Chile during Easter week?
Jun 29th, 2013, 12:51 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chile during Easter week?
My husband and I will be traveling to Chile during Easter week 2014. Will we have any problem with hotels or restaurants closing or difficulty hiring guides during that time?
We are starting in Santiago, then moving on to Colchagua and Maipo Valleys, a few days in Mendoza, several in the Atacama, and ending with 4 days in Easter Island. We are planning to do this w/o a car so guides are a must. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
We are starting in Santiago, then moving on to Colchagua and Maipo Valleys, a few days in Mendoza, several in the Atacama, and ending with 4 days in Easter Island. We are planning to do this w/o a car so guides are a must. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Jun 30th, 2013, 04:32 AM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Which of the places you mention will you be on Easter weekend? Easter is considered a long weekend (Thur/Fri/Sat/Sun) by most people here and they travel, either within the country or abroad. That means transport is booked far ahead. Museums will have varying schedules on the weekend though all will be closed on Friday and most on Sunday. They are always closed on Mondays. You will find similar closures with vineyards. Easter island is more laid back and you shouldn't have any problem there.
If you are thinking of crossing by land to Mendoza, be warned that the pass can close at any time due to bad weather at altitude. Summer is the best time to cross, although a closure is not unknown even in summer. So you need to fly or build in extra time into your itinerary.
Tours from San Pedro de Atacama, guessing that is your destination in the Atacama desert, are easy to arrange and will be running every day. On Easter weekend there will be a lot of local visitors.
There are good walking tours of Santiago, a hop on/hop off bus and private guides.
Transport in the Colchagua and Maipo valleys is more complicated and a car is good to see the surrounding areas, but tours are available for the vineyards.
If you are thinking of crossing by land to Mendoza, be warned that the pass can close at any time due to bad weather at altitude. Summer is the best time to cross, although a closure is not unknown even in summer. So you need to fly or build in extra time into your itinerary.
Tours from San Pedro de Atacama, guessing that is your destination in the Atacama desert, are easy to arrange and will be running every day. On Easter weekend there will be a lot of local visitors.
There are good walking tours of Santiago, a hop on/hop off bus and private guides.
Transport in the Colchagua and Maipo valleys is more complicated and a car is good to see the surrounding areas, but tours are available for the vineyards.
Jul 2nd, 2013, 10:49 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, Huentetu.. we were thinking of "saving E I until the end of our trip, but maybe going there first would be better. I was thinking, however, that there might be some moving religious experiences during the Easter week in Santiago. We were in Greece, a few years ago at this time, and there were some wonderful processions and customs which we enjoyed very much. Do you know anything about those -- Good Friday processions or the like?
Also, thanks for the weather hint when taking the Bus to Mendoza. Would there be much danger in waiting 'til the actual day to decide whether bus or fly? to This would be mid to late April.
Have you any opinions on winery visits? We're thinking Colchagua Valley plus one other region, with an over night stay in each. We are red wine lovers, and have sampled so many Chilean wines right here at home so perhaps, visits to smaller wineries with not so great a U.S. distribution might be in order. Hope this isn't too many questions... I'm just starting to plan and the information is overwhelming!! Really looking forward to it all!
Also, thanks for the weather hint when taking the Bus to Mendoza. Would there be much danger in waiting 'til the actual day to decide whether bus or fly? to This would be mid to late April.
Have you any opinions on winery visits? We're thinking Colchagua Valley plus one other region, with an over night stay in each. We are red wine lovers, and have sampled so many Chilean wines right here at home so perhaps, visits to smaller wineries with not so great a U.S. distribution might be in order. Hope this isn't too many questions... I'm just starting to plan and the information is overwhelming!! Really looking forward to it all!
Jul 3rd, 2013, 03:57 AM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Although there are religious services for Easter in Santiago, it isn't like some places with pageantry and processions. The closest would be the burning of a large "Judas" in Valparaíso. There are some interesting religious customs at other times of year in various parts of the country. In central Chile the celebration of Cuasimodo the Sunday after Easter is one.
A plane ticket bought the same day to fly to Mendoza would be extremely expensive and you might not find a seat on a bus. The danger is that the road can close and stop you going but it can also close and stop you returning from Mendoza. The only safe option is to book a flight in advance and fly. Remember that if you hold a US, Canadian or Australian passport, you must pay a reciprocity fee of US$160 (might rise before next year) per person online before you travel to Argentina.
The Colchagua valley is interesting for the vineyards but also for the surrounding area. It also offers the widest range of lodging.
A plane ticket bought the same day to fly to Mendoza would be extremely expensive and you might not find a seat on a bus. The danger is that the road can close and stop you going but it can also close and stop you returning from Mendoza. The only safe option is to book a flight in advance and fly. Remember that if you hold a US, Canadian or Australian passport, you must pay a reciprocity fee of US$160 (might rise before next year) per person online before you travel to Argentina.
The Colchagua valley is interesting for the vineyards but also for the surrounding area. It also offers the widest range of lodging.
Jul 6th, 2013, 10:40 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So glad to get your helpful suggestions. Looks like EI during the holiday weekend will be the best bet, as you suggested. Then off to Atacama for four days, before returning to Santiago to arrange a few tours of vineyards close by. Also considering renting a car for a few days, to end the trip with an exploration of further flung vineyards, (Colchaqua Valley for sure) . We do love our wine, and are already fans of the very popular Chilean imports we can buy at our local grocery stores. That wasn't possible until a few years ago! Thanks again for your suggestions, and any others you might care to throw in.
Jul 20th, 2013, 07:58 PM
#6
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are able to and it'd work with your planning, try to hit Valle de la Luna (I guess you're going to San Pedro de Atacama, right?) at full moon! It's not without reason it's called "moon valley"! =)
Jul 27th, 2013, 10:33 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the kind suggestion --full moon over Atacama--, NanuePara. Unfortunately, we're there two weeks later, which will make for a much skinnier version---plan to enjoy it all nevertheless . Any other suggestions for the area more than welcome.
