Enchanting Easter Island

2010 Dates : Custom departures available daily

Easter Island is the most isolated place in all the planet, at a distance of 3.000 km from the nearest populated point and one of the most fascinating archaeological riddles of all time.

The inhabitants of Easter Island, whose origin is still an enigma, carved enormous 100 ton Moais (basalt statues) from a quarry in the side of a volcano and erected them on giant stone altars on the coast. The island, located in the exotic Polynesia, conserves the enchantment of warm beaches, agreeable climate, transparent oceans and remarkable volcanic remains. Dotted around the island are several dead craters, two of which now contain freshwater lakes; as well as hundreds of caves, once used as refuges or secret burial places. This trek is made for those who like to walk and discover nature; who enjoy outdoor recreation and soft adventure.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Santiago - Easter Island
Reception at Mataveri airport, where you are greeted by our local guides. Transfer to Hanga Roa, a small township where all of Easter Island's 2,500 people live. Here you find your Hotel O'tai (or up-graded hotel depending on your selected option), where you will stay for the next four nights. Attend a welcome cocktail reception to meet your guides and discuss the itinerary and some other aspects about the trip.

Day 2: Rano Raraku – Tongoriki – Akahanga – Vaihu
Early in the morning you start your tour throughout the island. Your first sight today is the volcanic crater of Rano Raraku. This might be the most impressive site on the island: 70 standing sentinels, embedded up to their shoulders in grass on the south slope of the volcanic crater Rano Raraku, leading the way to the quarry or "nursery" inside of the impressive crater rim. Here was where the Moai (enormous 100 tons statues) were cut from volcanic tuff. You will find some 150 figures, still left there, which are mute witnesses of the mystery that suddenly stopped all work. You continue your tour and visit Ahu Tongariki, recently restored after a tidal wave washed the statues dozens of meters away from their original setting in 1960. We keep going passing Ahu Akahanga until we reach Vaihu. (B, L-)

Day 3: Rano Kau – Orongo – Vinapu – Tahai
Today your first stop is Rano Kau volcano, the biggest on the island, whose enormous crater is now a fresh water lake with floating green fields of totora reeds. This site offers an exceptional view of three tiny and craggy islands Nui, Motu and Kao-Kao where the bizarre "bird man" ritual took place. Here you also find the ruined village of Orongo, perched in this sublime location, which shows 48 oval buildings built out of overlapping stone slabs. Over the cliffs you see an amazing string of "bird man" petroglyphs. The tour continues to Vinapu, passing through Vai A Tare. At Vinapu we find Ahu Tahira (This word describes the rectangular stone platform on which the Moai statues were erected). Later you drive to Tahai and the Cave of the Petroglyphs. (B, L-)

Day 4: Te Pito Te Kura – Ovahe – Anakena
You begin your tour driving along the coast road to the largest Moai ever transported. It is named Ahu Te Pito Te Kura (navel of light) and boasts at some 9.8 m/ 32 ft. in length. Next you reach Ovahe beach, a small bay nestled beneath a cliff of volcanic rock with pure and golden sands and magnificent clear water, a true South Pacific paradise. Spend some time there swimming and relaxing. Later you visit Anakena beach, the legendary landing place of Hota Matua, the founder of the island. (B, L-)

Day 5: Easter Island – Santiago
Free morning to relax. Later take the flight back to Santiago. (B)

Included:

• All transportation throughout the island
• 4 nights accommodation in the selected hotel
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: B=breakfast L=lunch L- =Box Lunch D=dinner
• English speaking guide
• Orongo entrance fee (currently there are no other entrance fees to be paid on this trip, but this is subject to change)

• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Airfares
• Insurance