Chile

A four-hour flight from mainland Chile brings guests to Easter Island; a small world that has been preserved in its own time capsule. Of course, the draw to Easter Island is to see first-hand the Moai statues that pepper the grassy prairies. These awesome statues gaze pensively over the Pacific Ocean from all sides and, with more than 1000 Moai on the island, they are a constant and eerie reminder of a past civilisation.

Beyond a total immersion in the history of Easter Island, its remote location also makes it an excellent base for diving into crystal-clear water teaming with marine life. On land, the gentle gradient also makes this a fantastic island for walking and taking in the incredible birdlife along the way.

Those looking to round off the experience with a beach flop in paradise can take a direct flight (once a week) to Tahiti. From here Exceptional Travel can arrange an idyllic escape in French Polynesia.

The Atacama is the highest, driest non-polar desert on earth. In our opinion, it also displays one of the most spectacular landscapes in South America.  The desert is sprinkled with towering volcanic peaks, sulphur lakes teeming with flamingos and geysers blasting jets of boiling water from the core of the earth into the blue, cloudless sky. Our favourite boutique lodges offer a private vehicle and guide to take guests off the beaten track and into the great beyond.

There is a surprising amount of animal and plant life living perfectly happily in this parched wilderness. At night the stars are spectacular and those with a passion for the night sky will enjoy visiting one of the world’s leading observatories. Here Exceptional Travel can arrange for an expert astrologer to help you peak into our galaxy through an ultra-powerful lens.

Arriving in Patagonia really does feel like stumbling onto the end of the earth. On the Chilean side, the region is perhaps at its most dramatic. Andean peaks tumble into a turbulent Pacific Ocean that batters the crooked coastline with relentless waves. The region is divided into a stunning variety of national parks that have preserved the pristine landscape.

The Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most popular for its dramatic peaks and glacial lakes. There are a handful of excellent lodges to stay at in and around the reserve with sweeping views of the mountains. This is a dream destination for anyone who loves walking, wildlife and landscapes that defy the imagination.

Those with time on their hands may enjoy the option of sailing through the fjords between Argentina and Chile for a ‘mini Antarctic’ experience. It is a wonderful way to access one country from the other with fantastic potential for wildlife spotting. While the fishing lodges are generally better on the Argentine side, Chile does operate a few excellent vessels that can take fly-fishers deep into some truly remote and special trout and salmon rivers.