Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

74 LATIN AMERICA MEAL PLAN: 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 3 dinners ACCOMMODATION Santiago 4 nights 4 ★ Hotel Marina Las Condes San Pedro de Atacama 3 nights 3 ★ Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas or 3 ★ Altiplanico San Pedro de Atacama Santiago 1 night 4 ★ Hilton Garden Inn Easter Island 4 nights 3 ★ Easter Island Eco Lodge DAY 1: UK TO SANTIAGO Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Santiago, via São Paulo. DAY 2: SANTIAGO D On arrival in Santiago, you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. DAY 3: SANTIAGO B Set against a spectacular backdrop of snow-covered Andean peaks, Santiago’s sparkling skyscrapers run amidst leafy neighbourhoods and peaceful parks. This morning’s tour takes you through the historic heart of the downtown area to the Plaza de Armas, centre of the city’s old colonial core and home to the impressive 18th century government palace and the beautiful baroque cathedral. The provincial Santa Lucia Hill reveals the site where Spanish conquistadors founded the city and is now adorned with wonderful facades, fountains and stairways affording far reaching views over the city and mountains beyond. DAY 4: SANTIAGO & COLCHAGUA VALLEY B/L Today your group will journey south along the Panamerican Highway, through the central valley, to Colchagua. Surrounded by majestic mountains, pass through sun-scorched terrain, rolling hills and idyllic vineyards on the way to the sleepy country town of Santa Cruz. The tour continues to a local vineyard to see where some of the country’s very best red wines are produced. Located in one of the New World’s finest wine regions, enjoy some tastings of award winning cabernet sauvignons and wonderfully rounded merlots before returning to your hotel. DAY 5: SANTIAGO TO SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA B A morning flight from Santiago takes you to Calama in the Atacama Desert. Occupying a 1000 kilometre strip of land west of the Andes, Chile’s Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth. The resulting eerie landscapes are beautiful beyond belief, boasting unique and unworldly vistas like nowhere else on earth. Wind-sculpted canyons, extinct volcanoes and salt lakes turn from orange to crimson and gold throughout the day before the huge, clear night skies reveal an unparalleled stargazing haven. On arrival, transfer to the oasis town of San Pedro in the heart of this fascinating desert and late afternoon climb the sweeping sand dunes of the Moon Valley to watch a mesmerising sunset. DAY 6: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA B/L/D This morning you will travel to the incredible Salar de Atacama. Chile’s largest salt flat is an immense expanse of thick salt clusters and one of the world’s largest lithium reserves as well as home to many native bird species. Cross the crunchy crystalline edge of this immense barren salt basin to the Chaxa Lagoon, where you can get up close to dozens of flamingos foraging in the mineral rich waters. Continuing on, you will reach the nearby Miscanti and Meñique Lagoons. With intense blue-coloured waters, the shimmering lagoons are located at the base of impressive snow-capped volcanoes and command incredible views over the unique landscape. After lunch, return to San Pedro to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. DAY 7: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA B/L Rise before dawn to drink your morning coffee at the world’s highest geothermal field. Situated some 4,300 metres above sea level in the Andean mountain range, the dramatic craters of Tatio Geysers are one of the regions true marvels. Ringed by volcanoes, over 80 gurgling geysers awake early, forcing fumaroles in multiple vibrant colours high into the air as rays of sunshine pierce the columns of white steam. As the sun warms the earth, you can take a bath in the hot thermal public pools nearby or spend more time walking around these natural wonders. Arriving back in San Pedro, the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure for you to rest or further explore the town at your own pace. From the cosmopolitan capital of Santiago to the mountain-side vineyards of Colchagua and the unique landscapes in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile boasts some unforgettable highlights. Anakena Beach CHILE & EASTER ISLAND 15 days from £3,189pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ City tour of Chile’s capital, Santiago ✔ Witness the strikingly enigmatic statues of Easter Island and visit the Orongo ceremonial village ✔ Wine tasting in Colchagua Valley ✔ The Tatio Geysers in the Atacama Desert ✔ Watch the sunset from the sand dunes of Moon Valley ✔ Spot the flamingos of Chaxa Lagoon in the Atacama Salt Flats ✔ Relax on the golden sands of Anakena Beach PACE: To book or for further information visit your local travel agent or call us FREE on 0800 408 0556