10 causes to place Easter Island in your South American itinerary

Some of the distant spots on Earth, Easter Island is a tiny speck of land possessing extra mystical pull than virtually every other spot on the planet. Situated in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, but part of Chile, this Polynesian island is a treasure trove of cultural intrigue, gorgeous landscapes, and historic uniqueness.

Identified domestically as “Rapa Nui,” the island emanates a magnetic, mysterious and otherworldly vibe, all of which make Easter Island one of many all-time highlights of South America. Whether or not you’re a historical past fanatic, an out of doors adventurer, a nature lover, or a household in search of a unprecedented getaway, the island checks all of the containers.

Right here, we discover what we think about among the most fascinating and entertaining sights and actions that make this UNESCO-declared World Heritage Web site a must-visit vacation spot.

(As a little bit of trivia, this volcanic island was named by a Dutch navigator who “discovered” it on the eve of Easter in 1722. Nonetheless, the individuals of the island proceed to name their island “Rapa Nui.”) 

1. Conventional Polynesian Performances

By attending a standard Rapa Nui efficiency, you’ll be immersed within the expressive and vibrant Easter Island tradition. At certainly one of these reveals, your full consideration will likely be captured by the dwell music, dance strikes and tales that mirror the spirit of the island’s Polynesia previous, which immediately’s Rapa Nui neighborhood carries on. The complicated drumming, intricate gown and evocative choreography carry to life the island’s myths and tales handed down from technology to technology.

The unique dances of Rapa Nui are normally used to inform a narrative, with amazingly energetic dancers usually carrying the standard gown of flowing skirts manufactured from feathers or grasses. The participating music of Rapa Nui goes together with Easter Island’s conventional dances. The riveting music and fascinating dance mix to create an distinctive expertise that you just received’t quickly neglect. 

2. An opportunity to marvel on the moai

Not solely is that this volcanic island scenic in its personal proper, however witnessing its legendary “moai” statues up shut stirs a way of awe, thriller and marvel.

Undeniably Easter Island’s largest draw, these imposing statues have been carved from big rocks someplace between 1200 and 1650 A.D. Utilizing a easy stone chisel known as a “toki,” the fingers of little-known historic Polynesians crafted these iconic figures. The statues vary in peak, with some towering at over 30 ft. Every moai is believed to symbolize deceased ancestors and holds important cultural and historic worth. Many theories have emerged as to the explanations for his or her varied places, how they have been bodily transported or certainly carved in any respect.

Every of those commanding figures is alleged to symbolize the spirit of particular person tribespeople, which is why each moai has completely different traits from the subsequent. Right now, it’s estimated that over 900 of those statues are strewn throughout the island, all barely completely different and few being absolutely understood. For wide-eyed guests, the very best plan of action is solely to see them for yourselves, and with so lots of them peppering the island, you don’t must go far to seek out one.

To completely admire the moai statues, think about hiring an area information who can present in-depth historic and cultural insights. Visiting at dawn or sundown provides a magical and serene ambiance, excellent for contemplation. 

3. The subline comforts of luxurious Rapa Nui lodging

Any one of many handful of high-end inns on Easter Island will let you come into direct contact with the historical past, traditions and legends of this mysterious Polynesian paradise. On the identical time, although, you possibly can take pleasure in touches of luxurious infused in each factor of your elegant lodging.

Throughout your keep, get pleasure from the whole lot from complimentary minibars to deep-soaking tubs, trendy coloration schemes and personal terraces.

In that guides and varied excursions are supplied by top-notch Easter Island inns, as quickly as you’ve had an opportunity to unpack and settle into your room, your skilled attendant will go over your detailed island itinerary that you just’ve chosen.
These excursions embody a complete vary of actions, from diving, trekking, cultural contact, boat rides, and fishing, to visits to emblematic island websites, horseback driving, city strolling excursions, scuba diving, crusing and extra. All of that is an invite to resume your soul, be a protagonist, and on the identical time be an energetic spectator of an historic tradition.

On the finish of any full day of exploring, you possibly can select to spend a lazy afternoon at your eco-outdoor pool or your lodge’s pleasant spa. At your spa, massages and coverings are supplied with pure substances from the island that may enable you renew your physique and spirit after a protracted day of exercise.

Your keep could be on the Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa, one of many main inns on Easter Island. Hangaroa goals to be a sustainable lodge, whereas the structure of its buildings pays homage to a longstanding tradition that defines this magical island. For instance, its grass-roofed items are erected with larch-wood pillars and stone partitions that mimic the traditional huts that have been as soon as scattered everywhere in the island and that the Rapa Nui individuals known as residence 

4. Delectable Rapa Nui delicacies

When you journey 1000’s of miles to get right here and wish to take within the full expertise, be sure you deal with your palate. You possibly can actually style Easter Island’s distinctive tradition by savoring its distinctive delicacies, studying extra in regards to the native traditions and recent produce.

Because it’s an island, it’s logical that the delicacies of Easter Island is predicated on fish and different seafood. Fishing has been one of many principal and conventional actions of Rapa Nui. Easter Island’s staple substances, due to this fact, embody seafood reminiscent of tuna, mahi mahi, lobster, and rape rape (a small lobster), in addition to agricultural produce like candy potato, hen, tarots and yam.

For cultural explorers, foodies, and people searching for an immersive sensory expertise, Easter Island represents an opportunity to relish genuine Polynesian fare. Exploring the culinary choices of the island is an important a part of experiencing its wealthy Polynesian tradition and traditions.

For an much more genuine island expertise, we encourage vacationers to enterprise outdoors their inns and past the primary vacationer areas to find native eateries and family-operated eating places that provide real and unpretentious Polynesian dishes. There, you possibly can work together with the cooks, proprietors and even native patrons to achieve insights into the substances and cooking methods utilized in conventional Rapa Nui delicacies. 

5. Astounding Rapa Nui stargazing

The distant location of Rapa Nui makes it one of the crucial phenomenal locations to admire the night time sky. When the solar units the celebrities come out in all their glory!

When you dwell in a metropolis and don’t have the possibility to get out into nature all that always, you’ll be completely blown away by the readability and clearness of the night time sky on Easter Island!

The perfect half is you don’t even have to go away your lodge to see the Milky Method. Even in case you occur to be on the island throughout a brand new moon, the lights from the city of Hanga Roa have solely a small impact on the sky, that means you possibly can see the whole lot from proper there. 

6. Eye-opening trekking excursions on this magnetic island

Mountain climbing — strolling — trekking… regardless of the time period used, it’s a method — if not the very best — to find Easter Island. The island is a paradise for climbing lovers! When you’re enthusiastic about nature, tradition and journey, you’ve come to the best place. Off the overwhelmed path, the whole lot contributes to incredible walks: the local weather, the landscapes, the historical past and the geography. Guided walks provide you with entry to areas of the island and its archaeological stays that may’t be seen aside from on foot.

Think about strolling alongside historic paths, surrounded by the monumental moai statues which have made Rapa Nui internationally well-known. Strolling excursions let you get nearer to those enigmatic witnesses of the previous and uncover their fascinating historical past. In reality, merely taking a strolling tour of Easter Island is without doubt one of the best, most gratifying and memorable experiences whereas there. 

7. Unwinding on Anakena Seashore

Venturing throughout the tiny island, you’re prone to end up amazed by the appeal of paradisiacal Anakena Seashore, a picturesque and welcoming oasis nestled alongside the northern coast of Easter Island.

Together with the seaside’s white sands, heat turquoise waters, and delightful palm bushes are moai statues are set on two ceremonial platforms. It is a excellent place the place archaeology, panorama and recreation all meet, making it an excellent retreat for leisure and rejuvenation. Along with its pure magnificence, Anakena Seashore holds historic significance because the touchdown website of the island’s legendary founder, Hotu Matu’a.

Nature fanatics, sun-seekers, and households in search of a tranquil and family-friendly seaside expertise will discover Anakena a pleasant tropical escape. The light waves and shallow waters are appropriate for kids and fewer skilled swimmers. 

8. Rapa Nui’s volcanic wonders

The triangular form of Rapa Nui is the results of three principal volcanoes that merged to type the current island, with every volcanic website now offering compelling experiences for adventurous vacationers.

The primary of those websites is the expansive Rano Kau volcanic crater, the place a hike to the highest rewards adventurers with a way of accomplishment and unparalleled vistas. Climbing some 300 ft (100 m) above sea degree, you’ll see virtually a mile throughout the crater and get an incredible panoramic view of the island as a complete.

Peering down 200 meters under Rano Kau’s ridge, you’ll additionally see a crater lake practically lined in a bathroom of floating totora reeds. Resembling a large witch’s cauldron, Rano Kau is a wild greenhouse of endemic biodiversity.

However there’s much more right here. On a skinny strip of land between the crater and a sheer cliffside that drops all the way down to the cobalt-blue ocean under, teeters the ceremonial village of Orongo. Right here, you’ll uncover ingenious historic constructing methods which have stood the check of time, in addition to one of the crucial full units of petroglyphs within the area. These petroglyphs, often known as kohau rongo-rongo, function symbolic motifs, anthropomorphic figures, and geometric patterns, every holding important that means and reflecting the ancestral beliefs of the Rapa Nui individuals.

Wandering between and contained in the constructions is a good Easter Island expertise and one thing to not be missed.

A second volcanic website that vacationers can go to is the Rano Raraku volcanic crater, which was the digital “birthplace” of the moai, because it was a quarry of statues. Right here, some 400 good-looking heads and torsos relaxation in varied levels of carving, nonetheless ready to be transported throughout the island to their varied ahu (the flat mounds or stone pedestals upon which the moai stand). Whereas the heaviest erected moai statue weighs 86 tons, one of many quarry’s unfinished sculptures would, if accomplished, weigh between 145–165 tons and stand an astounding 69 ft (21 m) tall.

The third volcanic website, the Poike Volcano, is in a extra remoted location with tougher entry, which makes it a much less visited spot. Nonetheless, this mysterious volcanic space holds secret corners and historic legends that invite vacationers to find and be taught extra in regards to the island’s previous.

Round Poike are three archeological websites together with the “Cave of the Virgins,” inside which one can view intricate rock carvings that provide a fascinating glimpse into the island’s Indigenous artwork and cultural heritage.  

9. Ultimate scuba diving situations and experiences

Whereas visiting the island, you possibly can select to go on a scuba diving tour, which is a magical Rapa Nui expertise. Few locations on this planet have such extraordinary diving situations as these of the island, with waters that vary in temperature between 64˚F and 78˚F levels, the chance to study marine species that can’t be discovered anyplace else, and visibility as much as 196 ft deep. The unbelievable visibility underneath the ocean that bathes the island’s coasts permits you to benefit from the corals and swim with sea turtles.

(As a bit extra trivia, the underwater moai off Easter Island isn’t an unique one. It was dropped there for a film titled “Rapa Nui,” produced in 1994 by Kevin Costner however by no means launched) 

10. Scenic horseback driving adventures

Exploring Easter Island on horseback presents a novel and immersive option to expertise the island’s landscapes, shoreline, and lesser-known sights. Using fanatics can traverse the island’s community of meandering paths and coastal routes, encountering breathtaking vistas, hidden coves, and verdant environment alongside the best way.

For skilled riders, newcomers or anybody in between, Easter Island equestrian excursions provide the final word alternative to discover the magnificent landscapes and historic websites of the island.

Saddle up and put together for a security briefing and an tools examine earlier than heading within the path of well-preserved moai statue websites, historic still-intact indigenous villages, or petrified lava caves fashioned many millennia in the past and as soon as believed to be a hiding place for fleeing locals throughout occasions of battle.

With no such troubles on Twenty first-century Easter Island, there’s nothing left however to easily demount and luxuriate in each the view and sense of isolation earlier than driving again to your restful lodging. 

When you actually wish to get away…

For these eager to get away from all of it, Easter Island clearly suits the invoice. Thought-about probably the most distant and remoted inhabited island on this planet, Easter Island is a few 2,300 miles from mainland Chile and over 1,000 miles from the closest inhabited island.

And as soon as there, you’ll uncover a heady vacation spot of cultural intrigue, folklore, fairytale, and out of doors actions, plus a completely distinctive historic previous.

So, if contemplating a South American getaway, be sure you maintain Easter Island in thoughts as one of many area’s prime luxurious trip spots.