Jason / 40 Your costReply by Tue, Dec 1, 2026Reply by Dec 1, 2026

My 40th in Chile

September 30 to October 6, 2027

Four nights in the Atacama Desert. Easter Island is an optional add-on through October 10.

Please reply by Tuesday, December 1, 2026.

See the destinations Estimate your cost

I'm turning 40 next October, and I'd love to celebrate with you in Chile. Four nights in the Atacama Desert, with volcanoes, salt flats, flamingos, and some incredible night skies. Then I'm heading to Easter Island for anyone who wants to keep going.

I wanted to make this a trip of a lifetime with my closest friends (and Mom!). We'll have time to explore, relax, and be together, with my birthday dinner on our last night in Atacama.

Your days are yours to plan: head out on an adventure, take a long lunch, spend an afternoon doing very little. We'll meet at meals to hear what everyone's been up to.

After Atacama, you can fly home, join me on Easter Island for three more nights, or stay on in South America and keep going on your own. Bring your partner or a friend if you'd like. I know this is a big commitment of time and money, and I understand if you can't make it.

Please let me know by Tuesday, December 1, 2026, if you're coming. I'll use the confirmed headcount to negotiate group pricing and follow up with final rates, deposit information, and payment terms.

I'd love to have you there.

See the destinations Estimate your cost

Atacama Desert

October 1 to 5, 2027 · Four nights

Nayara Alto Atacama

Hotel (opens in a new tab) Activities (opens in a new tab) Instagram (opens in a new tab)

Red rock valleys, lagoons full of flamingos, volcanoes on the horizon. We'll have four nights here, staying at Nayara Alto Atacama and heading out with the hotel's guides to explore.

The hotel is tucked into a valley outside San Pedro de Atacama, in northern Chile. After dark, we can head up to its open-air observatory for stargazing.

See what we can do in Atacama

The red rock walls of the Anfiteatro in Valle de la Luna, close up under a pale sky
Valle de la Luna, a short drive from San Pedro de Atacama.
Flamingos wading in a salt lagoon at sunset with pink volcanoes behind
Flamingos on the Salar de Atacama.
The Milky Way above a tree in the hotel grounds at night
Stargazing at Nayara Alto Atacama.
Ochre and white salt formations of the Cordillera de la Sal with snow-capped Andes volcanoes behind
The salt mountains, with the Andes behind. Photo: AWL Images.

Where we stay

Nayara Alto Atacama: adobe buildings beside a pool reflecting the red cliffs of the Catarpe valley
Nayara Alto Atacama, in the Catarpe valley. Photo: the hotel.
A Catarpe room at Nayara Alto Atacama with a bed facing the terrace and the cliffs
Catarpe room, where we stay.
The pool at Nayara Alto Atacama below red cliffs, with a wooden deck and loungers
The pool.
Nayara Alto Atacama on Instagram (opens in a new tab)
Two walkers crossing the red salt crust at Piedras Rojas, with a pale green lagoon and bare Andean peaks behind
Piedras Rojas, on the full-day lagoons excursion. Photo: AWL Images.

Optional add-on

Rapa Nui

Easter Island

October 6 to 9, 2027 · Three nights

Nayara Hangaroa

Hotel (opens in a new tab) Activities (opens in a new tab) Instagram (opens in a new tab)

For anyone who wants to keep going, I'm heading to Easter Island for three more nights after a night in Santiago. We'll stay at Nayara Hangaroa, right on the coast.

Rapa Nui has its own Polynesian culture and history. We can visit Rano Raraku, the quarry where most of the moai were carved, see the 15 standing beside the ocean at Tongariki, and explore the volcanic crater and ceremonial village at Rano Kau and Orongo with local guides. There's also Anakena beach, and hikes out to parts of the island you can only reach on foot or horseback.

See what we can do on Easter Island

Six moai at Ahu Tongariki, viewed from below against a blue sky.
Ahu Tongariki, 15 moai beside the ocean.
Several moai standing on the grassy slope of the Rano Raraku quarry
Rano Raraku, where most moai were carved.
The green crater lake of Rano Kau above the cliffs and the ocean
Rano Kau crater, with Orongo at the rim.
A moai head in close-up on the slope of Rano Raraku under a blue sky
A moai on the slope of Rano Raraku.

Where we stay

Nayara Hangaroa: low grass-roofed buildings on the lava-rock shore under a blue sky
Nayara Hangaroa, on the shore at Hanga Roa. Photo: the hotel.
A Kainga room at Nayara Hangaroa with a bed and a view through the windows
Kainga room, where we stay.
The pool at Nayara Hangaroa at sunset with palms
The pool at sunset.
Nayara Hangaroa on Instagram (opens in a new tab)
Anakena beach from the hillside, with the ahu and its moai, the palm grove, white sand, and the bay beyond
Anakena beach, on the north coast.

Itinerary

Main trip, September 30 to October 6, 2027

  1. Thursday, September 30Travel

    Fly from the U.S. Overnight travel to Chile.

  2. Friday, October 1Atacama

    Arrive via Santiago and Calama. Transfer to Nayara, settle in, and get together for dinner.

  3. October 2 and 3Atacama

    Choose a guided outing, spend time at the hotel, or do a bit of both.

  4. Monday, October 4Atacama

    Our last full day in Atacama, with my birthday dinner that evening. A day early, while we're all together.

  5. Tuesday, October 5BirthdayTravel

    My 40th! Fly from Calama to Santiago. Connect home overnight, or stay in Santiago if you're coming to Easter Island.

  6. Wednesday, October 6Travel

    Arrive back in the U.S., depending on your flights.

Optional add-on: Easter Island, October 5 to 10

  1. Tuesday, October 5Santiago

    Stay overnight at the Mandarin Oriental or the Ritz-Carlton. Hotel to be decided.

  2. Wednesday, October 6Rapa NuiTravel

    Fly to Rapa Nui. Transfer to Nayara Hangaroa and settle in.

  3. Thursday, October 7Rapa Nui

    Head out with a guide, go for a walk, or spend some time at the beach.

  4. Friday, October 8Rapa Nui

    Another day to explore or relax, then our final dinner together.

  5. Saturday, October 9Rapa NuiTravel

    Fly home from Rapa Nui via Santiago.

  6. Sunday, October 10Travel

    Arrive back in the U.S., depending on your flights.

Note

Flights are not yet confirmed.

Your days, your pace.

Some of you will immediately want to know about the longest hike. Others will want to know what we can see with the least walking. I've looked into both.

There are hikes through canyons, trips out to the lagoons, hot springs, and stargazing. Pick what appeals to you each day. We'll meet back at meals.

Read about altitudeThe hotels' full guides: Atacama excursions (PDF) (opens in a new tab) Easter Island tour book (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

Estimate your cost

Choose your trip and whether you're sharing a room. The estimate is per person, in U.S. dollars.

Where are you joining?
Your room at each hotel
Atacama · Catarpe room · 4 nights

Enter your estimated airfare for your full route, including flights within Chile.

Use the New York example or enter your own full-route estimate.

Estimated total per person

$5,030.00

Atacama · two sharing · New York flight example included.

Cost breakdown, per person
Atacama, 4 nights, two sharing $3,640.00
Hotel total $3,640.00
Flights, full route (JFK example) $1,390.00
Estimated total per person $5,030.00

Add Easter Island

+ $3,601.18

Three nights at Nayara Hangaroa, a night in Santiago, the 15% discount on both Nayara hotels, and the difference in airfare. This preview uses the same room occupancy as your Atacama stay.

What the Easter Island add-on changes, per person
Rapa Nui, 3 nights, two sharing $2,575.50
Combination discount (15%) on both Nayara hotels −$932.32
Santiago night, Oct 5, two sharing $180.00
Extra flights for the longer route (New York example) $1,778.00
Added to your estimate + $3,601.18
Estimated total with Easter Island $8,631.18

Nayara offers a 15% discount when combining properties. Estimates for both destinations include this discount, pending confirmation that it applies to our quoted rates. Single-destination estimates use the current quoted rates.

Personal extras are separate.

Your flight estimate is included in the total when entered. With Easter Island, the estimate also includes the Santiago room. Meals, drinks, and extras in Santiago are separate.

At the Nayara hotels

  • Your room for the selected stay.
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • The included open-bar selection.
  • Daily minibar replenishment.
  • Transfers between the destination airport and hotel.
  • Guided excursions from the included program.
  • Admission tickets for included excursions.

Atacama also includes astronomy, the Puritama Hot Springs excursion, pool and spa-facility access, bicycles for visiting town, and scheduled town transfers.

Other costs

  • Travel insurance.
  • Getting to and from your home airport.
  • Additional hotel nights outside the listed stays.
  • Gratuities.
  • Premium drinks outside the included selection.
  • Massages and spa treatments.
  • Laundry and personal purchases.
  • Activities outside the included excursion program.
  • Room service at Atacama.
  • Meals, drinks, and extras in Santiago on October 5. The room is included in the add-on estimate at $360 per night, split by occupancy.

A few practical details.

Should I book flights now?

I'll confirm the hotels before we book flights.

How do I get there?

Fly to Santiago, then take the two-hour flight to Calama. The hotel picks you up there. From New York, it's an overnight flight to Santiago followed by the connection to Calama.

Do I need a visa?

U.S. passport holders can enter Chile without a visa for up to 90 days.

How cold is it?

Atacama in October has warm days around 22°C (72°F), with nights near freezing. Easter Island is around 20°C (68°F), with wind and occasional rain.

What about altitude?

San Pedro sits at about 2,400 m (7,900 ft). The Andean Lagoons, Tatio Geysers, and Jauna trek are above 4,000 m. The hotel's excursion guide specifies two days of acclimatization for these outings.

What do I pack?

Layers, a warm jacket for desert nights, a hat, sunscreen, walking or hiking shoes, a water bottle, and a swimsuit. Bring a raincoat for Easter Island.

Phones and money?

Chile uses the peso. Cards work at both hotels. Check your mobile plan for roaming in Chile. Signal on Easter Island is patchy.

Are you in?

Reply by

Tuesday, December 1, 2026

  • A yes is a commitment. I'll use the confirmed headcount to negotiate group pricing.
  • Final rates, deposit information, and payment terms will follow.
Joining for
Bringing a partner or friend?
Atacama room
or

Check the box above to confirm. Your reply opens in your email app.

Reply by
Tue, Dec 1, 2026 Your cost