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Treat yourself to a Polynesian island experience in the “navel of the world” on a pre-trip extension to Easter Island. This Chilean territory, locally known as Rapa Nui, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Easter Island is world-renowned as the one and only home of the mystifying moai statues. This extension is your opportunity to enhance your understanding of Polynesian culture. Encounter these mystical talismans up close and disentangle history from legend. Who created these statues and how? Whatever happened to Rapa Nui’s ancestors?
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Fly to Santiago de Chile
Today, you will depart the United States for an overnight flight to Santiago de Chile.
Arrive in Santiago and spend the day at leisure
After arriving in Santiago, you’ll be transferred to the hotel for an orientation. You’ll have the afternoon to rest or walk around the city. Dinner will be provided at the hotel.
Included meals:
Fly to mystical Easter Island
Today, you'll head to the airport for your flight to Easter Island. After checking into your hotel, set off on an afternoon tour of Hanga Roa, the island’s main town and capital. You’ll visit a family museum to learn about the Rapa Nui people from a local resident. Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.
Included Feature:
Cultural Discovery:
Touring the island’s architectural hot spots
Spend a full day touring the island’s famed moai and other archaeological hotspots, starting with Ahu Vaihu. At this ancient temple, you’ll find moai toppled over — the result of tribal conflict, family rivalry, or perhaps even local superstition.
Next, you’ll see the Rano Raraku volcanic crater, a former moai quarry. Word has it that there are statues still waiting to be freed. You’ll view the moai in full glory at Ahu Tongariki, the island’s largest ahu platform.
At Anakena Beach, you have the chance to go for a refreshing swim with these towering statues in view. Ahu Nau is known for having the island's most intricately carved moai. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and the evening at your leisure.
Explore Orongo and Ahu Vinapu
You’ll head south of Hanga Roa for this morning’s tour. Orongo, the ruins of a sod-and-stone house settlement, is situated between the Rano Kau crater and cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. Your next stop is the archaeological site of Ahu Vinapu, where even more mysteries unravel.
Following leisure time for lunch, we’ll reconvene for an afternoon tour of Ahu Akivi, Rapa Nui’s legendary seven scout moai. Stop in Puna Pau on the way back to examine the red scoria rock used to make moai topknots.
Weather permitting, you'll enjoy a rustic picnic dinner tonight at Tahai, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Included Features:
Visit the most interesting post office on Earth, then fly to Santiago
Following breakfast at the hotel this morning, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back to Santiago. Along the way, you'll pay a visit to Easter Island’s post office, the farthest location from any other post office on the planet. Browse the unique postcards and pick up Easter Island’s stamp.
After arriving in Santiago, you'll have the rest of the day to spend at leisure.
Included Meals:
Join the base program
Join your fellow travelers for Day 2 of your base tour.
Cap off your journey with a deep dive into Peru’s Sacred Valley, where you’ll discover South America’s richest heritage at Machu Picchu and in the citified Inca capital of Cusco. Under the shadow of the Andes, you’ll explore ancient, Indigenous, and contemporary culture in the towns and archaeological sites of Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuamán, Machu Picchu, and Cusco. You’ll also join a local family in their home for an unforgettable dining experience, explore a centuries-long weaving tradition in Chinchero, catch a mototaxi to a chichería, and ride the Vistadome train up to Machu Picchu for extraordinary views and a true bucket-list experience.
Fly to Cusco
This morning, you’ll fly from Lima to Cusco, the city that was the first capital of the Inca Empire, then, after the arrival of the conquistadors, became a stronghold of the Spanish-colonial Empire. After we land, we’ll transfer by motorcoach across land and stop in the city of Pisac for lunch on our own. After, we’ll check into the hotel and enjoy an included dinner.
Farmer’s lunch in Chinchero, and tour of charming Cusco
Today, we’ll visit the town of Chinchero, where we’ll pay a visit to the local Huila School and spend time with local children before enjoying a farmer’s lunch. Next, we’ll visit an adobe church, built on the remains of an Incan palace, before continuing onward.
We’ll board the luxury Vistadome train to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, where we’ll visit the traditional Inka House and catch a mototaxi for some freewheeling fun on the way to a chichería — often a rustic, family-owned establishment reminiscent of the speakeasy. Typically marked by a red flag or bag hanging from the door, the chichería is where we’ll sample chicha – a homemade Peruvian beer made from corn.
After, we’ll return to our hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure, with dinner on your own.
Cultural Discoveries:
Walking tour of Machu Picchu and guided tour of Incan ruins
Re-board the Vistadome train this morning for a scenic journey to our hotel right outside Machu Picchu in the town of Aguas Calientes. This afternoon, we’ll arrive at Machu Picchu, the famous archaeological site of the New World and a true highlight of South America travel, where we'll enjoy a guided walking tour of the mysterious Inca ruins after most of the crowds have departed. This evening, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes via motorcoach for dinner at the hotel.
Visit Cusco and the fortress-temple of Sacsayhuamán
This morning, we’ll transfer by motorcoach to Cusco, delving further into Inca history during a visit to the fortress-temple of Sacsayhuamán — a remarkable example of Inca stonemasonry. Your South America adventure continues in Cusco, the city that was the first capital of the Inca Empire, then, after the arrival of the conquistadors, became a stronghold of the Spanish-colonial Empire. You’ll explore the highlights during a city walking tour, including a visit to the Koricancha Temple of the Sun, the Main Square, the markets, and the cathedral. You can join a jewelry factory tour and do some shopping. AMA Jewelry is known for their quality gold and silver pieces.
This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner and Briefing at the hotel.
Fly home
Enjoy a morning at leisure before checking out of the hotel and flying to Lima to board your return flight home.