Discover Easter Island
Chile
Chile
Easter Island or Rapa Nui, a Chilean territory, is a remote volcanic island in Polynesia. It’s famous for its nearly 900 monumental statues, called moai, created by the early inhabitants during the 13th–16th centuries. The stone blocks, carved into head-and-torso figures, average 4 meters tall and 14 tons. Some of these rest on massive stone pedestals called ahus. Ahu Tongariki with 15 moais, is the largest ahu on Easter Island.
This tour is a wonderful combination of Chile’s vibrant capital city and spellbinding Easter Island. In Santiago, you will also have a chance to sample first-hand the delightful and highly-regarded New World wines of Chile. Then travel to Easter Island whose ancient inhabitants called it Te Pito o Te Henua (the Navel of the World). Visitors today often call it the world's largest open-air museum. Explore this fascinating island with an interesting and yet tragic history.
TRAVEL UNTAMED ON THIS 7-DAY EASTER ISLAND TOUR…
And, see spectacular moais, huge statues carved from volcanic stone.
Discover Easter Island
Santiago, Easter Island
(7 Days – Travel Any Day)
Day 1 – Arrive & City Sightseeing
Santiago On arrival at Santiago Airport you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel for your three-night stay. This afternoon, discover this wonderful city on our Santiago sightseeing tour.
Overnight – Galerias Hotel Deluxe or The Ritz-Carlton.
Day 2 – Valparaiso Tour
Vina del Mar Spend an unforgettable day at Vina del Mar, Chile’s most fashionable beach resort. Discover nearby Valparaiso, a place bursting with character where hundreds of brightly coloured wooden houses cling to the hillside, and which is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its historic architecture and role as a merchant port. (B)
Day 3 – Vineyard Excursion
Vina del Mar Today you will have a chance to sample first-hand the delightful and highly-regarded New World wines of Chile. Your fascinating guided half-day tour, a wine lovers’ delight, to one of the areas leading estates such as Concha y Toro or Vina Undurraga, will cover every step of the winemaking process and will culminate in some well earned wine tasting. Enjoy spectacular scenery and views of the magnificent Andes on your return to Santiago. (B)
Day 4 – Transfer
Easter Island Upon arrival on the mystifying, volcanic island of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) you will receive a traditional welcoming before your transfer to your chosen hotel for a three-night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight – Explore Rapa Nui or Hangaroa (D)
Day 5 – Anakena and Moai Statues
Easter Island This morning you head out for the dramatic, volcanic coastline along the 'Camino de los Moais', the route on which the ancient stone Moais were moved. After a picnic lunch at Ranu Raraku, where many of the moais were quarried and sculpted, you will climb the Ranu Raraku volcano before heading to the iconic restored giant Ahu Tongariki (ceremonial platform) with its line-up of 15 imperious moais. The journey back to the hotel takes you via Anakena where the Pacific waters lapping the beautiful palm fringed, white sand beach invite you for a refreshing dip.
Overnight – Explore Rapa Nui or Hangaroa (B, L)
Day 6 – Rano Kau, Orongo and Ahu Te Pahu
Easter Island This morning visit the volcano of Rano Kau, measuring about 1,600m in diameter. Admire its perfectly round crater lake, before heading to the ceremonial village of Orongo to view the petroglyphs (rock carvings) and learn about their history. This afternoon takes you to see the giant Moais of Ahu Tahai, Ahu Tepeu and Ahu Akivi, the quarry of Puna Pau and the volcanic caves of Ana Te Pahu.
Overnight – Explore Rapa Nui or Hangaroa (B)
Day 7 – Depart
Easter Island Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Santiago or onwards to Papeete, Tahiti. (B)
Make this your holiday
Getting There There are currently no direct flights from major UK airports. Most flights are via Europe, Latin America or US; LAN, Iberia, British Airways and Air France are all options. It’s worth paying attention to the routes used by the different airlines; even the shortest and most convenient ones via Madrid or Buenos Aires entail a total travelling time of over 16 hours. Flying via the US is longer still (though sometimes cheaper).
When to go This best (and most expensive) time to visit Patagonia is between Nov to Feb. March is the period for grape harvest and wine festivals and April is fall. Between September and November is possibly the best time to visit Santiago, the temperatures are pleasant and good value for money. Jun to Aug is winter and the best time to visit ski resorts. Between mid-December to end February and two-middle weeks of July is holiday time for Brazilians and Argentines.