ESCORTED SMALL GROUP TOUR
Trip Length: 13 days
Trip Dates:
Nov 15 – 26, 2012
13 nights in First Class hotels | 24 meals
Rates: From $6850 | $9050 single
Airfare is additional
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Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Santiago, Chile. We recommend LAN Chile. Please ask us for a quote of our preferred rates in Business Class or Coach.
Day 2 -- FRI, NOV 17 – ARRIVE SANTIAGO
Welcome to Santiago
Chile’s sprawling capital is one of South America's safest and most sophisticated cities, and a thriving metropolis that is home to almost six million friendly santiaguinos, over a third of Chile's entire population. The city boasts a unique location below some of the highest peaks of the Andes range, providing a breath-taking city backdrop when the peaks are dusted with snow. This is a city of contrasts, where it is not uncommon to see a colonial church standing alongside a state-of-the-art, glass high-rise office block. Far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Santiago, the residential areas of Providencia, Las Condes and Vitacura provide leafy avenues, manicured lawns, and attractive homes divided by parks and plazas. Dining in the city is great value for money, and Santiago is fast becoming one of Latin Americas’ emerging gastronomic hot spots. Diners can expect to find dozens of restaurants that serve innovative Chilean cuisine, with a wide range of wines. Santiago is the gateway to the Mediterranean landscapes of central Chile, with its fertile wine-producing valleys, the Andes mountain range, the port city of Valparaiso and the central coast, and some world-class ski resorts, all of which can be reached with 90 minutes.
Upon arrival to Santiago's Arturo Merino Benitez airport, you will be met inside the Arrivals Hall by your guide who will assist with Immigration and Customs formalities, and luggage collection, before escorting you to your vehicle for the direct transfer to your hotel. The 25-minute journey will take you through Santiago's new underground highway, which goes under the city's Mapocho River. Once at the hotel your guide will assist with check-in, and will wait inside the hotel for 15 minutes in order to make sure your room is to your absolute satisfaction. Your room will be ready for immediate check in.
This afternoon discover one of the most developed cities in South America, combining urban environment that artfully unites classic and modern architecture. Chile's cultural heritage comes to life through iconic symbols of the city such as the Palacio de La Moneda Presidential Palace which originally was a colonial mint, designed by Italian architect Joaquín Toesca and opened in 1805 while still under construction. While the Palace served as presidential residence between 1845 and 1930, today it houses the offices of the President and three Cabinet ministers: Interior, General Secretariat of the Presidency and General Secretariat of the Government. The Plaza de Armas is the city's most famous square surrounded by some beautiful buildings including the impressive Cathedral and Central Post Office. Just off the bustling Alameda - the city's main thoroughfare - lies the delightful Barrio Concha y Toro neighborhood, with its charming plaza and Colonial architecture. Another interesting point of the city is the Cerro San Cristobal, a tall hill rising nearly 1000 feet above the city, located inside the city's largest urban park. Standing atop the hill you'll find a church as well as a stunning 72 foot tall statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This exploration will also take you to the most modern areas of the city with its impressive high rise buildings, embassies and mansions, deluxe hotels, and immaculate tree-lined boulevard, providing a contrast to the more traditional constructions seen earlier in the day.
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Santiago
Room: Grand
Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel Restaurant until 10:30AM
Chile's Pacific Coast is dominated by two neighboring but quite different cities: Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. The second-largest city in Chile, Valparaíso, enjoys a spectacular location between the mountains and the sea. Valparaiso is a historic port and university town, famous for its more than 50 small hills which are covered in quaint, colorful old houses. The hills are connected by an ingenious network of twisting streets, stairways, cable car lines, flower filled balconies and lookout platforms, a unique cityscape with spectacular views of the bay from which the city takes its name. Your city tour shows you the Old town and the new, visiting the Plaza de la Victoria with its lovely Neptune Fountain, the famous Turri Clock, the docks and fisherman's' wharf, the Naval Academy and of course Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda's Valparaiso residence, "La Sebastiana" before an exquisite lunch served at Casa Higueras restaurant; there will be time to enjoy the views from this vantage point before taking the funicular railway down the hill, where your driver will be waiting to continue the tour. Just ten minutes to the north of Valparaíso lies Viña del Mar, Chile's premier coastal resort. You'll find fabulous beaches and a bustling commercial sector.
Viña del Mar is known as the "Ciudad Jardín" (Garden City) thanks to its lavish gardens and subtropical atmosphere. This city was founded in 1874, due to the economic development mainly achieved by the mining activity and the good rank reached by the aristocracy that allow them to continually travel to Europe where they acquired the customs of having, near the capital, a second house for their rest. The singular architecture, variety in style and forms was an influenced mainly of French & Italian styles of that time. After the visit you will be directly transferred to Santiago.
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Santiago
Room: Grand
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 4 -- sun, nov 18 – santiago / calama / san pedro de atacama
Your guide will meet you in the lobby of the hotel and escort you to your waiting vehicle for the direct transfer to Santiago's Arturo Merino Benitez airport. Upon arrival to the airport, your guide will be on-hand to assist with check-in formalities.
Upon arrival to Calama Airport you will be met by Explora staff and be transferred in a non-exclusive vehicle (shared with all Hotel guest) directly to San Pedro de Atacama town.
Hotel: Explora Atacama Lodge
Room: Yali Room
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
You have two full days to enjoy daily explorations accompanied by experienced Explora guides. Your daily explorations through Atacama's natural environment and to the sites of pre-Columbian, colonial and contemporary cultures are offered in groups of no more than 10 passengers. Each evening your resident guides will explain in detail the activities you may choose from the next day.
There are hiking and climbing excursions, as well as opportunities for bicycling and horseback riding. Expand your knowledge by attending a lecture at the hotel on the history, geography and cultural aspects of Atacama. Guided tours are available to Museo le Paige and various archaeological sites according to your interests. Explora's excursions seek to introduce guests to off-the-beaten-path places where few others go. There are a few excursions for inactive guests. Packages include lodging, all excursions, meals, airport transfers, and an open bar
Star gazing at the world's clearest skies
The Atacama Desert of northern Chile is a dream destination for stargazers, with high altitude, a virtually cloudless climate, and sparse settlements that minimize distracting light pollution and radio interference. Light years above the desert, the night sky burns with the astronomical highlights of the Southern Hemisphere, including the Southern Cross, the southern Milky Way, and even points in the North.
Explora Atacama, has a brand new observatory located in the hotel property, just 100 meters from main building. Inside, guests can now gather beneath an observation dome measuring five meters in diameter. The new Meade LX200R is a first-class telescope, generously accessorized with premium-grade optical glass, a Super Wide Angle Eyepiece, and a “piggyback bracket” enabling the mounting of digital cameras for spectacular astrophotography.
If all that weren’t enough, the Meade 16” also ranks as one of the largest “aficionado-level” telescopes to be found in Chile. For day time adventurers there is plenty to do under the sun at Explora in Atacama, including climbing high mountains, horseback riding, and hiking and walking through the stunning lunar landscape of the Atacama Desert. For the night time adventurers, the moon, stars, clear sky, constellations and galaxies are now among the many exciting possibilities.
Recommended clothes for Explora Atacama:
In order to feel comfortable and safe while exploring Atacama we suggest having at least the following equipment:
* 20 - 40 Liter backpack, Trekking shoes and/or boots, Several layers of outerwear, Convertible pants, Thick windbreaker, Jockey or cap for protection against sunrays, Sunglasses (UV protection), Sunblock protector (30 SPF), Gloves for high altitude hikes, Goose feather parka for climbing above 5000 mts.
Hotel: Explora Atacama Lodge
Room: Yali Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (or Box Lunch), Dinner
In due time you will be transferred by Explora Atacama staff from the Hotel to Calama Airport to board your flight to Santiago.
Upon arrival to Santiago's Arturo Merino Benitez airport, you will be met inside the Arrivals Hall by your guide who will assist and escort you to the area for your luggage check in of your flight and Hotel Check in.
Hotel: Holiday Inn Santiago Airport
Room: Executive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning you will be met by your guide at the Hotel lobby who will assist with your hotel check out and your check in at the airport to board your domestic flight at the airport.
Enjoy a reception at the island’s Mataveri airport with traditional floral collars upon arrival by the Explora staff. Following assistance at the airport, there will follow a short transfer to the hotel.
Hotel: Mike Rapu Lodge, Explora Easter Islande
Room: Varua Room – 04 Double Rooms
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 9 & 10 – Fri & sat, Nov 23 & 24 – easter island
Every evening Explora guides meet with you in the bar/living room area of the hotel. There, they will explain all of the planned explorations available for the next day and help you choose the best exploration for you according to your interests and abilities. The maximum group size is 8 travelers, along with a bilingual Explora guide. Their treks, bicycle rides, and explorations in the ocean (snorkeling, fishing using traditional methods, and boat trips), enable you to gain an in-depth understanding of the culture and geography of Rapa Nui, its ancestral, megalithic figures, the Moai, and the special idiosyncrasies of its people. The following menu includes descriptions of their main explorations; the itineraries can experience modifications at any time and without prior notice. Please make sure to speak to an Explora guide daily to know the exact explorations being offered.
Hotel: Mike Rapu Lodge, Explora Easter Islande
Room: Varua Room – 04 Double Rooms
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (or Box Lunch), Dinner
Direct transfer from hotel to Mataveri airport for a 4-hour flight to Santiago. The flight back to Santiago is one hour shorter due to the stronger West-East currents.
Upon arrival to Santiago's Arturo Merino Benitez airport, you will be met inside the Arrivals Hall by your guide who will assist with luggage collection, before escorting you to your vehicle for the direct transfer to your hotel.
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Santiago
Room: Grand
Meals: Breakfast
Morning at leisure to enjoy hotel facilities (Check out of the room at 12:00 hrs – Late check-out is subject to Hotel availability)
Your guide will meet you in the lobby of the hotel and escort you to your waiting vehicle for the direct transfer to Santiago's Arturo Merino Benitez airport. Upon arrival to the airport, your guide will be on-hand to assist with check-in formalities.
Meals: Breakfast
Arrive the USA this morning.
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Brings a fresh and modern look to a city that has evolved into a major destination. The hotel includes an AKO Spa and an Italian restaurant. The 310-room "urban resort" enjoys a prime location in the exclusive, residential Las Condes neighborhood. Set in 279,862 ft2 of lush acreage, the resort is a calm oasis in the heart of Santiago, and boasts stunning views of the Andes Mountains. The soaring spire of the Grand Hyatt Santiago leaves a lasting impression, especially when you are soaring up through the 24-story atrium in the glass elevator. The free-standing three-level AKO Spa includes five self-contained treatment suites and a state-of-the-art fitness Centre. The hotel's 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor pool is dramatically set, complete with a waterfall. Also on the grounds are a children's playground, and two outdoor tennis courts. |
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The Holiday Inn is perfectly located in front of Santiago International airport. In the lobby there are monitors showing flight arrivals and departures in real time. Just walk across the road is check-in for your flights. This is a great location for a no-stress interlude in our journey. Standard Holiday Inn rooms include comfortable beds and good sound-proofing so there are no plane noises, assuring a good night’s rest. |
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The hotel is located on a hill in the Te Miro Oone sector, on 9.6 hectares of land that faces the sea. The hotel is situated in the south western zone of the island, 5.6 km from Hanga Roa - the only town on the island - and it will act as a base for exploring this attractive and mysterious island, home to a culture whose origins and evolution remain unexplained. Volcanic rock, native to the island and always used by the island's inhabitants in construction, and wood from the mainland are the principal materials. The hotel has 30 guestrooms that spread out from central areas that house reception, living areas, a bar, kitchen and services. Next to the common areas is the Casa de Baños Hare Vai, with a pool, massage salon and open-air Jacuzzis. |
2-3 travelers |
4-8 travelers |
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Double occupancy |
$7150 |
$6850 |
Single occupancy |
$9350 |
$9050 |
Airfares are additional |
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| Airfare | Santiago/Calama/Santiago | $615 |
Above airfare may be issued with international air or by Coda Tours |
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| International Airfare Required | |
| Nov 15 | USA - SANTIAGO |
| Nov 22 | SANTIAGO - EASTER ISLAND |
| Nov 25 | EASTER ISLAND - SANTIAGO |
| NOV 25 or 26 | SANTIAGO - USA |
A 30% deposit request of the total value to confirm reservations. The balance is due 60 days before arrival to the hotel.
Prior to 60 days prior to arrival: US $500 per person
60 to 0 days prior to arrival to Explora: 100% of the total reservation value
- 3 nights Grand Hyatt Santiago Hotel & Early check-in on Nov 16th
- 3 nights Explora Atacama
- 1 night Holiday Inn Santiago Airport
- 3 nights Explora Easter Island
- Transportation by private vehicle with local English-speaking guide
- Hotel accommodation, as per detail
- Meals as per itinerary described above, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Excursions and services as listed above, regular services in Atacama & Easter Island Explora Lodge
- Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing
- Baggage handling: 02 pieces of baggage per person
- Taxes and service charges (hotel taxes and service charges as imposed by the government are included for hotel services specified in the itinerary)
- This is a locally hosted program
- Air transportation and/or airport taxes, unless specified above
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Extras at hotels (laundry, telephone calls, tips etc.)
- Any other items not mentioned above
- Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing
- All services as listed above
- Quotation is based on 2 to 8 people travelling on a double-occupancy basis (if the base changes this will be re-quoted)
- Accommodation is subject top availability unless otherwise stated
*Tipping is customary in Chile, and while it is certainly up to the discretion of each client, to a certain extent it is recommended in order to guarantee the best level of service. We will provide you with a list of recommended tipping scales.
Reciprocity fee: please take note that some foreign citizens are charged per person (cash or credit card) upon arrival at Santiago airport (first time visitors only):
US: US$140 per person
Canadian: US$132 per person
Australian: US$56 per person
Mexican: US$23 per person
- Maximum permitted luggage on domestic flights: 23 (twenty-three) kilos in hold and 5 (five) kilos hand luggage.
- Itinerary subject to flight schedule and availability
- Early check-in and late check-out subject to availability, unless specified in the itinerary
- Our Coda team members are passionate about travel and their destinations. Time and effort is spent exploribng our regions because we understand that travel is about the details you sense, the people you meet, the memories you take back home. Coda Tours prides itself in designing unique itineraries for each client based on his/her interests, with insider access and off-the-beaten-track moments that truly inspire travelers.
- All arrangements are based on a private vehicle as detailed. This ensures that tyou experience the comfort and flexibility of independent travel, together with the security of dealing with South America's finest travel companies.
- Coda uses on the best guides. Our guides are known for their boundless knowledge, infectious enthusiasm and unfailing good humor.
- Through Coda's ground agents, there is an on-the-ground office to assist clients when needed—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Coda has excellent relations with leading suppliers qwho are committed to providing an outstanding level of service.
