Easter Island - The Navel of the world
Immerse
- Flexible Dates
- 24-Hour Local Assistance
- Flexible Duration
Itinerary
Reception at Easter Island Airport and welcome with a flower necklace, a local tradition. The island, known as Rapa Nui ("Big Island") by its inhabitants, is also referred to as Tepito Ote Henua ("The Navel of the World"). Declared a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, it is a vast archaeological site featuring enormous moai statues dating from the 13th to the 16th century. Transfer to your hotel.
Free afternoon and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: No Meal
Breakfast at the Hotel. Excursion for the day of the Arrival of Hotu Matu'a: Departure to the Ahu Akahanga archaeological site, where according to oral tradition, the first king of Hotu Matua Island would be buried. Continuation to the Raro Raraku volcano, also known as “the quarry” because most of the moai were carved there, where you can see about 400 statues in different stages of carving and state of conservation. Then visit the Ahu Tongariki, the most extensive platform with the largest number of restored moai (destroyed by the tsunami caused by the Valdivia-Chile Earthquake of 1960, considered the largest recorded in the history of humanity, reaching the island with waves up to 10 meters high, and then rebuilt in 1991 with the help of international experts, the support of UNESCO and a Japanese crane company). Lunch on the piece of ground of a local family surrounded by vegetation (trees and flowers) typical of the island. In the afternoon, continue to Te Pito Kura, a rock with magnetic properties that would have been brought by King Hotu Matua and also known as “the navel of the world.” Finally, visit Hanga-Rau o Te Ariki, one of the most relevant sites for the Rapa-Nui culture, where the Ahu Nau-Nau is located in front of the beautiful Anakena beach where you will have 30 minutes to enjoy its beach with crystalline waters (don’t forget to bring your swimsuit). In the afternoon return to hotel and accommodation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast at the Hotel.
In the morning, excursion of The legend of the Birdman: visit to archaeological sites, ceremonial centers and rock art paintings of great cultural value which will allow you to understand Rapa-Nui mythology and the enigmatic history of the ancient inhabitants of this island. Departure to Vinapu, a ceremonial area where the remains of 3 platforms and the Ahu Tahira wall are located, reminiscent of the Inca walls of Peru; then the crater of the Rano Kau volcano, the largest on the island and Orongo, a ceremonial village of Make-Make and Tangata Manu worship, where year after year (Feb 10-18 app.) some of the competitions of the “Tapaty party” are held. ”, which are based on the traditions and legend of the Rapa-Nui culture; and the crater of the Rano Kau volcano, the largest on the island. Return.
In the afternoon, Stargazing Excursion: visit to the archaeological sites of Ahu Akivi, platform with 7 moai, which according to oral legend, would have been created in honor of the first explorers of the island; then Puna Pau, the Pukao quarry (red slag hats that adorn the heads of some moai) with a panoramic view of the Hanga-Roa village; and Ana Te Pahu cavern, formed by the flow of volcanic lava thousands of years ago, which would have been used as a home by the ancient Rapa-Nui and where there are still archaeological remains. This tour will allow you to understand the connection of the ancient inhabitants with the Universe, megalithic archaeological sites that show how astronomy determined the arrangement of the statues and the platforms on which they are held, understanding the worldview of the ancient Polynesian navigators who populated the island. Return to the Hotel and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Breakfast at the Hotel. At the agreed time, transfer to Mataveri Airport to take your onward flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Inclusions
Transfers and excursions are in private.
Transfers with Spanish speaking driver + English speaking guide assistance at the airport and excursions with English-speaking guide.
Welcome with flower necklace and farewell with shell necklace.
Lodging in standard room or as indicated, breakfast included.
Meals as indicated in the program:
B= Breakfast L= Lunch / Box Lunch D = Dinner
Exclusions
Early check-in and late check-out
Entrance fees to Rapa-Nui national parks (quoted separately)
Supplement for a transfer by night (quoted separately)
Meals not indicated in the program, drinks or any extras
Tips to porters at airport and hotel
Air tickets and airport taxes
Personal insurance
Notes
Hotel / Lodge Used Or Similar
Easter Island
Option-1: EASTER ISLAND ECO LODGE Hotel (3*), standard room.
Option-2: IORANA RAPA-NUI Hotel (3* Sup.), Superior room.
Option-3: ALTIPLANICO RAPA-NUI Hotel (4*), Superior room -Easter Island, 2 km from the town.
Entrance fee to Rapa Nui national parks AUD 225 per person
Supplement for a transfer by night (ow) (00:00 –07:30 am) –Only Spanish driver AUD 49 per person
Notes
During holidays (Jan 01, May 01, Sep 18 y 19 and Dec 25), land services have a 100% surcharge and they will operate in the afternoon (or from noon).
Rates are subject to confirmation during holidays and long weekends (Easter, National Holidays Sep/18, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, etc) and during the Tapaty party (Feb 01/14).
Itinerary could be changed according to flight schedules, climate conditions, or in order to provide a better service.
Easter Island is composed by archaeological and cultural sites, which are under conservation protection. Access is forbidden to restricted areas. Since 2018, the Mau Henua indigenous community has managed the Rapa-Nui parks, achieving control of their ancestral territory, restricting daily visits to their parks.
Regulations within the park for responsible exploration:
Every visitor must buy an entrance ticket and visit with a local guide. Self-guided visits are only allowed in the Tahaisector and Anakena beach.
Respect the archaeological remains by staying on the authorized trails
Respect the signs and their restrictions. Entry to restricted areas is not allowed
Do not touch, just observe from the permitted distance
Refrain from collecting native species (sand, stones, shells or corals, etc.) and contribute to the care of the environment
Bicycles can only circulate on roads
It is not allowed to make graffiti or scratches, bring pets, drink liquor, smoke, make fires, camp, and use drones.
It is not allowed to Film or take photographs for commercial use without prior authorization.
Easter Island entry law:
The new law regulates the entry the right of entry to the foreigners (not Rapa-Nui people), allowed only with previously booked accommodation ((minimum 1 night/maximum 30)in a hotel or establishment registered by SERNATUR (National Tourism Service).
All passengers visiting the island must fill out the Unique Entry Form (FUI) online at least 48h prior the trip indicating the hotel where they will be staying and their Sernatur registration number.
Then, you will receive a confirmation via mail which you must present at the Investigation Police Department (PDI) at the airport. The procedure is per person and it is not necessary to print the form, you can show it on your cell phone, in addition to presenting your entry and exit ticket.
Entrance fee to National parks (payment of tickets):
To access the places managed and protected by the indigenous community of Rapa Nui, must previously purchase their ticket to ensure entry on the day of their visit at the park.
Once payment has been made, you will receive the ticket in your email registered in the payment, which you must download to be presented along with your passport at access control.
Remember that ticket sales are subject to availability, according to the authorized entry quot as per day and are valid for 5 days before and 5 days after the date indicated as entry, after that period it cannot be used.
Change of date allowed up to 48 hours before your visit
Tickets are non-transferable, to be used in the place and not the selected day.
