Independent Santiago City Stay with Easter Island

Hola, Santiago! We love your art galleries, daring designs, irresistible eateries, and electrifying nightlife, not to mention your perfectly poised setting between the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean coastline. You are everything we love about cosmopolitan Chile! This Independence by Globus vacation in Santiago takes you through the historic streets to trace the city’s bold history and legendary landmarks in the heart of its colonial core. Enjoy the independent I-time you deserve with free time to explore the legendary Chilean wine country, or the captivating coastal cities of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso. Follow your independent spirit further to explore the extraordinary archaeological treasures of Easter Island. Here, 1,000 massive and mysterious Moai statues stand silent – not sharing their secrets. Explore many more marvelous discoveries on the island, including its curious lava quarries and the lake-filled caldera of the Rano Kau volcano. One mystery is solved here, however. The best way to capture the best of Chile is on an Independence by Globus vacation with the time to explore as you wish.

2025 Departures From $3,759 CAD per person 

Day 1 - ARRIVE IN SANTIAGO, CHILE

Welcome to Santiago, Chile’s scenic capital between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. With a coastline over 2,650 miles long, Chile is more than 10 times longer than it is wide. With a distinctly European style accented with Latin flair, Santiago is one of South America’s most sophisticated and modern cities.

Day 2  - SANTIAGO

Located in the center of the country, Santiago has evolved as the country’s political, commercial, and cultural capital. Step back into the 16th century on your private tour, as your Local Guide traces the city’s history and heritage.
• Start at La Moneda, the official Government Palace, and nearby San Cristobal Hill with its landmark statue of the Virgin Mary. Your tour ends at the Plaza de Armas, the main square, with a visit to the 18th-century Cathedral.

Day 3  - SANTIAGO

Today is at leisure to explore Santiago as you please.

Day 4  - SANTIAGO–EASTER ISLAND

Fly to Easter Island, considered the largest open-air museum, boasting over 400 moai, ruins, and temples. Located 2,200 miles off the coast of Chile, this island is a territory of Chile but, feels more like Polynesia.
• Upon arrival, meet your Local guide who will take you to your hotel.

Day 5  - EASTER ISLAND

Your first stop on your tour will be Ahu Vaihu, where eight large moai lie in ruins.
• Continue on to Ahu Akahanga. According to legend, this is the burial site of the first king of Easter Island (Hotu Matu’a).
• Next, at the Rano Raraku quarry, you find 394 statues in various stages of completion. It appears that the moai production was abruptly abandoned, leaving us a frozen snapshot that reveals how the moai were carved out of volcanic rocks.
• At Ahu Tongariki, see 15 beautifully restored moai, and at Ahu Te Pito Kura, see the largest moai ever transported and erected.
• Last stop is the beach of Anakena, where King Hotu Matu’a first landed on Rapa Nui.

Day 6  - EASTER ISLAND

This morning, your tour visits the Rano Kau volcano, with a caldera that contains one of the island’s freshwater lakes.
• At the nearby ceremonial village of Orongo, see the restored houses and remains of an ancient ahu.
• Head to Ana Kai Tagata, an ancient cave with wall paintings on the rock.
• This afternoon, visit Ahu Akivi, with seven restored moais in the middle of the island. According to legend, the statues represent the seven scouts sent to Easter Island by King Hotu Matu’a.
• Finally, visit the Puna Pau topknot quarry with its red scoria stone, where the pukaos on top of the moai were made.

Day 7  - EASTER ISLAND–SANTIAGO

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Santiago.
 

Day 8  - SANTIAGO

Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.

If the mysteries of Easter Island have been something you've always wondered about - this is the vacation for you!