Self-Launched Santiago & Easter Island Adventure (7 Days)
7 days · Santiago & Easter Island, Chile
HI Travel South America charges £710
No-markup version: ~£360 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the operator markup and plan this iconic Santiago-to-Easter-Island adventure yourself. This self-launched version follows the same 7-day route — city biking in Santiago, two days of archaeological tours on Easter Island, and a return to the Chilean capital — but books everything independently for a fraction of the price. Flights between Santiago and Easter Island are not included (as with the original tour), and the $80 Easter Island park entrance fee should be budgeted separately. All costs are approximate estimates based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Santiago
Santiago
Fly into Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL). Take the Centropuerto or Turbus airport bus to the city centre for around £2–3 (much cheaper than a private transfer). Check into your hostel in Barrio Italia or Providencia, grab a bite at a local fuente de soda, and get your bearings. Today is a rest and orientation day — Santiago is a big, energetic city so take it slow.
🚌Airport bus (Centropuerto/Turbus) from SCL to city centre, ~£2–3
🛏Hostal Providencia or similar (e.g. La Casa Roja, Hostal Forestal) — dorm ~£15/night, private ~£30/night
- →Airport bus to city centre (Centropuerto or Turbus, ~£2–3)
- →Check in to budget hostel in Providencia or Barrio Italia
- →Evening stroll around Barrio Lastarria or Plaza Baquedano
Explore Santiago by Bike & on Foot
Santiago
Join the same Santiago Bike Tour that the original operator uses — it departs at 9:30am and is bookable directly or via GetYourGuide. The tour covers Bellavista, La Chascona (Pablo Neruda's house), Metropolitan Park, Patronato, La Vega Market, Mapocho Station, Central Market, Plaza de Armas, Bellas Artes Museum, and Forestal Park. After the tour, spend the afternoon exploring independently. Entry to most outdoor landmarks is free; La Chascona charges around £8.
🚌Bike tour is self-guided within the city; use the Santiago Metro (£0.80/journey) for any additional travel
🛏Same hostel as Day 1
- →Santiago Bike Tour (book via GetYourGuide or directly with Santiago Bike, ~£20–25)
- →Visit La Chascona — Pablo Neruda's house (~£8 entry)
- →Wander La Vega Market and grab a cheap lunch (~£4–6)
- →Explore Plaza de Armas and Bellas Artes Museum (free entry)
Santiago to Easter Island (Hanga Roa)
Santiago → Hanga Roa, Easter Island
Fly from SCL to Mataveri International Airport (IPC) in Hanga Roa, Easter Island. LATAM Airlines operates the only regular route; book well in advance for the best prices (typically £200–400 return, not included in this itinerary cost estimate). On arrival, your guesthouse may offer a free or low-cost pick-up — confirm in advance. Spend the afternoon settling in and walking along the Hanga Roa waterfront. Grab dinner at one of the town's local restaurants.
🚌Flight SCL–IPC with LATAM Airlines (book independently, ~£200–400 return — NOT included in daily cost estimate below); local taxi or guesthouse transfer on arrival ~£5–8
🛏Kona Tau Hostel or Tupa Hotel (budget guesthouse), Hanga Roa — ~£20–35/night
- →Fly Santiago (SCL) to Easter Island (IPC) — book with LATAM Airlines (not included in cost estimate)
- →Arrival transfer or taxi to guesthouse in Hanga Roa (~£5–8)
- →Afternoon walk along the Hanga Roa seafront and visit Ahu Tahai moai at sunset (free)
Easter Island: Rano Kau, Orongo & Ahu Akivi
Easter Island
Purchase your Rapa Nui National Park pass ($80 USD / ~£63) at the park office — this covers all archaeological sites and is valid for your full stay. In the morning, join a half-day guided tour to the Vinapu archaeological sector, Rano Kau volcano, and the ceremonial village of Orongo. In the afternoon, take another half-day tour to Ahu Akivi (the only moai facing the sea), Uri to Urenga, and Puna Pau red crater. Tours can be booked locally in Hanga Roa or via GetYourGuide.
🚌Tours include transport; alternatively rent a bicycle (~£10/day) or scooter (~£30/day) to explore independently
🛏Kona Tau Hostel or similar guesthouse
- →Purchase Rapa Nui National Park pass (~£63/person — budget this separately)
- →Morning half-day tour: Vinapu, Rano Kau volcano & Orongo village (book locally or via GetYourGuide, ~£25–35)
- →Afternoon half-day tour: Ahu Akivi, Uri to Urenga & Puna Pau crater (~£25–35)
- →Evening dinner in Hanga Roa town
Easter Island: Full Moai Route
Easter Island
A full-day tour following the iconic moai route — the highlight of any Easter Island visit. Visit Ahu Akahanga (fallen moai), Rano Raraku volcano (the quarry where the moai were carved), the magnificent 15-moai platform of Ahu Tongariki, mysterious Te Pito Kura (the navel of the world), and end at the stunning white sands of Anakena Beach for a swim. Book a full-day guided tour locally in Hanga Roa or via GetYourGuide. Lunch is typically included with guided tours.
🚌Included in full-day tour; tour departs from Hanga Roa town centre
🛏Kona Tau Hostel or similar guesthouse
- →Full-day moai route guided tour: Ahu Akahanga, Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki, Te Pito Kura & Anakena Beach (book locally or via GetYourGuide, ~£50–65 including lunch)
- →Swim at Anakena white sand beach
- →Sunset drinks back in Hanga Roa
Hanga Roa to Santiago
Hanga Roa → Santiago
Check out of your guesthouse and take a taxi or guesthouse transfer to Mataveri Airport (IPC) for your return flight to Santiago (~5 hours flight). On arrival at SCL, take the Centropuerto or Turbus bus back into the city. Check back into a hostel in Providencia or the city centre. Spend the evening in the lively Barrio Italia or Lastarria — try a pisco sour at a local bar.
🚌Taxi to IPC airport (~£5–8); LATAM flight IPC–SCL (booked as part of return ticket — NOT in daily cost estimate); Centropuerto/Turbus bus from SCL to city centre (~£2–3)
🛏Hostal Providencia or similar budget hostel in Providencia/city centre — dorm ~£15, private ~£30
- →Return flight Easter Island (IPC) to Santiago (SCL) — book with LATAM Airlines
- →Airport bus back to city centre (~£2–3)
- →Evening in Barrio Italia or Lastarria — dinner and pisco sours
Final Day in Santiago
Santiago
Your last day in Chile — make the most of it. Visit the hilltop neighbourhood of Cerro San Cristóbal in Metropolitan Park for panoramic city views (funicular ~£2), browse San Telmo or Pueblito Los Dominicos artisan markets, or revisit a favourite neighbourhood. If departing, head to the airport via the Centropuerto or Turbus bus. Airport departure transfer is NOT included in the original tour either, so budget ~£2–3 for the public bus or £15–20 for a taxi/Uber.
🚌Centropuerto/Turbus bus to SCL airport (~£2–3) or Uber (~£12–18)
🛏Check out — no accommodation needed unless extending stay
- →Morning visit to Cerro San Cristóbal / Metropolitan Park (funicular ~£2)
- →Browse Pueblito Los Dominicos artisan craft market (free entry)
- →Farewell lunch at Mercado Central (seafood market) — budget ~£10–15
- →Airport transfer by public bus (Centropuerto/Turbus ~£2–3) or Uber (~£12–18)
Self-launched vs. HI Travel South America
| This itinerary (self-launched) | HI Travel South America | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£360 | £710 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £350 per person (49%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more HI Travel South America-style trips? Check them out here.~£360
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Santiago & Easter Island Adventure (7 Days) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £360 per person for 7 days in Santiago & Easter Island, Chile. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with HI Travel South America?+
Yes — HI Travel South America charges around £710 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £360 — a saving of roughly £350 (49%) per person.
How long is the Santiago & Easter Island, Chile trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Santiago & Easter Island, Chile.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, backpacker trip through Santiago & Easter Island, Chile, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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