8 Days Rapa Nui & Chilean Patagonia

Tour Overview

Overview

An extraordinary journey connecting two of Chile’s most iconic destinations in one seamless adventure. Begin on mystical Easter Island, walking among the silent stone guardians that have watched over Rapa Nui for centuries. Spend three days exploring the moai platforms, volcanic craters, and white sand beaches of this remote Polynesian outpost before returning to the mainland. Then fly south to the wild frontier of Chilean Patagonia, where the granite towers of Torres del Paine rise dramatically from turquoise glacial lakes and guanacos graze on windswept steppes beneath the Andean sky. Hike to the base of the iconic three towers, navigate the iceberg-dotted waters of Grey Lake by boat, and watch for Andean condors soaring on thermal currents above the Patagonian wilderness. This tour bridges two extremes of Chile’s geography — from the subtropical isolation of the Pacific to the subpolar grandeur of the southern cone. Each evening brings comfortable accommodation, from boutique hotels in Hanga Roa to mountain lodges in Puerto Natales, ensuring you are well-rested for each day’s adventures. This is Chile at its most diverse, dramatic, and unforgettable — a journey that spans over 4,000 kilometers from the world’s most remote inhabited island to the rugged tip of South America.

Itinerary

Day 1: Santiago Arrival

Arrive at Santiago International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the capital’s vibrant Providencia or Las Condes neighborhood. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring Santiago — ride the funicular up San Cristobal Hill for panoramic views of the city with the Andes as a backdrop, stroll through the bohemian Bellavista district with its colorful street art and lively cafes, and visit the historic Plaza de Armas with its 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral. Evening welcome dinner featuring classic Chilean cuisine including pastel de choclo and pisco sours at a restaurant in the Lastarria neighborhood.

Day 2: Santiago to Easter Island

Early morning transfer to Santiago Airport for the five-hour flight across the Pacific to Easter Island. Upon arrival at Mataveri Airport, receive a traditional flower lei welcome and transfer to your hotel in Hanga Roa. After settling in, take an afternoon exploration of the town, visiting the small harbor where local fishermen bring in their daily catch. As the sun begins to set, walk to Ahu Tahai, where the moai stand silhouetted against the golden sky — a perfect introduction to the magic of Rapa Nui. Evening at leisure to sample island cuisine at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Full Day Rapa Nui Archaeology

Begin before dawn with the unforgettable sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, where 15 monumental moai face the rising sun in one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the world. Continue to Rano Raraku, the volcanic quarry where the moai were carved — walk among hundreds of statues still embedded in the hillside in various stages of completion. Visit Ahu Akivi with its seven ocean-facing moai, and explore the red scoria quarry at Puna Pau where the cylindrical topknots were crafted. Afternoon relaxation at Anakena Beach, the legendary landing site of the first Polynesian settlers, with its coral sands and palm trees. The restored moai of Ahu Nau Nau stand guard over this idyllic setting.

Day 4: Orongo & Return to Santiago

Morning visit to the spectacular Rano Kau volcanic crater and the clifftop ceremonial village of Orongo, where the birdman cult once determined the island’s leadership. Explore the stone houses and petroglyphs depicting Tangata Manu before taking in the panoramic views of three offshore islets. Visit the Ahu Vinapu complex with its remarkably precise stonework that has puzzled archaeologists for generations. Afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight back to Santiago. Evening at leisure in the capital.

Day 5: Santiago to Punta Arenas & Puerto Natales

Morning flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in Chilean Patagonia, located on the Strait of Magellan. Take a brief city tour including the Plaza Munoz Gamero with its monument to Ferdinand Magellan and the picturesque waterfront. Continue by road across the Patagonian steppe to Puerto Natales, a charming port town on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound). The drive takes approximately three hours through landscapes of rolling grasslands, sheep estancias, and distant mountain peaks. Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant specializing in Magellanic lamb.

Day 6: Torres del Paine Full Day Exploration

Depart early for a full day exploring Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Enter the park and drive along the shores of turquoise Lake Pehoe, stopping at the Salto Grande waterfall where the waters of Lake Nordenskjold cascade dramatically into Lake Pehoe. Continue to the Grey Lake area for views of the massive Grey Glacier calving into iceberg-dotted waters. Throughout the day, keep your binoculars ready for guanacos, Andean condors, Chilean flamingos, and if lucky, the elusive puma. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the stunning Paine Massif before returning to Puerto Natales in the evening.

Day 7: Base of Towers Trek

Rise early for the most iconic trek in Patagonia — the hike to the base of the three granite towers that give the park its name. Begin in the Ascencio Valley, climbing through ancient lenga forests and across moraine fields. After approximately four to five hours of hiking, arrive at the glacial lake at the base of the towers, where the three massive granite spires — Torres d’Agostini, Torres Central, and Torres Monzino — rise nearly 3,000 meters into the sky. The turquoise lake, the towering rock, and the sense of achievement create an unforgettable moment. After time for photos and rest, descend back to the trailhead and transfer to Puerto Natales for a well-deserved celebration dinner.

Day 8: Puerto Natales Departure

Enjoy a final Patagonian breakfast before transferring to Punta Arenas Airport for your onward journey. Those with afternoon flights may have time to visit the Milodon Cave Natural Monument, where the remains of a prehistoric giant ground sloth were discovered, or browse the artisan shops of Puerto Natales for last-minute souvenirs including hand-knit woolens and locally crafted leather goods.

Highlights

• Easter Island moai — the silent guardians of Rapa Nui
• Torres del Paine base trek — the iconic Patagonian hiking experience
• Grey Glacier — massive ice wall with calving icebergs
• Rano Raraku volcano quarry — birthplace of the moai
• Patagonian wildlife — guanacos, condors, flamingos
• Salto Grande waterfall — thunderous cascade between turquoise lakes

Inclusions

• 7 nights accommodation (3 nights Santiago/Puerto Natales, 3 nights Easter Island, 1 night Puerto Natales)
• Daily breakfast
• All domestic flights (Santiago-Easter Island roundtrip, Santiago-Punta Arenas roundtrip)
• All airport transfers
• Easter Island guided archaeological tours
• Torres del Paine full day excursion
• Base Torres trek with guide
• National park entrance fees

Exclusions

• International flights to/from Santiago
• Lunches and dinners not mentioned
• Travel insurance (recommended)
• Personal expenses and tips