Chile Solar Eclipse 2019

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Duration: 9 days

from NZ$5995

Join us in Chile to experience the next total solar eclipse on this 9 day small group tour with a qualified astronomer as your tour leader. We start the trip in Santiago before exploring bohemian Valparaiso on our way to La Serena. The presence of more than a half-dozen world-class observatories in the mountains near La Serena testifies to its excellent and largely cloud-free skies and with a little luck from the weather gods, we will witness a total eclipse in all its glory. We complete the trip with 4 days exploring the Atacama desert, world renowned for its impressive stargazing

Overview
Itinerary
Dates
Accommodation
Inclusions

Itinerary Highlights
- Experience a once-in-a-lifetime sighting of the Solar Eclipse
- Discover why Valparaiso is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore Elqui Valley and wander through the Pisco grape vineyards
- Enjoy the insight of a qualified Astronomer as your tour escort in 2 of the best stargazing destinations on the planet
- Small group tour with maximum 20 people
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive into Santiago airport and transfer to hotel
- Day 2: Exclusive Santiago city tour
- Day 3: Depart Santiago to La Serena via Valparaiso
- Day 4: La Serena tour followed by Solar Eclipse viewing
- Day 5: Elqui Valley tour
- Day 6: Depart La Serena to Santiago - fly to the Atacama
- Day 7: Explore San Pedro de Atacama and continue to Atacama Salt Lake
- Day 8: El Tatio and Machuca Tour
- Day 9: 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.

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.

We 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. We’ll also visit the Orient Sector, the most modern area of the city, with its impressive high rise buildings and classy boulevards before we offer you a choice of the activities designed to enhance your Santiago experience.

Later we take 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: Depart Santiago to La Serena via Valparaiso
After breakfast, you will depart Santiago by first class coach and head over to the coast and explore 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.

You will visit the downtown area with its new government house, the Plaza Sotomayor, the Plaza Victoria, the cathedral and the harbour area. Afterwards, take a funicular up into the hills where there is a fantastic collection of brightly painted houses and a fantastic view over the city. Enjoy coffee in one of the many cosy restaurants before taking a stroll through the labyrinth of colourful streets lined with impressive street-art. From Valparaiso, you will head north to La Serena to spend your next three nights. The drive will take approximately five hours and upon arrival, you will have the evening to spend at leisure in La Serena.

Famed for having the clearest skies in the southern hemisphere, La Serena is a cheerful place, a mix of chic seafront and artistic old town, surrounded by a mystical and remote area of stunning scenery that climbs east into the Andes.

Breakfast & lunch included.

Day 4: La Serena tour followed by Solar Eclipse viewing
In the morning, you will begin a tour of lively La Serena and neighboring Coquimbo. Admire La Serena landmarks like the Monumental Lighthouse; step back in time at the Archaeological Museum; then browse for handicrafts at the vibrant Recova Market, one of the most famous in Chile. Then, head to Coquimbo to walk the seafront promenade, soak up the views across Guayacán bay and stroll the beaches of La Herradura.

After free time for lunch (not included), you will be transferred to the Elqui Valley. Weather permitting, you will see the first glimpse of the Solar Eclipse. A picnic will be set up with local food and drinks while you discuss interesting topics with your guide. After the Solar Eclipse, if the sky is clear, you can enjoy some stargazing before returning back to your hotel in La Serena.

Breakfast, afternoon canapes and drinks included.

Day 5: Elqui Valley tour
Today you will further explore the Elqui Valley and visit its picturesque villages such as Montegrande, Vicuña, Pisco Elqui which dot the valley’s cultivated slopes. This is also the heart of pisco grape growing country and a visit just wouldn’t be complete without a distillery visit and tasting. Discover how Chile's national drink is made and enjoy a tasting followed by lunch in a typically Chilean restaurant. Depending on availability, your guide may be able to arrange for a visit to an observatory for stargazing.

The evening is at your leisure after returning to your hotel.

Breakfast & lunch included.
Day 6: Depart La Serena to Santiago - Fly to the Atacama

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Santiago, approximately five-hours following an afternoon flight to Calama, in the north of Chile. On arrival to 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 7: 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 civilization that built impressive rock fortresses on the nearby mountains encircling the green valley. From there, you will take 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 & lunch included.

Day 8: 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 9: 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.
29 June 2019 - 7 July 2019
Accommodation

City

Hotel

Santiago

Hotel Cumbres LastarriaK

La Serena
Cabanas Añuñucas V

San Pedro de Atacama
Hotel Altiplanico
What's included?
- Accommodation as specified (superior standard hotels in Santiago and San Pedro, comfortable cabin style accommodation in La Serena)
- Hotel taxes
- Transfers
- English speaking guided tours
- Qualified astronomer as your tour escort
- 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$1,280) 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 20 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.