This exciting extension offers a chance to venture more than 3,700 kilometres off Chile’s mainland and discover Easter Island (locally known as Rapa Nui), one of the world’s most remote and fascinating destinations.
Rising from the middle of the Pacific Ocean, this extraordinary island is a land shrouded in ancient legends, dramatic volcanic scenery, and a unique history. This itinerary offers an extended visit to some of the island’s most famous archaeological sites, and a chance to stand face-to-face with the mysterious Moai statues that have captivated explorers for decades.
The island also features magnificent windswept hills, rugged lava fields, sweeping ocean views, and idyllic beaches fringed by turquoise water, and this in-depth extension offers an excellent chance to experience a combination of landscapes, culture and heritage.
Typical Extension Itinerary
Day1: Overnight in Santiago
After arriving in Santiago, Chile’s capital city, head to a comfortable airport hotel, ready for your onward flight the next day. The arrival time depends on your flight arrangements.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Santiago Airport Terminal, 1-night
Day2: Fly to Easter Island & First Visit to Moai Statues
Today, an early flight from Santiago takes you to Mataveri International Airport on Easter Island. On arrival, you're met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
Your Easter Island adventure begins later this afternoon with a visit to the village of Hanga Roa, the island’s main town, to explore the nearby ceremonial site of Tahai. This location offers a first encounter with the iconic moai, the famous and unique stone statues carved by the Rapa Nui people more than 500 years ago.
Other stops today include Puna Pau, a quarry known for its distinctive red scoria rock, and Ahu Akivi, where you can take in a scenic view of seven standing moai facing out into the ocean.
Day3: Visits Moai Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki, Ahu Akahanga, & Vaihu
Today, visit some of the most dramatic archaeological sites of Rapa Nui. The day begins by heading towards the eastern tip of the island and the spectacular Rano Raraku volcanic crater. This area was once the main quarry from where the moai statues were carved using compacted volcanic ash, and exploring this distinctive location reveals hundreds of unique and impressive examples.
You then head to Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial site in Easter Island where, throughout history, the moai have been toppled or destroyed. Visits to Vaihu and Ahu Akahanga offer similar views and a chance to learn about the turbulent and fascinating history of this unique island.
Day4: Visit Orongo Village, Mirador & Vinapu
Today's a chance to discover the extraordinary ceremonial site of Orongo. This enormous caldera of the extinct Rano Kau volcano is without doubt a highlight of Rapa Nui, and its microclimate has created a habitat for several endemic plant species. Afterwards, you head to nearby Orongo village, the main entrance to the Rapa Nui National Park. With its stone houses, ceremonial sites and petroglyphs, this park offers an intriguing insight into the archaeology and history of the island.
Later today, you stop at Mirador, known for impressive panoramic views of the rugged coastline and Rapa Nui’s spectacular volcanic landscape. To end the day, you head to Vinapu, a unique site showcasing some exceptional stonemasonry built over a range of time periods.
Day5: Visit Anakena, Te Pito Kura, & Puna Pau
Today offers a visit to the beautiful Anakena Beach, a wonderful place to swim and relax on the palm tree-lined shore. Afterwards, return to exploring the island’s rich history with visits to Te Pito Kura and Puna Pau, known for unique rock sculptures and fantastic views of the coastline.
Day6: Visit Tahai & Nearby Villages
Today's a chance to explore the famous ceremonial site of Tahai in more depth and learn about its statues and historical remains. You visit the nearby Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum for an overview of the geology, geography, and history of the island, while a stop at Hanga Piko offers a chance to discover Ahu Riata, an ancient ceremonial platform adorned with moai statues. You also visit the village of Hanga Roa en route back to the hotel, visiting its church and artisan market.
Day7: Morning at Leisure & Flight to Santiago
This morning's free to relax and appreciate the wonderful Easter Island one final time. You're then transferred to Mataveri International Airport in time to catch a flight to Santiago.
Upon arriving in Santiago, make your own way on foot to your nearby airport hotel.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Santiago Airport Terminal, 1-night
Day8: Onward Travel Plans
Today, you can make your own way back to the airport, ready to commence your onward journey.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 daysfrom £1,850 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Trip type:
Tailor-made Extension Idea
Holiday Extension
This extension can be added to any of our suggested holidays or alternatively booked as an independent trip.
Discover the natural wonders of the Galapagos archipelago and its unique wildlife by land, sea and air. Accommodation is a tented safari camp on Santa Cruz Island, with daily excursions to some of the surrounding islands, where you will find Galapagos sealions, green turtles, flamingos and white tip reef sharks.
Find out more about Galapagos Islands: Luxury on Land
Combine two of South America’s finest wildlife destinations – the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands. View the outstanding variety of wildlife on walking trails and by boat from a luxury eco-lodge in the Amazon jungle, and cruise the unique Galapagos archipelago for close-up wildlife encounters.
Find out more about Wildlife of Ecuador & the Galapagos
Take a look at the fantastic wildlife of Ecuador with three days in the Amazon jungle in a private reserve, taking guided boat trips and enjoying bird’s eye views from the canopy walkway. A week’s cruise around the Galapagos Islands tops off the trip with close bird and marine life encounters.
Find out more about Amazon & the Galapagos
Join us on an unforgettable journey beyond the Antarctic Circle in search of icy vistas and remarkable wildlife, from penguins and cetaceans to pinnipeds and seabirds, onboard a state-of-the-art vessel. This exclusive group departure promises an intimate exploration of the world's southernmost continent.
Find out more about Antarctic Circle Penguin & Whale Safari
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the icy wilderness of Antarctica in search of cetaceans, pinnipeds, and seabirds, including numerous species of penguin. This whale watching voyage is perfectly timed during peak season, when the whales are most active and sightings are at their best.
Find out more about Antarctica Whale Safari
Take a journey in search of Chile’s rare and near endemic mammals. From unspoiled Valdivian rainforest to the bleak steppes of Tierra del Fuego and towering snow-covered peaks of Patagonia, this tour explores the habitat of puma, kodkod, Darwin’s fox, marine otter, Chilean dolphin and blue whale.
Find out more about Chile’s Rare Mammals
This trip takes the easiest way to Antarctica and flies from Punta Arenas in southern Chile, to save time and enjoy an aerial view of the Drake Passage. This active adventure involves daily landings by Zodiac inflatable, and with ever-changing ice and weather conditions, each voyage is unique.
Find out more about Classic Antarctic Fly-Sail
This voyage is a perfect introduction to the Antarctic, visiting prime wildlife sites along the Peninsula and in the nearby South Shetland islands. Encounter huge rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins, beaches adorned with wallowing elephant seals, and whales and dolphins along the way.
Find out more about Classic Antarctica
An extraordinary opportunity to cross the Antarctic Circle, a polar achievement few have the privilege to experience. Discover a rarely seen, isolated world, littered with gigantic icebergs, snow-clad mountains and swathes of pack-ice, whilst being followed by an array of seabirds and several whale species.
Find out more about Crossing the Polar Circle
This 7-night luxury expedition voyage, uncovers the delights of the eastern islands, combining unparalleled natural beauty, exotic wildlife, and remarkable history. Your companions on the trip include endemic giant tortoise, Galapagos penguin, dense colonies of land iguana and the rare waved albatross.
Find out more about East Galapagos Luxury Expedition
This 8 day cruise visits the archipelago’s smaller islands, exploring them by panga (dinghy) and on foot. You’ll discover noisy sealion colonies leisurely wandering around, fiery coloured iguanas, blue-footed boobies and Sally Lightfoot crabs surrounding the rocks, and a wealth of colourful birdlife.
Find out more about Eastern Galapagos Highlights
This voyage to the Weddell Sea offers a unique highlight - three days are reserved to visit, by helicopter, an emperor penguin colony, situated south of Snow Hill Island. Getting close to these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is a unique and memorable once in a lifetime experience.
Find out more about Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea
A wildlife photography holiday to the Falkland Islands visiting the archipelago’s key wildlife sites with the chance to photograph five species of penguin, black-browed albatross, giant southern elephant seals, South American sea lions and so much more, led by expert photographer Kevin Morgans.
Find out more about Falklands Wildlife Photography
Take a journey to the enchanting cloud forests of the Andes, staying in a unique biodiversity reserve, and viewing the varied wildlife from walking trails or a rainforest canopy. A luxury naturalist-led cruise in the Galapagos Islands offers emerald waters, rugged coves and a remarkable number of endemic species.
Find out more about Galapagos & Ecuador in Style
This ultimate Antarctic experience marries the phenomenal wildlife of the sub-Antarctic islands of the Falklands and South Georgia to the pristine beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula. Explore dramatic wilderness areas and visit huge penguin colonies, all amongst hauntingly beautiful polar scenery.
Find out more about Great Antarctic Voyage
Sail the northern Galapagos Islands on this luxury small-ship expedition. Encounter iconic wildlife, volcanic wonders and visit some of the more remote and less accessible islands. This 8-day cruise showcases the best of the northern islands, including shore excursions to Genovesa, Isabela, Fernandina and Rábida.
Find out more about Northern Galapagos Highlights
Flying to the South Shetlands over Cape Horn and avoiding the rough waters of the Drake Passage, this itinerary offers the easiest way to travel to Antarctica. Sailing down the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, the voyage passes spectacular icebergs in the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales.
Find out more about Polar Circle Fly-Sail
Join photographer Nick Garbutt in Torres del Paine which is Patagonia’s premier wildlife destination and in combination with stunning scenery, makes for a perfect photography destination. The area is a haven to a wealth of Andean wildlife and is a stronghold for the region's top predator, the puma.
Find out more about Pumas, Condors & Landscapes in Winter
One of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth, South Georgia is overflowing with an abundance of wildlife. This incredible expedition combines wildlife-rich South Georgia with the remote Falkland Islands, home to vast numbers of seabirds and mammals, making this the ultimate wildlife extravaganza.
Find out more about South Georgia & Falklands Wildlife Extravaganza
This small-ship expedition explores the enchanting Galapagos Islands, known for their incredible biodiversity and unique ecosystems. Explore the beaches and bays of the southern islands and encounter an astonishing array of wildlife species including giant tortoises, sea lions, iguanas and flocks of flamingos.
Find out more about Southern Galapagos Highlights
Join us on an extraordinary expedition to Snow Hill and witness one of nature’s most remarkable spectacles – the emperor penguins. Discover the wilderness of the Weddell Sea, encounter majestic wildlife, and experience the magic of exploring a remote region of Antarctica.
Find out more about The Ultimate Snow Hill Expedition
Set sail on the ultimate expedition through the pristine wilderness of Antarctica. Spanning 23 days, your adventure will take you from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia and onward to the Antarctic Peninsula, surpassing the Antarctic Circle – an achievement few have the privilege to experience.
Find out more about Ultimate Antarctica
Boasting an astonishing array of wildlife, this bucket-list expedition combines the very best of the east and west Galapagos islands, in search of exotic marine life, a wonderful array of bird species, and fascinating terrestrial animals, all from the comfort of a luxurious, expedition superyacht.
Find out more about Ultimate Galapagos Luxury Expedition
Journey through two of the most wildlife-rich destinations on Earth - the Galápagos Islands and the Amazon Rainforest. From the remote volcanic landscapes of the Galápagos to the vibrant jungles of the Ecuadorian Amazon, this adventure offers the opportunity to witness rare and extraordinary species up close.
Find out more about Unforgettable Galápagos & Amazon Rainforest Retreat
A land of icebergs, volcanic islands and year-round sea ice, the Weddell Sea has played a pivotal role in Polar exploration. A haven for birdlife and a feeding ground for migrating whales, this voyage offers the opportunity to discover the less-visited side of the Antarctic Peninsula and icy perimeter of the Weddell Sea.
Find out more about Weddell Sea Explorer
Explore the west Galapagos Islands, on board a luxury expedition superyacht. Home to large colonies of marine iguana, sea lions basking in the sun, and iconic blue-footed boobies displaying their legendary mating dances, these enchanting islands offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for wildlife enthusiasts.
Find out more about West Galapagos Luxury Expedition
Spend a week cruising some of the larger islands in the Galapagos, including Isabela, the largest of the archipelago and home to flamingos, Galapagos penguins, green turtles and land iguanas. Discover a host of unique bird species, including magnificent frigatebirds and iconic blue-footed boobies.
Find out more about Western Galapagos Highlights
Journey to the far south on this exclusive whale and dolphin expedition, travelling at the most rewarding time for cetacean activity in Antarctica. Aboard our privately chartered ship, explore the Antarctic Peninsula and the dramatic, glacier-carved channels of the Chilean Fjords.
Find out more about Whales & Dolphins of Antarctica & the Chilean Fjords
Splitting our time between a private ranch specialising in puma tourism, and a comfortable hotel on the shores of Lago Grey in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, this expert-led small group trip offers exceptional wildlife amidst breath-taking scenery
Find out more about Wildlife of Torres del Paine
Set sail on this unique Penguin Safari, exploring the untamed beauty of South Georgia and Antarctica. Witness majestic albatross, playful seals, and up to five species of penguin amidst incredible scenery. With state-of-the-art facilities and superb excursions, prepare for an unforgettable adventure.
Find out more about X) Antarctica Penguin Safari
Venture into the heart of Antarctica for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience - camping on the sea ice alongside a colony of emperor penguins. This exclusive expedition offers access to one of the planet’s most remote and breathtaking environments, where you can observe these iconic birds in their natural habitat.
Find out more about X) Camping with Emperor Penguins
Easter Island - or Rapa Nui as it is known locally - is a small triangle of volcanic rock in the mid-Pacific. The island and its 600 enigmatic stone faces have always been the subject of intense curiosity and speculation. A visit to this fascinating and unique place can easily be added to any trip to mainland Chile.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Where: Valparaíso Region
Excellent for: History & culture
Suggested accommodation is shown below.
Please
contact us
for further recommendations.
Set in peaceful gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean and just outside Hanga Roa, Altiplanico Easter Island Hotel blends traditional island-inspired architecture with modern comfort. Spacious sea-view rooms and a tranquil setting make it an ideal base for exploring the history of this unique destination.
Find Out More about Altiplanico Easter Island Hotel
