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Hanns Ebensten Travel
Details
- 5 nights
- From $2498 USD
- Departing 2 August 2013
Destination
- South and Central America
- Easter Island
- Gay Men, Lesbians, and their Friends
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Tour #77
Type
Easter Island Adventures
Hike and bike around the great gods of Easter Island
For the truly adventurous, we offer an in-depth exploration of Easter Island. This far flung island in the South Pacific is a great destination for a hike-bike-relax vacation. Over 2000 miles from the nearest population centre, Easter Island has long attracted and intrigued visitors with its iconic giant Moari statues. But this remote island with its quirky landscape also offers great opportunities for active exploration.
Highlights
We will hike, bike and explore one of the most fascinating archeological sites in the world. As with all of our adventure tours we offer the active experiences that bring us closer to the environment, but we won't be surprised if the laid back attitude of the Rapa Nui people may occasionally tempt us to slow down the pace and enjoy the scenery.
Easter Island is a volcanic island of some 67 square miles. It consists mainly of three extinct volcanoes: each at one of the points of this triangular island. Terevaka, the highest at an altitude of 507 meters, forms the bulk of the island with Poike and Rano Kau at the eastern and southern headlands. Along the miles of coastline are the ahus or platforms which host the great Maori statues with their arresting presence and brooding faces. We will explore the island and its culture, then relax and respect the tradition of island time.
Highlights:
Hike to the highest point for a rousing view of the island.
Bike quiet island roads to see the famous Maori statues.
Enjoy a barbecue on the beach.
Ride along the south coast to see a fantastic blowhole where the ocean meets the land, and Rano Raraku with its half-carved Maori still attached to the ground.
Choose an optional horseback ride.
Check out the village and the Easter Island museum.
Relax in true Rapa Nui style.
Ask us about our Santiago, Chile pre-tour extension.
Location
Starts and ends on Easter Island. Airfare can be added to tour package on request.
Includes
All transportation on Easter Island; Five nights in intimate Easter Island guesthouse, in shared or single occupancy; Five breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners on Easter Island; Services of professional tour director (subject to minimum participation) and local guides; Use of bikes; All hotel service charges and taxes, porterage, and gratuities for included meals.
Travelling Alone?
So are most of the people who travel with us. You do not need to pay extra to travel by yourself. Prices are per-person, and the single supplement applies only if you'd like a room by yourself. For selected trips, especially if the trip includes a cruise, we charge half the single supplement if you request a roommate, but we are not able to match you with someone.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrival on Easter Island | Most travellers will arrive on the same flight from Santiago, Chile to Easter Island. Our luggage will be transported to our hotel, but we will stretch our legs after the long flight with a short walk to our nearby accommodations. Easter Island is a place like no other, and rushing is not in order, so we will begin with a leisurely walk to get the stiffness out of our legs and begin to experience the island's magic. Tonight we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner with typical island fare. |
| Day 2 - 5 | Mysteries Abound! | Our first full day on Easter Island may be the perfect time for a hike up to Rano Kau, one of the three volcanic peaks which command the corners of this triangular island. We will also explore Orango, a lake-filled crater on the sides of which are remnants of the Birdman cult practised at this end of the island until 1867. There are also interesting caves to explore along the way. The next morning a bike ride is in order, so after breakfast we check out our bikes and get oriented to the layout of the town. We can head out of town along the coast and check out Tahai and Tepeu, two of the famous ahus (archeological sites). We may also pop into the museum, if there's time. A picnic is always fun, and lunch at the cave at Ana Te Pahu would be a good location. We could then continue on to Akivi and Puna Pau (more Maori, each in a unique setting!), and coast back to the island's only village, Hanga Roa. After a few days touring around the island, our next adventure might be a beach day, with snorkelling if the water's calm. If the wind is up we might indulge in some body surfing or boogie boarding. A barbecue at the beach is a necessity and we will pick the best spot for our island luau. With nearly 800 Maori to see and countless ways to get to them, we will also leave a little time free for those who want to explore on their own, take a horseback ride, do more biking, or perhaps spend more time on the water kayaking or taking a surfing lesson (weather and sea conditions permitting). One of the joys of Easter Island is the way it works its magic on you. No cell phone here, please! An idle hour is an hour well spent (although there are Internet cafes with slow connections when you do feel the need to connect back home). With so many options, combined with the island mood of taking things at your own pace, we offer free time to let you customise your trip to fit your own desires. One possible option for those who wish additional hiking may be to join our tour leader for a hearty hike up Teravaka, the highest point on the island. This 507 meter (1650 foot) peak offers fantastic views of the surrounding area. Of course, we will feast on delicious island food for our Farewell Dinner, and thank our hosts who have been gracious enough to invite us into their homes. |
| Day 6 | Departure Day | This morning take a last look at your favourite Maori, or wander around town, as most travellers will depart on the afternoon flight and make it in time for overnight connections |
| Day | During the next two days, we will enjoy two more leisurely half-day tours, as well as have time to try individual activities. Our touring will include a trip to see Ahu Akivi, the seven statues facing the sea. Legend says they represent the seven princes who came to Easter Island from mythical Hiva, to prepare the island for the arrival of King Hotu Matu'a. We continue to Ahu Tongariki, where fifteen moai have been re-erected along a dramatic coastline with deep blue waves crashing against a stark cliff and the rocks below. Later, we explore Rano Raraku, the most fascinating and dramatic site on the island with hundreds of stone figures, many unfinished, on the outer and inner rims of the extinct volcano. Its bowl-shaped crater is filled with water and tortora reeds, and is often used as a watering hole by wild horses. A picnic lunch will be served nearby. On our last evening, we will have our farewell dinner | |
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