Total Solar Eclipse - Easter Island - July 2010

7 July Depart UK

This morning the group assembles at London Heathrow in time for the Lan Chile flight to Santiago, via Madrid. (1850-2210, 2355-0740*). * Denotes arrival next day.

8 July Santiago (D)

Upon arrival at Santiago airport the group will be met and transferred to the Hotel Atton for one night.

9 July Easter Island (B,L)

This morning you will be transferred to the airport in time for the flight to Easter Island (0810- 1150). Upon arrival at Easter Island's Airport the group will be transferred to the hotel Vai Moana for four nights.

Easter Island is located 3,700 kilometres off the coast of Chile and it takes five hours by air from Santiago to get there. Based in the main town of Hanga you will visit some of the 600 mysterious stone statues, or moai, as well as other sites that cover this isolated island, in the company of experienced local guides. Easter Island today remains one of the most unique places you will ever encounter; an open air 'museum' showcasing a fascinating, but unfortunately lost, culture. The Rapanui are among the friendliest people you will ever meet, and the landscape is truly amazing - with its volcanic craters, lava formations, beaches, brilliant blue water, and archaeological sites.

10 July (B,L,D)

After breakfast at the hotel the group has a full day excursion visiting the archaeological centre of Akahanga, the Rano Raraku volcano and its quarry where almost all the moai that exist were carved, more than 300 statues in different processes of construction and one that is 21 metres high, the equivalent to a seven story building. Ahu Tongariki, where the colossal statues were scattered by the 1960 tidal wave. Ahu Te Pito Kura and Ngau Ngau. Picnic for lunch at Anakena beach.

11 July (** Day of the eclipse **) (B,D)

Breakfast at the hotel. The group will then transfer to a suitable site to view the eclipse.

Total eclipses often cross some of the most isolated places on earth and the 11 July 2010 event fits this description perfectly! The eclipse starts north east of New Zealand and heads across the southern Pacific Ocean. The track makes its first significant landfall on Easter Island where we will be expecting totality to last for over four and a half minutes. From there it is a short hop to Chile and the totally eclipsed sun sets soon afterwards close to the border with Argentina. Easter Island is one of the most unique and enigmatic places in the world. Whilst the original culture has been lost, the carved stone monoliths, or Moai, remain to remind us of former glories. So come and join us to experience the greatest spectacle that Nature has to offer, amongst the inspirational, thought provoking and amazing landscape of Easter Island.

12 July (B,L,D)

After breakfast at the hotel the group will have a morning half day tour to the Rano Kau volcano, the ceremonial city of Orongo with its concentration of petroglyphs and Vinapu with its two ahu. Typical lunch (Umu). In the afternoon there is a half day tour to Ahu Akivi with its 7 moai facing the sea, Caves of Ana Tepahu and Pun-a-Pau, where the reddish stone hats or headdresses that some moai take were carved.

13 July Santiago (B, D)

Fly back to Santiago (1250-1930) and overnight at Hotel Atton.

14 July Putre (B,L,D)

After breakfast at the hotel the group will be transfer from the hotel to the airport to catch the flight to Arica. Upon arrival at Arica's Airport the group will be met and taken on a short city tour and excursion of the Azapa Valley, including a visit to the archaeological museum of San Miguel. Afterwards, the group will be transferred to Putre including visit of the Lluta Valley, Pukara de Copaquilla and Socoroma. The grou will arrrive in Putre at approximately 18:00 hrs. The group will stay at Hosteria Las Vicunas for one night.

15 July Lauca National Park & Arica (B,L,D)

After breakfast the group will be transferred to Lauca National Park, visiting the town of Chucuyo, Parinacota and the lakes of Cotacotani and Lake Chungara. The group will picnic in the area before being transfer back to Arica for one night at Hotel Arica.

16 July Atacama (B,L,D)

After breakfast at the hotel the group will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Calama. Upon arrival at Calama's Airport the group will be met and transferred to San Pedro de Atacama for three nights at the Kimal hotel. The group will have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon the group will visit the museum and the Moon Valley Dinner at a local restaurant (based on menu, excluding beverages).

17 July (B,L,D)

After breakfast there is an excursion to the Salar de Atacama and Toconao. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant. In the afternoon there will be a visit to the church, arts & crafts fare and Pukara de Quitor. Dinner will be provided at a local restaurant.

18 July (B,L,D)

Today the group departs early for an excursion to the Geisers del Tatio and town of Machuca. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant.

19 July Santiago (B,D)

After breakfast the group will be transferred from the hotel to the airport to catch the flight back to Santiago Upon arrival at Santiago's Airport the group will be met and transferred to the hotel Atton for a two night stay.

20 July (B,L,D)

After breakfast at the hotel the group will have a full day excursion to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar including a visit to winery en route and lunch at seaside restaurant. In the evening the group will be transferred to the Adobes de Argomedo restaurant for a farewell dinner with a Folk show.

21 July Homeward

After breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the UK (1215-0700*, 0845-1005). * denotes arrival next day.