Easter Island Holidays

A remote piece of small volcanic confetti lost in the empty vastness of the South Pacific Ocean, Easter Island - or Rapa Nui - is an unusual and intriguing place to visit with a mysterious history. Although technically part of Chile, Easter Island is actually over 2,000 miles away from the mainland (or a five-hour flight from Santiago) and so has an incredibly different culture, history and landscape. In contrast to the arid deserts and mountains scenes of Chile, on Easter Island you’ll see black rock cliffs battered by the waves and grassy moors where the famous silhouette of the ‘Moai’ - the iconic anthropomorphic statues - stand tall. These carved statues are shrouded in mystery - despite being first visited by Europeans in the early 18th century, we still don’t know how or why they were built, or even by whom. They’re best discovered on a guided tour with an expert who can explain some of the myths and legends that surround them, and point out the special seven statues of Ahu Akivi that point out to sea while all the others face inland. Easter Island holidays offer a truly unique experience, combining history and culture with spectacular nature.

Easter Island holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

Easter Island Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

Who are Easter Island holidays best for?

The island has incredible walking opportunities, from easy hikes all the way up to difficult treks, and nature lovers will adore feeling so close to nature, but it’s really the culture and history that travellers make the long journey for. Make your way to the amazing Rano Raruku crater (the quarry from which the majority of the Moai statues were carved) and along the coastline and learn the story of the island, its inhabitants and its stone giants.


What can you find on Easter Island that you can’t find elsewhere?

To state the obvious, the monolithic figures of the Maoi are what sets Easter Island apart from the rest of the world, but the natural beauty of the island shouldn’t be understated. Experience the incredible views from the top of the extinct volcano of Rano Kau, look down over the wild horses which rule the landscape (fun fact: there are more horses than humans) and enjoy the views of nature that’s been left untouched for so long. Incidentally, the island earned its European name from the first recorded European to visit; a Dutch navigator who arrived on Easter Sunday, 1722.

It is known that numerous tribes lived on the island, during this time they fought amongst themselves, destroying the environment. It is not known why these giant 'Moai' sculptures were made and then why the majority were destroyed.


What can you find on Easter Island that you can’t find elsewhere?

- The unique Rapa Nui culture both ancient and contemporary. To give you an idea of just how isolated Easter Island is, the nearest inhabited island is Pitcairn, 1,200 miles to the North West. This might help explain why the islanders, of Polynesian descent, are so independent - they believe themselves to be Rapa Nui people with little or no connection to Chile

- The impressive Moai holding vigil over the island. It is still not known why these giant 'Moai' sculptures were made and then why the majority were destroyed. it is presumed that the island was inhabited from the beginning of the first centuries AD and that the moais are several hundred of years old.

- Delicious food using local ingredients such as cassava and fresh fish

- Numerous caves with their ancient paintings of legends and deities

- The annual Tapati Festival which celebrates Rapa Nui culture, including games and competitions such as the Kai Kai string game which, like cat’s cradle, makes increasingly intricate patterns from string.

- You can explore this mysterious island in the company of an expert guide and treks range from the easy to the moderately difficult, and are combined with picnic meals on the rocks of the seashore.

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