Easter Island Tour
Length: 5 Days/4 Nights from Santiago
Season: October-April
One of the most isolated islands in the world, with enormous stone figures erected hundreds of years ago, Easter Island is a land shrouded in enigma. Spend several days exploring this fascinating island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including excursions to the most important of the 800+ interesting moai (monolithic rock statues) such as Ahu Tahai and Akivi. Visit the Orongo stone village, the volcanoes of Rano Kao and Rano Raraku, observe ancient petroglyphs and the abandoned quarry where the moai stone statues were carved, and more. This extension provides an excellent introduction to the island’s history, culture and mysteries.
Day-by-Day Itinerary:
DAY 01: SANTIAGO / EASTER ISLAND
Depart Santiago for a 5.5 hour hour flight to Easter Island. Early afternoon reception at the Mataveri airport. Transfer to one of the most comfortable hotels on the island, the boutique-style Hare Uta, located close to the airport in Hanga Roa, on the west coast of the island. Join your local guide for a brief private tour of town, its small Catholic church, the Otai cove and the Sebastian Englert Anthropological museum, offering a simple but nice overview of the culture and history of Rapa Nui. Then, we explore the nearby Tahai Ceremonial Complex at sunset, observing five restored and re-erected moai looking out toward the sea.
DAY 02: PUNA PAU / AHU AKIVI / ANAKENA
This morning we visit the Puna Pau site, the volcanic source of the stone for the headpieces of the moai. Then continue to the lonely valley of Ahu Akivi. Here we find seven noble moai weighing more than 30,000 pounds. On the horizon see the volcano from whose stone they were carved. Afterwards, we drive across the island towards the northern shores. In this area, we may see some of the island’s more than 4,000 wild horses. Arriving to Anakena, whose nearby statues at Ahu Nau Nau show that the moai once had inlaid eyes and were not “blind” as previously thought, we walk on the island’s main white sand beach. At this site we enjoy the nice surroundings with palm groves and a relaxing lunch before continue to our final stop of the day, Te Pito Kura, which boasts the largest moai ever erected on an ahu – a statue nearly 32 feet tall weighing 70 tons! Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, with dinner on your own to try the exquisite local cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant. Hare Uta has its own organic vegetable garden. (B,L)
DAY 03: RANO KAU / ORONGO
Following breakfast, we begin our explorations by driving to the edge of the extinct crater, Rano Kao. Perched at about 1,310′ on the edge of the crater wall overlooking the sea, on what is probably the island’s most dramatic site, you’ll find the ancient ceremonial village of Orongo. Once the most important ritualistic center on the island, it seems to have been dedicated to the worship of the supreme deity, Makemake. After registering at the The Rapa Nui National Park, we visit the partially restored village with its more than 40 aboriginal stone houses and nearby “birdman” petroglyphs. The motus, or islets adjacent to the island, were declared a Natural Sanctuary in the year 1976. Afterwards, we retrace our route to the Ahu Vinapu site with its impressive, finely-cut stone platform. Returning to the hotel, lunch and dinner are on your own and the remainder of the afternoon is unstructured. This evening you may join, on your own, one of the folk shows available in town such as Kari-Kari or Te Ra’ai, to learn about the typical Easter Island music and dances. (B)
DAY 04: SOUTH SHORE OF THE ISLAND
Today’s excursion is a full day’s exploration of the island’s south shore with its many ahus, or moai stone platforms. There are about 245 ahus on the island, forming an almost unbroken line along the coast. Our first visit includes a stop to view the massive Ahu and toppled giant statues at Akahanga, followed by a short hike up the slopes of the Rano Raraku volcano to see the scenic freshwater lagoon inside the crater. In this crater area several dozens of half-buried moai can also be found. We continue our walk towards the main rock quarry to observe moai in various stages of production. This site is impressive – one of the most important archaeological findings on Easter Island. There are about 397 moai on this quarry which is made of tuff, a hardened volcanic ash, softer than rock. We find some moai at their initial carving stage on the bedrock, as well as others that were finished and ready to be transported. We enjoy a break and a picnic lunch at the visitors’ service area before a drive to the coast and stop at the Ahu Tongariki site, the most majestic ceremonial platform on the whole island with 15 massive moai in a magical setting by the sea. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner is on your own to try some of the fine restaurants in town. (B,L)
DAY 05: EASTER ISLAND / SANTIAGO
The early morning is at leisure to explore town, visit the traditional handicraft market, or look for moai wooden or stone replicas and the Rongo Rongo wooden tablets depicting an ancient Rapa Nui writing. Or relax by your hotel’s gardens and pool. Later this morning, we transfer to the airport for the return flight to Santiago. Travelers with connecting flights home will walk to the international terminal. (B)
Prices from:
$3,300 p.p.d. for 2 participants.
p.p.d.= per person based on double or triple occupancy. Price does not include local flights.
NOTES ON THE ITINERARY:There are several flights a week between Santiago and Easter Island (5.5 hours one way). Flights fill up well in advance, so early bookings are recommended (3-4 months prior to departure). As Hare Uta only has 9 rooms, another option for accommodations are at either the Altiplanico or Iorana Hotels. Both are comfortable, simple but nice, and are located about 2 miles from town. Both overlook the ocean and have 16 and 52 rooms respectively, a restaurant and gardens/pool area. Departures during Christmas, New Year, and Tapati Festival (first half of February each year), will be quoted upon request.
HOTEL UPGRADE:
–Hanga Roa Eco Village and Spa. A chic boutique-style hotel and spa, with architecture that fuses contemporary design with the island’s tribal heritage. With a seafront location and closer to town, this is the largest and most exclusive hotel in Easter Island.
–Explora Rapa Nui (minimum stay 3 nights). Refined “posada” lodging with LEED-certified green architecture, beautiful design aspects, and inviting common areas. Located inland about 20 minutes from town in a lovely natural setting with forest and panoramic sea views in the distance.
Please contact your Southwind Travel Consultant for details.
ESTIMATED AIRFARE: The round-trip airfare Santiago (SCL)-Easter Island (IPC)-Santiago is approx $790-$1,025 per person. LATAM is the only airline offering service to the island from Santiago. Lower fares may apply when flying LATAM internationally.
Inclusions/exclusions and how to sign up