Easter Island (Isla de Pascua, Rapa Nui, map) is one of the most isolated islands on Earth. Early settlers called the island “Te Pito O Te Henua” (The Navel of the World). It is a territory of Chile that lies far off in the Pacific Ocean, roughly halfway to Tahiti. the nearest continental point lies in central Chile, 3,512 km (2,182 mi) away

Known as one of the world’s sacred sites, it is most famous for its enigmatic giant stone statues or moai whose oversized heads, carved centuries ago, reflect the history of the dramatic rise and fall of the most isolated Polynesian culture.

Today, Rapa Nui National Park is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its residents rely much on the tourism and economic links to Chile and daily flights to Santiago.

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Chile

About the only scenario in which Easter Island is “conveniently located” is on a round-the-world voyage, in which it provides an interesting stop on the way between Polynesia and South America, and will help bolster others’ perception that you went “everywhere”.

Easter Island is extremely small, so it is possible to get around fairly easily. There are rental cars, generally jeeps, available from a few rental agencies in Hanga Roa, as well as a few dirtbikes. With a car, it’s possible to see the main sites on the island in a day.

Easter Island had the same visa requirements as the rest of Chile. This was tightened in 2018 in an attempt to protect the natural environment and island heritage from an influx of voyagers. Maximum stay was limited to 30 days (instead of 90) with requirements that visitors fill out a special form, show return tickets and provide a copy of a hotel reservation or letter of invitation from an islander.

The biggest tourist attractions on Easter Island are, of course, the moai. The moai are archaeological features and should be treated with care as they are far more fragile than they seem. Often moai will be placed upon ceremonial platforms and burial sites called ahu. Do not walk on the ahu as it is an extremely disrespectful gesture. Even if you see others walking on the ahu, do not do so yourself.

The Rapa Nui National Park covers several areas of the island. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most (if not all) of the sites you will visit on the island are inside the National Park, so you will need a ticket to enter them. Tickets can be bought at the entrance, but the most practical choice is to buy them at the airport. Right after you leave the plane and before you reach the baggage claim area, you will find a booth selling tickets.

If you’ve managed to sail to Easter Island on your own, a logical next stop would be the infamous Pitcairn Islands (of “Bounty” mutiny fame, map), one of the island’s “nearest” neighbors and another contender for “most isolated”, with no air access and little tourism at all.

Walking around Easter Island is undoubtedly the best way to appreciate and feel this distant territory.

Mataveri International Airport | Easter Island Airport (at Hanga Roa in the southwest of the island). The primary passenger airport, with non-stop service to Santiago, Chile and Tahiti.

BUS: The bus system is sophisticated and provides a cheap and comfortable way to get from town to town. Local companies will usually stop at many stations along the way, however, you can always ask if there’s a non-stop or directo service. Turbus • Pullman • Geminis – The quality of service varies quite a lot.

TRAIN: The Santiago Metro is an efficient and convenient way to travel within the capital city. The Tren Central operates a train route between Santiago and Chillán, passing through beautiful landscapes and vineyards. The Tren a Temuco operates a route between Santiago and Temuco, passing through the picturesque Araucanía region. The Tren Patagónico runs between Temuco and Puerto Montt, covering the stunning landscapes of the Chilean Lake District.

Tren del Fin del Mundo (Ushuaia, Argentina to Tierra del Fuego National Park): While not in Chile, the Tren del Fin del Mundo (End of the World Train) is a popular tourist attraction in Ushuaia, Argentina, near the Chilean border.

AIRPORT: The most common entry point for overseas visitors is the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, 15 km (9.3 miles) north-west of downtown Santiago. Airlines: LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline, JetSmart.

Sometimes a once in a lifetime opportunity presents itself and you take it. Traveling to Easter Island (known locally as Rapa Nui and in Spanish as Isla de Pascua) was something we never thought possible in our lifetimes. However, when a short-time discounted airfare was available, we snapped it up and with an opportunity to explore the island slowly, we spent time hiking, walking and renting a vehicle to cover as much as the island as possible. The following Easter Island travel video is our best attempt to document our day to day adventure in the form of a series of vlogs from Day 1 to Day 7. We feel that if you’re going to experience the best Easter Island has to offer you had better give yourself a 4 to 7 days.

Our visit Easter Island travel guide documentary covers some of the top attractions including all of the various moai statues, beaches and best locations for sunset and sunrise photos. We also cover off-the-beaten-path activities you won’t find in a typical Easter Island tourism brochure.

⇒ video source: Samuel and Audrey – Travel and Food Videos /youtube.com/

• Easter Island (Rapa Nui)