Chile : Santiago + Atacama Desert suggestions
 

Considering a one-week trip from the NYC area to Chile in the month of February (I know, it's too short, but it's the best we can do, due to work demands...)

I have always wanted to explore the Atacama desert. Here is the proposed itinerary:

Friday - overnight flight JFK/SCL
Saturday - morning arrival Santiago; 1 night in Santiago
Sunday - morning flight to San Pedro De Atacama for 5 nights
Monday - Atacama
Tuesday - Atacama
Wednesday - Atacama
Thursday - Atacama
Friday - morning Atacama; afternoon return to Santiago for 1 night
Saturday - day in Santiago; overnight flight SCL/LIM/JFK
Sunday - morning arrival JFK

We are looking for a good, moderate hotel in Santiago, along with one or two sightseeing and restaurant recommendations. We are hoping to stay at the Explora in Atacama (where everything is included).

Feedback, thoughts? Are we crazy?

Thanks. "Alles Gut!"

Can't comment about Atacama but here's a link to a moderately priced hotel we stayed in in Santiago in the Providencia neighbourhood - best to ask for a room on the back as the main street is busy

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...-Santiago.html

Re restaurants - it's been a few years since we were in Santiago but we really enjoyed Astrid and Gaston (which is easy walking distance from La Fayette Suites)

The Explora is a good option in San Pedro as their excursions are very good and included. It is a bit outside the actual town though, if that matters to you. The days in February will be very hot (sunscreen, hat, dark glasses) but nights in the desert are cold.
There is a new restaurant in Providencia which you might like to try called Robinsonia. The majority of the ingredients (fish, lobster) are brought directly from Isla Juan Fernandez (aka Robinson Crusoe Island). They have a Perol de langosta, a lobster stew/soup, which is excellent. There is a bar downstairs if you just want to go for a drink.
Some restaurants close for the first half of February as so many people are on holiday. Since it is high season, you would want to book the hotel and flights to Calama now.

Sorry. Forgot the link:
http://www.robinsonia.cl/robinsonia.swf

ttt