iExplore Easter Island

Tour Description

With its location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and home to a culture whose origins and evolution are still largely unknown, Easter Island is an attractive and mysterious destination. A mild year-round climate allows for walking the island's geography and traveling along the coast of numerous ahus that are home to the gigantic sculptures called moai.

Itinerary

Easter Island    4 days      Hanga Roa    Itinerary

 

 

Day 01                                                                                                 Arrival Santiago – Easter Island

Morning departure from Santiago Airport to Easter Island. Discovered in 1771 on Easter Sunday (hence the name), Easter Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the most isolated place on the face of the Earth. The island lies at a distance of 3,700 km (2,300 miles) from the nearest populated point, which is the Chilean mainland. Although more Polynesian than South American in character, the 64 square mile island was annexed by Chile in 1888, and is now famous as the world’s largest open air museum on account of the more than 600 Moai, or human-like stone statues, that can be found on the island. The Moai remain very much a mystery which archaeologists are still trying to unlock by interpreting an ancient language of the Rapa Nui. However, its unique characters that run left-to-right one line and then the reverse on the next line are still undecipherable.

The island owes its origin to three volcanoes which erupted some three million years ago: Poike, Rano Kau and Maunga Terevaka. It is not known when or how the island was first populated, but the most credible theory suggests that the Rapa Nui people came from other Pacific islands in the 4th century AD. In addition to the cultural and archaeological interest, there are the beautiful beaches, transparent waters and coral reefs that might be expected of a Pacific Island, and Jacques Cousteau himself agreed that it is one of the most perfect places for underwater marine studies

 

 

Reception at airport with flower lei and transfer to the hotel

 

Hanga Roa Eco Village

Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa is a place to encounter with the essence of humanity , with what is simple, with our origins and, with the beauty of nature. It Is an invitation to renew the soul and at the same time to respect nature and the culture that surrounds it. Is an invitation to be a protagonist and at the same time spectator of an ancient culture that is still alive. All rooms are built with noble and natural materials like cypress logs, clay and volcanic rock, offering our guests a dip in the Rapa Nui habitat, inspired by "the cave" offering curved spaces, islander style. All are equipped with the latest technology that controls the water and electricity consumption, air temperature and, minimize noise and electromagnetic fields.

 

 

Overnight at Hanga Roa Eco Village (Kainga  room)

 No Meals

 

Day 02                                                                                                                                      Easter Island

In the morning passengers will be picked up  at their  hotel and the tours begins at the Ahu Vinapu. This sector is one of the oldest dated on the island (AD600). The stone masonry found on the Ahu Tahaira has a fit so perfect it is often compared to that found at Cuzco in South America.

From Vinapu the tour continues on to the volcano of Rano Kau. This is the second oldest volcano on the island and is the site of  the ceremonial village of Orongo. Its hugh Caldera (1,5Km at its base) contains one of the island’s three fresh water lakes.

From the look out at the rim of Rano Kau we continue on to the ceremonial village of Orongo. This site is best known for the birdman cult ceremonies. The site was restored in 1974 by Dr. William Mulloy. Within the village you will see 47 restored houses as well as the remains of an ancient ahu. From the village you will also see the three small islets: Motu Nui, Motu Iti, Motu Kao Kao.

The tour ends with a stop in the town of Hanga Roa and a visit to the Artisan Market. Passengers are then returned to their hotel at approximately 12:30PM for lunch (not included)

At 3 p.m. pick-up at your hotel hotel and tour departs for Ahu  Complex-Tahai. This complex was restored in 1967/68 by archaeologist William Mulloy. This ceremonial complex is one of the oldest dated sites (6th century). It includes three different ahu. Ahu Ko Te Riku, stands 4.73 meters high, has an estimated weight of 20 tons and has been dated to 690 AD. Ahu Vai Ure holds 5 different statues and on Ahu Tahai stands one lone statue. Next the tour moves on to the Father Sebastian Englert Museum which is located just above the Tahai complex. From the museum the tour goes further inland to the Ahu Akivi. This ahu with its seven moai was completely restored in 1960 by Dr. William Mulloy who had the site dated at 1460 AD.

The last stop is the secondary crater of Puna Pau. It is from this crater that the red scoria used to make the top knots was quarried. From here passenger are returned to their hotel at approximately 6:30PM.

Overnight at Hanga Roa Eco Village (Kainga  room)

Breakfast

 

 

Day 03                                                                                                                                          Easter Island

At 09:30 a.m. passengers are picked up at their  hotel and the tour begins by driving down the southeast coast and shopping first at the Ahu Hanga Te’e in the sector of Vaihu.

From vaihu the tour continues on to the Ahu Akahanga also known as the platform of the king. According to legends this is the site where the bones of the first king of Easter Island ( Hotu Matua) are buried. From this site the tour continues on the volcano of Rano Raraku the site where 95% of all moai were carved. Today you will find 394 statues in various stages of completion. A hike to the top of the volcano’s crater will not only reveal many statues but also a beautiful fresh water lake.

After the volcano hike we continue on the restored Ahu Tongariki. This magnificent platform is the largest on the island and holds fifteen moai. This site was completely destroyed by a tsunami in 1960. The ahu was restored in 1992/1995 by Claudio Cristino of the University of Chile.

The tour continues along the north coast and passes through La Perousse bay to stop at Ahu Te Pito Kura. This is the site of the largest moai ever transported and erected onto an ahu. The moai paro stood at 9.8 meters and has an estimated weight of 82 tons. Its top knot onlyweighs approximately 11 tons. It is also believed to be the last moai to be toppled sometime in the 1840’s.

The next stop is the beach of Anakena where according to native legend Hotu Matua first landed on Rapa Nui. At this site you will see the Ahu Nau Nau partial restored in 1978 by Rapa Nui Archeologist Sergio Rapu. Located in this same area is the Ahu Ature Huki. The moai standing on this ahu was the first moai to ever be re erected onto an ahu. This was done by a group of islanders working with Thor Heyerdahl and the Norwegian expedition in 1956.

From Anakena we take the inland road through Vaitea back to  town and drop passengers at their hotel at  approximately 5:30PM.

Overnight at Hanga Roa Eco Village (Kainga  room)

Breakfast & Box lunch

 

Day 04                                                                                         Easter Island- Santiago- Departure

In the morning enjoy breakfast at your hotel and transfer to the airport to board your flight back to the continent and Santiago Airport. Upon arrivat at the airport a guide will meet you and assist you with check in procedures for your flight back home.
 

 

End of Services

Bon Voyage!

 

*** THIS IS A PROPOSAL ONLY AND IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AT THE TIME OF CONFIRMATION.

WE ARE NOT HOLDING ANY SPACES FOR THIS ITINERARY AT THIS TIME. ***

Departures

Custom programs may be arranged the balance of the year in accordance with scheduled flight service. Please call for details.

Pricing Information

 

 

USD PRICE PER PERSON AUTUMN SEASON Valid from 1st April 2012 to 31st July 2012
Based  2 passengers	US$ 1515.00
Single supplement	US$ 300.00
Domestic flights taxes included in economic class SCL-IPC-SCL	See notes

 

 

 

USD PRICE PER PERSON   Valid from 1st August 2012 to 31st December 2012
Based  2 passengers	USD 1899.00
Single supplement	USD 655.00.
Domestic flights taxes included in economic class SCL-IPC-SCL	See notes

 

 

Inclusions:

• Hotel accommodation in rooms with private bath
• Transfers and excursions on private service with english speaking guide
• Meals as per itinerary described above, B= breakfast, L=lunch, D= dinner
• Excursions and services as listed above
• Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing
• Baggage handling: 02 pieces of bagagge per person – Maximun weight allowed in domestic flights: 20 kg.  

 

Exclusions:

• Air transportation and/or airport taxes, unless specified above
• Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
• Extras at hotels (laundry, telephone calls, tips etc)
• Any other items not mentioned above
• All services as listed above
• Visas

 

Suggested Flights

Santiago/ Easter Island/ Santiago  : U$ 1300.00   

 

Airfare has been quoted using the lowest fare available at the moment and is subject to change without prior notice. Once the tickets are issued the airlines apply 100% cancellation penalty (*) and several restrictions.

 

FLIGHT SCHEDULE
	Route	Flight	Departs	Arrives
Day 01	Santiago- Easter Island	LA 847	11:45 hrs.	15:25 hrs.
Day 04	Easter Island – Santiago	LA  842	13:05 hrs.	19:50 hrs.

All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.

Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

Options and Extras

Tour Notes

Are medical services available?

In Hanga Roa there is a clinic that can attend to emergencies, however the closest hospital is in Santiago, in a five hour flight from the island.

Is there horse back riding in Easter Island?

We do not have horse back riding explorations on Easter Island.