Nov 2007 trip to Chile
 

I just booked a ticket to SCL for this Nov. Now the fun begins with the planning! :)
I'll be there from 11/10-11/27 and wondering if there's some recommended itineraries.
First, I'm debating whether I should go to Easter Island or not. Seems like a one way flight is $309 (using the south american pass) - with 3 legs minimum, that'll be at a minimum of USD$700! Is there a cheaper option for Easter Island?

Easier to do would be Pucon area. maybe an overnight bus there and spend a few days.

For sure, I will spend some days in Santiago area, maybe visit Maipo Valley (Is this recommended if I've been to Mendoza, AR before?) and Valparaiso area (is it too cold in nov?)

Another possibility is to rent a car and drive around. Is this a feasible option? 2 of us are going to be there for the whole duration, another 2 people are coming from 11/14-11/27. so it would be nice if I can do something for the first few days totally separate than the rest of the trip (that's why Easter Island sounded good). Maybe the desert up north??

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

It would be difficult to find a flight cheaper than 700 dollars to Easter Island.It is well worth doing if you have a minimum of 3 days to spend there and, preferably 5 or more. It is a five hour flight.
You could also visit the lake district or the northern desert. It really depends on your interests. The Cajón del Maipo is a good spot for outdoor activities. There are some vineyards at the start of the valley. There are more vineyards concentrated in the Casablanca and Colchagua valleys.
November is Spring and the weather should be warm.
It is best to rent a car to explore an area rather than use one to travel from area to area as distances are great in Chile. You don't need, or want, to drive in Santiago.

Hi dmk,

Unfort there's no other option to go from SCL - IPC, in fact $700 it's a good deal (I searched thru Chilean LAn website and it's $1,200 RT. IF I WERE YOU I WOULD GO TO EASTER ISLAND, NO CONTEST!

Atacama Desert it's a good option too. It depends on what do you enjoy doing... or even you could fly Punta Arenas and going to Patagonia.

November it's not cold... remember we are in spring time.

Rent a car it's a good option I would recommend you to take a route map w/ you (I sometimes get lost here!). Interurban bus system here it's pretty good though. Also there are last minute offers for flying LAN (Aerolineas del Sur and Skyairlines are cheap too).

I was in Santiago some years ago in December and had brilliant weather. Take a bus ride (one hour) to nearby Valparaiso which is a great city to walk around (has a small museum).

I would pay $100 to go to Easter Island but not a cent more. It's an island with some large stone heads on. OK, you've paid $700 to get there and you see the heads which are the same as in a million photos. After you've spent twenty minutes looking at them and photographing them and are now a bit bored already, it may seem like an awful waste of money. I'm sure you can find something better to do with $700?

Use the subway for getting around in Santiago. It has a history museum, a railway museum, two art galleries and a cable car. The central area is easy to walk around.

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions!

Although it's interesting... couldn't be more opposite opinions on the Easter Island destination :)

I think I'm semi-decided that I should save the Easter Island if (when) I do my RTW ticket someday.

I'll definitely spend some time in Santiago area (go to beach in Valparaiso and wineries in Maipo area).
Then to the Lakes area for a few days.
Then to the Patagonia.

There are mentions of taking the navimag ferry from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas. Anyone experienced this before? Is it worth the 4 days to take the ferry or should I just fly there instead?