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Multiday Tours Chile

Discover Easter Island (4 Days / 3 Nights)

Midway between Tahiti and Chile, Easter Island has long been subject to much speculation and inquisitive research. How and why did its people carve out, move and erect hundreds of giant stone Moai statues on the shoreline of the island? Easter Island is the most isolated island on earth but 1,200 years ago a double-hulled canoe filled with seafarers from a remote culture landed upon its coast. Over the centuries that followed, an extraordinary culture developed on the remote island. Easter Island today remains one of the most unique places on the planet; it is an open air museum, showcasing a fascinating culture. The Rapanui are some of the friendliest people one will ever meet and the landscape is truly incredible - volcanic craters, lava formations, beaches, brilliant blue water, and archaeological sites all add to the uniqueness of Easter Island. The sub-tropical Polynesian island has been part of Chile since 1888.

DAY 1 HANGA ROA

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 you to use the remainder of the day to visit the church of the village; among the various statues there 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. In the museum you can marvel at the Rapa Nui artefacts; two originals were removed from the island and replaced by reproductions, but the remainder of items in the museum and the other two Rongorongo carvings are original artefacts.

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. You will have views of the Poike Peninsula and the whole coastline consisting of black volcanic rock. We will make our first stop in Vaihu to visit archaeological sites. On the road to the next stop we will pass several Moai, lying along the street indicating the "Camino de los Moai", the "Trail of the Moai" on which they were maneuvered to their destinations. At Ranu Raraku - the quarry where a lots of Moai were sculpted - we will have a picnic lunch, and afterwards we will start walking up the Ranu Raraku volcano. You certainly will be impressed by our next highlight - the restored giant Ahu Tongariki and its 15 moai, 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-colored sand; after another 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.

DAY 3 CEREMONIAL VILLAGE ORONGO

From Hanga Roa it is a 30 minute drive to the volcano Rano Kau with the ceremonial village Orongo. You will be surprised by the perfect round shape of the Crater Lake. Orongo is the ceremonial center of the cult to the bird-man "Hombre Pajaro", which started after the further building of Moai had stopped. Your guide will explain this "new" culture of the island and show you the petroglyph images of Tangata Manu (bird man), Make Make (the god who created him) and Komari (a fertility symbol). This site commands a view of three small islets in the Pacific: Motu Nui, Motu Kao Kao and Motu Iti. You will have the rest of the day for your leisure and relaxation.

DAY 4 DEPARTURE

Transfer to airport in time to board the flight to Santiago or Tahiti.