Affordable Chile & the Solar Eclipse 2019

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Duration: 8 Days

from US$2890

Join our small group tour to experience the astronomical event of the total solar eclipse. Find the perfect viewing spot in La Serena and enjoy a selection of Chilean wine as the path of totality leaves you with minutes of complete darkness in the day. Begin the trip in Santiago and travel toward the bohemian city of Valparaiso with its colourful houses on hills and panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Witness the celestial event under the cloud-free skies of La Serena before moving on to Atacama to explore its incredible valleys and geysers

Overview
Itinerary
Dates
Accommodation
Inclusions

Itinerary Highlights
- Experience a once-in-a-lifetime sighting of the Solar Eclipse on 2 July 2019
- Discover why Valparaiso is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit the El Tatio geysers, located 4,300m above sea level and is the highest geothermal field in the world
- Small group tour with maximum 14 people
- Great value for budget travellers
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive into Santiago airport and transfer to hotel
- Day 2: Exclusive Santiago city tour
- Day 3: Valparaiso tour, afternoon transfer to Zapallar area
- Day 4: Solar Eclipse viewing in La Serena
- Day 5: Flight from Santiago to Atacama
- Day 6: Explore San Pedro de Atacama and continue to Atacama Salt Lake
- Day 7: El Tatio and Machuca Tour
- Day 8: Depart Atacama for your flight back to Santiago
Tailor-made Suggestions
- Extend your trip into one of our favourite hidden gems - Bolivia! A spectacular destination known for its colonial cities and the world's largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni.
- Release your inner connoisseur on a 5-day trip to Salta, highlighting some of Argentina's finest wines in the most stunning surroundings.
- Add skiing to your bucket list of activities to do in Chile!
- Five hours from Chile, is Easter Island, which will astound you with its enriching history, language and culture.
Day 1: Santiago arrival day
On arrival at Santiago airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your centrally located hotel.

After check in to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the Chilean capital.

No meals included.

Day 2: Santiago city tour
Let us introduce you to the classic city we know and love on this 6 hour tour exploring the city’s most popular sights along with some of our personal favourites. Chile´s rich cultural heritage comes to life as we visit the iconic symbols of the city, including La Plaza de Armas (the main square), La Moneda (the government palace), the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral and the spectacular Cerro Santa Lucia, where the city was founded in 1541.

Continue to the bohemian area of Bellavista and climb the San Cristobal hill for a panoramic view of Santiago with the Andes Mountains in the background. You’ll also visit the Orient Sector, the most modern area of the city, with its impressive high rise buildings and classy boulevards before you are offered a choice of the activities designed to enhance your Santiago experience. Continue on a walking tour through the Mercado Central, Chile’s largest fresh seafood market where you can try some of the local cuisine on offer.

On completion of the tour you’ll be returned back to your hotel and have free time to further explore the city at your leisure.

Breakfast included.

Day 3: Valparaiso city tour - Transfer to Zapallar

After breakfast, continue your journey toward the Pacific Ocean and stop over in one of the most fascinating cities in Chile; Valparaiso.‘Valpo’, as it is fondly known by locals, was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, and it is not difficult to see why. Picturesque architecture and multi-coloured urban housing spread out over more than forty hills, creating one of world’s most eclectic, unique cities. Visit the downtown area with its new government house, Plaza Sotomayor, Plaza Victoria, the cathedral and the harbour area.

Discover the colourful neighbourhoods situated high above the city offering fantastic panoramic views of Valparaiso. Here the upper and lower parts of the city are connected with 16 funicular railways constructed many years ago. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Hotel Portofino, located on a hillside overlooking the ocean and city. Later you will continue travelling north along the coastline toward Vina del Mar, the most famous beach destination in the region. Visit the beautiful Quinta Vergara and its ampitheatre, the beach and the casino before transferring to Zapallar where you will check in to your accommodation for the night.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Day 4: Solar Eclipse viewing in La Serena

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and begin your journey north toward La Serena. Along the way, you will stop at a local eatery for a delicious lunch. Afterwards you will hit the road and travel the outskirts of La Serena where you will find the perfect spot to stop and witness the total solar eclipse that will take place at approximately 16:40 pm.This captivating natural wonder will no doubt be an unforgettable highlight of the trip. There will be many people out and about enjoying themselves - a little patience may be required whilst moving around.

Following the eclipse you begin your return trip to Santiago along the Pacific Coast . After stopping for dinner enroute you will break your journey in the small seaside town of Pichidangui at about 9pm.

Breakfast, afternoon canapes, drinks & dinner included.

Day 5: Flight from Santiago to Atacama

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Santiago, approximately two hours following an afternoon flight to Calama, in the north of Chile. On arrival at the airport, a representative will transfer you to San Pedro de Atacama. This colourful village is located 2,440 m above sea level in the middle of a green oasis.

Late in the afternoon, you will venture out to the mystifying Death & Moon valleys boasting incredible stone and sand formations. At sunset, take the opportunity to view the beautiful fading light over these vast landscapes.

Breakfast included.

Day 6: Explore San Pedro de Atacama and continue to Atacama Salt Lake
Today will begin with a tour of San Pedro de Atacama – the centre of a Paleolithic civilisation that built impressive rock fortresses on the nearby mountains encircling the green valley. From there, you will take a brief drive to reach the 3000 year old pre-Columbian village of Tulor. The archaeological remains that can be viewed here constitute the oldest evidence of human settlement of the valley. Afterwards, continue the morning tour to the Pukara de Quitor a fortress, which has seen many battles.

In the afternoon, you will visit Toconao; a village where white volcanic stone sculptures are made by locals. Your final stop for the day will be at Atacama Salt Lake; an inland sea formed millions of years ago and an impressive sight dominated by rock formations and crystalised salt.

Breakfast included.

Day 7: El Tatio and Machuca tour
Before the break of dawn, you will depart from San Pedro and head north to the famous El Tatio Geysers; a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks. El Tatio is situated at 4,300m above sea level on the Altiplano. It is the highest geothermal field in the world and boasts spectacular scenery. Make sure to bring warm clothes as temperatures at this altitude are considerably low this early in the morning!

At dawn, you will observe powerful spurts of steam that shoot out from various geyser blowholes and steaming ponds that are encrusted with brilliant salt crystals reflecting the metal-blue sky. After this nice visit to El Tatio, continue on a drive to the village of Machuca, also known as the resting place for llama caravans that travelled the Inca Highway. Return to San Pedro de Atacama and enjoy your afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast included.

Day 8: Depart Atacama
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Calama airport where your tour ends. Take a departure flight back to Santiago, or alternatively, arrangements can be made with us should you wish to extend your trip in South America.

Breakfast included.
Departure: 29 June 2019
Accommodation

City

Hotel

Santiago

Hotel Luciano K

Zapallar
Hotel Isla Seca

Pichidangui
Hotel Pichidangui

San Pedro de Atacama
Hotel Terrantai Lodge or Ckoi Atacama
What's included?
- Accommodation as specified
- Hotel taxes
- Transfers
- English speaking guided tours
- Meals as specified
What's not included?
- International flights to/from Chile
- Internal flights (Santiago – Calama – Santiago) and airport taxes. 2 domestic flights estimated at US$500 per person and available to book in August 2018.
- Single supplement (US$1,250) for anyone wanting a room to themselves
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any Items not mentioned as included
Notes
The maximum group size for this tour is 18 people. For more information, please contact us.
Hotel rates are based on lead-in rooms. Other room types and hotels are available. Rates are subject to change and different rates may apply during holiday seasons and special events.

With respect to altitude the main points of concern are in the Elqui Valley where we expect to reach a maximum of 2,000 metres above sea level on day tours and around 2,400 metres above sea level in San Pedro de Atacama. These are not particularly high in terms of altitude and generally clients don’t experience issues until they reach 3,000 metres. The advantage we have is that throughout the trip any increase in altitude will be gradual which helps with acclimatisation. We do have a day tour in San Pedro scheduled to El Tatio which is above 4,000 metres however don’t spend much time there. If any clients are concerned about that particular day tour then we can swap it with another day tour offered in the region.