7-Day Chile & Easter Island: Wine & Culture Tour

Venture deeper into Chile's wine country as you journey to the Colchagua Valley, renowned for its bold red wine varieties, including the famous carménère. Await your arrival is the esteemed Viña Viu Manent winery, just a two-hour drive from Santiago. Tucked amidst sprawling gardens adorned with colonial architecture, Viña Viu Manent promises a unique experience. Hop aboard a vintage horse-drawn carriage for a leisurely tour of the grounds, where you'll have the chance to sample several exquisite wines.

Today's itinerary also includes a visit to the impressive Viña Montes winery in the nearby Apalta Valley. Prepare to be amazed by its modern facilities, including an amphitheater-style barrel room where approximately 1,000 barrels are stored, accompanied by the mystical chants of Gregorian monks.

Begin your day with a private transfer to the airport for your flight to Easter Island. Tucked away in the vast Pacific Ocean, Easter Island is one of the most isolated inhabited places globally, surrounded by three volcanoes forming a distinctive triangle.

As you arrive on the island, the hotel staff will be waiting to greet you and accompany you to your accommodation. With the rest of the day ahead, take the opportunity to explore the island at your own pace, immersing yourself in its intriguing history and culture.

Easter Island's main attraction is its array of massive stone statues, known as moai, ranging from 3 to 10 meters tall, with an average height of 4.5 meters. Created by the island's native Rapanui people, who settled here around 800 AD, these statues represent ancient craftsmanship and culture.

Today, join a full-day Seat-In-Coach tour to uncover the mysteries of these colossal stone sculptures. Explore why the circular stone, TePito Kura, near the largest Ahu TePito Kura, affects the compass's direction. Learn about the nearly 400 abandoned stone statues scattered across Rano Raraku's hillsides. Discover why Ahu Tongariki is an ideal spot for witnessing the sunrise, especially from December 21st to March 21st.

You can also visit Ahu Akahanga to see what Easter Island looked like when it was discovered by Europeans and relax on the sandy beaches of Anakena.

In a particular epoch, the ancient Moai statues' beliefs gradually yielded to a fresh faith, centered on the Creator God Make Make. To honor Make Make, they hosted the Bird-man Competition, a revered event where participants raced to secure the season's inaugural egg from the distant islet of Motu Nui. The victor claimed the esteemed title of Bird-man for the year, a position of significant esteem.

Your morning begins with exploration of the sacred village of Orongo, the site of the birdman worship ceremony. Amongst the circular edifices crafted from volcanic stone and adorned with depictions of bird-men, you'll gain profound insights into this revered ritual.

Later in the day, journey to Ahu Akivi, home to one of the island's most enigmatic moai. Diverging from their coastal-facing counterparts, these statues stand inland, their gazes fixed upon the ocean's expanse. From this location, embark on a brief hike to two other archaeological sites: the cavern of Ana TePahu and the Puna Pau volcano. The latter served as the quarry for the extraction and carving of Pukao hats, adding yet another layer to Easter Island's complex tapestry of history.

As the chapter closes on your time on this enchanting island, it's time to bid adieu. Fly back to Santiago, carrying with you cherished memories to accompany you on your journey homeward.