A grand expedition to the moai of Rapa Nui, the Mapuche people of Araucanía, the Atacama Desert, the Salinas Grandes salt flat on the Altiplano, and Argentine tango
CHILE + EASTER ISLAND + ARGENTINA
tour to Argentina and chile
March 30 - April 13, 2027
Argentina and Chile
tour to Argentina and chile
March 30 - April 13, 2027
Argentina and Chile
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We've gathered four worlds into one route. And not one of them resembles the other.
We walk across the white crust of the Salinas Grandes salt flat, where the horizon disappears and the very sense of ground beneath your feet is lost. We cross the Andes via a high-altitude mountain pass to reach the Atacama, to the Valley of the Moon — a place that remembers millions of years of wind and cold. We descend into lava caves of an active volcano among ancient araucaria forests, prepare piñones with a Pehuenche chef, and listen by the fire to the stories of the Mapuche people — not tourist folklore, but a living culture that still breathes through this land. And we experience Argentine tango not as a show, but at a real milonga, where people dance not for an audience, but for themselves.
And of course — Rapa Nui. This is not just a point on a map. It is one of the most remote places on the planet, lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of kilometres from the nearest continent. We fly to Easter Island to watch the sunrise by the 15 moai of Tongariki, to walk through the Rano Raraku quarry, where stone giants still seem to be born from the rock, and to feel this island not through postcards, but through the wind, the ocean, and the ancient legends that are still alive here.
This is a journey where every day opens a new planet — and we're ready to live them all.
We walk across the white crust of the Salinas Grandes salt flat, where the horizon disappears and the very sense of ground beneath your feet is lost. We cross the Andes via a high-altitude mountain pass to reach the Atacama, to the Valley of the Moon — a place that remembers millions of years of wind and cold. We descend into lava caves of an active volcano among ancient araucaria forests, prepare piñones with a Pehuenche chef, and listen by the fire to the stories of the Mapuche people — not tourist folklore, but a living culture that still breathes through this land. And we experience Argentine tango not as a show, but at a real milonga, where people dance not for an audience, but for themselves.
And of course — Rapa Nui. This is not just a point on a map. It is one of the most remote places on the planet, lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of kilometres from the nearest continent. We fly to Easter Island to watch the sunrise by the 15 moai of Tongariki, to walk through the Rano Raraku quarry, where stone giants still seem to be born from the rock, and to feel this island not through postcards, but through the wind, the ocean, and the ancient legends that are still alive here.
This is a journey where every day opens a new planet — and we're ready to live them all.
SCHEDULE AND COST:
Dates: March 30 – April 13, 2027
Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
Number of participants: 6 – 12
Price per person (based on double accommodation):
Everything is included (including 2 domestic flights), except for:
Estimated cost of the flight Istanbul – Buenos Aires and Santiago – Istanbul: from USD 1,300 (usually purchased independently).
Estimated cost of the flight Buenos Aires – Jujuy (Argentina): from USD 125 (usually purchased independently).
Estimated cost of the flight Calama (Chile) – Santiago – Temuco (Chile), with a connection: approximately from USD 150 (usually purchased independently).
Estimated cost of the flight Temuco (Chile) – Santiago (Chile): from USD 45 (usually purchased independently).
Estimated cost of the flight Santiago (Chile) – Easter Island (Chile) – Santiago (Chile): from USD 400 for both directions (usually purchased independently).
Supplement for accommodation at the Altiplanico Rapa Nui hotel on Easter Island: USD 530
Single room supplement: USD 2,310 (single accommodation is provided throughout the entire itinerary, including on Easter Island at the Altiplanico Rapa Nui hotel).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Argentina and Chile
Day 1. March 30, 2027 (Tuesday). Arrival in Buenos Aires
Arrival in Buenos Aires, meeting at the airport, and transfer to the hotel. This day is important for recovering from the flight and settling calmly into the rhythm of the journey.
You may want to have dinner at one of the city's best restaurants, or buy tickets to a tango show — after all, this isn't just a dance, it's the cultural code of the country.
Meals included: no
Accommodation included: Carles Hotel 4 or similar*
— any flight arriving in Buenos Aires at any time on March 30;
Day 2. March 31, 2027 (Wednesday). Buenos Aires — understanding the country through its capital
After breakfast, we head out on a city overview tour. We start in the historic centre: Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the cathedral. This is a key point for the country — Argentina's political history was shaped right here.
Next, we drive to La Boca. This is the old port district, where immigrants once arrived. The brightly coloured houses aren't a decoration — they're a historical feature. Here you feel a different, more "alive" Buenos Aires.
At midday — Argentine classics. Lunch at a steakhouse with a glass of Malbec.
After lunch — the upscale Recoleta district. A contrast to La Boca: calm, neat, with European-style architecture. We visit Recoleta Cemetery, one of the most famous in the world.
And of course, what is Argentina without real tango?
It's experienced late at night, once the shows have ended and many milongas are only just opening. If a tango show is theatrical art, then the milonga is its real, everyday life. For us, the tour will be led by a tango historian and a dancer with 25 years of dancing experience — a unique immersion into tango culture for those who want to understand this cultural phenomenon more deeply than it's shown in performances, films, and shows.
For a few hours, we'll step into another world — a world of music, movement, and complex relationships. Here, an outsider won't notice the details, and even seeing them, won't understand them. What made a washerwoman and a factory owner, half a century ago, head to a milonga after work? Why today, in the age of technology, do people from different professions and social backgrounds go out into the night to embrace a stranger on the dance floor? For just 10 minutes… or for a lifetime?
We'll learn where the young dance, where only those over 60 dance, and why it's sometimes the other way around. We'll understand what that particular glance means — the one with which a man invites a woman across the entire room. We'll see how the dance floor breathes, and why some couples leave without finishing a dance. It's an entire social system with its own unspoken rules.
We won't go where tourist groups are taken. We'll go where the porteños come to dance for themselves. Where an 80-year-old maestro might be sitting in the corner, remembering how people danced in the '50s. And at the next table might be a couple who met at a milonga 30 years ago and have been coming here every Saturday ever since.
Over one intense night, we'll understand the reasons, learn the history, get to grips with the styles and social groups, and immerse ourselves in this living, unstaged ritual — its rules and its codes.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Carles Hotel 4 or similar*
Day 3. April 1, 2027 (Thursday). Northern Argentina — "Bolivia without the hassle"
In the morning, transfer to the airport and flight to Jujuy in the north of the country. On arrival — drive to Purmamarca (~1 hour). This small mountain village serves as a base for excursions around the region. Along the way, you can see how dramatically the landscape changes: the greenery disappears, replaced by canyons and colourful hillsides. This region is often compared to Bolivia, but here the altitude is lower and conditions are easier. After checking in — lunch and a relaxed walk through the village. In the afternoon, we head to the Hill of Seven Colours. This is a slope of multicoloured rock layers — a rare geological phenomenon that has become the region's signature sight. Evening is the best time to see the colours without harsh light.
The day won't be demanding — it's a chance to acclimatise to the altitude (~2,300 m).
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Alma de Purmamarca or similar
Day 4. April 2, 2027 (Friday). Salinas Grandes — the Argentine salt flat
After breakfast, we head toward the salt flat along the Cuesta de Lipán road. The drive takes about 1.5 hours, but the road itself is already part of the experience: switchbacks, a gradual gain in altitude, and a shift in scenery from canyons to more "desert-like" views. We then arrive at Salinas Grandes — an enormous salt plateau at an altitude of around 3,500 metres. The feeling is often compared to Bolivia's Uyuni, but here the logistics are simpler and the route more comfortable.
The salt flat's defining feature is a landscape without landmarks. The white surface stretches to the horizon, lines blur, and your sense of distance shifts because of it. We take our time here: walking across the salt flat, examining the structure of the salt, taking perspective photographs, and simply "getting used to" this landscape.
After that, we return along the same route back to Purmamarca.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Alma de Purmamarca or similar
Day 5. April 3, 2027 (Saturday). Crossing the Andes into Chile's Atacama
After breakfast, we leave Purmamarca heading toward Chile. We cross via Paso de Jama — a high-altitude road through the Andes, with the pass reaching up to 4,800 m. The journey takes around 6–7 hours, including the drive and border crossing. Along the way, the entire landscape gradually shifts — becoming harsher and very reminiscent of the classic Altiplano.
In the afternoon, we arrive in San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis town in the middle of the desert, considered the main base for exploring one of Chile's most extraordinary regions.
After checking into the hotel and lunch, we head out for our first encounter with the Atacama — at Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon). This is one of the region's most famous landscapes: dunes, rock formations, and salt patches shaped over millions of years by wind and temperature swings, where a beautiful picnic awaits us at sunset. We then return to the hotel to rest.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas or similar
Day 6. April 4, 2027 (Sunday). High-altitude lagoons, volcanoes, and the starry skies of Atacama
After breakfast, we head toward the high-altitude areas of the Atacama. Today brings lagoons, volcanic landscapes, and one of the most beautiful roads in the region. The first stop of the day is Piedras Rojas — an extraordinary place where red volcanic rocks contrast with water and pale salt flats. The rocks owe their colour to a high mineral content and volcanic processes. We then continue to the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, located at an altitude of over 4,000 metres. The lagoons sit at the foot of volcanoes amid almost untouched high-altitude scenery.
Along the way, we stop for a picnic lunch (included in the tour). We then return to San Pedro, and in the evening head out on an astronomical tour. The Atacama is considered one of the best places in the world for stargazing. The air here is extremely dry, there are almost no clouds, and light pollution is virtually absent — which is exactly why the region is home to the world's largest astronomical observatories.
During the tour, we'll observe the night sky through telescopes, seeing star clusters, planets, and the Milky Way. After the tour, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas or similar
Day 7. April 5, 2027 (Monday). Flight to Araucanía and a first dive into southern Chile
After breakfast, we head to Calama airport and fly south to Chile's Araucanía region, with one connection in Santiago.
On arrival — transfer to Pucón, the region's tourist hub. The drive takes about 2 hours. Along the way, the scenery gradually shifts: central Chile falls behind, replaced by more humid forests, lakes, and volcanic landscapes.
Pucón sits at the foot of Villarrica Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in South America. This is one of Chile's most recognisable natural areas: volcanoes, forests, lakes, hot springs, and Mapuche culture. This region is interesting for more than just its nature. Araucanía is a territory where Mapuche culture remains deeply alive. This isn't a museum reconstruction — it's a living culture, felt in the local cuisine, crafts, relationship to the land, and everyday life.
After checking into the hotel and lunch, we head to the Salto El Claro waterfall. This is a stunning 70-metre waterfall hidden in a green forest zone. It's reached by an easy walk, making it a great first contact with the region's nature without any physical strain.
After the waterfall, we return to Pucón and stroll through town. We look not only at the tourist centre but also at local art spaces and craft shops, which give a better sense of Pucón's contemporary identity.
By evening, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Maki Hotel or similar
Day 8. April 6, 2027 (Tuesday). Pehuenche cuisine and araucaria forests in Villarrica National Park
In the morning, we head out for a full day dedicated to Pehuenche culture and the nature of Araucanía.
First, we visit a Pehuenche chef. The Pehuenche are one of the Mapuche groups, closely tied to mountain territories and araucaria forests. Through food, the connection between local people and nature is beautifully explained here.
A small cooking workshop awaits us: an introduction to forest produce, local ingredients, and dishes that form part of the traditional diet. An important part of it is araucaria seeds, piñones. For the Pehuenche, this isn't just a food — it's part of their culture and way of life. After the workshop — lunch with Pehuenche dishes in a warm, local setting. This isn't restaurant "folklore" — it's a gastronomic experience that helps you understand the region through taste.
After lunch, we head toward Villarrica National Park, to the Puesco sector, close to the border with Argentina. A light hike of around 6 km awaits us here. The route passes through forests of sacred araucarias, lengas, and coihues, past several lagoons. It's a calm hike without heavy exertion, but with a very strong natural component.
Araucarias are one of the symbols of southern Chile. These are ancient trees that can be hundreds, even thousands of years old. They look almost prehistoric and hold enormous significance for local peoples.
During the walk, views open up of Lanín Volcano, one of the most beautiful volcanoes on the border between Chile and Argentina.
By evening, we return to the hotel for dinner.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Maki Hotel or similar
Day 9. April 7, 2027 (Wednesday). Mapuche, Villarrica Volcano, and lava caves
Today is a day that connects Mapuche culture with the volcanic nature of the region.
In the morning, we visit a Mapuche woman. We'll spend time in a ruka — the traditional Mapuche home, where the fire sits at the centre of the space.
This isn't a standard tour format. What matters here is conversation, genuine human connection, and the opportunity to hear about the culture firsthand: traditions, crafts, daily life, spirituality, ceremonies, and the relationship to nature. After our conversation, we're treated to a tasting of homemade organic produce prepared by her and her family.
Next, we drive to the foot of Villarrica Volcano. This is one of the most active volcanoes in South America, and it shapes the entire landscape around Pucón. From here, views open up of the volcano, forests, and the lake. Weather permitting, you can see the summit and the fumaroles. We walk here for about 1.5 hours: no heavy trekking, but a chance to better understand the volcanic nature of the region.
After the walk, we visit the lava caves — tunnels and cavities formed by lava flows during past eruptions. This experience matters because we get to see the volcanic landscape not only from outside but from within. It's a rare opportunity in Chile — to step inside lava formations and literally see how this territory was shaped.
In the evening, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Maki Hotel or similar
Day 10. April 8, 2027 (Thursday). Return to Santiago and a wine valley
After breakfast, we head to the airport and take the earliest flight back to Santiago.
On arrival — transfer to the hotel and check-in. After the intensity of Araucanía, we need to make the most of the central region. We head out for our first encounter with the city. Santiago is best seen from above: that way you immediately understand where you are. This isn't just a capital, it's a city squeezed between the Andes and the coastal mountain ranges. We'll go up to one of the city's viewpoints, from which you can see modern Santiago, the business districts, residential neighbourhoods, and the line of the Andes on the horizon.
Next, we head to one of the wine valleys near Santiago. Chile is one of the world's leading wine countries, and a winery here isn't just a pleasant add-on — it's an important part of understanding the country. We'll see the vineyards, learn how wine production works, visit the cellars, and sample several varieties during a tasting.
This day is about another side of Chile: climate, land, gastronomy, and wine culture. We'll have lunch at the winery, right among the vineyards.
By evening, we return to the hotel in Santiago.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Rugendas Hotel Boutique by Time 4 or similar*
Day 11. April 9, 2027 (Friday). Flight to Easter Island and a first encounter with Rapa Nui
After breakfast, we head to Santiago airport and fly to Easter Island — one of the most remote islands on the planet. The flight takes about 5.5 hours.
On arrival — transfer to the hotel and check-in. Then — lunch with fresh fish and seafood. On the island, tuna is especially worth trying: it's one of the main local products. We then stroll through the island's only town — Hanga Roa — exploring the local way of life.
In the afternoon, we head to the Tahai complex. This is one of the best places for a first encounter with the moai. Sunset at Tahai is a spectacular start on Rapa Nui: moai, ocean, and soft evening light.
After sunset, an evening of Polynesian dance awaits us. The programme usually includes a welcome cocktail, elements of traditional body painting, and a show with music and dance. This is an essential first introduction to the island's living culture.
After the show, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Takarua Lodge or similar (upgrade to Altiplanico Rapa Nui 4 available for a supplement)*
Recommended flight: Santiago (SCL) – Easter Island (IPC), LATAM flight, the sole operator on the route. Morning departures, flight time ~5.5 hours.
Day 12. April 10, 2027 (Saturday). The island's main icons: Rano Raraku, Tongariki, Te Pito Kura, and Anakena Beach
After breakfast, we head out on the island's main route. The first key stop is Rano Raraku. This is the volcanic quarry where the moai were carved. It's here that you understand exactly how these statues came to be: some moai stand on the slopes, some remain unfinished, and some still appear to be emerging from the earth.
This isn't just "a place with moai" — it's the key to understanding the island's entire history. Here you see the process: from rock in the quarry to a finished figure. Next, we head to Ahu Tongariki, the island's most impressive ceremonial platform. Fifteen restored moai stand here in a single line. This is one of Rapa Nui's most powerful sights, both visually and in scale. After that, we continue to Te Pito Kura. This is a short but logical stop on the way to the north coast. Here stands the tallest moai ever erected on a platform, as well as a stone known as the "navel of the world," tied to local legends.
We end the day at Anakena Beach. This is the island's only white-sand beach with calm water. It matters not just as a place to relax: according to legend, it was here that the first settlers of Rapa Nui came ashore. You can have lunch here, rest, and swim in the turquoise, crystal-clear water of the Pacific Ocean.
By evening, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Takarua Lodge or similar (upgrade to Altiplanico Rapa Nui 4 available for a supplement)*
Day 13. April 11, 2027 (Sunday). Active island: diving or horseback riding, followed by ATVs around the island
We dedicate the morning to an activity of your choice (at an additional cost), or simply to contemplating the ocean.
The first option is diving. Easter Island is known for its exceptionally clear water, and underwater you can see lava formations, rock structures, and another side of the island that's impossible to grasp from land.
The second option is a horseback ride. This is a calmer format, but it suits the island well: on horseback you can reach areas that aren't as convenient to see by car, getting a deeper feel for the island and its unique landscapes.
After the activities, we return for lunch.
In the afternoon, we all head out together on an ATV route. This is a chance to see the island not only through its classic sightseeing points, but also through its roads, scenery, coastline, and more secluded spots. We'll build the route with stops at beautiful viewpoints, along the coast, and in less touristy areas.
By evening, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Takarua Lodge or similar (upgrade to Altiplanico Rapa Nui 4 available for a supplement)*
Day 14. April 12, 2027 (Monday). Rano Kau, Orongo, Vinapu, Ahu Akivi, and a boat trip on the ocean
After breakfast, we head to the western part of the island to explore a completely different chapter of Rapa Nui's history.
First, we climb up to Rano Kau Volcano. This is one of the most striking sights on Rapa Nui: a large crater with a lagoon inside and a view over the ocean. Here, the island's volcanic origins are clearly visible. Next, we see Orongo, an ancient ceremonial village on the rim of the crater. This site is tied to the birdman cult, which became an important part of the island's history after the era of moai-building. Orongo helps you understand that Rapa Nui's history isn't limited to the statues alone: the culture evolved, new rituals emerged, along with new forms of power and new symbols.
After that, we stop at Vinapu, an archaeological complex with unusual stonework. It's notable for differing from many of the island's other platforms and often draws comparisons to the stone architecture of Peru. We then head to Ahu Akivi, one of the island's most famous platforms with seven moai. It's especially interesting because it sits not directly on the coast, but inland, and is tied to the legend of the first explorers sent ahead of Hotu Matu'a's arrival.
After lunch, we switch gears and head out onto the ocean. A boat trip along the coastline awaits us. From the water, the island looks completely different: you can see cliffs, caves, volcanic formations, and small islets where seabirds nest.
We finish with snorkelling in an area with clean, clear water. It's a calm but very beautiful close to the day. By evening, we return to the hotel for dinner.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Takarua Lodge or similar (upgrade to Altiplanico Rapa Nui 4 available for a supplement)*
Day 15. April 13, 2027 (Tuesday). Sunrise at Tongariki and farewell to the island
Early in the morning, we head to the platform of fifteen moai, Ahu Tongariki. This is one of the most unique moments of the entire trip: the sun rises behind the line of moai, gradually lighting up the platform, the ocean, and the volcanic landscape around it. Importantly, we return here not just "once more," but in a completely different state and light. By day, Tongariki impresses with its scale; at dawn, it impresses with its atmosphere.
After the sunrise, we return to the hotel, have breakfast, and pack. Before departure, we leave time for souvenirs, postcards, and a calm farewell to the island.
At midday — transfer to the airport and flight to Santiago. Arrival in the capital late at night, from where you can connect straight onward to fly home.
Meals included: breakfast Accommodation included: none
Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
Number of participants: 6 – 12
Price per person (based on double accommodation):
- USD 6,150 subject to 12 participants,
- USD 6,690 subject to 10–11 participants,
- USD 6,990 subject to 9 participants,
- USD 7,090 subject to 8 participants.
Everything is included (including 2 domestic flights), except for:
- the international flight to Buenos Aires (Argentina) and back from Santiago (Chile),
- 5 domestic flights,
- medical insurance,
- Argentina and Chile visas (not required for Russian citizens),
- lunches and dinners.
Estimated cost of the flight Istanbul – Buenos Aires and Santiago – Istanbul: from USD 1,300 (usually purchased independently).
Estimated cost of the flight Buenos Aires – Jujuy (Argentina): from USD 125 (usually purchased independently).
Estimated cost of the flight Calama (Chile) – Santiago – Temuco (Chile), with a connection: approximately from USD 150 (usually purchased independently).
Estimated cost of the flight Temuco (Chile) – Santiago (Chile): from USD 45 (usually purchased independently).
Estimated cost of the flight Santiago (Chile) – Easter Island (Chile) – Santiago (Chile): from USD 400 for both directions (usually purchased independently).
Supplement for accommodation at the Altiplanico Rapa Nui hotel on Easter Island: USD 530
Single room supplement: USD 2,310 (single accommodation is provided throughout the entire itinerary, including on Easter Island at the Altiplanico Rapa Nui hotel).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Argentina and Chile
Day 1. March 30, 2027 (Tuesday). Arrival in Buenos Aires
Arrival in Buenos Aires, meeting at the airport, and transfer to the hotel. This day is important for recovering from the flight and settling calmly into the rhythm of the journey.
You may want to have dinner at one of the city's best restaurants, or buy tickets to a tango show — after all, this isn't just a dance, it's the cultural code of the country.
Meals included: no
Accommodation included: Carles Hotel 4 or similar*
- Recommended international flight:
— any flight arriving in Buenos Aires at any time on March 30;
Day 2. March 31, 2027 (Wednesday). Buenos Aires — understanding the country through its capital
After breakfast, we head out on a city overview tour. We start in the historic centre: Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the cathedral. This is a key point for the country — Argentina's political history was shaped right here.
Next, we drive to La Boca. This is the old port district, where immigrants once arrived. The brightly coloured houses aren't a decoration — they're a historical feature. Here you feel a different, more "alive" Buenos Aires.
At midday — Argentine classics. Lunch at a steakhouse with a glass of Malbec.
After lunch — the upscale Recoleta district. A contrast to La Boca: calm, neat, with European-style architecture. We visit Recoleta Cemetery, one of the most famous in the world.
And of course, what is Argentina without real tango?
It's experienced late at night, once the shows have ended and many milongas are only just opening. If a tango show is theatrical art, then the milonga is its real, everyday life. For us, the tour will be led by a tango historian and a dancer with 25 years of dancing experience — a unique immersion into tango culture for those who want to understand this cultural phenomenon more deeply than it's shown in performances, films, and shows.
For a few hours, we'll step into another world — a world of music, movement, and complex relationships. Here, an outsider won't notice the details, and even seeing them, won't understand them. What made a washerwoman and a factory owner, half a century ago, head to a milonga after work? Why today, in the age of technology, do people from different professions and social backgrounds go out into the night to embrace a stranger on the dance floor? For just 10 minutes… or for a lifetime?
We'll learn where the young dance, where only those over 60 dance, and why it's sometimes the other way around. We'll understand what that particular glance means — the one with which a man invites a woman across the entire room. We'll see how the dance floor breathes, and why some couples leave without finishing a dance. It's an entire social system with its own unspoken rules.
We won't go where tourist groups are taken. We'll go where the porteños come to dance for themselves. Where an 80-year-old maestro might be sitting in the corner, remembering how people danced in the '50s. And at the next table might be a couple who met at a milonga 30 years ago and have been coming here every Saturday ever since.
Over one intense night, we'll understand the reasons, learn the history, get to grips with the styles and social groups, and immerse ourselves in this living, unstaged ritual — its rules and its codes.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Carles Hotel 4 or similar*
Day 3. April 1, 2027 (Thursday). Northern Argentina — "Bolivia without the hassle"
In the morning, transfer to the airport and flight to Jujuy in the north of the country. On arrival — drive to Purmamarca (~1 hour). This small mountain village serves as a base for excursions around the region. Along the way, you can see how dramatically the landscape changes: the greenery disappears, replaced by canyons and colourful hillsides. This region is often compared to Bolivia, but here the altitude is lower and conditions are easier. After checking in — lunch and a relaxed walk through the village. In the afternoon, we head to the Hill of Seven Colours. This is a slope of multicoloured rock layers — a rare geological phenomenon that has become the region's signature sight. Evening is the best time to see the colours without harsh light.
The day won't be demanding — it's a chance to acclimatise to the altitude (~2,300 m).
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Alma de Purmamarca or similar
- Recommended flight: Buenos Aires (AEP) – Jujuy (JUJ), early morning Aerolíneas Argentinas flights (from 05:15), flight time ~2 hours 20 minutes.
Day 4. April 2, 2027 (Friday). Salinas Grandes — the Argentine salt flat
After breakfast, we head toward the salt flat along the Cuesta de Lipán road. The drive takes about 1.5 hours, but the road itself is already part of the experience: switchbacks, a gradual gain in altitude, and a shift in scenery from canyons to more "desert-like" views. We then arrive at Salinas Grandes — an enormous salt plateau at an altitude of around 3,500 metres. The feeling is often compared to Bolivia's Uyuni, but here the logistics are simpler and the route more comfortable.
The salt flat's defining feature is a landscape without landmarks. The white surface stretches to the horizon, lines blur, and your sense of distance shifts because of it. We take our time here: walking across the salt flat, examining the structure of the salt, taking perspective photographs, and simply "getting used to" this landscape.
After that, we return along the same route back to Purmamarca.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Alma de Purmamarca or similar
Day 5. April 3, 2027 (Saturday). Crossing the Andes into Chile's Atacama
After breakfast, we leave Purmamarca heading toward Chile. We cross via Paso de Jama — a high-altitude road through the Andes, with the pass reaching up to 4,800 m. The journey takes around 6–7 hours, including the drive and border crossing. Along the way, the entire landscape gradually shifts — becoming harsher and very reminiscent of the classic Altiplano.
In the afternoon, we arrive in San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis town in the middle of the desert, considered the main base for exploring one of Chile's most extraordinary regions.
After checking into the hotel and lunch, we head out for our first encounter with the Atacama — at Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon). This is one of the region's most famous landscapes: dunes, rock formations, and salt patches shaped over millions of years by wind and temperature swings, where a beautiful picnic awaits us at sunset. We then return to the hotel to rest.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas or similar
Day 6. April 4, 2027 (Sunday). High-altitude lagoons, volcanoes, and the starry skies of Atacama
After breakfast, we head toward the high-altitude areas of the Atacama. Today brings lagoons, volcanic landscapes, and one of the most beautiful roads in the region. The first stop of the day is Piedras Rojas — an extraordinary place where red volcanic rocks contrast with water and pale salt flats. The rocks owe their colour to a high mineral content and volcanic processes. We then continue to the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, located at an altitude of over 4,000 metres. The lagoons sit at the foot of volcanoes amid almost untouched high-altitude scenery.
Along the way, we stop for a picnic lunch (included in the tour). We then return to San Pedro, and in the evening head out on an astronomical tour. The Atacama is considered one of the best places in the world for stargazing. The air here is extremely dry, there are almost no clouds, and light pollution is virtually absent — which is exactly why the region is home to the world's largest astronomical observatories.
During the tour, we'll observe the night sky through telescopes, seeing star clusters, planets, and the Milky Way. After the tour, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas or similar
Day 7. April 5, 2027 (Monday). Flight to Araucanía and a first dive into southern Chile
After breakfast, we head to Calama airport and fly south to Chile's Araucanía region, with one connection in Santiago.
On arrival — transfer to Pucón, the region's tourist hub. The drive takes about 2 hours. Along the way, the scenery gradually shifts: central Chile falls behind, replaced by more humid forests, lakes, and volcanic landscapes.
Pucón sits at the foot of Villarrica Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in South America. This is one of Chile's most recognisable natural areas: volcanoes, forests, lakes, hot springs, and Mapuche culture. This region is interesting for more than just its nature. Araucanía is a territory where Mapuche culture remains deeply alive. This isn't a museum reconstruction — it's a living culture, felt in the local cuisine, crafts, relationship to the land, and everyday life.
After checking into the hotel and lunch, we head to the Salto El Claro waterfall. This is a stunning 70-metre waterfall hidden in a green forest zone. It's reached by an easy walk, making it a great first contact with the region's nature without any physical strain.
After the waterfall, we return to Pucón and stroll through town. We look not only at the tourist centre but also at local art spaces and craft shops, which give a better sense of Pucón's contemporary identity.
By evening, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Maki Hotel or similar
- Recommended flight: Calama (CJC) – Santiago (SCL) – Temuco (ZCO). Morning flights with LATAM/Sky Airline/JetSmart from Calama (from 07:14), connection in Santiago, then a flight to Temuco (morning flights from 07:06). Total travel time with the connection is about 4–5 hours.
Day 8. April 6, 2027 (Tuesday). Pehuenche cuisine and araucaria forests in Villarrica National Park
In the morning, we head out for a full day dedicated to Pehuenche culture and the nature of Araucanía.
First, we visit a Pehuenche chef. The Pehuenche are one of the Mapuche groups, closely tied to mountain territories and araucaria forests. Through food, the connection between local people and nature is beautifully explained here.
A small cooking workshop awaits us: an introduction to forest produce, local ingredients, and dishes that form part of the traditional diet. An important part of it is araucaria seeds, piñones. For the Pehuenche, this isn't just a food — it's part of their culture and way of life. After the workshop — lunch with Pehuenche dishes in a warm, local setting. This isn't restaurant "folklore" — it's a gastronomic experience that helps you understand the region through taste.
After lunch, we head toward Villarrica National Park, to the Puesco sector, close to the border with Argentina. A light hike of around 6 km awaits us here. The route passes through forests of sacred araucarias, lengas, and coihues, past several lagoons. It's a calm hike without heavy exertion, but with a very strong natural component.
Araucarias are one of the symbols of southern Chile. These are ancient trees that can be hundreds, even thousands of years old. They look almost prehistoric and hold enormous significance for local peoples.
During the walk, views open up of Lanín Volcano, one of the most beautiful volcanoes on the border between Chile and Argentina.
By evening, we return to the hotel for dinner.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Maki Hotel or similar
Day 9. April 7, 2027 (Wednesday). Mapuche, Villarrica Volcano, and lava caves
Today is a day that connects Mapuche culture with the volcanic nature of the region.
In the morning, we visit a Mapuche woman. We'll spend time in a ruka — the traditional Mapuche home, where the fire sits at the centre of the space.
This isn't a standard tour format. What matters here is conversation, genuine human connection, and the opportunity to hear about the culture firsthand: traditions, crafts, daily life, spirituality, ceremonies, and the relationship to nature. After our conversation, we're treated to a tasting of homemade organic produce prepared by her and her family.
Next, we drive to the foot of Villarrica Volcano. This is one of the most active volcanoes in South America, and it shapes the entire landscape around Pucón. From here, views open up of the volcano, forests, and the lake. Weather permitting, you can see the summit and the fumaroles. We walk here for about 1.5 hours: no heavy trekking, but a chance to better understand the volcanic nature of the region.
After the walk, we visit the lava caves — tunnels and cavities formed by lava flows during past eruptions. This experience matters because we get to see the volcanic landscape not only from outside but from within. It's a rare opportunity in Chile — to step inside lava formations and literally see how this territory was shaped.
In the evening, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Maki Hotel or similar
Day 10. April 8, 2027 (Thursday). Return to Santiago and a wine valley
After breakfast, we head to the airport and take the earliest flight back to Santiago.
On arrival — transfer to the hotel and check-in. After the intensity of Araucanía, we need to make the most of the central region. We head out for our first encounter with the city. Santiago is best seen from above: that way you immediately understand where you are. This isn't just a capital, it's a city squeezed between the Andes and the coastal mountain ranges. We'll go up to one of the city's viewpoints, from which you can see modern Santiago, the business districts, residential neighbourhoods, and the line of the Andes on the horizon.
Next, we head to one of the wine valleys near Santiago. Chile is one of the world's leading wine countries, and a winery here isn't just a pleasant add-on — it's an important part of understanding the country. We'll see the vineyards, learn how wine production works, visit the cellars, and sample several varieties during a tasting.
This day is about another side of Chile: climate, land, gastronomy, and wine culture. We'll have lunch at the winery, right among the vineyards.
By evening, we return to the hotel in Santiago.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Rugendas Hotel Boutique by Time 4 or similar*
- Recommended flight: Temuco (ZCO) – Santiago (SCL), early morning LATAM/Sky/JetSmart flight (from 07:06), flight time ~1 hour 30 minutes.
Day 11. April 9, 2027 (Friday). Flight to Easter Island and a first encounter with Rapa Nui
After breakfast, we head to Santiago airport and fly to Easter Island — one of the most remote islands on the planet. The flight takes about 5.5 hours.
On arrival — transfer to the hotel and check-in. Then — lunch with fresh fish and seafood. On the island, tuna is especially worth trying: it's one of the main local products. We then stroll through the island's only town — Hanga Roa — exploring the local way of life.
In the afternoon, we head to the Tahai complex. This is one of the best places for a first encounter with the moai. Sunset at Tahai is a spectacular start on Rapa Nui: moai, ocean, and soft evening light.
After sunset, an evening of Polynesian dance awaits us. The programme usually includes a welcome cocktail, elements of traditional body painting, and a show with music and dance. This is an essential first introduction to the island's living culture.
After the show, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Takarua Lodge or similar (upgrade to Altiplanico Rapa Nui 4 available for a supplement)*
Recommended flight: Santiago (SCL) – Easter Island (IPC), LATAM flight, the sole operator on the route. Morning departures, flight time ~5.5 hours.
Day 12. April 10, 2027 (Saturday). The island's main icons: Rano Raraku, Tongariki, Te Pito Kura, and Anakena Beach
After breakfast, we head out on the island's main route. The first key stop is Rano Raraku. This is the volcanic quarry where the moai were carved. It's here that you understand exactly how these statues came to be: some moai stand on the slopes, some remain unfinished, and some still appear to be emerging from the earth.
This isn't just "a place with moai" — it's the key to understanding the island's entire history. Here you see the process: from rock in the quarry to a finished figure. Next, we head to Ahu Tongariki, the island's most impressive ceremonial platform. Fifteen restored moai stand here in a single line. This is one of Rapa Nui's most powerful sights, both visually and in scale. After that, we continue to Te Pito Kura. This is a short but logical stop on the way to the north coast. Here stands the tallest moai ever erected on a platform, as well as a stone known as the "navel of the world," tied to local legends.
We end the day at Anakena Beach. This is the island's only white-sand beach with calm water. It matters not just as a place to relax: according to legend, it was here that the first settlers of Rapa Nui came ashore. You can have lunch here, rest, and swim in the turquoise, crystal-clear water of the Pacific Ocean.
By evening, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Takarua Lodge or similar (upgrade to Altiplanico Rapa Nui 4 available for a supplement)*
Day 13. April 11, 2027 (Sunday). Active island: diving or horseback riding, followed by ATVs around the island
We dedicate the morning to an activity of your choice (at an additional cost), or simply to contemplating the ocean.
The first option is diving. Easter Island is known for its exceptionally clear water, and underwater you can see lava formations, rock structures, and another side of the island that's impossible to grasp from land.
The second option is a horseback ride. This is a calmer format, but it suits the island well: on horseback you can reach areas that aren't as convenient to see by car, getting a deeper feel for the island and its unique landscapes.
After the activities, we return for lunch.
In the afternoon, we all head out together on an ATV route. This is a chance to see the island not only through its classic sightseeing points, but also through its roads, scenery, coastline, and more secluded spots. We'll build the route with stops at beautiful viewpoints, along the coast, and in less touristy areas.
By evening, we return to the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Takarua Lodge or similar (upgrade to Altiplanico Rapa Nui 4 available for a supplement)*
Day 14. April 12, 2027 (Monday). Rano Kau, Orongo, Vinapu, Ahu Akivi, and a boat trip on the ocean
After breakfast, we head to the western part of the island to explore a completely different chapter of Rapa Nui's history.
First, we climb up to Rano Kau Volcano. This is one of the most striking sights on Rapa Nui: a large crater with a lagoon inside and a view over the ocean. Here, the island's volcanic origins are clearly visible. Next, we see Orongo, an ancient ceremonial village on the rim of the crater. This site is tied to the birdman cult, which became an important part of the island's history after the era of moai-building. Orongo helps you understand that Rapa Nui's history isn't limited to the statues alone: the culture evolved, new rituals emerged, along with new forms of power and new symbols.
After that, we stop at Vinapu, an archaeological complex with unusual stonework. It's notable for differing from many of the island's other platforms and often draws comparisons to the stone architecture of Peru. We then head to Ahu Akivi, one of the island's most famous platforms with seven moai. It's especially interesting because it sits not directly on the coast, but inland, and is tied to the legend of the first explorers sent ahead of Hotu Matu'a's arrival.
After lunch, we switch gears and head out onto the ocean. A boat trip along the coastline awaits us. From the water, the island looks completely different: you can see cliffs, caves, volcanic formations, and small islets where seabirds nest.
We finish with snorkelling in an area with clean, clear water. It's a calm but very beautiful close to the day. By evening, we return to the hotel for dinner.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Takarua Lodge or similar (upgrade to Altiplanico Rapa Nui 4 available for a supplement)*
Day 15. April 13, 2027 (Tuesday). Sunrise at Tongariki and farewell to the island
Early in the morning, we head to the platform of fifteen moai, Ahu Tongariki. This is one of the most unique moments of the entire trip: the sun rises behind the line of moai, gradually lighting up the platform, the ocean, and the volcanic landscape around it. Importantly, we return here not just "once more," but in a completely different state and light. By day, Tongariki impresses with its scale; at dawn, it impresses with its atmosphere.
After the sunrise, we return to the hotel, have breakfast, and pack. Before departure, we leave time for souvenirs, postcards, and a calm farewell to the island.
At midday — transfer to the airport and flight to Santiago. Arrival in the capital late at night, from where you can connect straight onward to fly home.
Meals included: breakfast Accommodation included: none
- Recommended flight to Santiago: Easter Island (IPC) – Santiago (SCL), LATAM flight, departing in the afternoon (around 14:55–16:57), arriving in Santiago late in the evening (flight time ~4.5 hours, accounting for the time difference).
- Recommended international flight: — any flight departing Santiago no earlier than 23:00 on April 13 (allowing for the late arrival from Easter Island); — approximately: Turkish Airlines or Air France flights with a connection in Istanbul or Paris, departing Santiago on the night of April 13 or the morning of April 14, arriving in Moscow via the connection.
Cost includes:
- Domestic flights: Buenos Aires - El Calafate and Puerto Natales - Santiago
- Double occupancy accommodation in hotels listed in the itinerary
- Breakfasts, and select lunches and dinners as mentioned in the program
- Special dinner in a cave
- Drinking water throughout the route
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Private ground transportation throughout the trip:
- A comfortable 14-seat Toyota Hiace minibus for 7–9 participants, or a 19-seat Mercedes Sprinter for 10–14 participants, with A/C and an experienced driver
- All excursions and visits as listed in the itinerary
- Boat trip and glacier walk at Perito Moreno
- National park entry fees
- Eco-taxes and city taxes
- English-speaking local guides at each location
- Russian- and English-speaking team leader/photographer
Cost excludes (additionally paid):
- International airfare to Buenos Aires (Argentina) and from Santiago (Chile)
- International travel medical insurance
- Visas for Chile and Argentina (not required for citizens of Russia and many other countries)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional tours and activities not listed in the program
- Tips and personal expenses
- Optional Iguazú Falls extension (2 nights at Novotel Buenos Aires 4*): 780 USD per person (double accommodation, minimum 2 participants)
To take with:
- 3 sets of clothing (long pants, long-sleeved shirt, t-shirt, underwear, socks, sun hat; synthetic fabrics recommended)
- Comfortable warm trekking shoes + light shoes (e.g. sneakers)
- Warm windproof down jacket
- Lightweight windproof jacket
- Windproof pants
- Fleece or sweater
- Warm hat and sun hat
- Gloves
- Rain poncho
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Personal first aid kit: painkillers, antiseptics, antibiotics, antivirals, multivitamins, rehydration salts, digestive medications, and any personal prescriptions
- Toiletries (including towel, wet wipes, soap)
- Insect repellent for skin and clothing
- Waterproof document pouch
- Photo and video equipment
- Extra batteries and power bank for cameras
- Waterproof camera cover (recommended)
- Large travel backpack or duffel
- Small daypack for personal items
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbings are tested by Mzungu himself, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort. - REASONABLE PRICE
All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.
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