EASTER ISLAND TOUR 4 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS
Price Valid from April to Dec 20, 2013
.Ask for prices for special Seasons (Christmas, New Year and Holydays)
Day 01: Easter Island
Reception at the airport in Easter Island and transfer to the hotel
selected by you.
Rest of the day at leisure and overnight.
Day 02:
Am: Ahu Akivi & Puna Pau
This tour mainly focuses on the central part of the island and all of the great archaeological features that can be found within it. Moreover, all of the visited points represent ancient sites that were created and used during the end of the ahu Moai Phase. These sites have new cultural developments specially shown in the Ahu. This tour visits 3 restored sites: Ahu Huri a Urenga it is located app 3km west from Hanga Roa in a depressed area named Manavai Tokerau. This was one of the last ahu (ceremonial temple) to be restored by Dr William Mulloy, it is believed to be astronomically oriented such that the sun on the morning of booth the winter and summer solstices should rise directly in the façade of the moai as its stands on its ahu. Then, continues towards the Ahu Akivi with its seven moai. This ahu it was completely restored in 1960 by Dr William Mulloy who had the dated at 1460 AD. The tour proceed towards Ahu Vai Teka, located 10 km north of Hangaroa and 800 mt southwest of Ahu Akivi. This inland site dates back to 1470 AD and was apparently set up to be oriented towards the rising asun of equinox (beginning of spring and autumn). Arround this ahu, a large number of caves and waterholes, a very important source of freshwater for the ancient population, are found. The tour ends at the Puna Pau, one of the 70 secondary volcanic cones found on the island, its mineral matrix is much different than other types found on the island. Because of the iron rich deposit, therefore the rich red colour, red scoria is another type of basalt only more porous and lighter. The Rapa-Nui people used this easily carved material to made the Pukao (Topnots), lining or lintel stone, and funeral cists amongst others features including statues.
Pm: Rano kao & Orongo
Visit the site of the annual ceremonies and see where unrivalled competition of physical dexterity and strength gave power to the competitors able to obtain the first egg of the Manutara bird
Departure towards Ana Kai Tangata: this beautiful cave has pictograms which are painting on rocks. The paint is made from mineral pigments found on the island And the painting depict the Manutara bird. The arrival of this frigate bird in spring would initiate the Tangata Manu competition. The tour proceeds towards Rano Kau, the triangular appearance of Rapa Nui is the result of 3 main volcanic centers and 70 secondary volcanic cones . Rano Kau was the second of three main volcanoes to erupt about 2.5 million years ago. It has a height of 310 mt and a huge crater of 1.6 km in diameter ; inside the crater grows grapes , bananas and totora, a reed used extensively for houses, boats and others. Finally, Orongo: Orongo was restored in 1974 by William Mulloy, who reconstructed 47 houses, many of which had been torn down by treasure hunters . He also established the first set of trails through the site. Throughout the trail at Orongo the birdman cult will be highlighted. Here, nearly every boulder is carved and recarved with petroglyphs , which are carving on stone
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight.
Day 03: F/day exc. Rano raraku, Tongariki & Anakena beach
Departure from Hangaroa village towards Anakena beach through the centre of the island, vaitea, and back to Hangaroa through the south coast. Anakena has 4 ahu sites, 2 which have been reconstructed and 2 others which attest to weathering of time. The first ahu is called Ature Huki which was restoredin 1955 and the other is called Ahu NauNau which was restored by the same archaeologist Sergio Rapu. The trip continues towards Ahu Te Pito Kura: this site has only a moai, however it measures 10 m/30 feet weights up to 90 tons making it the largest moai to be raised on a platform. The topknot alone is worthy of praise weighing up to 11.5 tons. Here you will also find a very sacred stone. Then, arrival to Rano Raraku, one of most interesting archaeological sites; Here there are 396 moai in the quarry. Some of the statues are still encrusted in the rock of the quarry never to be moved, other are in process of getting they backs finalized and highlighted; some are in the staging area waiting for the moving crew to bring the moai to its destined ahu. Then the Ahu Tongariki, one of the most visually stunning sites on the island which shows how the ancient people were part of a true megalithic culture and the largest reconstructed temple on the Polynesia. This site has 15 moai that were restored in the 80'safter a huge tsunami came ashore in 1960. Finally, the Ahu Akahanga: the platform of the king its believed the grave of the first king of the island Hotu Matu'a can be found in a cave in Akahanga. Here there are 4 separate platforms with 12 moai of various sizes and 8 Pukao (topknots) ; interesting lining stones made from red scoria, a type of iron rich volcanic stone used to make Topknots, funeral cists, boarding stones. Also, petroglyphs run along the front of the main ahu. The back wall on the east end has a head of an older statue incorporated into the masonry which indicates that the ancient culture were inveterate recyclers ther reused older material to build and construct other features and works. Box lunch included en route (L)
Day 04:
At the agreed time, transfer to the airport.
End of our services
INCLUDE IN THE FEE:
• Meals duly specified in the program.
B = Breakfast L= Lunch D = Dinner.
• Continental Breakfast included in Hotel Restaurant from 07:00 to 10:00 A.M.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE:
• Air tickets, airport taxes.
• Tips to porters at Airport
• Extras of any kind (meal services not mentioned in the program, telephone calls, laundry )
IMPORTANT
• Program could be changed according to flight itineraries, climate conditions, or in order to provide a better service
• 19% tax. All foreigner non residents in Chile are tax exempt. Just in case of non show the total will collect the room rate plus 19% tax.
• At IORANA Hotel Lodging includes Half Board.
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