Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Flight: Santiago de Chile - Easter Island
Transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Easter Island. After arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation in 3* Hotel Otai (or equivalent)
Day 2
Ahu Akivi & Puna Pau
Ahu Akivi is one of the few Ahus that does not stand by the sea. The seven restored Moais are aligned to the equinox, leading historians to believe that the Rapa Nui had advanced astronomy skills. Afterwards visit the Puna Pau quarry, the source of the red stone used to make the headgear placed on many of the Maoi.
Accommodation in 3* Hotel Otai (or equivalent)
Ranu Kau & Orongo
On this half-day excursion you will learn about Orongo, the ceremonial site of the Birdman Cult, whose stone houses are located directly on crater of the Rano Kau volcano. The Birdman Cult developed after the demise of the Moai culture and consists of fertility rites and the Birdman Competition.
The crater rim of the Rano Kau offers a spectacular view over the large crater lake, the sea and Hanga Roa on the other side. From another vantage point you can see the three Motus. These islets were the target of the chosen young men during the Birdman Competition, which was held from Orongo. One man per tribe, swimming and climbing, rose to the motus to steal the first Swallow Egg of the year. The winning clan was the king of all Rapa Nui for one year.
Accommodation in 3* Hotel Otai (or equivalent)
Day 3
Ahu Akahanga, Rano Raraku & Anakena
Follow the path of the Rapa Nui culture's secrets.
At the beginning you will visit the dwelling caves and moai platforms in Akahanga on the south coast of the island. You will see that over time, nature has started to reclaim the Ahus, the actual altar platforms on which the Moai were placed.
Continue to the Ahu Tongariki, the largest and perhaps the most beautiful of the Ahus - holding 15 moai who watch over their island, the endless ocean behind them.
Your next stop is Rano Raraku, an extinct tuff volcano. It is perhaps the most interesting attraction of the island, as this quarry was the original source of the stone from which the Moais were cut. Everywhere on the mountain slopes of the volcano, the gigantic figures are scattered, ready for their transport which never took place.
From there, drive north to Ahu Te Pito Kura. Here is Te Pito o Te Henua, the Navel of the World - a large, round, smooth stone, supposedly with magical powers. According to legend, King Hotu Matua personally brought it along during the first settlement of Easter Island.
The last stop on this eventful day is Anakena beach, where King Hotu Matua went ashore with the first settlers. Here are two restored Ahus: Nau Nau and Ature Huke. You also have time to relax in the fine white sand.
Accommodation in 3* Hotel Otai (or equivalent)
Day 4
Free day
Discover (or rediscover) the island at your leisure today.
Accommodation in 3* Hotel Otai (or equivalent)
Day 5
Return flight to Santiago de Chile
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to Santiago de Chile, then transfer from the Santiago de Chile airport to your hotel.