Breathtaking scenery in Easter Island

Located 3790 kilometers west of Chile, Easter Island boasts some of the world’s most fascinating archaeological treasures.

Set amidst this volcanic island rearing its head out of a vast and seemingly endless ocean, Easter Island is a culture zealot’s paradise. Its inhabitants have endured famines, earthquakes, slave raids, colonialism and epidemics throughout its troubled history.

Today, Easter Island is home to over 600 archaeological sites, and discoveries are constantly being made about the history of this beautiful island. The Moai, the giant 9 m tall stone monoliths, are perhaps the island’s biggest attraction with hundreds of them scattered all across the hills. One of the Moais on Anakena beach was restored to its original state commemorating Thor Heyerdahl’s visit in 1950.

The exceptional sites are the volcanic craters of Rano Kau and Rano Raraku especially during Semana Rapa Nui, a traditional festival filled with singing, dancing, body painting and other recreational activities which lasts about 10 days at the end of January. Rano Kau is the curious remains of a volcanic cinder cone and is filled with fresh rainwater and lakes with many reed islands.

The cultural and archeological treasures of Easter Island were recognized by UNESCO and rightfully included in its list of the World Heritage Sites. The island is 14 miles long and 7 miles wide, so it is possible to discover this majestic island by foot. Travelers on their Easter Island tour can expect to walk along some truly scenic pathways and become enchanted by the hundreds of statues on display in this so called open air museum.

The island is centrally located between Chile and Tahiti, with flights leaving from Chile and now Lima on an average of four times a week. Travelers are advised that the wet season is from March to October and the high tourist season is from September to April. However, with its dry subtropical climate, the island boasts great weather year round.

Travel into the still relatively unknown land of Easter Island and embark on a once in a lifetime exploration that promises to leave travelers on their Chile tour absolutely amazed.

Our team of expert travel advisors at Latin America For Less can help you organize a customized trip to Easter Island. Contact us to start planning your dream vacation to Chile.

Latin America For Less

Latin America for Less is a group of travel experts who live, work, eat, and breathe all things South America. Their inspiration stems from a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity that make this continent so special.

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Ahu Tongariki

Travel to Easter Island, originally named Rapu Nui, which can be found 2,300 miles (3,700km) off the coast of Chile in the South Pacific Ocean. Formed by a series of volcanic eruptions, Easter Island is only 14 miles long and 7 miles wide; however this small secluded island holds an immense history and great mystery.

The history of Easter Island is one of intrigue and devastation. Activity on the island dates back to around 300 A.D. Original settlers of Rapu Nui lived in peace on this small island; however scarcity of resources led islanders to a civil war in 1680 and diminished the island’s population. Upon arrival to the island in 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen renamed the island Easter Island because of the expedition’s arrival on Easter Sunday. The Dutch were the first European visitors to the island and marked the beginning of exploration by the outside world.

In 1770, an estimated 3,000 people inhabited the island. Only four years later, the island’s population was again found reduced to a mere 700 people, less than thirty of which were women. The population of the island began to rebuild itself, only to be devastated once again with the slave trade from Peru in 1862 as well as an array of diseases. By 1877, only 111 people were found on the island.

Despite its past the island has again rebuilt its population and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, marking it a cultural and historical site which should be honored and preserved for future generations, and a unique destination on any trip to Chile.

Although the island has a somber yet interesting history its true appeal comes in the form of statues. Over 900 moai, a statue that is crafted from volcanic stone, cover the island. The moai were crafted by the original inhabitants of the island. Like a snowflake, each statue is unique and their purpose is still unknown.

The statues are a great cultural mystery: they are speculated to represent ancestors who watch over the island. Scattered over the slopes of the island, the statues average 13 feet in height with an average weight of 13 tons and are a true symbol of the masterful craftsmanship of the island’s original inhabitants. The moai were also meant to sit on ahus, or shrines, which were raised off the ground and often held tombs beneath. The ahu can be seen mostly on the coast, moai occupy some of these, but years of war and natural disasters have left many empty. The mystery and beauty of the moai statues bring travelers from all over the world to Easter Island.

Those wanting to explore Easter Island’s history and mystery can take a guided tour of Easter Island on your trip to Chile to see some of the most impressive of Moai. Many visitors will stop at the Rano Raraku quarry, the birthplace of the moai, where these mysterious statues were created by hand. At the quarry visitors will see over 300 unfinished statues, all in different stages of completion. The Ahu Vaihu and Ahu Akahanga are sites in which travelers will be reminded of the island’s dark past as many moai are toppled like dominoes, a result of war and colonization. Another must-see is the Ahu Tahai where the ceremonial bases or ahus, were constructed. Travelers can investigate the island’s terrain independently and discover the deep history and story behind each moai.

Watch the sunset over the moai during your trip to Easter Island.

An island larger in history and culture than in actual size, Easter Island is a history lover’s paradise. A trip to Easter Island is a great complement to any Chile vacation. Contact our team of experts and start planning your trip to Chile today.

Latin America For Less

Latin America for Less is a group of travel experts who live, work, eat, and breathe all things South America. Their inspiration stems from a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity that make this continent so special.

www.latinamericaforless.com