40 / Chile Reply by Fri, Nov 20, 2026Reply by Nov 20, 2026

My 40th in Chile

September 30 to October 7, 2027

Four nights in the Atacama Desert, then my birthday dinner in Santiago. Easter Island is an optional add-on through October 10.

Please reply by Friday, November 20, 2026.

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40 / 00The invitation

I'm turning 40 next October, and I'd love to celebrate with you in Chile. I wanted to make this a trip of a lifetime with my closest friends (and Mom!).

The plan is four nights in the Atacama Desert, ending with my birthday dinner in Santiago on October 5. I may have taken "getting away for my birthday" a little literally.

We'll have time to explore, relax, and actually catch up. Your days are yours to plan: head out on an adventure, take a long lunch, spend an afternoon doing very little. We'll come together over meals to hear what everyone's been up to.

After Santiago, the trip is yours: fly home, come with me to Easter Island for three more nights, or stay on in South America and keep going on your own. Bring your partner or a friend if you'd like. I know this is a big commitment of time and money, and I understand if it doesn't work for everyone.

Please let me know by Friday, November 20, 2026, if you're coming. I'll use the confirmed headcount to negotiate group pricing and follow up by December 1, 2026, with final rates, deposit information, and payment terms.

I'd really love to have you there.

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40 / 01Atacama

Atacama Desert

October 1 to 5, 2027 · Four nights Nayara Alto Atacama · Catarpe room · Full Experience

Atacama is in northern Chile, near the Andes. It's a landscape of sand dunes, salt flats, volcanic peaks, and lagoons where flamingos feed. At night, the dark skies make it one of the world's great places for stargazing.

We'll stay at Nayara Alto Atacama, tucked into a valley outside San Pedro de Atacama. The hotel's guides can help you choose outings based on what interests you and how active you feel.

Hotel (opens in a new tab) Activities (opens in a new tab)
The red rock walls of the Anfiteatro in Valle de la Luna, close up under a pale sky
Valle de la Luna, a short drive from San Pedro de Atacama.
A flamingo wading close to the camera at Laguna Chaxa on the Salar de Atacama
Flamingos at Laguna Chaxa, on the Salar de Atacama.
The Milky Way over desert rocks in the Atacama at night
The night sky, no filter needed.

Example activities

  • Desert valleys, dunes, and rock formations.
  • Salt flats and flamingo lagoons.
  • Guided hiking and cycling.
  • Puritama Hot Springs.
  • Stargazing at the hotel's observatory.
  • Pool time and relaxing at the hotel.

Guests choose from the included excursion program and available departures. Spa treatments and certain special excursions cost extra.

Nayara Alto Atacama: adobe buildings beside a pool reflecting the red cliffs of the Catarpe valley
Nayara Alto Atacama, in the Catarpe valley. Photo: the hotel.
Optional preview: the Atacama on videoOpens YouTube in a new tab. A general look at the region, not our exact hotel package.
A Catarpe room at Nayara Alto Atacama with a bed facing the terrace and the cliffs
Catarpe room, where we stay. Photo: the hotel.
The private terrace of a Catarpe room with a view of the valley
Catarpe room terrace.
A guest in a small stone plunge pool at the Puri spa
Puri spa pools at the hotel.

40 / 02Optional add-on

Rapa Nui

Easter Island, if you want to keep going

Optional add-on October 6 to 9, 2027 · Three nights Nayara Hangaroa · Kainga King · Full Experience

For anyone who wants to carry on: after the birthday night in Santiago, I'm heading to Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, for three nights. This volcanic island in the Pacific has its own Polynesian culture and history, and it will feel completely different from the desert.

The moai are the island's famous stone statues. Visiting the quarry where they were carved and seeing them standing beside the ocean is a big part of coming here. Local guides will help explain their history and significance.

Hotel (opens in a new tab) Activities (opens in a new tab)
The 15 moai of Ahu Tongariki in daylight, facing the camera with the ocean behind
Ahu Tongariki, 15 moai beside the ocean.
Several moai standing on the grassy slope of the Rano Raraku quarry
Rano Raraku, where most moai were carved.
The green crater lake of Rano Kau above the cliffs and the ocean
Rano Kau crater, with Orongo at the rim.

Example activities

  • Rano Raraku, the quarry where most moai were carved.
  • Ahu Tongariki and its 15 moai beside the ocean.
  • Rano Kau volcanic crater and Orongo ceremonial village.
  • Anakena beach.
  • Guided walks and time at the hotel.

Guests choose from the included excursion program and available departures. Certain special activities cost extra.

Optional preview: Rapa Nui on videoOpens YouTube in a new tab. A general look at the island, not our exact hotel package.
Nayara Hangaroa: low grass-roofed buildings on the lava-rock shore under a blue sky
Nayara Hangaroa, on the shore at Hanga Roa. Photo: the hotel.
A Kainga room at Nayara Hangaroa with a bed and a view through the windows
Kainga room, where we stay. Photo: the hotel.
A Kainga room bathroom with a dark stone bathtub
Kainga room bath.
The pool at Nayara Hangaroa at sunset with palms
The pool at sunset.
Panorama of Anakena beach with palms, white sand, and an ahu
Anakena beach, on the north coast.

40 / 02bOr keep going on your own

Already in South America.

If Easter Island isn't your thing, Santiago is a good place to start something else. The coast at Valparaíso, the wine valleys, Patagonia, and Buenos Aires are all a short flight or drive away. That part is yours to plan, and I'm happy to compare notes.

40 / 03The plan

Itinerary

A light overview, not a compulsory schedule. The main trip first, then the Easter Island add-on.

Main trip, September 30 to October 7, 2027

  1. Thursday, September 30Travel

    Fly from the U.S. Overnight travel toward Chile.

  2. Friday, October 1AtacamaDinner together

    Arrive in Atacama via Santiago and Calama. Transfer to Nayara, settle in, and get together for dinner.

  3. Saturday, October 2Atacama

    Atacama. Choose a guided outing, time at the hotel, or both.

  4. Sunday, October 3Atacama

    Atacama. Explore or relax at your own pace.

  5. Monday, October 4AtacamaDinner together

    Final full day in Atacama, with dinner together.

  6. Tuesday, October 5BirthdayTravel

    My 40th! Fly from Calama to Santiago, check in at the Mandarin Oriental or the Ritz-Carlton (to be decided), and celebrate over dinner in the city.

  7. Wednesday, October 6Travel

    Your call: fly home from Santiago overnight, come with me to Easter Island, or start your own trip from here.

  8. Thursday, October 7Travel

    Target arrival back in the U.S. for anyone heading home.

Optional add-onEaster Island, October 6 to 10

  1. Wednesday, October 6Rapa NuiTravel

    Fly from Santiago to Rapa Nui. Transfer to Nayara Hangaroa and settle in.

  2. Thursday, October 7Rapa Nui

    Rapa Nui. Guided visits, walks, beach time, or a quieter day.

  3. Friday, October 8Rapa NuiFinal dinner

    Another day to spend as you wish, followed by our final dinner together.

  4. Saturday, October 9Rapa NuiTravel

    Depart Rapa Nui via Santiago.

  5. Sunday, October 10Travel

    Target arrival back in the U.S., depending on flights.

Note

Flights are not yet confirmed. September 30 to October 7 is the working travel window for the main trip, and October 10 with the Easter Island add-on. The night in Santiago on October 5 is the birthday dinner, and it also breaks up the transfer for anyone going on to Rapa Nui.

40 / 04Your cost

Estimate your cost

Pick where you're joining and how you're sleeping. Everything in the pink panel is per person, in U.S. dollars.

Where are you joining?
Your room at each hotel
Atacama · Catarpe room · 4 nights
Santiago · Oct 5 · 1 night · Mandarin Oriental or Ritz-Carlton, to be decided · $360 per room

Enter your estimated airfare for your full route, including flights within Chile. The calculator does not search flight prices.

Tap an example to fill it in:

Real economy fares on Google Flights, October 31, 2026, for November 2026 dates with the same weekday pattern as the trip. October 2027 fares open around November 9, 2026, and will differ.

Hotel total. Flights not added.

$3,820.00

Atacama, with the birthday night in Santiago · two sharing · flights not added yet.

Cost breakdown, per person
Atacama, 4 nights, two sharing$3,640.00
Santiago night, Oct 5, two sharing$180.00
Flights, full routeNot added
Hotel total$3,820.00

Add Easter Island

+ $1,643.18

In hotels, at your Atacama room setup, plus the Santiago to Rapa Nui flights, about $780 on recent fares.

What the Easter Island add-on changes, per person
Rapa Nui, 3 nights, two sharing$2,575.50
Combination discount (15%) on both Nayara hotels−$932.32
Added to your hotel total+ $1,643.18

Nayara offers a 15% discount when combining properties. Estimates for both destinations include this discount, pending confirmation that it applies to our quoted rates. Single-destination estimates use the current quoted rates.

This is an estimate, not an all-in price. Personal extras are separate.

What the price includes

  • Accommodation for the selected stay.
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • The included open-bar selection.
  • Daily minibar replenishment.
  • Airport transfers between the destination airport and hotel.
  • Guided excursions from the included program.
  • Admission tickets for included excursions.

Atacama also includes astronomy, the Puritama Hot Springs excursion, pool and spa-facility access, bicycles for visiting town, and scheduled town transfers.

What it excludes

  • Flights, unless the guest adds an estimate to the calculator.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Transportation to and from the guest's home airport.
  • Additional hotel nights outside the listed stays.
  • Gratuities.
  • Premium drinks outside the included selection.
  • Massages and spa treatments.
  • Laundry and personal purchases.
  • Optional activities outside the included excursion program.
  • Room service at Atacama.
  • Meals, drinks, and extras in Santiago on October 5. The room itself is in the estimate at $360 per night, split by occupancy.

40 / 05Reply

Are you in?

Reply by

Friday, November 20, 2026

  • A yes is a commitment, not an expression of interest. The headcount is used to negotiate group pricing.
  • No payment is collected here. Final rates, deposit information, and payment terms follow by December 1, 2026.
  • The trip itself is in 2027: September 30 to October 7, or through October 10 with the Easter Island add-on.
Joining for
Bringing a partner or friend?
Atacama room
Santiago room, Oct 5
or

Tick the box above to confirm. Both buttons open an email to Jason with your answers; nothing is saved on this page. "I can't make it" sends a short, separate reply. No commitment form needed.

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