explora Chile - Art of Travel

Afternoon

After you land on the island, the world’s most remote inhabited island, our team will meet you at the airport and take you to explora's lodge, Posada de Mike Rapu.

We will begin by exploring the Vinapu ceremonial center with its monolithic stone remains, reminiscent of the Inca civilization of Peru. Thor Heyerdahl, the famous Norwegian explorer, argued that the existence of this type of architecture supported the hypothesis that the first inhabitants of the island came from South America.

Morning

We will head out for Anakena beach, which in ancient times was home to the most important Rapa Nui chiefs. The first conquerors came here around 900 to 1000 A.D, We will visit the ceremonial sites of Ahu Ature Huki and Ahu Nau Nau, getting our first taste of the world famous moai of Easter Island.

Then we will trek along the northern coast in the direction of the ceremonial site Ahu Te Pito Kura, home to the biggest Moai found on the island.

Afternoon

After lunch at the lodge, we will make our way to Hanga Roa, the only town on the island, where we will visit the market and Catholic church, which has unusual wooden carvings. We will then head towards the archaeological area of Tahai, an impressive ceremonial complex comprising three Ahu (ceremonial sites).

Morning

We will follow the coast south-east towards the crater of the Rano Raraku volcano, where there are around 400 monolithic statues made from volcanic tuff. In the mid 17th century, these statues were abandoned in different stages of progress. One of the most complex enigmas of the island’s history is how these unique long statues were transported.

Afternoon

After lunch, we will head for the Ahu Tongariki, the biggest ceremonial site in the whole of Polynesia. This site was restored by members of the Archaeological Travel Services (ATS) team as part of a five-year project which ended in 1996. Next, we will continue our journey south-east along the coast to explore the archaeological remains of the ceremonial site Ahu Akahanga and Ura Uranga, the place where the first great chief of the island was buried.

Morning

The next stop on our expedition will take us to Puna Pau, the only crater where the red volcanic rock known as scoria was found. This was used to carve the hats or pukao worn by some moai. We will continue towards Ahu Akivi, the first altar to be restored on the island, with its characteristic seven moai, the only ones facing the sea. Later we will go to Ana Te Pahu, where we will find lava tubes which were used as rooms and the ceremonial villa of Ahu Tepeu.

Afternoon

After lunch we will make the 40-minute journey by minibus to the summit of the Rano Kao volcano. This is the location of the ceremonial village of Orongo, where the Bird Man ceremony took place in ancient times. From this high point we will have an unparalleled view of the small islands or Motu opposite the island and of the crater of the volcano.

In the evening, we will dine with a Rapa Nui family.

Morning

Breakfast, goodbyes and transfer to the airport to return to Santiago.