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Easter Island, originally
named "Te Pito Te Henua"(navel of the world), is the most isolated place
in all the planet, at a distance of 3.000 km from the nearest populated
point and, above all, one of the most fascinating archaeological riddles
of all time. Its inhabitants, whose origin is still an enigma, developed
the only script known to people of America and Polynesia at that time,
carved enormous 100 tons basalt statues(called Moai) from a quarry in
the side of a volcano, transport them many kilometers to the coast and
erect them on giant stone altars. - How and why did they do so?- It may
always remain a mystery thanks to the tragic destruction of the
prehistoric culture by Europeans.
Easter Island, located in the exotic Polynesia, conserves the
enchantment of warm beaches, agreeable climate, transparent oceans and
remarkable volcanic remains. The island itself has a maximum length of
24 km/15 miles and width of 12 km/ 8 miles. The terrain on the treeless
volcanic slopes is fairly grassy, but most of the island is covered by
rugged lava fields. Dotted around the island are several dead craters,
two of which now contain freshwater lakes, and hundreds of caves, once
used as refuges or secret burial places.
 IT-CH-AZA014
Rates include accommodations (2 nights in Hotel Chez Joseph and 3 nights
camping) and meals as indicated. English speaking guide. Luggage transfer
by vehicle.
6 days/ 5 nights $1,100
Single hotel room/tent + $125
2007/08 Dates:
Weekly from September to May
Min/Max Riders: 4-12
3 hikers only + $ 150
2 hiders only + $ 310
Taxes: included
Gratuities: 10% suggested
Meeting: Rapa Nui
Transfer: included
Note: Easter
island is the most isolated place in all the planet, at a distance of
3.000 km from the nearest populated point. The inhabitants carved 100
ton basalt statues (called moai) from a quarry in the side of a volcano.
The statues were then transported many kilometers to the coast and
erected on giant stone altars -How and why the inhabitants of the island
achieved this may always remain a mystery .
The same itinerary is also available for non riders.
ITINERARY
(sample)
DAY 1: (SANTIAGO) - EASTER ISLAND (SUNDAY)
Reception at Rapa Nui airport. Transfer to the hotel.
DAY 2: EASTER ISLAND (MONDAY) We visit Tahai site and the
archaeological museum. Then, we go on to the Rano Kau Volcano an visit
the Cannibals Cave (Ana Kai Tangata). Arrival at the impressive crater
(1600m of diameter), panoramic view and visit of Orongo site where the
bird man cult used to take place, more than a century ago. Observation
of the geoglyphs and the Nui, Iti, and Kao Kao motus. Ride down the
South Coast, visit of Ahu Tahiri site and camp in Vaihu. Camp. (CB,L,D)
DAY 3: EASTER ISLAND (TUESDAY)
Visit of Ahu Hanga Tee site, then we follow the coast and pass in front
of Ahu Akahanga and Ahu Tetenga sites, before reaching the famous Rano
Raraku Volcano, from where all of the Moais come. Visit of the site and
possibility to have a bath in the crater lake, before setting camp on
the coast, in the Hanga Tuu Hata Cave. (CB,L,D)
DAY 4: EASTER ISLAND (WEDNESDAY)
Departure to Tongariki and Papa Totuku Poki sites (petroglyphs). We
climb to the big carved figure in the Poike Peninsula Mountain: the Vai
Aheva. Then we go down to the North-East coast and visit La Perousse,
Moai Paro (10m high!) and the rock that symbolizes the navel of the
world: Te Pito o Te Henua. Camp on Anakena Beach. (CB,L,D)
DAY 5: EASTER ISLAND (THURSDAY)
Beach, bath, and visit of Ahu Nau Nau site. Departure to the North-West
Coast where we visit Ahu Vai-Mata, Ahu Vaai-Taki-Te-Moa sites, the
sculpted cave with the 60 faces of Make-Make God, and Omoi geoglyphs. We
go up to the Terevaka (highest point of the island) and get down to Ahu
Akivi (7 Moais), where we take the car back to Hanga Roa. On the way, we
visit Tepahu Cave with flash lights. Hotel. (CB,L,D)
DAY 6: EASTER ISLAND - (SANTIAGO)
(FRIDAY) Transfer to Rapa Nui airport. Flight back to Santiago. (CB)
A logistic team follows the group to transport
equipment, prepare the caves and cook.
CB= breakfast L=lunch D=dinner |
Tahai Complex Semi-Wild horses
photos by:
Wassmann Photography
Ahu Tahai, Foreground
Rano Kau
Ahu Tongariki
Rano Raraku -The Birthplace of the
Moai
Ahu Naunau
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