Easter Island and Chile

For a first trip to Chile, we arrive in Santiago on the 25th of December,
and are set to go to Easter Island on the 26th morning, and return on the
28th afternoon.

First question - is this laughably short, or reasonable time to see major
landmarks in the context of a two week vacation.

Then, we want to go down to Patagonia - we are back in Santiago on the 28th
afternoon, and leave there to New York again on the 8th of January. What is
beautiful and doable???

Many thanks

REG wrote:
> For a first trip to Chile, we arrive in Santiago on the 25th of December,
> and are set to go to Easter Island on the 26th morning, and return on the
> 28th afternoon.
>
> First question - is this laughably short, or reasonable time to see major
> landmarks in the context of a two week vacation.
>
> Then, we want to go down to Patagonia - we are back in Santiago on the 28th
> afternoon, and leave there to New York again on the 8th of January. What is
> beautiful and doable???
>
> Many thanks

how many days will you spend flying and in airports ?

In article <IynPg.487$DQ3.295@news-wrt-01.rdc-nyc.>, REG
<Richergar@m> writes
>For a first trip to Chile, we arrive in Santiago on the 25th of December,
>and are set to go to Easter Island on the 26th morning, and return on the
>28th afternoon.
>
>First question - is this laughably short, or reasonable time to see major
>landmarks in the context of a two week vacation.

It will be on the short side, but if you rent a jeep there then you can
do the moai sites in one day and climb on the Orongo crater on the
morning you leave or on the first afternoon there (you gain some time as
you are flying west).

>
>Then, we want to go down to Patagonia - we are back in Santiago on the 28th
>afternoon, and leave there to New York again on the 8th of January. What is
>beautiful and doable???

To fly to Patagonia means to fly to Punta Arenas (where there's nothing)
and then take a small aircraft to Puerto Natales or go there by bus. I
think your first week will be spent a lot in planes and airports
especially if you have booked Easter Island, so I would take the bus to
Puerto Natales. Once in Puerto Natales there's lots to do and you will
have no problems filling in your time, especially if you go across to
Argentina to Calafate. But I would spend 28 Dec to 5 Jan in that area.
Then

6 -Punta Arenas
7 - Santiago
8 - NYC

--
JohnM

In article <450f994d@news.vo.lu>, WAS <suyswill@nopt.lu> writes
>Nothing in Punta Arenas?? And what about the pinguins, Fuerte Bulnes, the
>remarquable cemetery...?

The penguins is the only 'sight' as such I would count in or _around_,
as is this case, Punta Arenas, but look below how many more lines you
spent on Puerto Natales :-)

>
>Being in Puerto Natales I strongly suggest to spend at least one day for a
>visit in the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine.
>
>The best way is to rent a car and drive to Puerto Natales. From Punta
>Arenas you can take the (dirt) road to Rio Verde with beautifull views on
>the Isla Riesco (There's even a good hosteria in Rio Verde) and join into
>the main road in Villa Tehuelches. In Puerto Natales don't miss the
>excursion on the Balmaceda Glacier and a visit to the Milodon cave. By the
>way, the Hotel Costa Australis worked out to be a good choice.
>

And, as I said, he can also drive across to Calafate.

>Enjoy your trip - WAS

--
JohnM

In article <451247e7$1@news.vo.lu>, WAS <suyswill@nopt.lu> writes
>Ok John,
>
>Some people don't love Punta Arenas and the surroundings other do, so
>e -:), did you go to Cabo San Isdro, the Laguna Parrilar, have a walk in
>the Reserva Forestal Magallanes o even spend an afternoon with the fishermen
>in Puerto Hambre?
>Very often our views on things and places are influenced by personal and
>human experiences and even if our opinions are different they might be
>interesting for other people. You surely won't understand that we've been 4
>times in Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, the Parque Torres del Paine, and two
>times in Calafate and Chalten, with the backgound of his history and his
>scenic beauties Patagonia is for us one of the most fascinating regions in
>the world
>

But hand on heart, how long did you stay in Punta Arenas on your first
visit to Patagonia compared to Puerto Natales/Calafate and environs?

I actually stayed in PA for 2 nights, but wasn't that impressed. I made
my way quickly to Tierra del Fuego. And I had 5 weeks not two.

These guys only have around 7 days in Patagonia so I thought PA is not
the place to spend their time.

>I aggree with the Calafate suggestion, although the roudtrip would be around
>720 km departing from Puerto Natales. So in order to make the most of it, it
>would be good to spent a night in Calafate.

Oh, yeah, certainly.

--
JohnM