Enchanting Easter Island

Day 1 – Arrival to Easter Island Chile Your vacation on Easter Island starts being welcomed with a traditional flower necklace. After a short transfer to the hotel you will have the rest of the day to spend as you please. A visit to the nearby church and village is recommended. There you will have the opportunity to observe both Catholic and indigenous symbols and statues (Sunday mass available if time permits). Next to the church you will find the local market and museum rich in Rapa Nui artifacts and culture. Overnight at Hotel Gomero. Day 2 – Moais of Easter Island Today you will learn more about the fascinating history of Rapa Nui and begin the day traveling south along the coast of Easter island. As you travel along the road you will be able to observe the shoreline with black volcanic rocks and the amazing views of the vast Pacific Ocean. Your first stop will be a place known as HangaTe’e where you will be able to view a variety of toppled Moai (statues) of AhuVaihu. From there you will continue on and arrive to Rano Raraku. This volcano is home to ancient quarry that supplied stone from which about 95% of the island’s sculptures were carved. Here you will enjoy a box-lunch and explore your surroundings. Subsequently you will make your way to the next highlight, Ahu Tongariki. This is the largest restored Ahu on Easter Island Chile and features 15 moai. Afterwards, you will drive towards the east coast and arrive to Te Pito o Te Henua. This location is considered the “bellybutton” of the world boasting the nearby Ahu Te Pito Kura. Last, but not least you will reach the beach of Anakena known for its beautiful white sand and coconut palm trees. After visiting a nearby restored Ahu Nau Nau you’ll have time for a little rest and refreshing swim in the warm Pacific Ocean. (breakfast, box-lunch) Day 3 – Ceremonial Village Orongo & Ahu Akivi In the morning, you will take a drive up the Rano Kau extinct volcano. Along the way you will be able to appreciate panoramic views of the entire island as well as make a brief stop at an outlook point that showcases a crater lake. From there you will head to the ceremonial village known as Orongo. There, you will learn about its past, culture and the history of the birdman cult. You will also be able to observe a variety of petroglyph images and be able to spot 3 islets situated opposite of the coastline. Afterwards you will drive down the volcano to the Ahu Vinapu that includes an ahu with interesting stonemasonry. Subsequently your last stop of the morning before heading back to the hotel, will be the cave of Ana Kai Tangata where you will find interesting wall paintings. In the afternoon you will travel to Ahu Akivi which features seven re-erected moai situated inland. The legend claims that these statues represent the seven explorers who were sent to Rapa Nui by the late king HotuMatua. From there you will continue on to Hanga Poukura; this is an extraordinary ahu site where a number of tumbled moai statues and scattered topknots are located. Next, you will visit the important quarry of Puna Pau that provided the sole source of the red scoria that the Rapa Nui villagers used to carve the Pukaos. For the last visit for the day will visit the ceremonial site of Tahai boasting 3 ahus, restored statues, remains of boathouses and a boat ramp. This is a day is filled with history, culture and breathtaking sights! (breakfast) Day 4 – Departure from Easter Island Chile You will be transferred to the airport in time to board the flight to Santiago or Tahiti. (breakfast)