Easter Island Tours
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Easter Island, so far from everything and everyone, demonstrates a rich history, art and language. Amidst an atmosphere of friendly Polynesian hospitality, the entire island is today a species of open-air museum with more than 600 MOAI , the fascinating Orongo Village and many traditional people`s cave dwellings open to view.
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Magic of Easter Island
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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 artifact 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) 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. Tongariki: Funeral platform of 200 meters of length and 15 statues. Is the most important of Rapa Nui and was restored between 1995 and 1996 by Chilean archeologists with Japanese help, on economical and technological terms, after its destruction on 1960 by tidal waves. Here are characteristics the moais and pukaos on the front and the side of the platform. 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. Ahu Akahanga: Was the burial ground of the King Hotu Matua and its extension is 81 meters of length and 3,25 meters of width. The platform contains 13 moais from 5 to 7 meters and is decorated with red colored stones and eroded petroglyphs. Far from the platform and closer to the sea, is placed a moai of 2 meters that the sailors tried to take away. 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. Rano Raraku and Ahu Tongariki Volcanoes: Of important archeological value, the attractive offers more than 300 monuments on the “Moai Road”, because there is located the open quarry where was performed the cutting. The volcano is 100 meters high and is composed of volcanic tuffs. Of oval form with a crater on the top, the interior lagoon is another interesting highlight, it is 50 meters deep on its deepest part. 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. |
2017-2018 Prices per person in US$:
Program includes: 3 overnights with breakfast, 1 full day excursion with picnic lunch (Anakena), 2 half-day tour (Orongo & Ahu Akivi), group transfers and excursions with driver and bilingual guide, entrance fees.
This program may be altered depending on the airline's schedule. Can quote with private services 
SUGGESTED ADD ON - SCUBA DIVING - Easter Island is one of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world and due to its solitude in the middle of the Pacific Ocean possesses a unique undersea fauna and flora which grows as a result of the rocky bottom and the coral reefs. About 25 percent of the fish that live in these waters are endemic and only to be observed in these waters. The temperature of the water is 22°-24°C in summer (depending on depth obviously). Another fact that makes diving in Easter Island so unique is the transparency of the water which allows a 75 m / 250 ft visibility. This is one of the reasons why the famous Jacques Cousteau went to the Island to discover the underwater-world of this remarkable place in the 1978. The world famous scientist, discoverer and filmmaker, was also attracted by the many underwater caves this area possesses. One of the area's advantages is that there aren't too many divers. The best spots on the island are Anakena Beach, El Arca Perdida, Las Áncoras Reef (where you'll find a submerged Moai statue) and Moto Nui Cliff, an 80-meter precipice adorned with coral. In short, Easter Island is a diver’s paradise! This amazing experience is offered all year around, but always susceptible to climatic conditions. (1/2 day)
SUGGESTED ADD ON - HORSEBACK RIDING - A different and great way to get to know Easter Island is on horseback; distances are relatively small on the island and northwest of the village of Hanga Roa you will find tranquil areas to discover in solitude. There is a hiking path, which is not used much, and this tour is a great escape to nature and to feel the island’s remoteness. The first ceremonial village you will ride into is Tahai just outside of Hanga Roa. Here you will find 3 altars with Moai, one of which has the well known restored eyes. We will continue the ride through rough and barren landscape taking in the incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and you will realise once again that you have arrived either at the end or at the Ombligo, or navel of the world. The next stop will be a visit to one of the many caves that offer great windows looking out towards the ocean. After another hour or so we will arrive at the ceremonial village of Ahu Akivi, where you will find 7 Moai looking out over the Ocean. After a rest we will return to Hanga Roa. (1/2 day) |
