Rapa Nui – Easter Island Explorer
5 Days 1400 ex Hanga Roa (Easter Island)
Accommodation
4 nights hotel
Transportation
Mostly by foot
Transfers via vehicle
Included Meals
4 Breakfasts
1 Lunch
Trip Grade
Category 1
Joyful Jaunt
A speck of rock in the vast emptiness that is the Southern Pacific Ocean, almost 1,800 kilometres from the nearest island.
Isla de Pascua, Easter Island, or to its native people, Rapa Nui.
When exactly the people who would become the Rapa Nui crossed the vast blue waters to settle this idyllic, speck of volcanic rock in the middle of seemingly nowhere remains much debated.
However, after likely months at sea, its rolling hills and swaying palms must have looked like true paradise!
In a case of paradise lost, most of the palms have been lost, an environmental deforestation tragedy that almost spelled doom for the isolated island and its people (it is believed that 21 species of trees and all species of land birds became extinct through some combination of over-harvesting, over-hunting, rat predation, and climate change).
In the Moai and the modern people, their history remains visible, their complete tale, a mystery…
“Whether an island such as Easter Island can be considered remote is simply a matter of perspective.
Those who live there, the Rapa Nui, call their homeland Te Pito Te Henua, ‘the navel of the world’.
Any point on the infinite globe of the Earth can become a centre.”
Judith Schalansky, Atlas of Remote Islands
We invite you to join us on this incredible island, amongst these most fascinating people (to see people of Polynesian heritage speaking primarily in Spanish is but the tip of the iceberg).
Rarely are you far enough from the ocean, that you can no longer hear its wave crash mercilessly against the rugged shores (Easter Island is so well ringed by volcanic rock, that only one proper sandy beach hugs the island’s coast).
Immerse yourself in the mystical culture and epic landscapes and ocean views of legendary Easter Island, visiting the mysterious Moai statues, walking and driving around the island’s best natural and archeological sites, and learning more about this fascinating island!
“In the past, I’ve visited remote places – North Korea, Ethiopia, Easter Island – partly as a way to visit remote states of mind: remote parts of myself that I wouldn’t ordinarily explore.”
Pico Iyer, Novelist
The Journey
After the flight from Santiago to Easter Island, we’re met at the airport by our friendly local guide and taken to the main town and capital of Easter Island, Hanga Roa, where almost 90% of Easter Island’s inhabitants (the Rapa Nui) live.
We check into our hotel and our guide tells us about the upcoming itinerary. Then we enjoy a good night´s rest, ready for tomorrow’s adventure.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we drive along a coastal road to Hanga Te’e stopping at the ancient temple of Vahiu and visiting Ahu Akahanga and Ahu Tongariki (both alter sites – Ahu means sacred place and refers to the rectangular stone platform on which the Moai statues were erected). These sites were recently restored following damage caused by the tidal wave from the Great Chilean Earthquake in 1960 which washed the statues meters away from their original settings.
Afterwards, we continue to Ahu Te Pito Te Kura, an incredible perfectly round stone used for ceremonial purposes. If we put a compass on the stone it would start spinning crazily and finally show a wrong direction! We continue our exploration at Ahu Nau Nau and Rano Raraku, the border of which is ringed with Moais leading towards the quarry inside the crater rim. Here the Moai were cut from Volcanic tuff and some 150 unfinished figures were mysteriously left there.
We finally head down to Anakena Beach, the legendary landing place of Hota Matua (founder of the island) before journeying back to our hotel in Hanga Roa.
(B, L)
After breakfast we start driving towards Rano Kao volcano, the biggest on the island, whose enormous crater is now a freshwater lake with floating green fields of totora reeds. This site offers an exceptional view of three craggy islands where the bizarre “bird-man” ritual took place. Nearby, we find the ruined village of Orongo where almost 50 stone buildings, the “bird-man” petroglyphs and Ahu Tahai ceremonial center are located. Afterwards, we drive back to our hotel.
After lunch, you will have a free afternoon. A possible suggestion for your afternoon would be visiting the archaeological site Tahai with its 3 restored Ahus and Moais. and then watching the spectacular sight of the sun setting behind the Moai. (B)
We start the day by visiting Ahu Akivi. Unlike other Rapa Nui ceremonial sites, Akivi is not located on the coast and the moai are facing the ocean rather than with their backs to it – very enigmatic for researchers. According to the legend, these 7 Moai statues represent the first explorers who arrived on Easter Island, including supreme chief and king Hotu Matu’a. We then visit Hanga Poukura, an unrestored Ahu (stone platform) located on the island’s southern coast. Finally, we head to the Puna Pau quarry, the place where the Moai hats were made.
The afternoon is free for spending time at your leisure. Options include a boat trip or a snorkeling tour (see prices & facts for rates). (B)
After a morning spent packing, relaxing and soaking up final views, we are driven back to the airport in time for the flight back to Santiago…Adiós Isla de Pascua! (B)
Season
Year Round
NOTE: Children must be a minimum 16 years old
Includes
- Four nights at a 3-star hotel (Hotel O’tai or similar)
- Airport pick-up from Mataveri International Airport to hotel and back
- English speaking guide
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
- Rapa Nui National Park entrance fees
- All meals as indicated in itinerary (Breakfast – B, Lunch – L and Dinner – D)
Excludes
- International Flights
- Domestic Flights (Santiago to Easter Island and return)
- Travel Insurance (this is mandatory)
- Personal spending money
- Tips
- Any meals not listed as included
Your Guides and Safety
An excellent guide can make the difference between a trip of a lifetime and just an ordinary trip. Our handpicked professionals come from a range of backgrounds. Each has extensive outdoor experience, a knowledge of the lands in which you’ll walk, and a passion for the beautiful country that is Chile.
Accommodation
“I am very attracted by the mysterious landscape of Easter Island.
Not only because it is a piece of land that is further away from another, but also because of the beautiful statues of Moai that are there.
To do a beautiful walk there, I would have to involve the Moai, and the Rapa Nui people who live on the island.”
Philippe Petit, Artist
