DISCOVER EASTER ISLAND
With
archaeologist, Dr. Georgia Lee
At
the southeastern tip of the Polynesian triangle lies windswept Easter
Island, one of the most remote spots on the planet. Surrounded by
an endless ocean as blue as the sky and located 2,300 miles west
of Santiago, Chile, this tiny dot of land is sixty-six square miles
of rocky grasslands, extinct volcanic cones, and steep ocean cliffs.
Called Rapa Nui by the Polynesian people who live here, this island
is a unique open-air archaeological mu-seum. Nearly a thousand immense
stone statues, called moai, gaze with brooding eyes over the gently
rolling hills, hundreds of perplexing petroglyphs stand out from
rock surfaces, and colorful cave paintings depict brightly painted
birds in flight.
ITINERARY:
(B)
breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner
Day
1: Depart USA.
Day
2: Arrive Santiago and transfer to the hotel. The day is free
to rest after the overnight flight. Gather this evening for a welcome
dinner. (D)
Day
3: Today
visit two outstanding museums in Santiago. The Pre-Columbian Museum
catalogs 4500 years of South American civilization before the arrival
of the Spanish. The Museum of Natural History contains artifacts
found on Easter Island.  Other
exhibits include the body of a sacrificed twelve-year old child
whose body was preserved in ice on a nearby peak for over five hundred
years. Enjoy
fabulous views of Santiago during a special luncheon at Enoteca
restaurant and wine tasting bar overlooking the city. In the evening,
fly to Easter Island and check into our hotel.
Surrounded by lovely, fragrant gardens, this small family-run inn
is only a block from the coast in the center of the village of Hanga
Roa. (B/L/D (onboard))
Day
4: Within the flanks of the volcanic mountain, Rano Raraku,
lies the quarry where the massive moai were carved. Many unfinished
giants still lie imprisoned in stone, abandoned when the work suddenly
and mysteriously stopped. Others stand buried to their shoulders
in quarry debris and eroding soil and rock.  Hike
to the rim of the volcano's crater for a breathtaking view over
the island, and to see the huge, prehistoric engineering works used
to slide the statues down the slope. We will visit nearby
Tongariki, the largest ahu (shrine) built on the island.  Destroyed
by a tsunami in 1960, the huge moai were recently re-erected. Notable
here are the stunning petro-glyphs of enormous tuna, turtles, and
human and birdman figures. Continue to Anakena, the island's largest
white sand beach, and the landing place of the legendary Hotu Matua,
the founding hero of the island. Fringed by lovely palm trees, this
is our luncheon picnic destination. Ahu Nau Nau, with its row of
statues with top-knots, and Ature Huke stand on the side of the
hill overlooking the beach. Returning to the west side of the is-leand,
we will watch the sunset at Tahai, where three ceremonial centers
are located on the edge of the ocean. On one of them, Ahu Ko Te
Riku, a large solitary statue, or moai, supports a massive maroon
topknot. (B/L/D)
 Day
5: The ancient village of Orongo sits on the seaward edge of
the volcano Rano Kao. Until the 1860s, the Festival of the Bird
Man was held here each spring. Members of leading tribal groups
gathered at the edge of a thousand-foot cliff to watch competitors,
or their trusted representatives, swim through turbulent waters
to Motu Nui Islet, nearly a mile away. Once there, the competitors
hid in caves, sometimes for days, waiting for the return of the
migrating Sooty Terns that nestled there. The first person to find
an egg, swim back through the shark-infested waters to the mainland,
carry it up the precipitous cliff and present it unbroken, won the
race.  He
or the man he represented became Bird Man, an important status position,
for the next year. The sacred site is famed for its hundreds of
intricate petroglyphs carved on massive boulders perching on the
edge of the cliff. Continue to Ana Kai Tangata, the Cave of the
Cannibals, with painted portraits of Sooty Terns soaring in styl-ized
flight across the ceiling, and Vinapu, containing the ruins of two
famous shrines, one of which has massive stonework reminiscent of
the Inca civilization in Peru. (B/L/D)
 Day
6: The remote west coast of the island is today’s destination.
At Tepeu you will see a massive ahu, and the island's largest hare
paenga (stone house built in the shape of a boat). Nearby, we will
examine petroglyphs, caves, and two huge manavai (farm fields in
collapsed lava tubes). After a barbecue in a shady grove, move on
to Ahu Akivi where seven standing giants are oriented towards summer
solstice. The moai face a plaza fronted with stones, the site of
early religious rites and dances. Continue to Puna Pau, where the
red scoria topknots for the stone figures were quarried. Finally,
visit the Sebastian Englert Archaeological Museum, named for a German
priest who lived on the island for nearly thirty-five years. The
museum contains artifacts from the Rapa Nui culture, including the
only coral moai eye that has been found. (B/L/D)
 Day
7: With its many large moai, Vaihu is one of the most impressive
sites on the south coast. Toppled in the wars, the statues now lie
with their noses buried in the ground surrounded by scattered topknots.
At Akahanga are numer-ous large figures and the remains of a village
with the foundations of several boat-shaped houses on a hillside
nearby. After a picnic lunch, continue to the north coast, stopping
at the Poike “Ditch" and the Trumpet of Hiro. Visit Ahu
Hekii, Ahu Ra’ai and its petroglyphs, and Te Pito Te Kura,
the largest statue ever moved. In the center of the island is Ahu
Huri A Urenga, where a solitary statue still stands; it was once
a solstice observatory. Return to the village via Vaitea, the historical
sheep ranch. Tonight's final dinner party will be at the home of
a friend, where a typical umu (earth oven dinner) will be highlighted
by dancers in costumes. (B/L/D)
 Day
8: Return to Santiago. Overnight at the Hotel Plaza San Francisco.
(B/ /D (onboard))
Day
9: Today’s all day tour takes us south of Santiago through
wine country. We will stop at one of Chile’s premier wineries
for a tasting and tour before continuing to Viña del Mar,
located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and one of Chile's most
fashionable beach resorts. Here, we will visit the Fonck Museum
and be given a private tour of its original Rapanui wooden sculpture
and artifacts from Easter Island. Lunch will be held in one of Viña
del Mar’s delightful seafood restaurants. We then drive back
to the Santiago airport in time for our overnight flight back to
the USA. (B/L)
Day
10: Arrive USA.
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Hotel
Pool |
Dining Room |
TRIP LEADER
Dr.
Georgia Lee is an archaeologist whose experience includes extensive
research on Easter Island. She received her PhD from UCLA, and for
several years has directed expeditions to Easter Island for the
University of California system. Georgia is a specialist in rock
art, particularly that of Polynesia. She is the editor of Rapa Nui
Journal (the only international publication concerning Easter Island),
and the author of An Un-common Guide to Easter Island and The Rock
Art of Easter Island: Symbols of Power, Prayers to the Gods.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Register
for this Trip
TRIP
DATES:
No
trips currently scheduled
 2004
LAND COST:
(Per person double occupancy)
Includes all hotels, roundtrip flights from Santiago to Easter Island,
all ground transportation, entry fees, and meals as noted.
SINGLE
SUPPLEMENT: $475.00. Far Horizons will attempt to find a roommate
for participants requesting that we do so. However, if one is not
available, the single supplement will be charged.
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: International airfare from the USA to
Santiago; the tax-free donation of $150.00 to the Easter Island
Foundation; passport, airport, or visa fees; all beverages; food
not on regular menus; laundry; excess baggage charges; or personal
tips.
RESERVATION:
A deposit of $500.00, plus a check for $150.00 made out to the Easter
Island Foundation, is required with your reservation. Final payment
is due 75 days before departure.
Upon
receipt of your deposit and completed registration form, you will
be sent a reading list and a clothing and equipment list. An information
book designed for this trip, including maps of archaeological sites
and articles of pertinent interest, will be sent upon receipt of
final payment.
CANCELLATION
AND REFUNDS: Cancellations received in writing at least 75 days before
departure will result in an administrative fee of $250.00. Cancellations received
less than 75 days before departure will not receive a refund. If for any reason
you are unable to complete the trip, Far Horizons will not reimburse any fees.
Registrants are strongly advised to buy travel insurance that includes trip
cancellation.
No
trip currently scheduled
May
we suggest:
Chile, Easter Island & The Tapati Festival
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