top5 places to visit on easter island
Top 5 Places to Visit on Easter Island
The Easter Islands are filled with wonders that lure thousands of travelers to this remote Pacific location. Read on, to know more about what this tourist hotspot has in store for you.
Did You Know?
The Easter Island was named so because its discoverer, Jacob Roggeveen, arrived there on Easter Sunday 1722.Getting There and Around
The capital of Easter Island, Hanga Roa, has an international airport, the Mataveri International Airport, that is connected to the Chilean mainland by regular flights. The flights cost about USD 700-800 for a return journey.
The island is very small, and staying in Hanga Roa to explore the various sights is the best option. Accommodation on Easter Island is quite pricey. Even budget guesthouses and hostels that go below USD 30 are rare. But one thing that's not lacking is variety―it even has some campsites for the adventurer.
To get to the various tourist spots, taxis can be hired for a rate around USD 3 per hour, with some fluctuation depending on the duration and distance of the journey. Otherwise, cars, bikes, and mountain bicycles are all readily available on rent. One tip to remember is that getting the vehicle on the basis of an 8-hour day is always less expensive than getting it on a 24-hour basis. Cars can be rented for about USD 50-90, motorcycles can be rented for about USD 35-55, whereas bikes are available from USD 10-25.
Unmissable Places on Easter Island
Rano Raraku
This volcanic mountain is where the famous moai statues were formed. Since it is made of compacted volcanic ash, it was very easy for ancient Polynesians to carve these huge statues out of it. The material was just right for the contemporaneous technology, since it lent itself to molding and shaping, but didn't shatter upon hammering.
Over time, this mountain has suffered serious erosion, which, fortunately, has largely left alone the numerous moai artifacts near the mountain. These unfinished artifacts are a great sight, and seeing the place where the world-famous monuments were made is an enticing lure.
Rano Kau
Rano Kau is one of the most fascinating attractions on Easter Island. This mountain, lying very close to the coast, houses a crater lake within it. The mountain itself has been eroded, and now forms sea cliffs. The mountain also houses the archeological site of Orongo, which was an important city for the Polynesians.
Due to the small-scale isolation from the arid surface of the island, the crater lake has a distinct micro-environment. Trees that can't grow on the main island, such as figs, are found in the crater. This lake is one of only three freshwater sources found on Easter Island.
Anakena Beach
Well, it is an island, after all! What good is an island that doesn't allow you to relax and unwind to the gentle rumble of the sea?
Anakena is an excellent beach, with untainted white sands, and beautiful blue waters. The moai complex of Ahu Nau Nau is also very close to the beach, so if the whole beaches-sea-relaxing-calm thing doesn't get you, you can delve into the archeology.
Ahu Tongariki
Tongariki is one of the most enigmatic and popular ahu (platform for the moai statues) on Easter Island. Unlike most moai complexes, Tongariki is situated well inland (less than 2 km from Rano Raraku), and also faces the sea.
This complex is one of the iconic images of Easter Island, due to its picturesque alignment. It contains 15 moai, including the heaviest statue of them all, which weighs 86 tons! It was damaged by civil wars and natural activity, and had to be restored in a five-year project in the 1990s.
Terevaka
The only place that's not related to the moai, Terevaka, also called Televaka, is the highest point on the island, and offers splendid views of the surrounding plains. Almost the entire island can be viewed from the top, which can be reached by foot or on horseback.
Glimpses into a key part of human history, great hiking trails, and fascinating beaches! All in all, this remote, unassuming island is a fascinating destination for archeologists, and the ideal location for their long-suffering families as well!