Easter Island: Mysterious Rapa Nui. A little sad digression. Name of Easter Island

Easter Island occupying 117 sq. km. - one of the most secluded habitats (along with the Tristan da Cunha archipelago): it is located in the Pacific Ocean at a distance of more than 3700 km. from the nearest continent (South America) and 2600 km from the nearest inhabited island(Pitcairn). The original name of Easter Island is , which means "Big Rapa" in translation. There is a hypothesis according to which this name was invented to distinguish between Easter Island and Rapa Island, located at a distance of 650 km.

The history of the discovery of Easter Island

Lost in the middle Pacific Ocean, Easter Island was discovered in 1722, when the ships of the expedition led by the Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen (1659-1729) arrived to its shores. Then he collaborated with the West India Company (1621-1791), one of the most powerful trading organizations. In 1721, on her instructions, Roggeven went on a journey to search for the legendary southern mainland.

Mentions of it were preserved in the works of ancient scientists, including Claudius Ptolemy (c. 87-165), and sailors traveled for centuries across the expanses of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, without losing hope of discovering non-existent lands. Of course, Jacob Roggeveen never found what he was looking for, but during the voyage in the Pacific Ocean, several small islands were discovered, among which was Easter Island. By the way, it was the Dutch who gave it the name: according to tradition, the new lands were named after religious holidays. Roggeven's expedition reached the island on the day of the Resurrection of Christ (Easter), hence the name of the island.

open island lands were not at all uninhabited: the Dutch travelers were met by the Polynesians. It's interesting that locals were not at all surprised by the arrival of newcomers from Holland and turned out to be friendly and responsive people. To this day, it is not known when these people arrived on Easter Island, but, judging by the results of archaeological excavations, by the time the island was discovered, the Polynesians had already inhabited it for many centuries.

Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002) was particularly enthusiastic about the origin of this people. To prove his theory about the settlement of the island by people from the New World, he and several of his associates set off on a journey across the Pacific Ocean on the Kon-Tiki balsa raft. The experiment was a success, but the scientists did not find the results very convincing.

After Jacob Roggeveen left the island, foreign ships rarely appeared on the local coast. In 1770, Spain formally annexed (forcibly annexed) the territories of the island because of their proximity to the American colonies of the state, but in practice the Spaniards never established their power here, and soon completely forgot about the island. In 1774, Easter Island hospitably received the expedition of James Cook, who had just completed an exhausting two-year journey to the South Pole in search of the same southern mainland.

In 1862, sailors from Peru landed on the island, and their intentions were far from peaceful. They were slave traders looking for people to work on the plantations. They did not leave empty-handed: about half of the population of Easter Island was taken into slavery. Although the authorities of France and Tahiti were able to stop the slave trade in Peru through certain agreements, only fifteen Polynesians returned home, bringing smallpox with them to their homeland. Despite the active missionary activity on the island, the local population was declining, and the traditions of their ancestors were lost. In 1888, on the wave of colonization, Chile annexed Easter Island.

At present, Easter Island is still a territory of Chile: its lands are included in the Valparaiso region. It is of volcanic origin: through a fault at the border of tectonic plates at the bottom of the ocean, lava was ejected, which eventually formed a new island. Judging by the preserved particles of pollen and nuts, the land was once covered with dense vegetation, but for unknown reasons, the forest has thinned greatly, and only archaeological evidence remains of the former diversity of vegetation. Among the main reasons for the depletion of local nature, scientists point to active deforestation and overpopulation of the island. The closed system of flora and fauna of Easter Island was broken, which led to an ecological disaster.

Mysterious moai statues

The most famous and mysterious attraction of Easter Island are the statues, the so-called moai, most of which are made of volcanic rock. The history of moai has long been pieced together from the stories of the descendants of the Polynesians, the surviving records of travelers and the results of archaeological excavations.

To date, it is known that monuments were erected in honor of leaders and other respected ancestors and sometimes served as tombstones. They are distinguished by a certain uniformity: facial features are similar, without bright distinguishing features.

It is assumed that moai were created during the life of the leaders, and after their death, coral eyes were inserted into the empty eye sockets of the statues, symbolizing the embodiment of the deceased in the created monument. A kind of workshop for their creation was the Rano Raraku crater, in which unfinished or damaged moai have survived to this day.

The height of most idols is from five to seven meters, while later statues reached up to 10 and up to 12 meters. Tuff, or, as it is also called, pumice, from which they are made, resembles a sponge in structure and crumbles easily even with a light impact on it. so that the average weight of a moai does not exceed 5 tons. Stone ahu - platforms-pedestals: reached 150 m in length and 3 m in height, and consisted of pieces weighing up to 10 tons.

Even Jacob Roggeven and James Cook wondered how the locals, not having any mechanical devices, could lift such bulky statues and set them on pedestals at a sufficiently far distance from the quarry. The Polynesians themselves, answering this question, often referred to the legend, according to which the moai came to life and themselves moved in space. Scientists eventually came to the conclusion that wooden sleds were used to move the statues, and experiments carried out on the island proved that the transportation of almost ten tons of cargo in this way was quite possible.

By the end of the XVIII century. many moai were toppled from their pedestals and smashed. This is sometimes explained by the fact that Polynesian society had a strict hierarchy and was divided into several clans. The statues of the leaders belonged to different clans, and when a war broke out between the layers of society during a period of crisis for the people, the moai began to be deliberately destroyed. That is why, by the time James Cook arrived in 1774, many of the statues were toppled.

The last time the standing idols were seen was in 1830. Then the French squadron entered the island. Since then, no one has seen the original statues, that is, those erected by the inhabitants of the island themselves. Everything that exists on the island today was restored in the 20th century. The last restoration of fifteen moai, located between the Rano Raraku volcano and the Poike Peninsula, took place relatively recently - from 1992 to 1995. Moreover, the Japanese were engaged in restoration work.

Moai statistics are as follows. The total number of moai is 887. The number of moai that are installed on ahu pedestals is 288 (32 percent of the total), other idols are immersed up to their necks in sedimentary rocks that have accumulated on the island over the long history of this piece of land. Many of the statues are crowned with the so-called "pukao" (in translation - "bundle of hair"), original "hats" on their heads, which are huge stone cylinders up to 2 m high and up to 2.7 m in diameter. They were erected on already finished statues. But why weren't they cut right away? How was it done technically? What is the meaning of this? There are still no answers to these questions.

The number of moai that stand on the slopes of the Rano Raraku volcano, where the moai carving quarry was located, is 397 (45 percent of the total). The number of moai that lie scattered throughout the island is 92 (10 percent of the total). moai have different height- from 4 to 20 meters. The largest of them stand alone on the slope of Rano Raraku volcano.

The largest moai, nicknamed "El Gigante", is 21.6 meters high. It is located in the Rano Raraku quarry and weighs approximately 145-165 tons. The largest moai standing on a pedestal is located on Ahu Te Pito Kura. He has the nickname Paro (Paro), his height is about 10 meters, and his weight is about 80 tons.

The strange cult of Rapa Nui

Until the second half of the 19th century, there was a cult of the bird-man on the island. This strange ritual, unique for all Polynesia, was dedicated to Makemake, the supreme deity of the islanders. The Chosen One became his earthly incarnation. Moreover, interestingly, the elections were held regularly, once a year. At the same time, servants or warriors took the most active part in them. It depended on them whether their master, the head of the family clan, Tangata-manu, or a bird-man would become.

It is this ritual that owes its origin to the main cult center - the rocky village of Orongo on the largest volcano Rano Kao in the western tip of the island. Although, perhaps, Orongo existed long before the emergence of the Tangata-manu cult. Traditions say that the heir to the legendary Hotu Matua, the first leader who arrived on the island, was born here. In turn, hundreds of years later, his descendants themselves gave the signal for the start of the annual competition.

In the spring, messengers of the god Makemake, black sea swallows, flew to the small islands of Motu-Kao-Kao, Motu-Iti and Motu-Nui, located not far from the coast. The warrior who first found the first egg of these birds and delivered it by swimming to his master received seven beautiful women as a reward. Well, the owner became a leader, or rather, a bird-man, receiving universal respect, honor and privileges. The last Tangata-manu ceremony took place in the 60s of the 19th century. After the disastrous pirate raid of the Peruvians in 1862, when the pirates enslaved the entire male population of the island, there was no one and no one to choose a bird-man.

For more than two and a half centuries, the mystery of Easter Island has remained unsolved. Most theories about the history and development of Easter Island are based on oral tradition. This happens because no one still can understand what is inscribed in written sources - the famous tablets "ko hau motu mo rongorongo", which roughly means - a manuscript for recitation.

Most of them were destroyed by Christian missionaries, but even those that survived could probably shed light on the history of this mysterious island. And although the scientific world has been agitated more than once by reports that ancient writings have finally been deciphered, when carefully checked, all this turned out to be not a very accurate interpretation of oral facts and legends.

Attractions Easter Island

• Moai;
• Village of Orongo;
• Vicinities of Rano Raraku volcano;
• Ahu Te Leto Kura, or "Navel of the Earth" (location of the largest statue);
• Anthropological Museum Sebastian Engler;
• national park Rapa Nui;
• Lake Rano Kau.

Easter Island (Spanish: Isla de Pascua, Polynesian: Rapa Nui) is one of the most isolated islands on earth. Early settlers call the island "Te Pito O Te Henua" (The Navel of the World). Officially a territory, Easter Island is far out in the Pacific, about halfway to Tahiti. Known for the enigmatic giant stone statues built centuries ago, reflecting the dramatic rise and fall of Polynesian culture.

general information

The name of the island recalls that it was discovered by a Dutch survey vessel on Easter Sunday 1722.

Ever since Thor Heyerdahl and a small group of adventurers set sail from South America to the Tuamotu Islands, far north of Easter Island, the controversy over the origin of the islanders has not subsided. DNA testing has now conclusively proven that the Polynesians came from the west, not the east, and that Easter Islanders are the descendants of intrepid travelers who traveled there from Taiwan thousands of years ago. Legend has it that people went to Easter Island because they own island gradually swallowed up by the sea.

In short, the backstory of Easter Island is a series of achievements, prosperity and civilization that ended in environmental destruction and decline. While there is no consensus as to when humans first arrived on Easter Island (estimated to be from a few hundred to over a thousand years ago), it is assumed that the first humans arrived from Polynesia. It is unlikely that this was a mistake or an accident: the evidence suggests that Easter Island was colonized intentionally by large boats with many settlers - a remarkable feat, given the distance from Easter Island to any other land in the Pacific Ocean.

The first islanders found the land undeniably a paradise. Archaeological evidence shows that the island was covered in trees various kinds, including the largest species of palm trees in the world, whose bark and wood the natives used to make cloth, rope and canoes. Birds were found in abundance. The mild climate favored an easy life, and abundant waters provided fish and oysters.

The islanders prospered from these benefits and reflected this in the religion that developed into their leisure - the giant moai, or heads, which are the island's most distinctive feature today. The moai that dot the island are thought to have been ancestral images, whose presence was probably considered a blessing or a watchful guard in every small village.

The ruins of the Rano Raraku crater in the quarry, where dozens, if not hundreds of moai are located in the very center, are a testament to the significance of these figures for the islanders and the fact that their lives revolved around these creations. It has been suggested that their isolation from all other peoples working at the center of trade and creativity created an expectation of some other significant path destined for them, for which they could use their skills and resources. The bird-man in culture (in the form of petroglyphs) is an obvious evidence of the hopes of the islanders for the opportunity to leave their island for distant lands.

However, as the population grew, so did the pressure on the island's environment. Deforestation of trees on the island gradually increased, and when this main resource was exhausted, it was difficult for the islanders to continue to make ropes, canoes and everything necessary for hunting and fishing, and ultimately to maintain a culture that encouraged the islanders to produce giant stone figures. Apparently, the divisions began to intensify (with some violence), confidence in the old religion was lost, which was reflected in part in the ruins of the moai, which were deliberately overthrown.

By the end of the glorious culture of Easter Island, the population had reached a minimum, the inhabitants, due to the lack of food or livelihood, sometimes resorted to cannibalism and a raw food diet. Even subsequent raids by powers such as and did not devastate the population so much, in the last century only a few hundred natives of Rapa Nui remained.

Today Rapa Nui National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its inhabitants rely on many tourist and economic links in and daily flights in Santiago. Like many indigenous peoples, Rapa Nui seek artifacts from their past and try to integrate their culture with the political, economic and social realities of today. You can book a hotel on Easter Island at, and check if there are more favorable price, Can . Some travelers prefer to rent accommodation from locals - you can look at offers.

How to get there

Due to the extreme geographic isolation of Easter Island, many people believe that only a very brave traveler can reach it. In fact, it can be reached with regular commercial air service from Hanga Roa (IATA: IPC), as tourism is the island's main industry.

Since this place is a de facto part of , this is a domestic flight from Santiago and no passports will be required upon arrival from Chile. Flights also come from Tahiti - then your passport will be needed.

However, these are more of a "path" for most people, with a minimum of 5.5 hours in the air from the nearest continent, and there are very few routes to get to Easter Island. Only regular LAN Airlines flights fly daily to Santiago de and once a week to Tahiti. With no competition for this long and challenging flight, fares range from US$400 to US$1,200 per flight from Santiago. You can find out how much air travel will cost for your dates in the Trevelask section.

Easter Island is said to be "conveniently located" when it is found to be on a map world travel, where it plays the role of an interesting stopover between Polynesia and South America, and also helps reinforce the perception of outsiders. Because of the waves, only one out of four cruise ships can moor here.

If you want to take the intrepid route, the "sailboat" Soren Larsen sails to Easter Island from New Zealand once a year. The journey takes 35 days, crossing the point farthest from land.

If possible, consider landing in Santiago after returning from Easter Island. There is a small chance that you will be denied boarding on your flight if there is a need for a medical evacuation and a scheduled stop will give you more possibilities if you run into this. The plane sometimes leaves the island late, as a result of which you may have problems with further transfers on the mainland.

By plane

Clue:

Easter Island - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 8

Kazan 8

Samara 9

Yekaterinburg 10

Novosibirsk 12

Vladivostok 15

When is the season. When is the best time to go

Clue:

Easter Island - monthly weather

Main attractions. What to see

The biggest sights on Easter Island are the figures standing on solemn platforms called ahu, moai.

Please note that moai and their platforms are protected by law and should not be approached under any circumstances. Don't go ah. This is extremely disrespectful, and in case you damage the seats, even by accident, the punishment will be severe. Recently, a German tourist who broke a moai's ear was sentenced to criminal liability and fined $10,000.

Rano Raraku and Orongo require an entrance ticket to the National Park, which can be purchased at the airport upon arrival or at the CONAF office. You need a ticket to enter both places, so make sure you have it secure. The rest of the island can be visited without a ticket.

Ahu are mostly located along coastline islands. First time visitors may be amazed at how many archeological sites there are around the island that you can practically visit on your own depending on the season and time of day.

Each clan usually had a keeper, although not all of them were moai, so if you ride along south coast islands, you will see that every mile has sections of ruins.

Two exceptional sites are the volcanic craters Rano Kau Rano and Raraku. A little further back in the quarry at "Rano Raraku" is the place where most of the moai were created, on a hillside. This is a 300-foot cooled volcano that provided the stones for great creations. The visitor can see the various stages of carving, as well as partially completed figures scattered around. Climbing along the left side of the volcano, to the top and inside the crater, you will remember for a long time. Opposite side The crater, where some of the moai were carved, is one of the most dramatic places on the island, but is unfortunately currently inaccessible.

Similarly, Rano Kau is the remnant of a volcanic cone, ash, like Rano Raraku, filled with fresh rainwater and has a speckled, ethereal appearance that takes your breath away. Nearby are other Hanga Roa viewpoints.

Often overlooked, Easter Island's particularly captivating sights are its vast cave systems. While there are a few "official" caves that are quite interesting in their own right, there are numerous unofficial caves on the island, most of which are located near Ana Kakenga. When you study them, you will feel like a real adventurer.

CONAF (National Park Maintenance Organization) has classified the caves as dangerous for tourists, and park rangers have been regulating access to the caves since March 2014. According to the instructions of the park rangers, there is a danger of collapse, especially Ana Te Pahu, which is located under the road. Consequently, tour operators will no longer take their clients to the caves (cave visits have now been replaced by excursions to other archaeological sites). On this moment there is no barrier to prevent access, and with local guides It is perfectly possible to visit the caves individually, although some precautions and restrictions should be observed.

While the openings in most of these caves are small (some barely crawlable) and hidden (the background of the rather surreal lava field could be compared to the surface of Mars), many of them lead into prohibitively deep and extensive cave systems. Caution note: these caves can be dangerous in that so many go much deeper. A person left without a torch will plunge into complete darkness with little hope of being able to get out soon ... if it ever happens.

The caves are also extremely wet and slippery (some ceilings have collapsed due to water erosion). Also, don't underestimate subtropical rain. Climate change is very fast and there is a risk of unexpected flooding due to rain. And this is in a cave with limited space to move around!

Beaches. Which is better

Easter Island has two white sand beaches. Anakena, on north side islands, is a great place for surfing with small waves. You can also surf in the harbor at Hanga Roa, which many of the locals do. There is a small car park, a toilet ($1), a few small barbeque cafes with cold drinks, and a shady picnic area. Palm trees imported from Tahiti complete the calming effect. Anakena includes 2 ahu with moai. Be careful when walking under trees - coconuts can fall. Anakena is considered the place where the colonial tribes first appeared on Easter Island, which is why it is called the birthplace of the island's civilization.

The second beach is the pearl of the island and is called Ovahe, east of Anakena. This beautiful and deserted beach is surrounded by breathtaking cliffs. Attention: the path leading down to the beach is quite uneven and it is best to get here on foot. Off-road driving (as opposed to the misguided actions of some tourists) is illegal in most of the island.

Sometimes large waves wash away all the sand from Ovahe and then slowly bring it back. The last such incident occurred in 2012.

Some sources mention that you can spend the night in one of the caves in the Ovahe beach area, but this information is outdated, as water currently seeps through cracks. In addition, it is not recommended to enter the cave at night without an instructor.

Food. What to try

Hanga Roa's restaurants are on the main street and next to the harbour, but there are a few others scattered in the surrounding areas.

Traditional food includes chiranto and ahi tuna.

Menus tend to be limited as most of the food on the island has to be imported, which explains the price level on the island. Even in regular restaurants, snack prices start at $20 and up. The range of fish is quite large, as it happens in the continental. Pizza and other familiar foods are available at the corner cafe next to the Catholic Church. A large pizza will cost you, however, 14,000 - 22,000 pesos. There is a large selection of toppings and a really varied menu.

There are 2 types of lobsters. The big one is called a real lobster, while the small one, equally delicious, is called "Rape Rape" by the locals. The lobsters are currently under protection and restrictions are being placed on catching them during the off-season.

The local tuna is considered a recognized delicacy for its white meat and is highly recommended. Octopus and several types of fish are also very tasty.

There are also a few limited supply grocery stores (only a few of them can be considered real supermarkets) where patrons can pick up snacks, limited stocks of sundries, booze, etc. for themselves. It should be noted that it is difficult to shop in grocery stores on Easter Island. All of them are quite small, and their range is constantly changing. A large number of products are not on the shelves - you can get it only after consulting with the seller. If possible, it makes sense to bring canned food and drinks with you from the mainland. This will save you from having to overpay on the island, as well as provide you with everything you need.

Like souvenir sellers, many restaurants on the island do not accept credit cards or have a high minimum cost. Tipping is also included (10% is considered a polite level). However, check your receipt before paying for anything, as some restaurants add a mandatory service charge to your bill.

• Kanahau - good food and service on the high street.
• Kotaro- Japanese restaurant with delicious food and excellent service from the chef himself.
• Kuki Varua - great food and great service. Try to have your table on the second floor terrace.
• La Kaleta. A restaurant with a beautiful sea view and delicious food. He has fame best restaurant on the island, so it's not the cheapest place either.
• La Taverne du Pêcheur - small french restaurant in the port part of the village. Very good seafood. Possibly the most expensive restaurant on the island. Some people think the prices are too high.
• Mamma Nui- family restaurant traditional cuisine. They specialize in tuna ahi.
• Pea. Despite the view of the sea high prices not comparable to the quality of the main dishes.
• Tataku wave. As the restaurant is not located in the very center, you would not be able to find this gem without a recommendation from the front desk. The seafood, service and view are as good as the most expensive restaurants but the prices are much more reasonable. They specialize in small lobsters ("Rape Rape"). Exquisite view of the sunset and crashing waves. 8,000 - 12,000 pesos per person, plus drinks. Steep access road, however, you can drive slowly or take a taxi.
• Te Moana. The restaurant moved from the main street to the outer line in 2013. The tuna sandwich is especially good. A live orchestra often plays on Wednesdays and weekends.
• Te Ra "ai offers a package that includes a transfer (hotel - restaurant - hotel), a Polynesian dance show and a Curanto dinner. The restaurant is located outside Hanga Roa. Reservations are required as the restaurant is very popular. The show has some Brazilian influence due to with its owner.
• Varua, Atamu Takena. New restaurant with all the classic trappings can be found on the island at good prices, plus excellent menu for the main dishes of the day (appetizer, main course and fruit juice). Service and food are excellent.

Less expensive options include sandwiches and empanadas. Alternatively, you can find a local bakery and make your own sandwiches. Budget travelers or those looking for simple food can try the following options:

• Club Sandwich also has some fantastic empanadas, but the sandwiches are their true calling and worth a try. Try a banana and an orange smoothie if available. To their shame, they are not open for breakfast.
• Donde el Gordo on church street is also a good option for those looking for simple food, but their sandwiches are a bit pricey.
• Mahina Tahai is a classic large "menu" that includes bread, butter, soup, fish and rice steak, juice and dessert.
• Miro is located close to the cemetery, there are big pizzas.
• Piroto Henua is a sports bar with a simple menu next to the airport entrance.

Beverages

The Chilean drink pisco, made from fermented grapes, is the unofficial drink of the island. However, pisco is sour and should be mixed with lemon juice and egg whites, which is the best option if you are not used to whiskey or rum. Drinking pisco has a lower degree than vodka, although it is not recommended by Chileans.

On the island, you can also try papaya, mango or guava drinks, depending on the season. All these natural juices are mixed with pisco. About 4,000 pesos at the restaurant.

Another common cocktail is the piscola, a pisco with Coke.

The local brewery is called Mahina, which produces light craft beer and stout. It was closed for almost 2 years between 2012 and 2014, but is now open again. Delicious bottled souvenirs are also produced. Despite its name and local owner, the Akivi brand is made on the mainland (the brewery is located in Quilpué).

The usual rate for a can of soda in a restaurant or hotel seems to be around 1,500 - 2,000 pesos. You can buy beer for the same price.

Safety. What to watch out for

In practice, there are no street crimes in Hanga Roa. Thus, well-behaved tourists have nothing to fear. Tourists who need police assistance can contact the local PDI (Chilean Federal Police) office, which is located outside the city, a short taxi ride away and open until 6pm. However, be aware that the officers usually only speak Spanish.

If you have lost your passport, you can file a report for 500 pesos and also replace the visa application; a photocopy of the document will be invaluable. Presenting this report will allow you to board the plane back to Santiago, the rest will be decided by your embassy.

Mornings during the winter months (June-August) are dark and the nights until spring (September-October) can be cold. Depending on the season, one should not forget about protection from the sun and wind.

Hepatitis shots are offered by the CDC to visitors to Easter Island mainly due to street food vendors and drinking tropical water. Easter Island officials insist the water is safe, but some say it tastes off-putting and can disrupt your intestinal flora. Avoid drinking tap water and eating street food until you know how it will affect you. Let hotels prepare all food and drink for the stomachs of tourists, and therefore be safer than restaurants. Day trips organized by tour companies often include a cooked lunch. They also need to be safe, as many tour companies are affiliated with hotels and source their products from the kitchens of tourist hotels, but if in doubt, ask.

There are many stray dogs on Easter Island. It is advisable not to let them approach, as some of the dogs are unpredictable. Get rid of stray dogs with a commanding voice and strong gestures. If you have been bitten by a dog, go to the hospital and get a rabies shot.

Visitors to Anakena Beach should be careful when walking under palm trees. Coconuts can fall and hurt you. In addition, Anakena Beach has many very exotic food and drink vendors that are fun to try, but you should always keep in mind that there is no running water in this part of the island, so hygiene and food safety should be an important consideration when purchase. If you decide to get a hepatitis shot before you come to the island, keep in mind that it includes three shots and will take several months to fully protect.

Remember that some of the island locations can only be reached after a long, sometimes steep and potholed journey. Always ask your instructors about this. A path longer than 700 meters will tire you out quickly. Travelers will enjoy more if especially on key sites physical exercise won't cause problems.

Travelers who have difficulty walking, using stairs or wheelchairs will be restricted from traveling. Tracks simply don't support wheeled vehicles. Stairs can be very steep and quite narrow for people walking up and down the same steps. Steep slopes sometimes do not have safety railings. Most trails do not have amenities and can be narrow. It is not allowed to leave the trail: this will result in a complaint from your guide, and it is also against the rules of the park.

Things to do

Some areas of the restoration zone (Pua Catiki and Terevaka peninsula) are planted with trees. These areas may only be accessible for walking or horseback riding. Access to the recovery areas by car is strictly prohibited.

Most of west coast cannot be accessed by vehicle, and thus only remain hiking or horseback riding (limited availability).

Snorkelling is a popular pastime, even with the current partial restriction in some areas (near Motu Nui and Motu Iti). There are diving centers that rent equipment and organize boat trips for divers: Atariki Rapa Nui, Orca and Mike Rapu Diving.

Large sea turtles can be seen next to the fishing boats.

Tours

Group tours are the most common way to explore the island. Given the lack public transport, sharing a tour with a group of tourists is an effective way to reduce the burden on the environment. Travel companies also provide private tours.

Local guides can also show you some aspects of island life that you might never see or hear.

Travel agencies sell holiday packages that include accommodation and excursions. However, only places officially owned by the company can legally provide their services tax-free (invoices they give you, law 16.441). This means that you will avoid VAT and other taxes when you contact the operators directly.

There are 4 established local tour operators, each with at least a decade of experience.

Aku Aku Turismo. Tour operator mainly providing Spanish group tours. Their office is next to the Manutara Hotel reception.

Kia Koe Tour, Atamu Tekena s/n, Hanga Roa, ☎ +56 32 210-0852. The main tour operator on Easter Island. The office is located on the main street. Tours are available in groups or with a private guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Japanese. They also provide catering charters and cruisers. The company was founded in 1984.

Mahinatur. One of the oldest tour operators, their specialty is tours in French.

Rapa Nui Travel. Tour operator providing mainly German group tours.

In the center tourist information you can also make contact with freelancers, but professional guides work mainly with large tour operators.

Easter Island Travel. Specializes in private groups, has experience in adventure and independent cruise excursions. English and Spanish speaking guides.

Green Island Tours-Easter Island.

When dealing with small companies or individual freelancers, you should always have the service description and total cost in writing for your own safety. In addition, law firms in , including those on Easter Island, have RUT (9-digit code).

hike

Hiking is pretty easy on Easter Island. It is not necessary to hire a guide for this, although it may be worthwhile to see some of the hidden archaeological treasures of these trails. If you decide to do it without a guide, all you need is a simple map and some guidance from the porter or park rangers (especially given local laws and regulations).

The most popular hiking options are the recovery zones. They are not accessible for any type of vehicle (even the old tracks are still partly visible, it is forbidden to visit these areas):

The hike to Terevau, the highest point of the island, is quite easy. The way to the top will take about 1.5 hours, and take another hour on the way back (from and to Ahu Akivi). Or you can start from Vaitei (about half way to the main beach of Anakena). You can also get there on horseback (as a rule, such tours take place every morning, depending on the weather).

Rano Kau is easily accessible on foot. When you reach the volcanic crater, simply follow the east side of the crater for views not accessible by other vehicles. You can also go to Orongo or just take a tour.

The northwest coast hike will take about 5 - 7 hours and will require some planning and preparation. You can just take a taxi to Anakena's main beach and drive back along the coast to Hanga Roa. You can also go on horseback, although this is less accessible (the route is not as popular and more expensive than others). Although there are several archaeological sites here, which, however, are not of great interest. Among them, for example, a cave full of petroglyphs.

Pua Katiki - isolated northeastern peninsula with high steep cliffs. Some of them are currently used as cattle grazing areas. The climb to the top will take about 1.5 hours. Along the way, you can see some interesting monuments, including the infamous "Maid's Cave".

Shopping and shops

Since there is only one village on the island, Hanga Roa, craft markets and shops are mostly located on or near its main street, church street.

Many local small producers are located on large plots close to bus stops. tourist buses- Worth a look if you'd like to buy local artisans or limited edition souvenirs that can't be found in other countries. You can also buy souvenirs at the airport, but they will be mass produced.

The official currency is the Chilean peso (CLP), but unlike the continental one, here you can pay in cash using dollars (USD). Almost all hotels and businesses accept USD payment, but you should recalculate to see which rate is best for you. Taxi drivers only accept small USD bills.

Some guidebooks claim that you will be able to use euros (EUR), but this information is false, although some souvenir shops readily accept cash. However, at the gas station you can exchange euros at a reasonable rate (more convenient than in banks).

When buying souvenirs, it is better to pay in cash. Often merchants will charge a minimum or charge for using a credit card (about 10 - 20%) - only in cases where the merchant accepts credit cards at all; many smaller manufacturers only accept cash.

There are a total of 2 ATMs on the island. The ATM in front of the Banco Estado on Tu "at Maheke Hanga Roa accepts only Cirrus, Maestro and Mastercard, except for branded Visa cards. The ATM on Policarpo Toro accepts Visa, Cirrus, Maestro and Mastercard. Previously, there were ATMs in the airport departure hall, as well as inside the gas station , but both stopped their work (July 2013).

The local bank can issue loans to the Visa card, but it is open part-time (Monday to Friday, 08.00 - 13.00) and queues can be long, especially at the end of the month.

Some of the most peculiar things on the island are the banks (CONAF and almost all businesses). They are very picky when it comes to the condition of dollar bills. Banknotes are not considered valid if they are torn, wet, defaced with markings, or even if they are old and worn. These bills can be saved for some other purpose. However, when you take dollars yourself (or exchange money before you visit the island), you should keep this in mind.

Unlike the continental one, 19% VAT is not charged on Easter Island.

Clubs and nightlife

Nightlife on the island is less active than in major cities, and the main attraction is definitely the Polynesian dance shows. Kari Kari on the main street, Wai Te Mihi next to the cemetery and the Te Ra "ai restaurant outside Hanga Roa have their own characteristics throughout the year (with the exception of the holidays and Tapati, when dancers participate in festival events). Discos, Toroko and piriti - places where you could fit into the crowd of locals.

How to return

LAN Airlines have scheduled flights to and from (daily), to Lima (now discontinued) and Tahiti (weekly). If you are departing from an airport in another state, there will be a small cash exit fee.

Mysterious moai statues Rapa Nui stand in silence, but speak more eloquently than any words about the achievements of their creators. Stone blocks from which statues are carved in the form of a head and torso, on average 4 meters high and weighing 14 tons. The effort to build these monuments and move them around the island must have been considerable, but no one knows exactly why the people of Rapa Nui set themselves such a task. Most scholars suspect that moai were created in honor of ancestors, leaders, or other important characters, however, there is no oral or written evidence of this on the island, so one cannot be sure of this. Polynesian society flourished in this unique place, after hardy men had led a fleet of wooden outrigger canoes to this tiny speck in the immensity of the Pacific Ocean. Here, isolated approximately 3,700 kilometers west of South America and 1,770 kilometers from the nearest neighboring island, Rapa Nui has developed an excellent architectural and artistic culture. This culture reached its zenith during the 16th century when approximately 900 moai were carved and erected throughout the island.
It is believed that the decline Rapa Nui followed because of the ecological catastrophe that they themselves created. It is not yet clear when the islands were first settled; Estimates vary from 800 AD to 800 AD. before 1200. It is also not clear how quickly the island ecosystem was destroyed - but the main factor is the reduction of millions of giant palms to clear fields and build fires. It is possible that the Polynesian rats arriving with the human settlers ate enough of the seeds to help destroy the trees.
In any case, the loss of trees has exposed the island's rich volcanic soils to severe erosion. When the Europeans arrived in 1722, they found the island sparsely populated and mostly barren. Today, many tourists come here, mainly to visit the quarry. volcano Rano Raraku, where the stones were taken from to create almost all the moai on the island. Meanwhile, across the island, many moai are gradually being transformed from priceless figures into mere pieces of rock. Volcanic rocks are subject to weathering and great efforts are needed to preserve heritage Rapa Nui in their current, impressive form.

How to get to Easter Island

When is the best time to visit Easter Island

How to get around the island

» Moai - idols of Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Once I wrote 2 posts about Easter Island (aka Rapa Nui Island:,), but, in the end, I felt underestimated: few people liked it without idols. Now there will be a post with idols. Only with us - regime light, rare angles and mysterious phenomena. Forbidden historical questions, ancient races, paleocontacts, connection between idols and ancient Rus.

[Almost all moai the islands were carved in one place, in the Rano Raraku volcano, in east corner islands:

Volcano Rano Raraku

the same Rano Raraku(Rano Raraku):

On the southern slope of the volcano stands, lies a huge amount moai in various stages of readiness and preservation. All the territories of the national park on the island are freely available: just come, spin the anti-cow turntable and enter, and Rano Raraku- one of two behind the fence, with a gate that closes at night and a ranger town. If you arrive at the opening, at 9:00, then at first you can wait half an hour for the late Chilean rangers, and then the whole world heritage will belong to you for many hours in one person:

Two undercut moai. They are probably 10-15 meters and 150 tons:

All idols are the same except for one. There's a sitting tiki here moai Tukuturi(Tukuturi), the only one of its kind on Easter Island: firstly, it sits, secondly, it is made of red pumice from a crater . Similar ones could be seen or (in the background on the right is a volcano Poike(Poike). There are no roads, and people go hiking on it. But fucking Air France - listen, never use fucking Air France - they stole my day on the island from me and I didn’t have time to cheer there).

We will climb into the crater itself: below is a small freshwater lake overgrown with reeds, which until the very last moment served as a source of fresh water for the island. Not everyone gets here, being satisfied with the inspection of the outer walls:

A few years ago, Putin dived to the bottom of the lake and found the head:

Here at these heads, scientists measure erosion:

The sun reaches its zenith and Rano Raraku completed by researchers. Finnish tourists inspecting tiki moai:

Ahu Tongariki

On the seashore, a kilometer from Rano Raraku, is located Ahu Tongariki(Ahu Tongariki) - the main temple of the eastern clan. All this was built not so long ago, around the 15th century (like the vast majority of megalithic monuments throughout).

The picture on the left is a volcano. Rano Raraku, in the center - Ahu Tongariki, and on the right is a volcano Poike:

Ahu Tongariki around 1915, all the idols are knocked down - it was destroyed in the civil war of the islanders of the 1770s:


Panorama Ahu Tongariki, 1914-15, Mana Expedition to Easter Island; British Museum

Tongariki it has since been restored, and then it was demolished by the tsunami in 1960:


Easter Island. 1960. Ahu Tongariki. Photograph taken shortly after the destruction of the ahu by the tsunami of May 22, 1960. Lorenzo Dominguez is standing on the right.

And once again restored with a Japanese grant in 1992-1996:

Archivo Instituto Isla de Pascua, F.A.U. University of Chile.

There are so many photos of moai used every day on the Internet and offline press that, if nothing is done, they will completely run out by 2014. If you come to Ahu Tongariki before dawn, you will see dozens of photographers at work: in this place the sun rises beautifully behind the backs of idols, so this is where the cutting edge of the front for making photos of idols:

Here is a real temple of creativity:

"Canons", "Nikons", "Olympus", everything goes into business:

Anakena beach

Look at north coast islands: here is the bay Anakena(Anakena), the only easily accessible sand beach on the island.

Polynesian palm trees have been restored here, completely lost even before civil war Rapanui - so they grow in rows:

On the heads of tiki moai, of course, pukao: red pumice millstones carved in a crater on the hellish other side of the island, 15 kilometers away. Pukao was portrayed, of course.

Have you always wondered if there moai petroglyphs, they are covered and platforms ahu carving? Happens! On the idols in Anaken, there are peculiar clothes, reminiscent of God knows what, and the platform is decorated with carved images of people:

Organized on the principle of a corporate string, people resemble fish strung on a rope. But in our case, these fish are still alive. Not only that, under the influence of oral and anal wow factors, they seem to be crawling along the corporate string in a direction that seems to them to be on top. To do this, they are driven by instinct or, if you like, the desire for the meaning of life:

southeast shore

All standing moai and whole ahu restored by archaeological expeditions in the 20th century. The usual state of the moai is fallen down, and the stones that made up ahu- randomly scattered. Such moai and ahu there are dozens, if not hundreds, on the island

South Pacific, Chile. The local name of the island is Rapa Nui (rap. Rapa Nui). Area - 163.6 km². Coordinates - 27°07′ S sh. 109°21′ W / 27.116667°S sh. 109.35°W d. (G) -27.116667, -109.35.

Easter Island. Rapa Nui National Park

Easter Island, along with the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, is the most remote inhabited island in the world. The distance to the continental coast of Chile is 3703 km, to Pitcairn Island, the nearest inhabited place, is 1819 km. The island was discovered by the Dutch traveler Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday 1722.

The capital of the island and its only city is Hanga Roa. In total, 3.7 thousand live on the island (2005).

Rapa Nui is largely known for its moai, or stone statues made from compressed volcanic ash, which, according to local residents, contain the supernatural power of the ancestors of the first king of Easter Island, Hotu-Matu'a. In 1888, annexed by Chile. In 1995, Rapa Nui National Park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The island has the shape of a right triangle, the hypotenuse of which is the southeast coast. The sides of this "triangle" have lengths of 16, 18 and 24 km. Extinct volcanoes rise in the corners of the island: Rano Kao (rap. Rano Kao) (324 m) near the settlement of Mataveri; Pua Katiki (rap. Puakatike) (377 m) and Terevaka (rap. Terevaka) (539 m - the highest point of the island).

The highest crater of the Terevaka volcano is called Rano Aroi (rap. Rano Aroi) (about 200 m). Actually "Rano-Aroi" is the name of the lake that fills the extinct crater.

Another Terevaka crater - Rano Raraku (rap. Rano Raraku) (160 m) is also a lake with a large supply of fresh water, surrounded by reed beds. The diameter of this crater is about 650 m.

The diameter of the Rano Kao crater is about 1500 m, the depth is 800 m. The volcano has a symmetrical shape and is surrounded by hilly terrain. The southern slope breaks off into the ocean.

Vegetation is more abundant on the inner slopes of volcanoes. This is due to more fertile soil, lack of strong wind and the "greenhouse effect".

Easter Island is of volcanic origin. The soil was formed as a result of erosion of the slopes of volcanoes. The most fertile soil is located in the north of the island, where locals grow yam, or sweet potatoes, and yams. The most common rocks on the island are basalt, obsidian, rhyolite, and trachyte. Sheer cliffs in La Perouse Bay (locally called Hanga Hoonu) are made up of red lava

The climate of Easter Island is warm, subtropical. The average annual temperature is 21.8 °C, the coldest month is August (19.2 °C), the warmest is January (24.6 °C). The island lies near the southern border of the zone of southeasterly winds blowing in summer. In winter, the northwest prevails, but there are also southwest and southeast winds. Despite the proximity to the tropics, the climate on the island is relatively temperate. Heat is rare. This is due to the proximity of the cold Humboldt Current and the absence of any land between the island and Antarctica. Winds from the Antarctic in July-August often reduce the daytime air temperature to 20° Celsius.

The main source of fresh water on the island is lakes formed in the craters of local volcanoes. There are no rivers on Rapa Nui, and rainwater easily seeps through the soil, resulting in The groundwater flowing towards the ocean. Since there is not much water on the island, local residents in the past built wells and small reservoirs everywhere.

Moai - stone statues on the coast of Easter Island in the form of a human head up to 20 meters high. Contrary to popular belief, they "look" not towards the ocean, but into the depths of the island. Some moai have "caps" made of red stone. Moai were made in quarries in the center of the island. How they were delivered to the coast is unknown. According to legend, they "walked" themselves. IN Lately volunteer enthusiasts have found several ways to transport stone blocks. But what exactly the ancient inhabitants used (or some of their own) has not yet been determined. Many unfinished idols are in the quarries. A detailed study of the island gives the impression of a sudden cessation of work on the statues.

Rano Raraku is one of the most interesting places for tourists. At the foot of this volcano there are about 300 moai, of various heights and at different stages of readiness. Not far from the bay is ahu Tongariki, the largest ritual site with 15 statues of various sizes installed on it.

On the shores of Anakena Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island with crystal white coral sand. Swimming is allowed in the bay. Picnics are organized for tourists in palm groves. Also, not far from the Anakena Bay, there are ahu Ature-Khuki and ahu Naunau. According to ancient Rapanui legend, it was in this bay that Hotu-Matu'a, the first king of Rapa Nui, landed with the first settlers of the island.

Te-Pito-te-henua (rap. Navel of the Earth) - a ceremonial platform on the island of round stones. Quite a controversial place on Rapa Nui. Anthropologist Christian Walter claims that Te Pito-te-henua was established in the 1960s to attract gullible tourists to the island.

Rano Kao volcano has Observation deck. Nearby is the Orongo ceremonial site.

Puna Pau is a small volcano near Rano Khao. In the distant past, a red stone was mined here, from which “headdresses” were made for local moai.

The flora of the island is very poor: experts count no more than 30 species of plants growing on Rapa Nui. Most of them were brought from other islands of Oceania, America, Europe. Many plants that were previously widespread on Rapa Nui have been exterminated. Between the 9th and 17th centuries, there was an active felling of trees, which led to the disappearance of forests on the island (probably before that, palm trees of the Paschalococos disperta species grew on it). Another reason was the eating of tree seeds by rats. Due to the irrational economic activity human and other factors, the resulting accelerated soil erosion caused great damage to agriculture, as a result of which the population of Rapa Nui was significantly reduced.

One of the extinct plants is Sophora toromiro, whose local name is toromiro (rap. toromiro). This plant on the island in the past played an important role in the culture of the Rapanui people: it was used to make "talking tablets" with local pictograms.

The trunk of a toromiro, with a diameter of a human thigh and thinner, was often used in the construction of houses; spears were also made from it. In the 19th-20th centuries, this tree was exterminated (one of the reasons was that the young growth was destroyed by sheep brought to the island).

Another plant on the island is the mulberry tree, whose local name is mahute (rap. mahute). In the past, this plant also played a significant role in the life of the islanders: white clothes, called mahute, were made from silkworm cocoons, which were worn by women (similar to the Polynesian tapa). After the appearance of the first Europeans on the island - whalers and missionaries - the importance of mahute in the life of the Rapanui people decreased.

The roots of the ti plant (rap. ti), or Dracaena terminalis, were used to make sugar. Also, this plant was used to make a powder of dark blue and green, which was then applied to the body as tattoos.

Makoi (rap. makoi) (Thespesia populnea) was used for carving.

One of the surviving plants of the island, which grows on the slopes of the Rano Kao and Rano Raraku craters, is Scirpus californicus, used in the construction of houses.

In recent decades, a small growth of eucalyptus has begun to appear on the island. In the XVIII-XIX centuries, grapes, banana, melon, sugar cane were brought to the island.

Before the Europeans arrived on the island, the fauna of Easter Island was mainly represented by marine animals: seals, turtles, crabs. Until the 19th century, chickens were bred on the island. Kinds local fauna, who previously inhabited Rapa Nui, became extinct. For example, the species of rat Rattus exulans, which in the past was used by the locals for food. Instead, rats of the species Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus were brought to the island by European ships, which became carriers of various diseases previously unknown to the Rapanui.

Now 25 species of sea birds nest on the island and 6 species of land birds live.