Galapagos Safari Camp
Galápagos Safari Encounter flora and fauna seen nowhere else on Earth on islands famed for their biodiversity EXPLORE Ecuador | Days: 6 | From: $5,995
5 Days / 4 Nights
Easy*
Activities: light walking
*Please refer to our Trip Activity Level Guide for more information
Today marks the beginning of your adventure as you arrive in the morning and embark in the afternoon on a private half-day tour of Santiago, Chile. You will have the opportunity to explore the heart of the city and its iconic sites such as the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Santiago’s historic Central Postal Office, and more. You will also visit the Moneda Palace, which is the government’s headquarters, as well as the traditional neighborhoods of the historic city center. Round-trip tickets on the Teleférico cable cars – which offer excellent views of the city – are also included. For lunch and dinner, you will be able to explore the gastronomy of the city at your leisure.
On the second day of your adventure, you will be transferred to the airport in the morning and depart for Easter Island, a remote and mystical island located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Known for its ancient statues, or Moai, and rich history, Easter Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is sure to leave an impression. Once you arrive on the island, you will have the afternoon to explore on your own and discover the island’s unique culture, history and natural beauty. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll be sure to have an unforgettable experience on this mysterious island.
Explore the south coast of Easter Island, visiting the ruins of the temple of Vaihu and meeting Ahu Akahanga, an archaeological site with remains of platforms where, according to oral tradition, the first king of the island Hotu Matua was buried. After that, we will go to the Rano Raraku volcano, also known as the quarry, where you can see almost 400 statues in different stages of carving, with different characteristics and states of conservation. Next is Ahu Tongariki, the most extensive platform with the largest amount of restored Moai in the whole island. You will see Te Pito Kura, where you will find a rock with magnetic properties that would have been brought by the first King from Hiva himself. Lastly, the beach of Anakena, a paradisiacal beach with fine white coral sand where you will find the Ahu Ature Huki and Ahu Nau Nau.
Embark on a private excursion in Orongo lasting for around 3.5 Hours. Explore Rano Kau volcano and the ceremonial village of Orongo, seeing petroglyphs and the breathtaking view towards the 3 islets Motu Nui, Motu Iti and Motu Kao Kao opposite the coast. Visit Vinapu and the cave of Ana Kai Tangata. From there you will return to your hotel.
After being picked up from your hotel, you will visit Akivi for another excursion for 3.5 Hours. Visit the Tahai with its three ahu or ceremonial platforms, Ahu Vai Uri, Ahu Tahai and Ahu Ko Te Riku, continue to Ahu Akivi, the most important and elaborate platform, it has seven Moai that it is said, are the only statues that look at the sea of the whole island. Visit Puna Pau volcano where the red pukao, or headdress, were extracted and carved. After the excursion, the afternoon is free for you to explore Easter Island’s main town of Hanga Roa.
Day 6: Depart Easter Island
Today, your journey will come full circle as you return to the vibrant city of Santiago. You’ll be whisked away from Easter Island with a shared transfer to the airport, where you’ll board your flight back to Santiago. Depending on the time of your flights, a private transfer will be waiting to escort you to your hotel in Santiago City, where you’ll spend one final night before your journey comes to an end. Otherwise, you will fly back home tonight.
Please contact us for a complete detailed itinerary.
Nestled in the upscale Las Condes area of Santiago, this hotel features modern, bright rooms with streamlined wood furnishings. Each room offers free wi-fi and TVs, and room service is also available. The hotel has an on-site pool, a 24-hour fitness room, a business center, an airy restaurant/bar with a terrace, and a full buffet breakfast is included.
Nestled just 1.4 miles (2.2 kilometers) from the airport, Hotel Vai Moana offers a complimentary 24-hour shuttle service for guests. Indulge in a relaxing massage before enjoying a delicious meal at the hotel’s on-site coffee shop. Additional amenities include a winery, an outdoor swimming pool, and a bar. Guests appreciate the hotel’s central location and proximity to popular local attractions.
Yes, you most certainly can go to Easter Island! In fact, a trip to this mysterious isle located far out in the South Pacific Oceans promises to be a real bucket-list adventure rich in history and natural wonder. There are two ways to reach Easter Island: on extended ocean cruises or by direct flight via Santiago, the capital of Chile. We take the latter, quicker, option on our tours.
Easter Island officially belongs to Chile. Along with the Juan Fernández Islands, which are also located in the South Pacific Ocean, it’s designated as a special region of the country. That means there’s a certain degree of self-autonomy here and laws might differ slightly from the mainland. It wasn’t always this way, though. Easter Island only became part of Chile in the late 1800s. Before that, it was the ancestral homeland of the Rapa Nui people, who have lived on the island since as early as 300 AD.
Easter Island is surely most famous for its colossal Moai stone statues. These are monolithic statues that were carved by the Rapa Nui people between 1,200 AD and 1,500 AD. It’s thought that they depict the living likenesses of lost ancestors and are notable for their uniquely oversized heads. You can find Moai statues all over the island, but the biggest collection is at the quarries of Rano Raraku, which we visit on our Easter Island tour.
Estimations of the exact number of Moai statues on Easter Island vary considerably because some people only count statues that are fully intact, while others count partial and ruined statues. Going by the first number, it’s estimated that there are 1,043 remaining heads, with the largest group of 394 still in place at the Rano Raraku quarries.
The summer, between December and March, is the best time to visit Easter Island. The weather tends to be most pleasant then, with good amounts of sunshine and relatively low rainfall – perfect for seeking out those Moai statues. To avoid the crowds, you could also go just before or after the peak period. It tends to be a lot less busy in late November and early April.
There are loads of unanswered questions about Easter Island and its history. While anthropologists believe that the great Moai heads were made to honor deified ancestors and chiefs, it’s still unclear how the Rapa Nui people managed to transport such massive monoliths all over the island. There are also still great mysteries surrounding the Birdman cult (Tangata manu), a religious order that’s centered on the stone village of Orongo on the south side of the island. And that’s just the beginning!
There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to you before your adventure on Easter Island. We get very involved with our clients before each trip by offering a series of pre-planning calls in the months and weeks before departure. This provides you with an opportunity to hear directly from us on preparation, trip experience, and training. It also gives you the platform to ask questions about any aspect of the trip.
Our knowledgeable support staff take care of the details of your in-country transportation, lodging, meals, tours, park fees, and activities. We’ve even scheduled in a bit of free time for you to explore, relax, shop, or eat on your own.
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