Duration: | 4 Day(s) - 3 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Classic Tours |
Fly to one of the mystery areas of Chile and learn more about Easter Island.
Easter Island The Basic
Day 1: Santiago Easter Island
Arrival at Mataveri airport and typical welcome. Half-day excursion to Rano Kao Rano Kau 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 tiny and craggy off-shore islands: Nui, Motu, and Kao-Kao. Perched 400 meters above the lake on the crater wall is the ceremonial village of Orongo, where the bizarre "birdman" ritual took place.
The partially restored village has 48 oval buildings built out of overlapping stone slabs. Over the cliffs, you can see an amazing string of "birdman" petroglyphs.. Return to the hotel. Overnight on Easter Island.
Day 2: Rano Raraku and Anakena
Early this morning you start your tour of the island by driving along the southern coast. Your first stops are at Ahus Vaihu and Akahanga. Ahu, which means "sacred place," refers to the rectangular stone platform on which the famous Moai (enormous, 100-ton basalt statues) were often erected.
Next, you head to the volcanic crater of Rano Raraku. This might be the most impressive site on the island. Seventy standing sentinels, embedded up to their shoulders in the grass on the south slope of the volcanic crater Rano Raraku, lead the way to the quarry or "nursery" inside of the impressive crater rim. This is where the Moai were cut from volcanic tuff, and some 150 figures remain here in all stages of completion.
They are mute witnesses to the mystery that suddenly stopped all work. You visit the Ahu of some of the nearby Moai, and check out the holes in the crater rim that were used to maneuver the statues. You drive to Ahu Te Pito Kura on the northern coast and visit the Anakena beach, the legendary landing place of the island's founder Hota Matua. After swimming and relaxing in this piece of South Pacific paradise, you'll return to the hotel for the evening. (B; L)
Day 3: Ahu Akivi
At the ceremonial center of Ahu Akivi, there are seven standing Moais who, unlike most others, look out at the sea. It is said they represent the sons of a Maori sorcerer sent to search for Rapa Nui, the home for King Hotu Matua. However, Georgia Lee states "their function was to look out over the ceremonial area... the ocean just happens to be out there in the distance."
Approximately a week after the spring equinox, the seven statues all look directly at the setting sun. This inland ahu was restored in 1960, and all around the site are volcanic caves that you are free to explore. The most impressive caves are called "Two Windows" and the "Cave of the Banana."
Before returning to your base, you'll visit Ahu Tepeu and the quarry Puna Pau, where topknots - hats or hairpieces for the Moai, in essence - were carved from the soft volcanic scoria. (B)
Day 4 Easter Island Santiago
Transfer to airport and typical farewell. Flight back to Santiago. (B)
Regular Group Service:
Min 2 people
Package Includes:
Touristic Transportation
Bilingual Guide
Lunch on FD Tour
3 Nights STD DBL Room / Breakfast Included
Price based on DBL Room