The Easter Island Adventure

Day 1 Santiago (-/-/-)

Upon arrival in Santiago, you’ll be met at the airport by your local guide and driven to your hotel in the heart of this cosmopolitan capital. On the way your guide will be bursting with tips for enjoying the city, so go ahead and ask any questions that you have. The day is free for you to relax at your hotel or explore the city before enjoying dinner in one of the capital’s great restaurants.

Day 2 Santiago (B/L/-)

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel for a visit to a Mapuche community living within Santiago. You will learn about their traditions and how they make their living in the city, so far away from the woods and mountains where they were born. You’ll enjoy a special lunch with them and then in the afternoon you’ll take a guided city tour through the historic center of Santiago. You’ll also visit the Museo de la Memoria where you will come face to face with both the sorrow and the courage of the Chilean people during the dictatorship.

Day 3: Valparaíso Daytrip (B/L/-)

You will be picked up at your hotel after breakfast for the journey to Valparaiso (appox 2 hours). Colorful painted houses cling to steep cliff sides in this lovely seaside town which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your local guide will take you on a private walking tour of the town showing you where the local communities meet and make their living. You’ll visit the Pablo Neruda museum. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you’ll walk to the harbor and the lookout points at Paseo Atkinson and Yugoslavo. You’ll return to Santiago in the evening.

Day 4: Santiago to Easter Island (B/-/-)

The morning is free for you to relax in Santiago, and in the afternoon you’ll be picked up at your hotel for your transfer to the airport and your flight to Easter Island (or Rapa Nui as the island was originally called). It takes five hours to reach this distant Chilean outpost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, so take a good book or just sit back and daydream about the mysteries of the island. You’ll be welcomed at the airport upon arrival and transferred to your well-located hostel in Hanga Roa, the main town on Easter Island. For the next 4 days we’ll tour through the island with Vanessa Teao and Salomón Teao, local guides and great friends!

Day 5 (B/BL/-) Easter Island (Rano Kau Volcano)

After breakfast, when we go on tour our first stop is in the Ana Kai Tengata cave, characterized by its cave paintings and interesting stories related to local myths and ancient activities. Then we will visit the Rano Kau volcano, which is where the ancestral ceremony of the Tangata Manu was held. Upon leaving the volcano, we go towards the east of the island by the coast, where we will visit different Ahu (moais platforms) and ceremonial centers, the first of them Vinapú.
Afternoon is for fishing on shore, enjoying a nice and delicious Tunuahi (traditional barbecue). Then we head back to our accommodation.

Day 6 (B/BL/-) Easter Island (Rano Raraku)

We start with the pick up at accommodation to go to the historic quarry of the Moai: the volcano Rano Raraku. Among other wonders on this volcano we can see the Moai Tukuturi sitting on his knees; the biggest Moai ever, which did not leave the quarry and others who are buried but have their entire body carved.
Once at the top of the volcano it is possible to visualize the next stop: The Ahu Tongariki, platform of 15 Moais and petroglyphs reconstructed from the 60s, with the help of the Japanese government.
We bid farewell to the Ahu Tongariki, to travel north where the ceremonial center is Te Pito Kura, famous for having the highest Moai outside the quarry. Here we will also get to the round stone that represents the navel of the world. We close this day with the visit to the beaches of Anakena and Ovahe.
In Anakena we can appreciate the Ahu Nau Nau, which tells the story of the first 7 explorers who came to the island after the dream of Haumaka. Return to the hostel to rest for a couple of hours.
Then, head out to see one of the most incredible sunsets, in Tahai’s ceremonial center.

Day 7: Easter Island (B/-/D)

We will continue our adventure towards the hill Puna Pau, where formerly the Pukao (hats of the Moai) were made.
In front of this hill, there is the Ahu Akivi platform, which has the particularity of gathering the only Moai that look towards the sea (All other Ahu and Moais of the Island look inward). Legend tells they look to the ancient land of the Rapa Nui, where they emigrated from after the floods.
We end this day with a visit to three ancestral caves: Ana Kakenga, Ana Tepeu and Ana Tepora.
Back at the hostel to have lunch (not included) and rest. Free afternoon.
In the evening, we will enjoy an exquisite dinner with the family of a local sculptor, where we will know his art gallery and his delicate work.

Day 8: Easter Island to Santiago (B/-/-)

Today we activate our body! We will ascend to the highest point of the island, called Maunga Terevaka. If we have a full moon, we can see the moon hide and the sun rise at dawn.
We will have the rest of the morning free, to visit some local stores. Take some souvenirs and prepare us for the flight that will return us to Santiago. Upon arrival to the city, transfer to the hotel.

Day 9: Colina Hot-springs Daytrip (B/BL/-)

You’ll be met at your hotel for a private full-day excursion to Baños Colina, a natural hot spring located more than 3500 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Andes. There you can spend the day soaking in the warm waters of the spring and enjoying beautiful views over the river to some of the highest peaks of the region. After a truly relaxing day you’ll return to Santiago, arriving in the evening.

Day 10: Santiago (B/-/-)

At arranged time, transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

You will be greeted at the airport on arrival by a local guide who will take you to your hotel and will be able to answer any questions, make any additional arrangements and generally ensure everything goes smoothly.

No minimum number of passengers required and you will not be travelling with a group of people you do not know. Prices quoted are per person and based on at least 2 people travelling. You should expect a cheaper price for bigger groups.

Your passport is required at time of booking. For information on visa requirements, immunisations and health formalities please visit the FCO Travel Advice Website or the US Travel Advice Website  (direct links to Chile page)

Information on money changing in each destination, as well as what it is customary to tip for various services, will be provided.

This tour of Chile, like most of our adventures through Latin America, has a low level of physical difficulty and participants can choose to do as much or as little as they like. If you have any concerns or require special arrangements please call or email us to discuss.

What to bring: Travel insurance, passport, binoculars, alarm clock, walking shoes, water bottle, daypack, sun protection, insect repellent, sun glasses and hat, swimwear, flip-flops, torch with extra batteries.