Explore Easter Island's remote landscape, one of the most isolated places on the planet. A journey of exploration into the ancient traditions and history of an island that have been preserved in stone. Enjoy breathtaking scenery with ancient moai and an extraordinarily desolate landscape left behind by millions of years of volcanic activity, as well as places like Rano Raraku, a stunning open-air quarry where locals carved enormous stone figures. Fly to Easter Island from Santiago, Chile, and spend five days learning about its ancient culture.
Highlights
Visit Rano Raraku, where seventy standing sentinels are embedded in grass
Wander Anakena beach, the legendary landing place of Hota Matua
View the quarry where Moai were cut from volcanic tuff
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Take the morning plane to Easter Island (the natives call their island Rapa Nui or Te Pito o Te Henua, "the navel of the earth") from Santiago, Chile. You are met at the local airport and transferred the short distance to your family-style hotel minutes from Hanga Roa, a small township where Easter Island's 2,500 inhabitants live. Or send your luggage ahead, and stroll to the hotel on foot, enjoying your new tropical home for the next few days.
After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and visit Rano Kau. It is one of three principal volcanoes which created the island. Inside this beautiful volcano you will see one of three crater lakes on the island. This lake is covered with a type of bulrush reed which is also found in Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.
Then we will visit the ceremonial village of Orongo is one of the most visually spectacular sites on the island. On one side of the village you see the beautiful caldera of Rano Kau and on the other you see the ocean and the mysterious islets of Motu Nui, Motu Iti , Motu Kao Kao. It was these islets in connection with the village of Orongo where the amazing ancient Tangata Manu or Birdman Ceremonies were held. Orongo is also the best site to view the petroglyph carving of the island. This site is yet another site restored by Dr. Mulloy in 1976.
Finally, we will visit Ahu Vinapu, well known for the amazing statues that once stood on its platform but instead for the platform itself. It is the perfect stonework of the Ahu Vinapu that has been compared to the stone walls of Peru.
Today, horseback ride the North Coast trails visiting many archaeological sites such as ceremonial platforms, petroglyphs and ancestral boat house foundations. The ride begins at Pikera Uri Eco Lodge going through Moai a Morito, Maitaki Te Moa, Para Aringa O Hera, Ana Eu, Moai a Metraux, culminating at the white sand beach of Anakena. Transfer Anakena to Hotel
At an arranged time, you will be collected from your hotel and will get your first look at the amazing statues that make Easter Island famous. Ahu Akivi is often noted to be the only platform whose Moai look to the ocean. Also, you will visit Ana Te Pahu is one of literally hundreds of lava tube caves on the island. Here you will see the ancient islander’s tradition to use some of this cave as protection for their gardens as well as a great source of fresh water.
Finally, we will visit the Puna Pau, that is a small secondary volcano which served as the main source of the volcanic stone Red Scoria. By the end of the day you´ll have a brand new understanding of the Eastern Island culture. After lunch you will visit the following places:
RANO RARAKU
This stop could very well be one of the most amazing sites in the world. The volcano of Rano Raraku is also known as the statue factory. It was from the volcanic stone of Rano Raraku that 95% of all of the statues on the island were carved. There has been 397 Moai at Rano Raraku. Some were completely finished and left waiting on the slopes of the volcano for their transportation while others are in various stages of completion still connected to the mother rock of the volcano. You will have the opportunity to hike to the top of the volcano and see the beautiful crater with its fresh water lake.
AHU TONGARIKI
The Ahu Tongariki is noted to be the largest monolithic monument in all of Eastern Polynesia. This amazing platform holds 15 of some of the largest statues on the island. With the surrounding sea cliffs and beautiful ocean background Tongariki is truly one of the most incredible site on the island. The unrestored Ahu Tongariki had been completely flattened and its 15 huge statue slid about as a result of a tsunami which occurred in 1960. Needless to say the restoration of this Ahu in
92-96 was definitely considered to be an engineering feat led by the Chilean archeologist Claudio Cristino.
AHU AKAHANGA
Ahu Akahanga is one of many unrestored ahu sites on the island. Here you will learn about the turn of events which caused this incredible monolithic culture to literally come crashing down around the people. You will see a group of 17 Moai which were systematically brought down from their platform along with the ruins of the corresponding village.
Day 5: Fly to Santiago
1 Breakfast
Enjoy a relaxing morning in Hanga Roa before taking the flight back to Santiago, Chile.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Standard Room
27 sq m Sleeps 2,1 King Bed, spacious shared common area, a living room, dining room and space to prepare tea or coffee 24 hours. Only one of the rooms is built in bungalow style, but its occupants can still use the common spaces of the entire hotel.
Notes
Rate based on traveling with fellow Adventure Life travelers. Contact us for rates if joining a larger group tour.
Flights to/from Easter Island are limited. Please add US$750 - 1500 (flight cost subject to change and vary greatly depending upon your travel month).
Flights to/from Easter Island operate every day of the week except Tuesdays.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
We were referred by a satisfied client and the booking of the trip was everything we wanted to do, and they listened to the types of hotels, sightseeing, etc. we wanted to do.
Jan S
4 weeks ago
Rapa Nui was on my bucket list for a long time so I worried that it would not meet my expectations. Our tour could not have been better. Our guide was knowledgeable and professional with an understanding of the island that made it come alive. I would and have recommended this trip to everyone that will listen.
elisa wright
1 month ago
Mary Curry is the BEST! I have worked with her for multiple family trips for over 10 years, and she is responsive, works within your preferences and budget, has great suggestions and has personal travel experience at many of the locations. We prefer active family vacations and Adventure Life and Mary Curry make sure that is what we get!
Heather Spanbauer
1 month ago
My tour operator was helpful. Unfortunately she was unable to get my single-supplement canceled. Not too many tours charge for that anymore and I almost canceled my trip because of that.
Joel
2 months ago
Excellent communication and coordination for our proposed trip. It couldn't have been smoother, and any question we did have was rapidly addressed. It has made the whole process nearly seamless.
