Magic Easter Island

Easter Island, over 2,000 miles from the nearest population centers and one of the most isolated places on Earth, is a stunningly attractive open air museum with more the 20,000 archaeological ruins. Because of its natural wealth, in 1995, the Rapa Nui National Park was declared Cultural Landscape of the World Patrimony by the UNESCO.

Day 1: Arrive in Hanga Roa
On 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. The artesanal market and the local museum are located next to the church. In the museum you can marvel at the reproductions of Rapa Nui artefacts; the originals were removed from the island.

Day 2: Anakena
Breakfast. Today you will learn more about the fascinating history of Rapa Nui. After leaving Hanga Roa, we 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 moais, lying along the street indicating the "Camino de los Moais", the "Trail of the Moais" on which they were maneuvered to their destinations.

At Ranu Ra-raku - the quarry where all moais were sculpted - we will have a pic-nic 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 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 Ova-he, 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. (Box Lunch)

Day 3: Ceremonial Village Orongo & Ahu Akivi
Breakfast. 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.
 

Day 4: Fly out from Hanga Roa
Breakfast. Transfer to airport in time to board the flight to Santiago.