Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
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 Hotel Otai (or equivalent).
Day 2
Full day tour: Ahu Akahanga, Rano Raraku and Anakena
On this excursion you will be on the trail of the secrets of the Rapa Nui culture. At the beginning you will visit the living caves and Moai platforms in Akahanga on the south coast of the island. The platforms have not been restored, their moai still lying on the ground as they fell when the cult sites were destroyed. Grass has grown over the Ahus, the actual altar platforms on which the moai were placed, over time. Continue on to Ahu Tongariki, the largest and perhaps most beautiful of the Ahus: 15 re-erected moai perch on it, looking out over their island, the ocean at their backs. Then continue to Rano Raraku, an extinct volcano made of tuff rock. It is perhaps the most interesting sight on the island, as it is the site of the quarry where the moais were carved from the rock. All over the slopes of the volcano lie the gigantic figures scattered, ready for removal, which never took place. Further up, you will find even more moais in various stages of completion, some still attached to the rock as if they had been abandoned from one day to the next. From there, head north to Ahu Te Pito Kura. Here is Te Pito o Te Henua, ("the navel of the world"), a large, round, smooth stone, supposedly endowed with magical powers. According to legend, King Hotu Matua himself brought it with him when he first colonized Easter Island. Last stop of this eventful day is Anakena beach, where King Hotu Matua went ashore with the first settlers. Here you will find 2 restored Ahus, Nau Nau and Ature Huke. You will also have time to relax on the fine white sand and take a refreshing swim in the Pacific waves before being transferred back to the hotel.
Overnight at the Otai Hotel (or equivalent).
Day 3
Full day tour: Ranu Kau, Orongo, Ahu Akivi and Puna Pau
During the first part of the day you will get to know as Orongo, the ceremonial site of the Birdman Cult, whose stone houses are located directly at the circular crater of the Rano Kau volcano. The Birdman cult developed only after the demise of the Moai culture and consists of fertility rites and the Birdman contest. Then, after a short drive, when you reach the crater rim, you will have a spectacular view over the large crater lake, the sea and the town of Hanga Roa on the other side. From another vantage point you can see the three motus. These islets were the destination of the chosen young men during the birdman competition held from Orongo. One per tribe set out swimming and climbing to the motus to steal the first swallow egg of the year. The winning clan provided the king of all Rapa Nui for one year. After the visit, return to the hotel.
The second part of the excursion will take you first to Ahu Tahai ("Where the Sun Hides"), north of Hanga Roa right on the coast. Here are three restored ahus with moais looking out over the island with their backs to the sea. On one of them stands Ko Te Riku, the only "seeing" statue on the entire island, its eyes made of white coral and black obsidian. Afterwards, visit Ahu Akivi, one of the few Ahus that are not by the sea. Its seven rebuilt moais are aligned according to the equinox, suggesting advanced astronomical knowledge of the Rapa Nui. Last stop of the excursion is the Puna Pau Quarry, where the red stone headdresses were made that were placed on many moai. Afterwards return to the hotel.
Overnight at the Otai Hotel (or equivalent).
Day 4
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.