unique and delightful tangle, draped over a series of hills. Funiculars connect the industrial seafront with the cerros (hill) neighbourhoods, each a maze of colourful, artfully-dilapidated mansions and enchanting street art. Ride the funicular up into the hills to explore, stopping for a visit to Chilean poet Pablo Neruda’s house.

Day 10-12 – Depart Santiago

Transfer to the airport according to your international flight time and fly to Australia, arriving home two days later due to crossing the international date line.