Recently, Viva Expeditions’ general manager, Tara Sutherland spent six days discovering what makes the destination worth visiting for clients exploring South America.
‘The mysteries of the moai on Rapa Nui have always captured my imagination,’ says Sutherland.
Currently, the only way to reach Easter Island is with LATAM Airlines on flights from Santiago, Chile. Before the pandemic, services linked the island with Tahiti, and locals hope those connections will return. There’s also a strong focus on managing visitor numbers to protect limited resources (particularly fresh water) and ensure the island’s sustainable future.
Home to around 8,000 residents, who nearly all rely on tourism, Rapa Nui offers a mix of Latin American and Polynesian influences. Spanish and the native Rapa Nui language are both widely spoken, creating a cultural blend that sets it apart from mainland Chile.
Sutherland explored many of the island’s sites – hiking to the summit of Maunga Terevaka for panoramic views and visiting Rano Raraku, the quarry where the moai were carved and ‘walked’ to their ceremonial platforms. She also wandered through volcanic craters, lava tunnels and reconstructed villages.
Sutherland stayed at Nayara Hangaroa, one of Viva Expeditions’ preferred properties.
Easter Island is best experienced over four days. All archaeological sites form part of the Rapa Nui National Park and require a park pass.
Viva Expeditions offers tailor-made journeys that combine Easter Island with mainland Chile or wider South America. Any South America bookings made with Viva by 5 December earn an entry into the draw to win one of two South America adventures.