GTCT-527 – CHILE

EASTER ISLAND
Four days / Three nights

Valid for travel thru December 30, 2017

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: Arrival in Easter Island

Transfer from airport to the hotel. Rest of day at leisure.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel

DAY 2: Easter Island (B/L)

Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Akahanga, Te Pito Kura & Anakena
Breakfast served at the hotel. Starting the tour from your hotel in Hanga Roa. This guided excursion lasts between 6 hours and 30 minute and is designed to follow the footsteps of Rapa Nui´s first King, Ariki Hotu Matu’a. during the colonization period. A total of five archaeological sites are visited three in the morning and two in the afternoon. In the morning guests will visit Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Akahanga. Guests are then taken back to the main town where lunch is served in Hotel Taha Tai. After lunch the tour continues towards the northern coast visiting Te Pito Kura which is known as the navel of the world. The last and final destination is Anakena whereby tourists will be able to see two restored ceremonial centers and many archaeological artifacts (moai statues, petroglyphs, ancient houses, etc.)
Afterwords a brief moment is taken in order to relax and enjoy the White Sandy beach and the crystalline waters of Anakena.

Archaeological Sites:

Ahu Tongariki is internationally recognized due to its immense ceremonial altar which is adorned with 15 majestic moai statues.

Tongariki is a testament to the island´s incredible megalithic culture as it is the largest ceremonial altar in all of Polynesia, and the largest archaeological site that has been reconstructed on the island. This site was reconstructed in the 1980´s after the devastating damage produced by a tsunami in 1960, whereby moai statues weighing approximately 80 tons were moved off their platform about 1,500 feet inland.

Rano Raraku is an inactive volcano and fresh-water crater located in the southeastern portion of the island. Rano Raraku is without a doubt one of the most archaeologically important sites in the world, as it is where the legendary moai statues were carved.

A trail leads along the base of the volcano (light to medium trekking) providing a direct view of the many remaining moai statues that remain positioned within the quarry bedrock while others are standing upright. One will also be able to appreciate a spectacular view of the largest moai statue which has been carved, called Ko Te Tokanga ( The Giant). This structure measures 66 feet long and its estimated weigh is 220 tons.

Akahanga is a once-inhabited ceremonial site, containing a variety of ancient structures including upright and fallen moai statues ceremonial altars, earth ovens (umu pae), ancient houses (hare paenga), caves, and outdoor agricultural areas (manavai), In total this site contains thirteen moai statues and eight pukao headdresses.

Taha Tai means Next to the Sea in Rapa Nui language, a hotel built on the seafront. Hotel Taha Tai has an exclusive restaurant with ocean view where we include the lunch consisting on a main dish, salad, dessert, mineral water or soft drink or national beer or natural juice per person.

Ahu Te Pito Kura is an archaeological site that contains the largest statue wich has been carved and placed on to a ceremonial platform, measuring 30 feet high and weighing approximately 90 tons. This moai statue also has its topknot or hair-dress, which has been estimated to weigh 11.5 tons. This site is located along the northeast coast and also contains a sacred stone believed to have been brought by the island´s first King: Ariki Hotu Matu’a, from his native land of Hiva.

As the final and last stop on the full day tour, time is given in order to visit two ceremonial altars adorned with moai statues (Ahu Nau Nau and Ahu Ature Huki) and to enjoy the palm trees and crystal clear waters of Anakena beach. Also at Anakena beach, one will be able to eat locally prepared dishes, and visit many local handicraft kioskos that contain authentic Rapa Nui souvenirs.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel

DAY 3: EASTER ISLAND (B)

Half day tour to Orongo, Rano Kau volcano
Continental breakfast served at the hotel restaurant. H/D Orongo, Visit of Rano Kau volcano, (1,6 km in diameter), the ceremonial village of Orongo with its largest concentration of petroglyphs with images of Tangata Manu, the birdman, god Make Make and Komari, the fertility symbol and Vinapu.. & H/D Ahu Akivi, Sightseeing of Ahu Akivi, site of the seven moais overlooking the sea, Caves of Ana Tepahu, among the largest on the island and Pun-a-Pau quarries on the slopes of a volcano and where the reddish topknots were sculpted.
Overnight accommodations at selected hotel

DAY 4: Depart Easter Island

Breakfast served at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to the airport.

RATES PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

A SAVINGS OF $100.00 PER PERSON

PLEASE CHECK WITH US FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR FARES
FROM USA TO CHILE ON OUR AIR PARTNERS:
AMERICAN AIRLINES, LATAM AND AVIANCA

TOUR RATES INCLUDE:

Three night accommodations at selected hotels with daily breakfast
Full day tour Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Akahanga, Te Pito Kura & Anakena with lunch
Half day tour to Orongo, Rano Kau volcano
Round trip transfers between airport in Easter Island and selected hotel

NOT INCLUDED:

International air between USA and Santiago. Round trip local air between Santiago and Easter Island. Land services, tours and meals not indicated in itinerary. Entrance fee to National Park Rapa Nui, must be paid directly by passenger in Easter Island. Tips and gratuities to tour guides and drivers. Travel insurance (highly recommended).