Easter Island Tours

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 4000 km (approx. 2480 miles) straight out from the Chilean coastline, is an island which still holds a very special mystery and magic. Rapa Nui, as the natives called it, literally meaning the Navel of the World, was discovered on Easter Sunday and thus to this day it is usually, is simply referred to as Easter Island. But this island holds an intrigue far greater than one might imagine. So far from everything and everyone, isolated by the largest ocean in the world, it demonstrates a rich history, art, language and interestingly once even suffered a civil war. All upon an island not 25 kilometers (approx. 40 miles) across. The Island is an equilateral triangular shape, 24 km across its longest side with extinct volcanic cones in each of its three corners respectively. Amidst an atmosphere of friendly Polynesian hospitality, the entire island is today a species of open-air museum with more than 600 MOAI (some up to 9 meters in height), the fascinating Orongo Village and many traditional people`s cave dwellings open to view.

Main Attractions

Tahai: Group of altars with ceremonial purposes. Its archeological interest is combined to the aesthetics of its three "Ahu" installed on the north, center and south. In Tahai also are found the bases of the “boat house” and the rests of the archeologist Williams Mulloy on one side of the southern Ahu, while the northern moai is characterized by his white coral eyes placed by resolution of the elder council. On this place is performed each year the party Tapati Rapa Nui.

Te Pito o Te Henua: It’s an enormous rounded stone that represents the “world’s belly button” for the islanders. The meaning of “pito” is translated to English as center, womb and belly button, while “henua” is land, territory and universe.

Rano Kau Volcano: The volcano located on the south of the island has an interior lagoon of 1 kilometer width and 280 meters of depth. Possess beautiful vegetation composed mainly of totora reeds and rushes.

Orongo: Was a village used for ceremonial purposes to celebrate the transition between summer and winter hours, with the arrival of spring. Orongo means “place of the messenger” for the arrival to that place of migratory birds.

Anakena Beach: The beach resort is characterized by its warm, turquoise colored waters and coralline sand, and for the presence of the ahu Ature Huki and el Nau Nau, restored on 1954. Its interest is because it was the place of the expedition of the first king of the island, Ariki Hotu Matua, causing an important population center of notable social, political and cultural organization, such as the school of “the masters of the ancient writing” extinct on this days.

Ahu Te Pito Kura. The ahu possess the biggest moai of the island with 11 meters of height that was transported from Rano Raraku. Perfect to perform ecotourism, cultural activities and adventure tourism with the practice of varied disciplines on its beautiful hillsides.

Hotel Posada de Mike Rapu All-Inclusive

Magic of Easter Island

Day 1: After your arrival at Mataveri Airport you will experience a traditional reception with flower necklaces. A short transfer takes you to your hotel. We recommend spending the remaining day to visit the church of the village. Among the various statues you will find traditional Roman
Catholic symbols together with indigenous ones. On Sunday morning you are welcome to attend mass. The artisan market and the local museum are located next to the church. The museum holds a collection of Rapa Nui artefact reproductions, while the originals were removed from the island.

Day 2: Anakena
Today you will learn more about the fascinating history of Rapa Nui. After leaving Hanga Roa, we will drive to the south along the coastal road. Views of the Poike Peninsula and the whole coastline consisting of black volcanic rock will accompany us all the way. Our first stop will be in Vaihu to visit archaeological sites, passing several moais lying along the street indicating the "Camino de los Moais“, the "Trail of the Moais“ on which
they were manoeuvred to their destinations, also marking our next stop. At Ranu Raraku - the place where the moais were made - we will have a picnic lunch, and afterwards we will start walking up the Ranu Raraku volcano. The next highlight is one of the most impressive sites on the island:
the restored giant Ahu Tongariki and its 15 moais, which are the largest worship site on the island.

Continuing on our excursion, we will take a small break to visit two beaches, one of them being Ovahe, a small bay with a cave and nearly pink-coloured sand. From there and after just a short drive we will reach Anakena with its white sandy beach and coconut palm trees, inviting you
to rest in the sand and swim in the warm Pacific water. Drive back to Hanga Roa. (B,BL)

Day 3: Ceremonial Village Orongo & Ahu Akivi
From Hanga Roa it is a 30 minute drive to the volcano Rano Kau with the ceremonial village Orongo. It is the ceremonial centre of the cult of the bird-man "Hombre Pajaro“, which started when the „Short Ears“ stopped building moais. Your guide will explain this "new“ culture of the island and show you famous petroglyph images. This site offers the view of three small islets in the Pacific: Motu Nui, Moto Kau, Moto Iti. The afternoon excursion will take you to the Ahu Akivi site with its prominent 7 moais. This site was one of the later constructions built, probably at a time when
the statue cult was beginning to unravel. Ahu Akivi is unusual because it is neither at the coast nor are its Moais facing towards the land, unlike all the other ceremonial statues. (B)

Day 4: Departure
Transfer to airport in time to board the flight to Santiago or Tahiti. (B)

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Program includes: 3 overnights with breakfast, 1 full day excursion with picnic lunch (Anakena), 2 half-day tour (Orongo & Ahu Akivi), transfers and excursions with driver and bilingual guide, entrance fees.
Regular: the itinerary may be reversed; service with German or English speaking driver-guide. Regular services, at least 1 passenger
This program may be altered depending on the airline's schedule.

HOTEL O'TAI
Traditional 3-star hotel with a good location in the heart of Hanga Roa, but its beautiful gardens make you feel like you are miles away from everyone.Friendly island family-run service. Good restaurant with local dishes, large garden, swimming-pool, comfortable rooms each with their own terrace. Both standard and superior rooms available. Very good value.

HOTEL IORANA
4-star hotel with peaceful setting located 2 km (approx. 3,2 miles) out from town center. The rooms have a beautiful view out over the ocean. The hotel has a swimming pool, but one can also swim in the ocean in a protected pool. There is a good restaurant to sample local island seafood. Standard Room: View of the sea, private bathroom, shower, balcony, air shaft, telephone, safety deposit box

HOTEL TAHA TAI
3-star hotel right next to the beach and only 5 minutes from the urban center of town of Hanga Roa. The hotel has a bar, restaurant, swimming pool and comfortable rooms.

HOTEL MANUTARA
23 room family-run hotel. Rooms are equipped with TV, phone, hair dryer and safe. Nice dining room, pool, bar, 15-minute walk from the village, close to the airport, very quietly situated with a big garden.

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