EASTER ISLAND, CHILE
5 - 25 MARCH 2011
Highlights:
- Deep blue Pacific Ocean and nice extinct crater views
- Archaeological sites, including nearly 900 monumental statues called moai, created by inhabitants during the 13th–16th centuries in Easter Island
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CUZCO > LIMA > EASTER ISLAND
Today we make our way to Easter Island from Peru. We took a flight from Cuzco to Lima, and spend a few hours in Lima airport before taking our flight to Easter Island, arriving early morning. Hotel Altiplanico Set on a property of 1.5 ha the hotel has a panoramic view of the shoreline on one of the world’s most unique destinations, Altiplanico Easter Island is designed in the style of the traditional Easter Island boathouse, with luxurious gardens, a beautiful swimming pool viewing the sea and large open spaces to relax after encountering the seductive mysteries of the island. The deep blue of the Pacific Ocean will permeate your stay as well as the warmth of the Easter Island culture, with its music, art, history and architecture. |
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EASTER ISLAND
Departure from hotel towards Rano Kao Volcano, inside its deep crater there is a lake of fresh water covered with totora. One of the Island's most important places is the ancient ceremonial village of Orongo, southeast of the Rano Kau, where we can still see petroglyphs and cave paintings as well as ancient houses and walls from different areas. The volcano crater measures approximately one and a half kilometers in diameter. Its high walls, measuring 200 meters, constitute a natural reservoir used throughout time by the island's inhabitants. It conserves an enclosed garden of priceless Polynesian and native species that constitutes an appropriate microclimate for the main preserve of flora on the island. The ceremonial village was used between 1600 and 1866 AD to worship the birdmen. According to the legend, there was a cult of the birdman. What happened is every year, the islanders would hold a competition to see who could swim to the island, grab the egg of a sooty tern (a type of sea bird) and return to the mainland the quickest. Whoever accomplished this feat in the shortest time became the island's chief for a year. Orongo village consists of some 53 elliptically shaped houses having shale walls and a small square entry overlooking the ocean. Arranged into two uneven rows, the lower row ends at Mata Ngarahu, the sacred precinct where the Birdmen use to be worshipped, and the one most profusely decorated with petroglyphs on the island. Next we visited the caves Ana Kai Tangata, which contain several cave paintings and then to the ceremonial platform Ahu Vinapu, a temple whose moais (sculptures) are curiously similar to stone works created by the Incas, providing evidence, according to some researchers, that the first inhabitants on the island were of South America descent! Hotel Altiplanico |
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EASTER ISLAND
Today, we headed North towards Ahu Akivi. Ahu Akivi is an ahu, the name given to a stone platform with seven moai statues placed on it. The complex dates back to 1500 BC and it was the first Ahu that was scientifically restored on the island in 1960 by William Mulloy and Gonzalo Figueroa. The 7-moai platform faces the equinoctial rising sun. Unlike other Rapa Nui ceremonial centers with ahu, the Akivi-Vaiteka Complex is not located on the coast. And in contrast to the monumental statuary at other sites on the island, the moai at Ahu Akivi face the ocean. According to recent folklore, it allegedly represents the seven young explorers sent from Hiva by Haumaka's spirit to do a reconnaissance on the island prior to Hotu Mantu'a's arrival. We continue to Ana Te Pahu, also known as the Cave of the Bananas. This is a cave that features a variety of plants and vegetation. Our next stop was the Puna Pau, a secondary crater used for quarrying red scoria for the Pukao, which presumably represent the islanders' hairdo tinted with red soil. Here we learnt more about the making, building, and transportation process of these colossal sculptures carved on volcanic rock. Hotel Altiplanico |
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EASTER ISLAND > LIMA > PARACAS
Tour of Anakena Lost Culture Of Rapa Nui today before taking our flight back to Lima, Peru. We were then transferred to hotel in Paracas. Hotel Libertador Paracas Libertador Paracas Hotel is in a unique location, positioned on the coast, on the edge of the Paracas National Reserve. Previously Hotel Paracas, this hotel has been completely rebuilt and will reopens in November 2009 as a 5-star resort. The hotel features 133 air conditioned rooms and suites with private facilities, many with a seaview. The hotel will also feature: a spa, 2 swimming pools, restaurant, bar, lounge bar with ocean views, private gardens and various activities for guests. |
TRIP PHOTOS - SOUTH AMERICA