Easter Island Extension

Known by its inhabitants as Rapa Nui, Easter Island was discovered by the Dutch on Easter Sunday 1722 (hence its European name), but the inhabitants of this remote and dramatic island called it Rapa Nui. Today it remains one of the most remarkable archaeological sites on the planet, renowned for the stone heads, or moai, that pepper the coastline, magnificent and mysterious monoliths that once numbered some 800 in all and now lie as silent and broken sentinels, looking out across the deep waters of the Pacific. Our extension holiday begins at Easter Island's Mataveri International Airport (code: IPC), where you'll be picked up by the local team and driven the short distance to our hotel in the tiny, laid-back fishing village of Hanga Roa. You'll have free time on arrival and, depending on the time of your flight, you might want to take a stroll around the small harbour, grab a sunset drink at one of the village's west-facing restaurants, or walk along the coastline and see some of the archaeological sites and beaches here (such as Ahu Tahai, or Playa Poko Poko) Please note, this is a stand-alone extension and can be booked on any date of your choosing, subject to availability. Whilst this itinerary has been designed to complement several of our group tours and Polar cruises, we'd like to point out that you may not be travelling with other Explore customers. Excursions will be shared with a maximum of 22 people, likely non-Explore travellers from around the world, and will be accompanied by local Easter Island guides.

An 'Ahu' is a ceremonial platform, usually a stone pedestal or a sacred site where several moai stand. Over the next two days we'll visit many different Ahu, each of different size and character - our first stop on today's excursion takes us to Ahu Akahanga, a small but important platform and ceremonial village that is thought to be the final resting place of the first 'King' of Easter Island, Hotu Matu'a. We continue to the impressive volcanic crater at Rano Raraku. This enormous quarry is the foundry, if you like, of all moai heads, and the largest unfinished moai can be found at a shocking 21 metres. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch in this scenic spot, before moving on to the largest Ahu in Polynesia, Ahu Tongariki, which has 15 gigantic restored moai all standing sentinal along its majestic platform. Finally, we drive to the white-sand beach of Anakena on the northern coast of the island. This beautiful, palm-tree fringed spot is home to Ahu Nau Nau, a superbly photogenic platform that really captures the wonder that these incredible statues must have evoked. After our visit here, you will be dropped off at the hotel for a free evening.

Our second day sees us visiting the village of Orongo on the southernmost tip of the island, one of the island's most culturally important sites and the setting for the annual competitions that played such a vital factor in the ancient birdman cult. Each year, chosen warriors from each of the tribes would dive into the waters and swim to the nearby island of Motu Nui in search of the first of the eggs laid by the manutara (sooty tern). The successful swimmer would win the right for his clan to control the distribution rights of the island's resources for the coming year, making it not only a culturally important event, but also one that had far reaching implications for the entire population. The remains of a number of ruined buildings and petroglyphs are dotted about the site, offering a fascinating insight into the cult and its influences. Lunch is at leisure in Hanga Roa, before an afternoon excursion to Ahu Akivi, a west-facing altar consisting of 7 moais whose eyes are fixed on the sunset over the ocean. We'll continue to Puna Pau, a quarry on the hills of Rano Kau, where pukaos were manufactured, hats worn by the moais and made of red volcanic ash, and Ahu Vinapu, a restored platform whose construction is similar to the technique used by the Incas. After this afternoon excursion, you will be dropped off at the hotel for the final evening on the island.

Our tour ends in Easter Island today, and you will be transferred back the short distance to the airport to meet the one flight per day back to Santiago. This flight usually departs in the afternoon and lasts approximately 4.5 hours. This usually means that you'll have a free morning on the island before flying to mainland Chile again. Flights are not included within the cost of this extension, but can be quoted to you upon booking, at your request. If you do have a free morning on the island, the hotel is able to organise morning excursions, cycle hire or transport for you to rediscover your favourite spots. We recommend that you discuss this with them on arrival.