Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Arrival in Santiago
After arriving in Santiago de Chile's airport, transfer to your hotel - the 4* hotel Fundador (or equivalent)
Day 2
Santiago de Chile to Easter Island Flights
Transfer in the morning to the airport for your flight from Santiago de Chile to Easter Island. Upon your arrival on Easter Island, transfer to the hotel.
You will spend the night at 3* hotel Otai (or equivalent).
Day 3
Ahu Akahanga, Rano Raraku and 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. Spend the night at Hotel Otai (or equivalent).
Day 4
Ahu Akivi, Puna Pau, Rano Kau & Orongo
On this half-day excursion, you will get to know Orongo, the ceremonial site of the Birdman Cult, whose stone houses are located directly on the circular crater of the Rano Kau volcano. The Birdman Cult evolved only after the demise of the Moai culture, and you will learn about their fertility rites and the Birdman competition.
When you reach the crater rim of the Rano Kau, you have 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 held from Orongo. One delegate from each tribe, swimming and climbing, made it up the Motus cliffs to steal the first sooty tern egg of the year. The winning delegate was the king of all Rapa Nui for one year. The first five months of his reign, he was considered sacred, compelled to shave his head and grow his fingernails to look more 'birdlike', and engage in no activities other than eating and sleeping.
After the visit return to the hotel.
Next, you will head down to learn more about Ahu Akivi, one of the few Ahus that does not stand by the sea. His seven restored Moais are aligned to the equinox, suggesting advanced astronomy skills of the Rapa Nui. Afterwards visit the Puna Pau quarry, the source of the red stone used to make the headgear placed on many of the Maoi.
Day 5
Return Transfer to Santiago de Chile
Transfer to the airport for the return Santiago de Chile flight, then transfer from the Santiago de Chile airport to your hotel.
Day 6
Transfer to the Airport
Transfer to the airport in time for your return flight to Santiago de Chile.