February 2025 dates coming soon!

Be among the first to know
We expect the details of our 2025 trip to be finalized by July-August 2024. Register here if you’d like to be among the first to know when they are published, and when the trip opens up for bookings.

Easter Island is a wonderful enigma; a remote dot in the blue South Pacific, more than 2,000 miles from the nearest neighbors. The Rapanui people thrived in their isolation, creating a culture unlike any other.  Nearly 1,000 carved stone moai bear witness to this, as do the ceremonial platforms, petroglyphs, cave art and more. The Rapanui also developed the only written language in all of Polynesia. In time these once-great seafarers lost the ability and resources to build boats and leave the island again.

Join us as we explore this remarkable island, delve into the history and experience her culture today. 

EXPEDITION OVERVIEW & LENGTH:
Our expedition is 11 days in length, plus 2 travel days.  For two weeks each year Easter Island/ Rapa Nui / Isla de Pascua cuts loose and celebrates their cultural heritage through song, dance, native crafts, and historically symbolic although very quirky sporting events.  

DATES:
Likely in the first two weeks of February 2025

GROUP SIZE:
Group size is limited to just 12-14 participants, plus the Tour Escort and in-country guides.

ITINERARY:

Day 0 • INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE
Flights between the U.S. and Chile are night flights. American, United, Delta and LATAM all fly to Chile.

Day 1 • INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL / SANTIAGO
On arrival this morning transfer to the centrally located Hotel Plaza San Francisco (your room will be available for early arrival). Remainder of morning at leisure. This afternoon tour around Santiago, visiting the city's most outstanding attractions, including a walking tour downtown visiting the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Ahumada Boulevard, and the Government Palace; "La Moneda." Then, by vehicle, visit the main avenues of old Santiago, crossing the bohemian neighborhood of Bellavista and drive to San Cristobal Hill, for a magnificent panoramic view of the city and the Andes Mountain Range. The afternoon finishes with a stop at the artisan village of Los Graneros del Alba. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner in the charming Bellavista Neighborhood of Santiago. Overnight Santiago.

Day 2 • SANTIAGO to EASTER ISLAND
This morning we transfer to the Santiago airport for the LATAM Airlines flight to Easter Island. The morning flight will have us on Rapa Nui midday. Lei greeting and transfer to our centrally located hotel upon arrival. This afternoon we begin our exploration of the island with a walking orientation tour of Hongo Roa Village and the Tahai archeological site. Overnight Aloha Nui Guest House.

Days 3 - 8 • EASTER ISLAND
Our expert local guide will select specific visitor sites for each day to maximize the viewing opportunities, minimize overlapping with other groups, and ideally put us near festival events. We will be visiting all of the major sites, including Tahai, Tongariki, Vinapu, Anakena, Orongo, Rano Raraku and Akivi. More than that, we will also visit many off-the-beaten-path sites, including un-restored ahu, ceremonial plazas, secret gardens, house foundations, caves, petroglyphs, and so much more. Be prepared for an early day too as we aim to be at Tongariki in time to watch the sunrise behind the 15 standing moai one morning!

Depending on our final schedule we might have a free day in our itinerary. This is the perfect opportunity to explore independently, enjoy festival events, or just relax! Cars, jeeps, & bikes are available for rent in town depending on your interests and energy. The only way to visit the roughly one-third of the island's coastline without a road is either by hiking or renting horses (the horse trip, with a cowboy/guide is a great way to see it!). Small motor boats can take visitors out to circumnavigate some of the neighboring motu (small islets) that feature so heavily in island history. You can also stroll the streets of town, visit the artisan's market, go diving, take surf lessons, or just relax and take in being on Rapa Nui! 

Evenings during the Tapati festival see locals and visitors alike taking in elaborate (free) dance or music performances on the open-air stage. It is not uncommon to see 100 or more performers on stage at one time, all being cheered on by their neighbors.

Day 9 • EASTER ISLAND to SANTIAGO
A mid-day LATAM flight will have us back in Santiago early–evening. On arrival we will transfer back to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco for the night.  Remainder of evening Free.

Day 10 • VALPARAISO
Today we turn our interests west, to Coastal Chile and the UNESCO recognized city of Valparaiso. The city retains an old European feel, with an urban landscape made up of picturesque narrow streets lined with colorful houses, antique funiculars climbing the hills, and giant ships moored at the wharves. This piece of coastline is one of the world's more beautiful ports. The area was the home and inspiration of Pablo Naruda; Chile's Nobel prize winning poet and writer - we will tour his eclectic hillside home. Lunch in Valparaiso. This afternoon we return inland, but rather than Santiago our destination is the heart of Chile’s wine country. Dinner and overnight in the charming Casablanca Valley.

Day 11 • COLCHAGUA VALLEY - INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE
Today is given over to the decadence of touring, tasting and dining in one of Chile’s most famous wine appellations. Award winning wineries we might visit include Lapostolle, Montras, and Maquis. Late afternoon we return to Santiago where we will be dropped off in time to catch international flights home, or continue our explorations of mainland Chile. The 4 major airlines all offer flights departing for the U.S. between 8:30-11:30pm.

EXPEDITION COSTS (indicative - to be finalized by Aug 2024)
$6,100 per person double accommodations; $7,850 per person guaranteed solo accommodations.

For solo travelers we are happy to try and schedule a roommate for you. If we fail to find a roommate you will be invoiced at the "willing to share" rate. Alternately we have a limited number of guaranteed singles available if you prefer. 

INCLUDED IN EXPEDITION COST:
All lodging in Chile, including 2 nights in Santiago, 1 night in the Casablanca Valley, and 7 nights on Easter Island; Breakfast daily, plus 3 dinners & 4 lunches; baggage handling at airports; all tours foreseen as part of our trip; private road transport; national park entrance fees; an expert local guide accompanying the group on Easter Island; and a tour escort from Galápagos Travel accompanying the group days 2-11.

NOT INCLUDED IN EXPEDITION COST:
Any airfare, either internationally or between Santiago and Easter Island; passport or visa fees; travel insurance; travel inoculations or medications; meals not noted on the itinerary; drinks; tips to the local guides; items of a personal nature, including laundry and communications charges.

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS:
A deposit of $750 per person is required to reserve space. The balance of the Land Cost is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept personal checks, Visa & MasterCard for deposits and payments.

CANCELLATIONS & INSURANCE:
Any cancellations shall be in writing. All deposits and payments are non-refundable. In this respect, participants are strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Protection Insurance. 

FLIGHTS:
The island is only serviced by one airline: LATAM (formerly LAN Chile). Flights are currently 3 times per week, and flight time is roughly 5 hours. We are holding a block of seats on the needed flights. The estimated roundtrip airfare between Santiago and Rapa Nui is $1,050 per person (tbc).

Internationally Santiago is served by most major airlines, with U.S. gateways including Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta & Miami.  

LEADERSHIP:
Our on-island programs are designed by the husband and wife team of Ramon & Josie. One of them will be our private guide as well. Ramon Edmund is the son of arguably the most influential family on the island and was raised here, with a few years spent abroad attending college in the U.S. Josie Mulloy is half Rapanui, and the granddaughter of William Mulloy, the famed American anthropologist and archeologist known for his work in Polynesia and Easter Island, and the first to re-erect any of the fallen moai. She was raised in the U.S. and moved to Rapa Nui in her 20's. Both are outstanding guides and passionate about their island, from the history to the culture, and love sharing it with visitors. 

The Tour Escort for this expedition is Mark Grantham from Galápagos Travel. Mark first traveled to Rapa Nui 2003 and since that time he has been under the spell of the island, returning half a dozen times.  

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Accommodations in Santiago are at the centrally located 5 star Hotel Plaza San Francisco.

On Rapa Nui we will be staying at a charming hotel in the center of the village, a short block from the coast.

Our hotel in the Casablanca Valley is the lovely Boutique BCW Casablanca.

MEALS:
Breakfast is included daily throughout. We will have a group welcome dinner in Santiago, as well as a farewell dinner the last night on the mainland. Lunches are included on both full day mainland tours. On Easter Island we will have two group lunches, plus one dinner. Rapa Nui is rich in dining options for any non-included meals.

Most dietary restrictions/allergies can be catered to – if concerned about this please talk to us prior to joining the expedition.

TAPATI FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
The Tapati festival is really an event by and for the locals, which has become an island-wide celebration today. The 2024 festival dates are February 9-17.

WHAT TO EXPECT:
Quite simply, expect to be amazed! The mysterious history and culture of this small dot of an island in the Pacific is sure to captivate with the ever-present moai. Easter Island might be light on unique flora and fauna, but rich in other ways.  

Independent snorkeling is an option in a couple places, or by taking a boat trip to surrounding islets. 

The activity level on this expedition is generally easy.  Walks are short, seldom more than the equivalent of a few blocks, on gravel trails or grassy fields. We anticipate traveling by minibus and roads are mostly well paved.  There is however minimal shade on the island.  

The town of Hanga Roa is home to many restaurants, featuring a delightful mix of Chilean & Polynesian cuisine, including fresh seafood and local produce.

Most nights during Tapati there are free open-air performances on the festival stage. Seating tends to be limited to VIP guests and local seniors, then visiting seniors, with everyone else standing. 

The photographic opportunities are unique, between the monumental carved moai, panoramic views, and festival celebrations and performances often carried out in traditional dress. 

EXTENDING YOUR TIME IN CHILE:
Once you’re already in Chile why not explore Patagonia, known for spectacular scenery and great wildlife? Or maybe visit the Atacama Desert - the driest desert in the world, as well as one of the best places on the planet for star gazing.