CHILE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE June30-July4/ Ext. July 4-8 2019 ITINERARY
Chile Total Solar Eclipse 2019 Travel through central and northern Chile, to chase a total solar eclipse at a private hilltop observatory, deep in the Atacama Desert. This is a once in a lifetime experience, lead with astronomer Bob Berman. Day 1 June 30th If you are arriving this day, when your flight lands we will greet you at the Santiago Airport and transport you to the Mercure Hotel in the heart of the city, where you may rest and freshen up. Guests who choose to arrive one day early on June 29th will have the option of taking an included tour to the Teleférico de Santiago, a cross city gondola which brings guests to the summit of San Cristobal Hill. In the afternoon, we will depart for a walking tour around the historic city center, ultimately ending with a sumptuous dinner at the Donde Augusto restaurant in the grand Mercado Central.
Day 2 July 1st After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for a short flight to the port city of La Serena. After lunch by the seaside in La Serena, we will drive deep into the Atacama Desert, and up to 8,000 ft where we will have a private tour of the Las Campanas Observatory. Las Campanas does not regularly offer tours to the public, but our group will gain exclusive, special access to the facilities due to our personal relationship with Astronomer Bob Berman and the observatory's director and staff. It is the primary astronomical research facility for the Carnegie Institution. The private tour we receive usually includes meeting one or more world renowned researchers, and touring the telescopes that continue to make global headlines. We will also witness the ongoing construction of what is soon to be the world's largest new telescope. Upon departing Las Campanas, we will meander through the Andes to Pisco Elqui, a charming village in a green Andean valley, where we will settle in for a three-night stay. Along our journey to Pisco Elqui, Bob will offer fun and interesting "mini lectures." This night we will be treated to a gourmet barbecue at our hotel, El Tesoro del Elqui.
Day 43 March, July 2nd 11th Guests can sleep in and enjoy a leisurely Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and morning return in to town. Fairbanks. Along the way, we will stop briefly at the Alaskan Pipeline, a great architectural feat in the harshest of climates. In the afternoon we will head into the desert hills to the Pangue Observatory, Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: privately reserved for our group for both Bob Berman s major illustrated presentation Light the Eclipse and celestial viewing and Color in the Universe. afterwards. Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, In the we will event charter of clouds a coach on to transport eclipse day, our group the to location a special of remote this observatory location, in an improves attempt to our experience the impressive aurora lights! chances of seeing the eclipse. Clouds in this region tend to stay lower in the sky, so being at the high vantage point of this observatory gives us a greater chance of seeing the sun over them. After sunset we will hop to a nearby lodge for dinner, and then return to enjoy the gems of the southern sky. At the Pangue observatory, three large and modern telescopes are ours for the night, operated by professional astronomers at our disposal. Bob will kick off the night atop the mountain with humor & factual exploration of the exciting southern heavens.
Day 4 March, July 3rd 11th Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will stop of leisure. briefly at the You Alaskan can rest Pipeline, up a after great our architectural feat in the harshest of climates. Our final full day in this region is one night at the observatory, explore the village streets, and shop in the Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: Bob picturesque Berman s major village illustrated center. presentation In the Light and Color in the Universe. afternoon we will enjoy the fruits of the region with a premium wine tour Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, at we Cavas will charter del Valle. a coach to transport our group to a special remote location, in an attempt to experience the impressive aurora lights! In the evening we will gather for a farewell dinner in one of the favorite restaurants in town. Day 5 July 4th After a final breakfast in Pisco Elqui, we will journey down the valley to the beautiful Elqui Valley Dam. Our tour of this region concludes with a transfer to the La Serena airport, where we will embark on our group return flight to Santiago. Those who choose so will continue on with our group on our extension to San Pedro de Atacama.
San Day Pedro 4 de Atacama Extension March, 11th Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will stop Upon briefly at the Alaskan group s Pipeline, return a great to architectural feat in the harshest of climates. Santiago, instead of returning home, fly north with us for an all-inclusive, luxurious, Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: Bob Berman s major illustrated presentation Light and Color in the Universe. Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, we will charter a coach to transport our group 4 night extension to the to a special remote location, in an attempt to experience the impressive aurora lights! incredible region of San Pedro de Atacama. Ext Day 1 July 4th Upon arriving at Calama airport, private vans will transport the group to the all-inclusive Alto Atacama Lodge and Spa. At Alto, all meals, excursions and alcoholic beverages (from 11am-11:30pm), are included for our group. We have arranged for some excursions to be operated for our group as a whole, and guests will also have free time to choose their own excursions.
Day 4 March, 11th Alto is an ideal hotel for Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena and astronomy return to Fairbanks. enthusiasts. Along the way, It we is 4 will stop kilmoters briefly at the from Alaskan town, Pipeline, is nestled a great architectural feat in the harshest of climates. under cliffs that block residual lights from town, and has Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: Bob telescopes Berman s major on illustrated site. presentation This first Light and Color in the Universe. night we will gather as a group around their observing platform Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, we will charter a coach to transport our group and enjoy a night sky lecture to a special remote location, in an attempt to experience the impressive from Bob. aurora lights! Ext Day 2 July 5th San Pedro is a dream-like town surrounded by volcanoes in the middle of the Northern Atacama Desert. The first day in this region will be full of exploring the vast desert landscape. First we will visit the Lago Chaxa, a salt lake home to flamingos. After a lunch break at the hotel, we will tour the surreal Valley of the Moon.
Ext Days 3 & 4 Day 4 July 6th & 7th March, 11th The next two days are yours to Once aboard our coach bus, we will depart Chena spend as you please. You can and return to Fairbanks. Along the way, we will stop choose briefly from at the Alto's Alaskan extensive Pipeline, a great list of architectural feat in the harshest of climates. full and half day excursions and hikes, such as a full day adventure Late afternoon will bring a brilliant tour highlight: Bob Berman s out to major the Tatio illustrated Geysers. presentation Or Light and Color in the Universe. "stay in" and relax in the hotel's spa and pools. You can also use the Come evening, assuming weather conditions prove fair, hotel's we will charter shuttle a coach service to transport to explore our group to and a special shop remote in the location, town in of an San attempt Pedro. to experience the impressive aurora lights! On the night of July 6th we will have a second private southern sky observation session at the hotel. We will wrap up the trip with a final group dinner at the hotel on the evening of the 7th, our final night in San Pedro. Ext Day 5 July 8th After breakfast we will be transported to Calama for our group flight to Santiago, where we will say our goodbyes and part ways for the international flights home.
Included in Tour Price 4 Nights Accomodation Flights from Santiago-La Serena & La Serena-Santiago All ground transfers in Chile during tour dates Bob Berman s astronomy lectures Private tour at Las Campanas Observatory Private afternoon and night at the El Pangue Observatory Vineyard Tour & Wine Tasting Santiago Walking Tour Transportation and entrance to Teleférico de Santiago (Gondola Tour) Drive through the Atacama Desert, the driest place on earth 4 Breakfasts 1 Lunch 4 Dinners Not Included in Tour Price Round-trip international airfare to/from Santiago, Chile Meals that are not included above Items of a personal nature Travel Insurance is available for purchase Total Cost of Tour 5 Day Tour to Chile : $5,870 double occupancy Single supplement $856 Per person, deposit at registration: $500 Final payment due February 15, 2019 After February 15th, 2019 registrations can be accepted on a case by case basis, per availability.
Included in Extension Price Round-Trip Airfare, Santiago-Calama 4 Nights Accommodation. American Buffet breakfast. Lunch & Dinner a la carte (Starter, Main Course and Dessert), as well as alcoholic & non alcoholic drinks. Daily Excursions offered from 3:00 PM on arrival day until 1:00 PM on departure day: 1 full day excursion or 2 half day excursions per person, per day 2 Nights Southern Sky Observing Session with Bob Berman (conditions permitting). Transfer Calama Airport / Alto Atacama / Calama Airport Transfer hotel / San Pedro de Atacama / hotel from 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM Access to SPA (sauna, steam room, hydro massage shower, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi, pools). Free use of mountain bikes. Open bar from 11 am to 11:30 pm. Afterwards, charges are applied. Not Included in Extension Price Premium wines SPA treatments and massages Telephone calls Laundry service Tips at the hotel Items of a personal nature Travel Insurance is available for purchase Total Cost of Tour 5 Day Tour Extension to San Pedro Room Options: Suite Tilo: $4,106, per person, double occupancy, $899, Single Supplement -The widest room with an additional exterior shower and private terrace Catarpe: $3,850, per person, double occupancy, $876, Single Supplment - The medium sized room with a semi-private terrace Quitor: $3,582, per person, double occupancy $792, Single Supplement -These guestrooms are the closest to the Club House and have a terrace Final payment due February 15, 2019
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