Easter Island Mystical Moai Statues & Highlights
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Port
Easter Island, Chile
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$309
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Rapa Nui National Park
"Rapa Nui, the indigenous name of Easter Island, bears witness to a unique cultural phenomenon. A society of Polynesian origin that settled there c. A.D. 300 established a powerful, imaginative and original tradition of monumental sculpture and architecture, free from any external influence. From the 10th to the 16th century this society built shrines and erected enormous stone figures known as moai, which created an unrivalled cultural landscape that continues to fascinate people throughout the world."
From the port of Hanga Piko, you'll head to the ceremonial site of Tahai in the village of Hanga Roa. Here, you will see three restored platforms and the only Moai statue with its eyes re-inserted.
Your next stop is at Rano Raraku on the south coast. Follow your guide on foot through the quarry that yielded stone for all the Moai statues carved on Easter Island. There are still 397 statues in varying states of completion on the slopes of the extinct volcano.
Several minutes' drive away is the restored 656-foot platform of Tongariki, with fifteen re-erected statues.
Finally, you'll drive to Anakena Beach, famous for its pink sand and its two restored platforms -- Ahu Nau Nau and Ahu Ature Huke -- before returning to the ship.
Please note:
Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing and comfortable shoes. The walk at Rano Raraku quarry is over uneven terrain and an incline. Participants must be in good physical condition. Bring bottled water from the ship; there is nowhere to purchase water on tour. Tourism infrastructure is very limited on Easter Island. Transportation will be by way of several different types of vehicles, including minibuses and vans. A guide waits for you at each point of interest and provides narration and explanation with a loudspeaker rather than riding with you in the vehicle. The ship is at anchor at Easter Island and the Immigration clearance process can take more than an hour. Having your immigration card filled in prior to arrival will expedite the process. Very few vendors on Easter Island accept credit cards. Bring US dollars, Chilean pesos, or travelers' checks. Minimum age is 12 years.