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Escorted Tours

Chile and Easter Island


Route:
  • London Heathrow
  • Sao Paulo
  • Santiago
  • Calama
  • Santiago
  • Easter Island
  • Santiago
  • Sao Paulo
  • London Heathrow
Tour Pace:

14 DAYS from £4049pp

Tour Highlights
  • Enjoy a fascinating city tour of Chile's cosmopolitan capital, Santiago
  • Witness the strikingly enigmatic statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and visit the Orongo ceremonial village
  • Delight in delicious wine tasting in the beautiful Colchagua Valley
  • Marvel at the breath-taking Tatio Geysers in the Atacama Desert
  • Watch the sunset from the sand dunes of Moon Valley
  • Spot the flamingos of Chaxa Lagoon in the incredible Atacama Salt Flats
  • Relax on the golden sands of Anakena beach

or call us on 0330 818 8907

Chile and Easter Island

From the cosmopolitan capital of Santiago, to the stunning mountain side vineyards of Colchagua and the unique landscapes in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile boasts some unforgettable highlights. Add to this mysterious Easter Island, one of the most isolated places on earth endowed with the striking moai statues, this 14 day magical tour offers the very best this region has to offer.

Tour Itinerary

1
UK to Santiago

Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Santiago via Sao Paulo.

2
Santiago

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

  • Dinner
3
Santiago

Set against a spectacular backdrop of snow-covered Andean peaks, this morning's tour of Santiago includes the city's historic heart, visiting beautiful baroque buildings and the provincial Santa Lucia Hill where Spanish conquistadors founded the city in the 16th century. Optional excursion (payable locally): Full day Colchagua Valley with wine tasting at 2 wineries with lunch included.

  • Breakfast
4
Santiago and Colchagua Valley

Journeying south to Colchagua valley, discover where some of the country's very best red wines are produced. Located in one of the New World's finest wine regions, enjoy some samples of award winning cabernet sauvignons and wonderfully rounded merlots.

  • Breakfast & Lunch
5
Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama

Fly to Calama in the Atacama Desert, the driest place on earth. The resulting eerie landscapes are beautiful beyond belief, boasting unworldly vistas and huge, clear night skies. Transfer to the oasis town of San Pedro and late afternoon climb the sand dunes of the Moon Valley to watch a mesmerising sunset.

  • Breakfast
6
San Pedro de Atacama

This morning travel to the incredible Salar de Atacama, Chile's largest salt flat. Cross the crunchy crystalline edge of this immense basin to the Chaxa Lagoon, where dozens of flamingos forage in the mineral rich waters. Next, the nearby Miscanti and Menique Lagoons, with their intense blue-coloured waters, provide incredible views over the unique landscape. Return to San Pedro for the rest of the day at leisure.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
7
San Pedro de Atacama

Rise before dawn to reach the dramatic Tatio Geysers and witness the gurgling craters forcing columns of white steam high into the skies above. Arriving back in San Pedro, the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
8
San Pedro de Atacama to Santiago

This morning transfer to Calama airport for your flight to Santiago. On arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel to spend the evening.

  • Breakfast
9
Santiago to Easter Island

Departing mainland Chile, fly to Easter Island, a tiny island formed from volcanic rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Known as Rapa Nui to its native Polynesian settlers, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most remote inhabited island in the world.

  • Breakfast
10
Easter Island

Today visit Ahu Tongariki, the island's largest Ahu (shrine) with 15 imposing moai statues that have become synonymous with Easter Island itself. The meaning and creation surrounding these sublime works of art have sparked lively debate for centuries. The tour concludes at the beautiful beach of Anakena where you can take a refreshing swim in the Pacific Ocean's warm waters.

  • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
11
Easter Island

Ascend the extinct Rano Kau volcano to the Orongo ceremonial village to discover where indigenous kings were once chosen following a gruelling competition. This afternoon, venture out to explore some more shrines and archaeological sites including Hanga Poukhura where toppled moai reveal tales of ancient battles.

  • Breakfast & Lunch
12
Easter Island

Today has been left as a day of leisure.

  • Breakfast
13
Easter Island to Santiago

Return to Santiago by flight and transfer to your hotel.

  • Breakfast
14
Santiago to the UK

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the UK (via Sao Paulo).

  • Breakfast

Important Information

Visas

If you are a British passport holder a visa is not required for entry into Chile. Further visa advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you to check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding required passport validity.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

Payment

If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

Flight Information

Your flight to Santiago International Airport is with TAM Airlines (JJ) departing from London Heathrow Terminal 3. Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage plus one item of hand luggage not exceeding 56cm x 40cm x 20cm in size and 1 personal item such as a handbag or laptop. Internal flights are with LAN airlines. Each passenger is entitled to 20kg of hold luggage plus one item of hand luggage not exceeding 5kg. It is compulsory to recheck luggage in Sao Paulo when connecting with a domestic flight. Please be aware of the difference between the weight restrictions of international and internal flights. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Check-in for your international flights should be at least three hours before departure. Flight times/numbers are for guidance only and are subject to change.
On arrival in Chile you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Pure Chile, holding a sign displaying: 'Mercury Holidays'.
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.

Health and Vaccinations

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

Physical Accessibility

This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

Group Size

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 30. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

Tour Guide

This is a fully escorted tour with local guides throughout ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Currency Information

The currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso, also known as CH$. US Dollars are widely accepted in Chile should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you.

Personal Expenses

You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200 will be sufficient for the durations of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are!

Tour Dates & Prices

Depart UKArrive UKPrice
2024 Dates
22 May 202404 Jun 2024SOLD OUT
05 Jun 202418 Jun 2024£4399.00
28 Aug 202410 Sep 2024£4399.00
11 Sep 202424 Sep 2024£4199.00
23 Oct 202405 Nov 2024£4199.00
06 Nov 202419 Nov 2024£4149.00
20 Nov 202403 Dec 2024£4049.00

Included in the Price

  • Local English-speaking Guides
  • Scheduled Flights from the UK.
  • All internal travel including air-conditioned/heated transportation.
  • Accommodation, meals as specified and entry fees to all sights.
  • All airport taxes and security charges.

Additional Expenses

  • Visas
  • Insurance
  • Tips
  • Any meals not specified in your itinerary
Travelling alone?

We have a limited amount of rooms with no single supplement on this tour.

Private Tours:

If the group departure dates are not suitable for you and you would prefer a more personal and flexible experience then you can choose to book a private guide for your tour at a reasonable supplement.

What to expect

Fact File
Currency

Peso

Average Flying time

17 hours

Min/Max temperature

16 °C / 31 °C

When to go

Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.

Santiago

Atacama Desert

Easter Island

What to pack
  • Sunscreen and hat in summer
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Camera and charger
  • Loo paper for public WCs
  • Binoculars
  • Leave plenty of space in your case for shopping!
Customer Rating:
10/10
Linda Finn
19th Mar 2020

All the hotels during this trip were excellent, especially the Best Westerns in Santiago and Vina Del Mar. The staff were very friendly and accommodating.
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
8.8/10
John Wilson
26th Feb 2018

All the hotels were very good. The staff were efficient and helpful. We especially liked the hotel in Atacama for its friendly staff and excellent food. They also provided complimentary water, coffee and tea throughout the day which was much appreciated. The hotel in Easter Island was minutes from the sea, restaurants and shops and the gardens at the hotel were beautiful. The hotel in Santiago was very convenient for areas of interest and the shops.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
J Clarke
20th Feb 2018

The guides were really friendly and helpful.
Jo & Claudia - Santiago.
Mario - San Pedro De Atacama.
Christian & Piere - Easter Island.
The trips were well organised and they showed us the best of the areas we visited.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Vilma King
10th Jan 2018

All hotels lived up to expectations given their differing locations. Breakfasts were good with plenty of choice, beds comfortable and staff friendly. Wi-Fi available in all.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
P Hindle
13th Oct 2017

The Price and to see Easter Island.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Jean Deane
7th Oct 2017

My only complaint is that despite hanging up towels they were replaced daily in each hotel including Easter Islands excellent
Hotel

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Gerald Potten
14th Apr 2017

All 3 hotels were in great locations. No complaints.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
8.8/10
Ann Evans
12th Apr 2017

Fundador Santiago excellent location but a little jaded.
Other hotels very good.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Josephine Owen
28th Nov 2016

Brilliant holiday and one I won't forget for a long time. Could do the Atacama dessert and the whole trip all over again it was so great.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
10/10
Derek Magnet
24th Oct 2016

A dream holiday come true! What an excellent tour. All our guides were good and the hotels were great.

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Customer Rating:
8.8/10
Stephen Malarby
9th Jun 2016

There could have been better accommodation in the hotel room at Easter Island & the Atacama desert hotel didn’t have tea & coffee faciltlies and radio & TV

  • Overall Satisfaction
  • Value for money
Tour Map
Chile and Easter Island Route Map
Tour Dossiers
Extensions
  • Chile
    Puerto Varas

    4 nights from £599pp

    View
  • Chile
    Vina del Mar

    3 nights from £599pp

    View
Here to help

Hotels & Accommodation

Extensions

Puerto Varas
Tour Route
  • London Heathrow
  • Sao Paulo
  • Santiago
  • Calama
  • Santiago
  • Easter Island
  • Santiago
  • Puerto Varas
  • Santiago
  • Sao Paulo
  • London Heathrow

Explore the Lake District of Chile where you will stay in the city of Puerto Varas, also known as the city of Roses. Relax on the shores of the second biggest lake in Chile, Llanquihue Lake, and admire the breath-taking backdrop of the conical Osorno Volcano and the snow-capped peaks of Mt Calbuco and Mt Tronador.

4 nights
from £599pp
View Tour + Extension
View Tour + Extension
Vina del Mar
Tour Route
  • London Heathrow
  • Sao Paulo
  • Santiago
  • Calama
  • Santiago
  • Easter Island
  • Santiago
  • Vina del Mar
  • London Heathrow

Located on the Pacific Coast of central Chile, enjoy three nights in Vina del Mar. Simply relax on the golden sandy beaches just a short walk from your hotel, or stroll along the manicured boulevard lined with palm trees.

3 nights
from £599pp
View Tour + Extension
View Tour + Extension