Head to the airport for your flight to Calama, your entryway to the Atacama Desert – the driest place on Earth! Your hotel is located in the heart of San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis in the middle of the desert, guarded by the Andean summits. From here, your time in the Atacama is yours to mold into your ideal experience, with excursions available into the wilds on foot, horseback, bicycle, or via vehicle and plenty to discover in the city as well. The lack of humidity, rain, and light pollution together produce a dusty, rocky landscape full of endless horizons and incredible color. Expanses of salt pans, lush oases, peaks and valleys, and more combine to create a varied, multicolored visual feast. At night, the clear, unpolluted sky provides stunning views of the stars above, and is considered one of the best places in the world for astronomical research. The air is so dry here that none of the mountains have glaciers, with only the highest peaks (over 20k feet high) even having permanent snow cap coverage. This unique environment has produced some incredible wildlife, with flora and fauna uniquely adapted to withstand the extreme conditions of their surroundings. While exploring, keep an eye out for cactus species that can tower over 20 feet above with a 28” diameter, as well as a colorful array of lizards and avian life, including the Humboldt Penguin and Andean Flamingos. Within walking distance of the hotel, you can visit the church and the archaeological museum, indulge in local restaurants and shopping, or simply take a peaceful stroll through the ancient streets, once constructed by the Incas. After discovering the town, relish in the silence of a late afternoon in the desert, relax with a massage using natural elements from the area or cozy up next to the fireplace. NOI CASA ATACAMA.

Fly to Puerto Montt and transfer to your hotel in Puerto Varas, situated on the southwest border of gorgeous Lake Llanquihue. Here you will be surrounded by quaint German colonial architecture and gardens with the volcanoes of Calbuco and Osorno gracing the horizon. Bright and early the next morning, head to Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, the oldest park in Chile and home to several natural wonders, including the Osorno Volcano, where you’ll have the option (at additional cost) to take a chairlift to almost 6,000 feet for spectacular views of the surrounding area. A short hike farther is Petrohue Falls, a glittering, mint green river waterfall with a series of channels created by volcanic eruptions. After lunch, set out to tour Frutillar on the shore of Lake Llanquihue, a beautiful village that recalls old Bavaria, for a walk among its historic houses and gardens. Later, experience the Teatro del Lago (Lake Theatre) on the lake shore, home of the annual Frutillar Musical Week, a Summer Festival featuring classic music from Chile and abroad. Wrap up your day with a stop at the German Colonial Museum to learn about the first German settlers and the legacy that is still clearly evident in the Chile of today. HOTEL CUMBRES PUERTO VARAS.

Head out this morning on a serene ferry crossing of the channel, headed toward Chiloe Island. Keep an eye out for sea lions, pelicans, and dolphins. On the island, visit San Antonio de Chacao, a colorful village founded in 1567 as a fortress and embrace the charm of the island from a viewpoint on Hualaihuen hill. The Island is also known for its iconic mythical figures and legends, including reports of the ghost-ship Caleuche, said to be manned by drowned sailors, spotted on the waves in stormy weather. Continue on a rural road to Caulin, famous for its oyster farms, and through Ancud to Puñihuil, a small fishing village with a beautiful beach, where you find Magellanic and Humboldt penguins, as well as a wide variety of birds and mammals spread over the four islets. The area has been declared a Natural Monument and is one of the few places on the Southern Pacific Coast where these birds nest. You’ll get a chance to get as close possible to the animals without disturbing them by approaching the colonies on board Zodiac boats (weather permitting), all under the watchful eye of expert guides. HOTEL CUMBRES PUERTO VARAS.

Fly to Punta Arenas, and transfer to the luxurious Patagonia Camp. Activities here include a variety of expeditions to discover the breathtaking offerings of Patagonia, via guided trekking, hikes, kayaking, cruises, and more. Discover the vast and varied landscape of the region, as well as its singular natural history as you explore steppe-like plains, mountain vistas, ocean views, riverfronts, grasslands, and more. Torres del Paine, declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, has a wide variety of wildlife, including over 100 species of birds such as the Andean Condor, Buzzard Eagle and Chilean Flamingo, and guanaco, Puma, Chilla Fox and Guemal roam the Patagonian Steppes. PATAGONIA CAMP.

Fly back to Santiago for the final leg of your journey and enjoy your farewell dinner for an opportunity to reminisce about your adventure with your fellow travelers. Next day, it’s time to return to the USA with indelible memories of this most fascinating land.

The mystery and allure of Easter Islands have haunted the imagination of mankind for generations. Giant stone heads facing the waters throughout the Islands have captivated explorers and mystified archaeologists. Discover the beauty of this region, from the ceremonial villages of Orongo, to the quarries of Rano Raraku. Lava tubes, crater lakes, petroglyphs, caves, and of course, stone heads, all make this a destination you have to experience to believe.