Easter Island, Legend of the-Birdman Vacation

Day 01 – Arrive into Santiago de Chile

Located equal distances from the Andes and Pacific Ocean, Santiago is Chile’s capital city. This busy cosmopolitan metropolis surrounded by many of the world’s best wineries is home to 6-million residents and is famous for its neoclassical architecture from its colonial days. On your arrival at Santiago’s International Airport, we will collect you and transfer you to your hotel for the evening.

Day 02 – Morning Panoramic Tour of Santiago de Chile

Today you’ll explore both colonial and modern Santiago with a local expert guide. The tour starts with a visit to the view point of San Cristobal Hill (880 mts / 2640 ft), before heading to Plaza de Armas where the city was founded in 1541 by the Spanish Conqueror Pedro de Valdivia. Visit the most important colonial buildings such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the City Council Building and the Central Post Office. The tour also includes visits to original colonial neighborhoods, where you can visit famous landmarks such as Concha y Toro Square and later some of the modern neighborhoods on the eastern side of the city.

Day 03 – Wines of the Casa Blanca Valley

Driving toward the port city of Valparaiso, you’ll leave the cityscapes of Santiago to explore the surrounding wine country. Passing through Chile’s longest tunnel – Lo Prado Tunnel, you’ll emerge into the Curacavi Valley before continuing onto the famous Casablanca Valley. Established in 1993 by descents of Italian immigrants, the Casas Bosque Vineyard is now one of the biggest producers of wine in Chile. Covering 580 acres, this family run boutique vineyard now produces some 1.2 million bottles of wine a year. Famous for its world-class chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and syrah wines, the Casas Bosque Vineyard is considered to be one of the best vineyards in Chile. Lunch at Tanino, the vineyards own award-winning restaurant is included. After lunch you’ll visit the vineyard’s wine cellar for a tasting session.

Day 04 – Fly to Easter Island, Free Afternoon

Today you’ll return to Santiago’s airport, where you’ll take a 6-hours flight west to Easter Island. Originally known as Rapu Nui, the Island’s modern name comes from the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, who arrived on the island on Easter Sunday (April 05, 1722). Located 2,290 miles (3,686 km’s) from mainland Chile, Easter Island is one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands. It is famous for its 887 massive statues called “Moai,” which were built from solidified volcanic ash between 1100 – 1680 A.D. On arrival, we will collect you and transfer you to your hotel for the evening.

Day 05 – Excursion: Arrival of Hotu Matu’a

Hotu Matu’a was the legendary first settler and chief of Easter Island. Although the exact origins of the island are unclear, Hotu Matu’a was said to have arrived on the island along with his indigenous tribe between 800 – 900 A.D. Today, along with your local expert guide you’ll step back in time to discover the story of Hotu Matu’a and the origins of the Rapu Nui people. From the town of Hanga Roa, the excursion starts with a visit to Anakena Beach, the landing place of Hotu Matu’a, and where you’ll find the lone statue – Ahu Ature. You’ll also visit tomb of Hotu Matu’a, and the location where many of the island’s Moai where created.

Day 06 – Excursion: Power of the Birdmen & Looking Towards the Stars

Today you’ll explore the most important ceremonial and cultural sites of Easter Island. You’ll start with an ascent to Rano Kau Valcano to the quarry where many of the islands Moai statues were carved. Continuing, you’ll take an interpretive trail through the sacred village of Orongo, a route that allows you to grasp a little about Rapa Nui mythology and learn about important elements of the island's geography. In Orongo discover the fascinating history of the Tangata Manu (Bird Man) competition, where worriors of different island clans would complete in an ironman like competition to collect the season’s first sooty tern egg and to be the next revered Bird Man. In the afternoon visit the restored sites of Ahu Huri, Ahu Akivi and Ahu Vai Teka Discover how the Rapa Nui people combined these megalithic sites with their astronomical knowledge and beliefs.