|
EASTER ISLAND
EXTENSION
Incredible In-Depth Chile Tour - Chilean Special Journeys
OVERVIEW
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as it is called in its own language, should
be on every adventurer’s destination list, and will not disappoint
visitors. It soothes the soul of the most wearied traveler, and embraces
the novice with the warmth of its environment, history and people.
C.S.J. generally prepares extensions on a custom basis. Easter Island
has generated so much interest that we have created the following extension
package. We suggest 3 nights / 4 days on the fascinating, small island.
This gives you enough time to explore in-depth, yet avoids redundancy.
Easter Island is deep in the Pacific, a 6 hour, commercial flight west
of Santiago Chile. Flights are generally 3 times a week, to and from Santiago
on LanChile. For our April trip the flight connections are ideal, allowing
you to fly directly to Rapa Nui on the last day of our tour. Thus you
arrive late on the same day, April 27. The flight schedule is not yet
known for November, possibly an extra night or two may be needed on the
mainland.
Easter Island extensions are on a space-available basis. It is important
to reserve as far in advance as possible. CSJ will secure extension reservations
upon the receipt of a $300 deposit per person.
PRICE
Prices include return airfare from Santiago, three nights at Hotel Iorana
on the island, two days of private guided tours with superb guides and
meals as specified in the itinerary Hotel Iorana – Superior Room
-
Price per person, single occupancy:
USD 2,700
-
Price per person, double occupancy: USD 2,100
Prices need to be reconfirmed at time of booking.
For those who would
like to stay longer, additional hotel nights are available.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 - Santiago - Easter Island
Easter Island lies
far out in the Pacific, a 6 hour flight from Santiago on a commercial
jet. Flights generally depart in the early afternoon, arriving to Easter
Island about 8:00pm. Stepping off the plane, into the welcoming humidity
of the Pacific, each visitor is greeted with garlands of flowers and
transferred to Hotel Iorana. Iorana is a mile out of town, perched on
a headland with stunning views. It features tranquil isolation, good
food, it’s very own pirate cave at the base of the cliffs and
a little pool for cooling in the afternoons.
Hotel Iorana
B, L (on flight), D (on flight)
Day 2 - Easter Island
Start with an anthropological introduction, at the shoreside Sebastian
Englert’s Musuem. Despite the attendant mystery, the history of
Rapa Nui culture is all too human. The famous stone heads, 'moais', were
each carved in memory of a departed chieftain, and erected on his tomb,
'ahu'. In the late 1800s overpopulation and limited natural resources
toppled the existing society. During this period of constant conflict,
all moais on the island were toppled. All currently standing moais have
been re-erected by modern anthropologists, some by traditional methods
and some with the help of a donated 21 ton crane. After the museum, visit
Puna Pau Hill, a topknot quarry site, and the two temple sites of Ahu
Tahai, and Ahu Akivi. The seven 'moais' at Ahu Akivi are the only ones
to face the sea. Fortunately the view is spectacular!
After lunch, explore the western edge of the island, starting with Ahu
Vinapu, and continuing to the Rano Kao Volcano. The water-filled caldera
supports a unique, exuberant floating vegetation. Along the narrow strip
separating the volcano from the Pacific, sits the stone ceremonial village
of Orongo, bearing an uncanny resemblance to similar structures in the
Shetland Islands… This is a powerful place. Petroglyphs cover the
rocks atop plummeting cliffs, seastacks break the surf, seabirds whirl
and history seems not so far away. This afternoon return to the hotel,
with free time to relax or explore the hamlet of Hanga Roa on your own.
Hotel Iorana
B
Day 3 - Easter Island
A full day excursion takes you entirely around the perimeter of the island,
visiting various ahus, moais and the ever present spectacular scenery.
Highlights include the 15 standing moais of Ahu Tongariki, and the spectacular
quarry of Rano Raraku. All moais on the island were carved out of this
mountain side, literally. When finally connected by only a strip along
the back, they were snapped loose and set upright for their finishing
touches before being transported. From the quarry slopes, trails of moais,
abandoned midway to their destinations, spread out to all corners of the
island. Traveling over the savage lava scenery of the dominant volcano,
Maunga Terevaka, past Perouse Bay, you finally return to the very pleasant,
present reality of Ovahe beach, near Anakena. Here are brilliant sand
and warm rolling swells, perfect for frolicking. A box lunch is included
today, as you will not return until late afternoon.
Hotel Iorana
B, L
Day 4 - Easter Island - Santiago
The morning is at leisure. The village artisan market is always a fun
visit, featuring miniature stone carvings, shell jewelry, a wide variety
of paintings and brilliant batiks. At lunchtime connect with the flight
back to Santiago, in time to connect with late night flights back to the
USA.
B, L (on flight)
|
