Name: Easter Island Extension
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 1 (1 reviews)

Easter Island Extension Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Destination: Chile
Programmes: Trip Extensions
Activity Level:
1 out of 7 - Leisurely
Ages: 16+
Trip Code: XTNEAST5
Carbon Footprint: 535kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Extend your holiday with a trip to the middle of the Pacific Ocean and see the mysterious moai of Easter Island

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 4,000km from the coast of Chile, is an island that still holds a very special magic and mystery. The Europeans discovered ‘Rapa Nui’, as the local population calls it, on Easter Sunday and to this day it is simply referred to as Easter Island. However, this island holds an intrigue far greater than one might imagine. So distant from everything and everyone, isolated by the largest ocean in the world, it demonstrates a rich history, art, language and interestingly once even suffered a civil war ‐ all upon an island not 25 km across.

This 5 day/4 night extension will enable you to explore this triangular shaped island, with extinct volcanic cones in each of its three corners. Amidst an atmosphere of friendly Polynesian hospitality, the entire island is today an open‐air museum with approximately 900 moai (statues), the tallest of which is 21m high. There is also the Orongo Village and many traditional cave dwellings open to view.

At a Glance

Post Extension to ‘Discover Chile’ (AAE)
5 days / 4 nights (3 nights Easter Island and 1 night Santiago)
4 nights comfortable hotel
Travel by bus
Guide provided on excursions
Additional nights available on request
2024 price from £1299 (per person, shared room and travelling together)
2024 single supplement from £345 / sole traveller supplement from £500
Roundtrip flights to/from Santiago not included in extension price (quoted separately)
Note – this extension runs on a shared tour basis with Exodus and non-Exodus guests

Highlights

The mysterious moai
Rano Kau crater
Enjoy friendly Polynesian hospitality
The unique history of the island

Is This Trip for You?

This is not a demanding trip extension. Due to the size of the island, journey times are relatively short and the roads are in good condition. There will be some short walks to and from the moai sites as well as a walk to Rano Kau Crater but none with significant climbs.

The order of the excursions on Easter Island can be subject to change. The excursions will be guided but there will not be a leader with the group all of the time.

Please note this is not an Exodus operated extension and the group size of this excursion can be up to 25 people. The guides may also give explanations in a different language if there are people in the group from another European country.

Only one hospital offers attention on Easter Island and its facilities are limited. Therefore it is very important for travellers to purchase travel insurance that includes emergency evacuation, as those suffering from serious illnesses or injuries are often flown by air ambulance to mainland Chile for treatment.

Adult min age: 16

Itinerary

Land Only Itinerary

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Easter Island. On arrival we transfer to the hotel. Free time, options include a visit to the local museum of Hanga Roa ‐ ‘Padre Sebastian Englert’. Hanga Roa is the small capital town of the island. This is where the great majority of the population lives (about 4,000 inhabitants).

Accommodation: Hotel Otai or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Morning half‐day excursion to Orongo, the ceremonial site for the Birdman Cult, whose stone houses are set right by the circular crater of the Ranu Kau volcano. The Birdman Cult only emerged after the collapse of moai culture and was focused on fertility rites and the Birdman competition. You will visit an interesting cave with cult rock paintings at the foot of the volcano. Later, from the rim of the crater, you will be able to savour a spectacular view overlooking the crater’s large lake, as well as the sea and the three Motu Islands. These small islands were the focus of the young men chosen during the ceremony of the Birdman Cult, held at Orongo. One individual per clan swam out to the Motus, to climb and steal the first swallow’s egg of the year. The winning clan was allowed to nominate Rapa Nui’s king for the following year. In the afternoon, you will visit Ahu Akivi, one of the few Ahus not located by the sea. The seven resurrected moais are sited according to the equinox, which indicates the advanced knowledge of astronomy once known on Rapa Nui. The next stop is the Puna Pau quarry, where the headdresses made of red stone that were set on many moai were produced. Today’s tour ends with a transfer back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Otai or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

We take a full day excursion today with visits to Ahus Vaihu and Akahanga along the south coast. Later we drive on to Rano Raraku, which is the site where moais were carved out of the island’s very unique bedrock. There are still approximately 400 statues standing and lying here in different stages of completion. The largest is nearly 22m tall and weighs approximately 250 tons. From here we drive to Ahu Te Pito Kura and the ‘Navel of the World’. Finally we visit the beach of Anakena with its Ahu Nau Nau before heading back to our hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Otai or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

The morning is free before we transfer to the airport for the flight back to Santiago.

Accommodation: Hotel Providencia or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

End Santiago.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotels

We stay in comfortable three-star hotels on this extension. Rooms are en suite and of a good standard. The hotel that we typically use in Hanga Roa has a swimming pool and is within walking distance of restaurants.

A minimum of 2 people are required on the extension, otherwise a single traveller supplement will be applied. Single accommodation is available on request.

Food & Drink

All breakfasts and 1 lunch is included.

Restaurants offer good quality international meals. Main courses generally focus on freshly caught seafood.

Transport

We use a comfortable minibus or coach depending on the size of the group.

Weather & Seasonality

When to go

Easter Island has a good climate and can be visited all year round but the best time is from December to March. February is the hottest month on Easter Island with an average temperature of 23°C. However, the heat is usually bearable because of the sea breezes. The coldest and wettest months are July and August with average temperature of 18°C. Shoulder season (April–June; October–December) is a good time to visit as the climate is fairly temperate. Rainfall can be expected throughout the year.

Joining Instructions

In the unlikely event of any of your luggage being misplaced or damaged, a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) must be filed with the appropriate airline if you subsequently wish to make a claim against the airline or on your travel insurance. This must be done at the airport where your baggage arrived, or should have arrived.

Regional Flights

The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please ask about flights from local or regional airports.

If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check-in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1.5 hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays.

Transfer Details

Transfers to and from the airports are included on the extension.

What To Take

Essential Equipment

Sunhat

Sunglasses

Sun cream

Swimming costume

Waterproof jacket or umbrella

Comfortable shoes

Water bottle

In Chile, the import of crop and animal products is strictly regulated in order to avoid vermin, plagues, and the diffusion of non-native plants and animals. Fresh fruits and vegetables cannot be imported. If you happen to be carrying such products they must be thrown away before getting to customs or declared and then handed over to be destroyed. You will be required to complete a declaration on arrival into Chile and luggage will be checked. Failure to comply with this legislation will result in large fines and time-consuming difficulties with the border authorties. Please ensure you are not carrying these goods on arrival to avoid this problem.

At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage.

Internal flights in the destination country are subject to a weight limit of 23kg.

As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check the airline’s website for the latest information prior to your departure.

Practical Information

Visa

Chile

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Chile. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Please note, a PDI tourist card will be given to you by migration at Santiago airport, upon arrival to Chile, and asked for upon departure from Chile (please retain this important slip of paper). The PDI certifies that you are a visitor and must be given back to migration upon departure from Chile.

To travel to Easter Island it is now compulsory to complete the single entry form to Easter Island (FUI). The form is available from LATAM.com Help Centre and also during online check-in. Customers may also complete it by accessing https://ingresorapanui.interior.gob.cl/

Vaccinations and Health

Chile

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid.

Dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Local Time

Chile's time zone: America/Santiago (UTC -04:00)

Electricity

Electricity is 220 volts. There are recharging facilities at all the hotels.

Money

Chile's currency: Chilean peso (CLP)

ATM Availability

There are only 2 ATM machines on Easter Island; 1 of which accepts Cirrus/Mastercard and 1 which accepts Visa. Most of the larger hotels accept credit cards but can charge high commission (up to 10%). If you intend to take cash to Easter Island, the local currency of Chilean Pesos are preferable but US Dollars are also generally accepted.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

Easter Island is an increasingly popular destination and is steadily getting more expensive. We recommend that you allow $25 ‐ $35 per meal for lunches and dinners.

Tipping

We recommend tipping the guides and drivers if you are happy with their service; approx. US$3 per person per day is sufficient (or Chilean Pesos equivalent).

People, Places & Planet

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Important Information

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Important Information

Your safe participation

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

How to Book

Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.

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