Patagonia: Journey to the End of the World with Easter Island

Be met by a Globus representative.

SANTIAGO–EASTER ISLAND Island Intrigue Fly from Santiago to Easter Island, considered the world’s largest open-air museum, boasting over 400 moai, ruins, and temples. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MYSTERY Check off this bucket list destination when you travel to the most remote island in the world. Located 2,200 miles off the coast of Chile, this island is a territory of Chile but, feels more like Polynesia. At the time of the arrival of the Europeans in the 18th Century, the island had been completely decimated of all resources, the population was no larger than 700 people, the now famous moai toppled, and history forgotten. Many mysteries endure around the island’s history.

EASTER ISLAND Curious QuarriesYour first stop on your private 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’ll 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. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHTSMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Don’t miss this private tour with your small group companions to marvel at the moai lie ruins. Over 600 of these massive volcanic rock sculptures pepper the island and many date back to 700 AD. Each of these structures, some close to 40 feet tall and 80 tons, were carved from one single rock. If an imperfection was found, it was abandoned. It remains a mystery how these massive moai were transported from their quarries. Now you get the opportunity to stand next to one and arrive at your own theory!

This morning, your private 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.

Return to Santiago.

SANTIAGO On the Town in SantiagoToday is free for exploring on your own. (B)FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE Stroll the vibrant streets of Santiago to explore art galleries, museums, shops, and restaurants. Browse the Central Market for traditional Chilean cuisine or take in the views with a hike through the surrounding hillsides. Later, enjoy a night out in any one of the city’s exciting spots in Barrio Bellavista..

SANTIAGO Toasts of the TownAfter breakfast, embark on a city tour with a Local Guide who will show you the highlights of this great city of colonial and contemporary contrasts. See the famous Government Palace, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and Santa Lucia Hill. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit La Vega Central Market to learn about traditional Chilean food including steaming pots of cazuela and humitas, similar to tamales! Enjoy a terremoto cocktail (meaning ‘earthquake’ and made of Chilean wine, liqueur, and sorbet) at a local pub before a visit to Cerro San Cristobal for stunning views of Santiago and the Andes. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHTLOCAL TASTES Visit La Vega Central Market, the area’s largest local market housing more than 2,000 traders selling the most local produce, where. A majority of local restauranteurs source their ingredients. During your visit, discover not only typical Chilean foods but also food from neighboring countries as well.

Depart Santiago and fly to Punta Arenas on the Strait of Magellan, gateway to Chile's Patagonia. Head to Puerto Natales on a scenic drive through the Patagonian steppe passing rivers, forests, mountains, and ranches. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.

Visit the legendary Milódon Cave, where prehistoric fossils dating back 14,000 years ago, including those of a saber-toothed tiger and a gigantic sloth weighing over a ton, have been found. Venture into Torres del Paine, one of the most spectacularly scenic regions in the world. During your visits to see the famous sites, including Los Cuernos, Lago Pehoe, and Salto Grande, you are guaranteed to get a glimpse of some of the park’s fauna, such as herds of guanacos, foxes, swans, and birds. Also stop at Lago Grey to see the imposing Grey Glacier, floating icebergs, and the beautiful views and rugged landscapes! Arrive at your hotel where you will be treated to an organic cocktail demonstration which includes a walk through the garden to pick the ingredients followed by a lesson to learn how to make popular drinks from the region. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK Peak Perfection Today, enjoy a full day exploring the park. See Los Cuernos, or “the horns,” the iconic jagged granite peaks that loom over the windswept plains. Next, view the spectacular waterfall, Salto Grande in the park’s lake district. After lunch at the hotel, head to the Laguna Azul where you have a good chance of seeing some of the park’s wildlife, including guanacos and condors. End the day at Cascada Paine, a beautiful waterfall surrounded by rugged vistas. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTSMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Discover more of the breathtaking beauty of Torres del Paine, considered by many who visit to be the world’s most spectacular national park. From its dramatic and jagged peaks to the deep blue lakes and vast grasslands, its glacial lakes and rivers will sweep you away into a world unlike any other as your small group explores the park with a guide.

After breakfast, take an easy guided hike to Laguna Ines in search of an array of birds and other wildlife that can be found here. Next, depart for El Calafate, a lovely village on the southern shores of Lake Argentino. Originally a simple sheltering destination for wool traders, today El Calafate serves as the entry point for the UNESCO Natural Heritage Site of Los Glaciares National Park.

EL CALAFATE. EXCURSION TO PERITO MORENO GLACIER Ice Breakers A must for all visitors to Argentina is a visit to Perito Moreno Glacier (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Los Glaciares National Park. During your walking tour along the catwalks, marvel at the breathtaking glacier views and, with some luck, see the ice calve and break into the waters below. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHTSPECTACULAR SIGHTS Explore Perito Moreno Glacier, which forms part of the Patagonian Continental Ice Field. From here, 13 glaciers descend on the Atlantic side to flow into the Viedma and Argentino Lakes with one of the few glaciers in the world that is still advancing.

EL CALAFATE. EXCURSION TO ESTANCIA NIBEPO AIKE Glaciers & Gauchos Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore El Calafate. You may wish to walk the shores of Lake Argentina, visit the quaint shops, or grab a bite at one the many restaurants. Later, visit the Glaciarium: Patagonia Ice Museum to learn how glaciers form and grow, while learning the history of the Patagonia Icefields. Visit the [LF] GlacioBar, the first ice bar in Argentina, for a frosty beverage before departing for an evening at a historic estancia (ranch). (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHTSMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Join your small group for an evening to remember to experience ranch life at Estancia Nibepo Aike. Located in the southern arm of Lake Argentina, this historic Argentinian estancia dates back to the early 20th century and preserves the essence of the old Patagonian ranches amid stunning views of Glacier National Park’s wild landscapes. Sip a cup of mate (traditional herbal tea) while enjoying the estancia’s stunning landscape, flora, and fauna. See gauchos (cowboys) performing traditional ranching activities such as sheep-shearing and learn techniques used in threading and rolling wool. Later, enjoy a traditional BBQ dinner while enjoying the sunset.

After breakfast, fly to Ushuaia, Argentina—the end of the world! You’ll have the opportunity to see the Andes Mountains from a [LF] cruise along Beagle Channel. Bask in the feeling of being in the southernmost city in the world, and watch for sea lions, albatrosses, skuas, and other interesting Patagonian fauna. Arrive at Martillo Island, where you have the chance to see a colony of Magellan penguins!

USHUAIA. TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK EXCURSION A Fragile Land of Fire Today, discover Tierra del Fuego National Park, the southernmost national park in the world. Hike around the park, escorted by an expert Naturalist. With stops at Bahia Lapataia, Lago Roca, and Bahia Ensenada, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate ecosystems here. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHTSMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Today, your small group joins an expert naturalist guide for a hike in the southernmost national park in the world in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Look skyward to spot any of the 50 fascinating bird species who call this paradise home, including Magellanic woodpecker, Andean condor, and austral parakeet. Closer to earth, watch for other inhabitants like red foxes, muskrats, and guanaco.

USHUAIA–BUENOS AIRES The Boulevards of Buenos AiresFly to Buenos Aires today, the “Paris of South America” and capital of Argentina. Fabulous food, shopping, and architecture all converge here to create a distinctly Latin vibe. Tonight, enjoy [LF] Argentinian dinner party with local specialties and wine. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Tonight’s dinner is an Argentine Experience! Enjoy a five-course dinner of Argentina’s most famous food (including steak) paired with a variety of the region’s wines. You will also learn how to make your own empanada along with the different folding techniques as well.

BUENOS AIRES Dinner, Dancing, Dazzling Your included sightseeing this morning starts in La Boca, a vibrant district and site of the city’s first port. Take a short walking tour of this unique enclave at the mouth of the river and then on to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and as a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, which houses San Martin’s Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Teatro Colón opera house before reaching Recoleta Cemetery, burial site of Eva Perón. After an afternoon at leisure, top off the evening at a famous Tango club. Start with a [LF] dance lesson, followed by a farewell dinner. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITESMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE The Tango and Argentina go hand in hand tonight as your small group visits a local milonga, or tango house, where professional tango dancers teach the traditional techniques of the Argentine Tango. After learning some of the key dance moves, the professionals will delight you in Tango Show featuring the dance as it has evolved through the ages. Afterward, dine on Argentine steak, specialties and wine.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.