4 Days / 3 Nights
Day 1 - Arrive Easter Island
You will be welcomed upon arrival and transferred to
your hotel. Overnight at IORANA HOTEL (Superior Room).
Day 2 - Easter Island – Rano Kau, Orongo &
Sebastian Englert’s Museum
The excursion begins in the town of Hanga Roa and
heads towards Ahu Vinapu, a temple whose moai
(sculptures) are curiously similar to stone works created
by the Incas. According to some researchers, the
evidence at this site illustrates that the first inhabitants
on the island were of South American descent.
The excursion proceeds vertically, up the Rano Kau
volcano to the city of Orongo, the center or the “Bird Man” cult. This cult participated in a bizarre
ceremony that was traditionally held here each year
to elect the island’s religious leader. Note that the
houses in Orongo, made of soft stone, have been
meticulously restored. The cliffside, however, has been
left untouched. It is adorned with hundreds of petroglyphs,
such as Tangata Manu, the “Bird Man,” the Manu
Tara, the sacred bird itself and Makemake, the god
who was believed to have created the world. Pause
to enjoy what is nothing short of a spectacular view
of islets Motu Nui, Motu-Iti and Motu Kao-Kao. The
tour continues with a stop in Hanga Roa and a visit to
the Sebastián Englert Anthropological Museum, which
houses exceptional exhibits including the only intact
eye of a moai ever found. (B)
Day 3 - Easter Island – Ahu Vaihu, Akahanga,
Tongariki, Te Pito Kura & Anakena Beach
As you depart from Hanga Roa and head toward the
southern shore at Ahu Vaihu, you will find the site of
8 large moai lying in ruins. The second stop is Ahu
Akahanga, one long stone platform and four fallen
moais. According to legend, this site holds the tomb of
the island’s first king, Hoto Matua. The ride proceeds
to Ahu Tongariki, the largest ahu ever built. Destroyed
by a tsunami in 1960, this site was later re-assembled
and now all 15 moai stand together. Your tour resumes
with a drive past La Perouse Bay to the Ahu Te Pito
Kura, which is said to symbolize the “Navel of the
World.” The name literally means “navel of light,” referring
to the stone from which the moai was carved. En
route to Anakena Beach, visit the partially rebuilt Ahu
Nau Nau and the lone moai of Ahu Ature Huki. Enjoy a
leisurely picnic on the beach, where it is believed Hotu
Matua first came ashore. (BL)
Day 4 - Depart Easter Island
The day is at leisure until your transfer to the airport
for your departing flight. (B)
