Easter Island

Day 1: Hanga Roa

After your arrival at Mataveri airport you will experience a traditional reception with flower necklaces. A short transfer takes you to your hotel. We recommend you to use the remainder of the day to visit the church of the village; among the various statues there you will find traditional Roman Catholic symbols together with indigenous ones. On Sunday morning you are welcome to attend mass. The artesanal market and the local museum are located next to the church. In the museum you can marvel at the reproductions of Rapa Nui artefacts; the originals were removed from the island.

Day 2: Anakena

Today you will learn more about the fascinating history of Rapa Nui. After leaving Hanga Roa, we will drive to the south along the coastal road. You will have views of the Poike Peninsula and the whole coastline consisting of black volcanic rock. We will make our first stop in Vaihu to visit archaeological sites.  We will have a picnic lunch, and afterwards we will  start walking up the Ranu Raraku volcano. You certainly will be impressed by our next highlight - the restored giant Ahu Tongariki and its 15 moais, which are the largest worship site on the island. Continuing on our excursion, we will take a small break to visit two beaches, one of them being Ovahe, a small bay with a cave and nearly pink-colored sand; after another short drive we will reach Anakena with its white sandy beach and coconut palm trees inviting you to rest in the sand and swim in the warm Pacific water.
Drive back to Hanga Roa. (B,BL)

Day 3: Ceremonial Village Orongo & Moais at Ahu Akivi

From Hanga Roa it is a 30 minute drive to the volcano Rano Kau with the ceremonial village Orongo. You will be surprised by the perfect round shape of the crater lake. Orongo is the ceremonial center of the cult to the birdman "Hombre Pajaro", which started when the "Short Ears" stopped building moais. Your guide will explain this "new" culture of the island and show you the petroglyph images of Tanga Manub (bird man), Make Make (the god who created him) and Komari (a fertility symbol). This site commands a view of three small islets in the Pacific: Motu Nui, Moto Kau, Moto Iti. The afternoon excursion will take you to the Ahu Akivi site with its prominent 7 moais. Ahu Akivi is unusual in not being on the coast, and in that its moais face towards the sea. (B)

Day 4: Departure

Transfer to airport in time to board the flight to Santiago or Tahiti. (B)