Rapa Nui Explorer

Easter Island
Trip Length: 5 Days
Group Size: 2 - 14
Difficulty
From: 807 USD
Enquire now

Head to the sunny pacific to dive into the rich cultural mysteries and unique vistas of the incomparable Easter Island.

Immerse yourself in the mystical culture and epic landscapes and ocean views of legendary Easter Island, visiting the mysterious Moai statues, walking and driving around the island’s best natural and archeological sites, and learning more about this fascinating island!

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Highlights

Highlights

  • Superb Moai Stone Statues.
  • South Pacific Beaches.
  • Ancient Ruins.
  • Beautiful Volcanoes.
  • Mysterious Craters and Lakes.
  • Early Religious Sites.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Easter Island

Easter Island, Chile

After the flight from Santiago to Easter Island, we're met at the airport by our friendly local guide and taken to the main town and capital of Easter Island, Hanga Roa, where almost 90% of Easter Island's inhabitants (the Rapa Nui) live.

We check into our hotel and our guide tells us about the upcoming itinerary. Then we enjoy a good night´s rest, ready for tomorrow's adventure.

Overnight Hotel O'Tai 3*, Hanga Roa.

Day 2: Tongariki, te pito te kura, Anakena.

Easter Island, Chile

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we drive along a coastal road to Hanga Te’e stopping at the ancient temple of Vahiu and visiting Ahu Akahanga and Ahu Tongariki (both alter sites - Ahu means sacred place and refers to the rectangular stone platform on which the Moai statues were erected). These sites were recently restored following damage caused by the tidal wave from the Great Chilean Earthquake in 1960 which washed the statues meters away from their original settings.

Afterwards, we continue to Ahu Te Pito Te Kura, an incredible perfectly round stone used for ceremonial purposes. If we put a compass on the stone it would start spinning crazily and finally show a wrong direction! We continue our exploration at Ahu Nau Nau and Rano Raraku, the border of which is ringed with Moais leading towards the quarry inside the crater rim. Here the Moai were cut from Volcanic tuff and some 150 unfinished figures were mysteriously left there.

We finally head down to Anakena Beach, the legendary landing place of Hota Matua (founder of the island) before journeying back to our hotel in Hanga Roa.

Overnight Hotel O'Tai 3*, Hanga Roa

Day 3: Rano kao, Orongo

Easter Island, Chile

After breakfast we start driving towards Rano Kao volcano, the biggest on the island, whose enormous crater is now a freshwater lake with floating green fields of totora reeds. This site offers an exceptional view of three craggy islands where the bizarre "bird-man" ritual took place. Nearby, we find the ruined village of Orongo where almost 50 stone buildings, the “bird-man” petroglyphs and Ahu Tahai ceremonial center are located. Afterwards, we drive back to our hotel.

After lunch, you will have a free afternoon. A possible suggestion for your afternoon would be visiting the archaeological site Tahai with its 3 restored Ahus and Moais. and then watching the spectacular sight of the sun setting behind the Moai.

Overnight Hotel O'Tai 3*, Hanga Roa

Day 4: Akivi, Vinapu, Puna Pau

Easter Island, Chile

We start the day by visiting Ahu Akivi. Unlike other Rapa Nui ceremonial sites, Akivi is not located on the coast and the moai are facing the ocean rather than with their backs to it - very enigmatic for researchers. According to the legend, these 7 Moai statues represent the first explorers who arrived on Easter Island, including supreme chief and king Hotu Matu'a. We then visit Hanga Poukura, an unrestored Ahu (stone platform) located on the island's southern coast. Finally, we head to the Puna Pau quarry, the place where the Moai hats were made.

The afternoon is free for spending time at your leisure. Options include a boat trip or a snorkeling tour (see prices & facts for rates).

Overnight Hotel O'Tai 3*, Hanga Roa

Day 5: Departure

Easter Island to Santiago de Chile

After a morning spent packing, relaxing and soaking up final views, we are driven back to the airport in time for the flight back to Santiago...Adiós Isla de Pascua!

Accommodation

Hotel O`tai 

Our first option will be Hotel O'tai which means "In the Coast" in Rapa Nui language. As its name implies, the hotel is just steps from the coastline and at the same time, in the heart of the village of Hanga Roa, near all the most important services. If O'tai Hotel is not available, a similar option will be offered.

Included

Included

  • All transportation as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Airport pick-up from Mataveri International Airport to hotel and back.
  • Four nights at a 3-star hotel.
  • English speaking guide.
  • Rapa Nui NP entrance fees.
  • Meals: everyday breakfast (except the first day) and Box Lunch on day 2.

Not included

  • Flight tickets.
  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Insurance. (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip)
  • Voluntary tipping of guides and staff.
  • Items of personal nature.

Facts

Departures

Regular. Every day on request.

Starting / finishing point

The trip starts at Easter Island’s Mataveri Airport at the moment of your arrival and finishes on day 5 at the same point, approximately two hours before your flight leaves.

Physical demands

The programmed walks are easy and over fairly flat terrain.

Group size & guiding staff

18 maximum plus staff.

Transport

In Eastern Island, the vehicles for regular tours are normally 20 or 14 seat minibusses.

Weather

Temperatures peak at around 30°C (85°F) from December to March. Winters are mild, with a low of around 13.8°C (57°F). The Pacific wind blows continuously, sometimes from several directions at once, which tends to keep the temperature fairly cool. Rainfall averages at around 1,118 mm (44") a year. Heavy rainfall and storms occasionally hit the island, particularly in the winter months (May to August) but cyclones or hurricanes do not occur in this zone of the Pacific.

What you need to bring

We recommend the following items: small daypack, usual outdoors clothes including waterproof hiking shoes and socks, waterproof parka & pants, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bathing suit, and a good camera!

Itinerary modifications

We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can also modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.

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We are a Chilean owned adventure tour operator, based in Santiago de Chile, operating adventure tours in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Our base prices are in Chilean Pesos (CLP), but we charge prices in USD based on the exchange rate valid on the day of payment.

Destinations | Chile

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