Santiago and Easter Island

[oneworldonetraveller]

Hi

Looking at doing South America later on in the year. At the moment planning to fly out late June to Santiago. Catch a flight to Easter Island and then back to Santiago to wait for a the start of a trip through South America.

The question is how long to spend at each?

Planning to arrive in Santiago 25th June and the trip doesn't start until 21st July. So I have about 4 weeks to occupy before then. I know that flights to Easter Island are limited so I will have to fit in with them.

I can get a flight out to Easter Island on the 26th and I know there is a flight back on the 14th July (or one a week earlier) Its all small island and chances are I'll only ever go there once so is it worth spending all that time there?

Is it really worth do a guided tour, or worth spending a bit of extra time there and really doing the island properly.

Also if anyone knows of any decent hotels/hostels on Easter Island or in Santiago for one person...

Thanks in advance

R

[TheJake]

i think the only guy on the boards who has been down through there and been to easter island is in Africa right now. Hopefully he sees this when he gets back.

[oneworldonetraveller]

Cheers!

Oh well I've booked it now...got 2 weeks out there. Longer than most people seem to do, but means I can be super chilled at seeing the island.

That leaves me with 10 days before the start of my trip so am currently looking at going into Argentina.

R

[florencia9699]

Do!! And you'll find Argentina to be much cheaper than Chile. If you got any questions on Argentina, just ask away!! For info on Buenos Aires search the boards as I already posted lots and lots on my city!

[oneworldonetraveller]

Cheers florencia9699

Was looking at the Mendoza. Perhaps to bag me some wine and steaks
From what I gather its about 6 odd hours on the bus but its possible the pass may be closed dye to the weather.

I've never been to South America before and my Spanish and Portuguese is limited (although I have a few phrase books) would it be relatively easy to get there?

Any advice would be appreciated.

R

[florencia9699]

Well, itt is true that during August you depend on the weather... but Mendoza in winter time is gorgeous! You can even go skiing! Don't worry with the language.. in general you'll find people who spike some english, and if you dont, most people are helpful and try to undersdtand whatever it is you're trying to comunicate!

[oneworldonetraveller]

It will be in July time. Will that makes a difference?

Wow! Now your tempting me to use my second bag allowance and bring my snowboard!


R

[florencia9699]

I think it won't make a difference. The snow season usually starts in June, and the slopes are in Las Leñas (Mendoza) and then another interesting place is Bariloche (Río Negro province).

Bringing your snowboard could be cool... but i'll bet it'll be a drag to carry it around the rest of your trip.

[oneworldonetraveller]

Oh well I think its something I want to do...will just have to leave a few extra days in case of problems.

I think it would be too much of a PITA to bring a second bag...particularly one the size of my Burton Wheelie Locker will have to see.

R

[joe7f]

Oneworldtraveller, in your searches have you seen whether Easter Island is handicapped accessible? My grandmother has always dreamed of going to Easter Island but she has limited mobility and tires easily (she is 80).

Also have you all noticed that if you buy LAN.com's ticket in Chilean Pesos the ticket price is 384 (which makes no sense to me because the exchange rate is 500 to one) but if you recalculate to USD it is 700 bucks.

--Joey

[worldwidemike]

Originally Posted by joe7f

have you seen whether Easter Island is handicapped accessible?

For most of the sites, you can drive right up to them. I ended up renting a jeep with two other travelers, and we drove to the main sites. She wouldn't have far to walk (or wheelchair) to get from the parking area right up to the stones. If there exists a more "off road" type of wheelchair, I'd recommend it. And she will definitely need someone along to help push the chair.

Check out my travelogue on it, below, and feel free to fire back with questions, or PM me, if you prefer...

But in general, I'd say though not wheelchair accessible in the classic, U.S. sense of paved, sloped walkways, it is do-able.

worldwidemike

[oneworldonetraveller]

As worldwidemike says its a small island, so I wouldn't think you would have too much trouble driving up to the sites.

The difference in ticket prices may be a locals only price. I seem to remember reading that you can only get the cheap price with a local passport.

R

[joe7f]

I had a feeling that was the case regarding the price. WWM, that is good to know about the jeeps (I read your blog)... that would probably work.

--Joey