One of the distant spots on Earth, Easter Island is a tiny speck of land possessing extra mystical pull than nearly every other spot on the planet. Positioned in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, but part of Chile, this Polynesian island is a treasure trove of cultural intrigue, beautiful 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 outside 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 take into account among the most fascinating and entertaining points of interest and actions that make this UNESCO-declared World Heritage Website a must-visit vacation spot.
(As a little bit of trivia, this volcanic island was named by a Dutch navigator who “found” it on the eve of Easter in 1722. Nonetheless, the folks 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 one in every of these exhibits, your full consideration will likely be captured by the reside music, dance strikes and tales that mirror the spirit of the island’s Polynesia previous, which as we speak’s Rapa Nui neighborhood carries on. The advanced drumming, intricate gown and evocative choreography carry to life the island’s myths and tales handed down from era to era.
The unique dances of Rapa Nui are often used to inform a narrative, with amazingly energetic dancers usually carrying the standard gown of flowing skirts product of feathers or grasses. The partaking music of Rapa Nui goes together with Easter Island’s conventional dances. The riveting music and charming dance mix to create an distinctive expertise that you just gained’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 surprise.
Undeniably Easter Island’s largest draw, these imposing statues had 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 top, with some towering at over 30 toes. 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 numerous areas, how they had 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. At present, 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 perfect plan of action is solely to see them for yourselves, and with so lots of them peppering the island, you don’t have to go far to search out one.
To totally admire the moai statues, take into account hiring a neighborhood information who can present in-depth historic and cultural insights. Visiting at dawn or sundown gives a magical and serene ambiance, good for contemplation.
3. The subline comforts of luxurious Rapa Nui lodging
Any one of many handful of high-end inns on Easter Island will 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 bask in touches of luxurious infused in each component of your elegant lodging.
Throughout your keep, take pleasure in every little thing from complimentary minibars to deep-soaking tubs, trendy coloration schemes and personal terraces.
In that guides and numerous excursions are offered by top-notch Easter Island inns, as quickly as you’ve had an opportunity to unpack and settle into your room, your knowledgeable attendant will go over your detailed island itinerary that you just’ve chosen.
These excursions embrace a whole vary of actions, from diving, trekking, cultural contact, boat rides, and fishing, to visits to emblematic island websites, horseback using, 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 lively 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 assist you to renew your physique and spirit after an extended 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 models are erected with larch-wood pillars and stone partitions that mimic the traditional huts that had been as soon as scattered all around the island and that the Rapa Nui folks known as residence
4. Delectable Rapa Nui delicacies
In the event you journey 1000’s of miles to get right here and need to take within the full expertise, you’ll want to deal with your palate. You’ll be able to actually style Easter Island’s distinctive tradition by savoring its distinctive delicacies, studying extra concerning the native traditions and recent produce.
Because it’s an island, it’s logical that the delicacies of Easter Island relies on fish and different seafood. Fishing has been one of many principal and conventional actions of Rapa Nui. Easter Island’s staple substances, subsequently, embrace seafood comparable to 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 looking for an immersive sensory expertise, Easter Island represents an opportunity to relish genuine Polynesian fare. Exploring the culinary choices of the island is a necessary a part of experiencing its wealthy Polynesian tradition and traditions.
For an much more genuine island expertise, we encourage vacationers to enterprise exterior their inns and past the principle 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 realize 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 probably the most phenomenal locations to admire the night time sky. When the solar units the celebrities come out in all their glory!
In the event you reside in a metropolis and don’t have the prospect to get out into nature all that usually, you’ll be completely blown away by the readability and clearness of the night time sky on Easter Island!
The very best half is you don’t even have to depart your lodge to see the Milky Method. Even should 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, which means you possibly can see every little thing 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 perfect — to find Easter Island. The island is a paradise for climbing lovers! In the event you’re obsessed with nature, tradition and journey, you’ve come to the correct place. Off the overwhelmed path, every little thing contributes to unbelievable 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 apart 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 will let you get nearer to those enigmatic witnesses of the previous and uncover their fascinating historical past. In fact, merely taking a strolling tour of Easter Island is among the best, most fulfilling and memorable experiences whereas there.
7. Unwinding on Anakena Seashore
Venturing throughout the tiny island, you’re prone to end up amazed by the allure 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 exquisite palm timber are moai statues are set on two ceremonial platforms. It is a good place the place archaeology, panorama and recreation all meet, making it a perfect retreat for rest and rejuvenation. Along with its pure magnificence, Anakena Seashore holds historic significance because the touchdown web site of the island’s legendary founder, Hotu Matu’a.
Nature lovers, 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 web site 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 stage, you’ll see nearly a mile throughout the crater and get an amazing 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 lavatory of floating totora reeds. Resembling an enormous 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 right 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 take a look at of time, in addition to probably the most full units of petroglyphs within the area. These petroglyphs, also referred to as kohau rongo-rongo, function symbolic motifs, anthropomorphic figures, and geometric patterns, every holding important which means and reflecting the ancestral beliefs of the Rapa Nui folks.
Wandering between and contained in the constructions is a good Easter Island expertise and one thing to not be missed.
A second volcanic web site 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 numerous phases of carving, nonetheless ready to be transported throughout the island to their numerous 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 web site, the Poike Volcano, is in a extra remoted location with harder entry, which makes it a much less visited spot. Nevertheless, this mysterious volcanic space holds secret corners and historic legends that invite vacationers to find and be taught extra concerning 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 charming glimpse into the island’s Indigenous artwork and cultural heritage.
9. Ideally suited scuba diving circumstances 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 the planet have such extraordinary diving circumstances as these of the island, with waters that vary in temperature between 64˚F and 78˚F levels, the chance to find out about marine species that can not be discovered anyplace else, and visibility as much as 196 toes deep. The unbelievable visibility underneath the ocean that bathes the island’s coasts lets you 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 using adventures
Exploring Easter Island on horseback presents a novel and immersive solution to expertise the island’s landscapes, shoreline, and lesser-known points of interest. Driving lovers 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 knowledgeable riders, rookies or anybody in between, Easter Island equestrian excursions provide the last word alternative to discover the magnificent landscapes and historic websites of the island.
Saddle up and put together for a security briefing and an gear test earlier than heading within the path of well-preserved moai statue websites, historic still-intact indigenous villages, or petrified lava caves shaped many millennia in the past and as soon as believed to be a hiding place for fleeing locals throughout instances 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 using again to your restful lodging.
In the event you actually need to get away…
For these desirous to get away from all of it, Easter Island clearly suits the invoice. Thought-about essentially the most distant and remoted inhabited island on the 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 very distinctive historic previous.
So, if contemplating a South American getaway, you’ll want to preserve Easter Island in thoughts as one of many area’s prime luxurious trip spots.
Alfonso Tandazo
Alfonso Tandazo is President and CEO at Surtrek Tour Operator. Surtrek Tour Operator is a well-established agency, specializing in custom-designed luxurious excursions in Ecuador, the Galapagos and all through the remainder of South America. If you want to be a visitor blogger on A Luxurious Journey Weblog so as to elevate your profile, please contact us.
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