Wonders of Chile Total Solar Eclipse Tour

Upon arrival in Santiago, a representative will be on hand to arrange an easy transfer to the hotel. After settling in at the hotel, relax or explore Chile’s intriguing capital at leisure. 

After breakfast, follow a local expert on a tour around Santiago, a dynamic and cosmopolitan city set at the foot of the Andes. Highlights include the Plaza de la Constitución, bordered by the national palace, La Moneda, and various ministry buildings, all built in the Spanish Colonial style. Discover Plaza de Armas, with its impressive neoclassical cathedral dating from the 18th century, as well as Santa Lucía Hill, which has ornamental fountains and staircases leading to an overlook with panoramic views of the city. Lunch is at Santiago’s historic marketplace, Mercado Central, famed for its fresh seafood. Then return to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon. 

Today, take an early morning transfer to the high desert mining town of Calama, gateway to the Atacama Desert. Heading into the arid landscape by private coach, stop in the village of Toconao to see the 18th-century church of San Lucas, with its distinctive bell tower, along with the artisan’s market in the town square. Next, journey to the Atacama salt flats, where the extraordinarily dry air makes the vistas spectacular. Across the salt plain, visit the subterranean lakes, such as Chaxa Lagoon within Los Flamencos National Reserve, famed as a breeding ground for Chilean and Andean flamingos. 

Later, transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis-like village at an elevation of 7,900 ft (2,408 m) above sea level. Despite its stark setting, San Pedro has a charming and relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy picturesque streets lined with colourful adobe buildings that house a wonderful selection of shops, restaurants and cantinas. With only about 5,000 inhabitants and no significant city lights, the village is also an ideal base for stargazing. After dinner, join an expert astronomer for your first night of scanning the skies from the hotel grounds.

Today, travel back in time along the San Pedro River, discovering early traces of the Atacama civilization at the 2,400-year-old archaeological site of Tulor. Returning through the Ayllu de Coyo, enjoy superb views of the Pukará de Quitor, a 13th-century fortress. 

End the day in beautiful Moon Valley, one of Chile’s most renowned national parks, where the enormous dunes and dramatically eroded rock formations create a stunning landscape in which to share the sunset views.

Heading west toward the town of Matancilla, reach the Domeyko mountains and Rainbow Valley, whose multi-hued rock formations were created over many millennia through the impact of environmental forces on their high mineral content. After a scenic hike, carry on to the town of Hierbas Buenas, where a natural shelter of compacted volcanic ash once provided refuge to itinerant farmers traveling in caravans. Here, examine petroglyphs carved into the soft stone by the area’s ancient inhabitants. Back at the hotel, enjoy a relaxing afternoon, then enjoy the final night of stargazing from the hotel grounds.

The destination this morning is the Operations Support Facility for the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observatory. Be welcomed by expert hosts to the support facility, including the laboratories and antenna control room. Due to the high elevation of the facility, visitors are not permitted to tour ALMA’s telescopes on Chajnantor Plateau. But in fact, most of the action takes place in the operations area, which serves as the brain for ALMA’s telescopic eyes. With luck, the visit will include a chance to see antennas undergoing maintenance, as well as close-up views of their transport machinery in action. After a late afternoon check-in at the hotel, enjoy dinner in Antofagasta, a seaside city near the desert’s edge.

After breakfast, head to Antofagasta airport for a flight to Temuco, then wind through the Chilean Lake District toward the imposing volcano that overlooks beautiful Lake Villarrica – the home base for viewing the December 14 eclipse.

Today’s explorations begin in the stunning landscapes around Lake Villarrica. On the eastern shore, stand at the foot of the majestic, snow-capped Villarrica Volcano, perfect for photograph opportunities of the nearby lake, lava valleys and native flora and fauna. Later, journey into the lifeways of the region’s indigenous Mapuché culture in the community of Curarrehue. Learn their language and customs and sample the local flavor with a light lunch. After dinner, enjoy an expert briefing on tomorrow’s total solar eclipse.

After breakfast, travel to the specially selected eclipse-viewing site, where one can look forward to experiencing 2 minutes and 7 seconds in the Moon’s shadow. A great day concludes back at the hotel with a farewell dinner, and toast to our unforgettable adventure together.  

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel. Then transfer to Temuco airport (code: ZCO) for a journey back home or onward. For more, add a special tour of Patagonia’s famed Torres del Paine National Park.