Anyone been to Easter Island?

[davidmorr]

I'm going to Peru next year, and it occurred to some of us that we might visit Easter Island. It is such an iconic place that we thought it might be interesting, and that there could be some good walking. Then we found out there are no trees at all.

So I am wondering if anyone has actually been there and can tell us what it is like, especially what walking can be done?

Thanks

[gayet]

I have been there but can't tell you anything about the place other than you need to pick your carrier (airline) well, as only some carriers are (or at least were) permitted to land and disembark passengers. QANTAS flights are/were not permitted to disembark. Yes you could get off when refueling but you could not leave the terminal. And I was there late at night when the terminal was closed so only saw a few souvenir sellers set up between the runway and the locked terminal doors.

There is walking to be done, also potential to hire a horse or a bike, from what I recall - I did investigate spending a few days there but would have needed to change my flights entirely.....

This was about 10 years ago so much may have changed, but there were tourist facilities (accommodation etc) and tracks for walking/ riding / biking then so I can't imagine they would have diminished in that time.
IIRC only LanChile were permitted to disembark passengers - I was on a LanChile flight but a QANTAS ticket

[davidmorr]

Thanks for the information Gaye, although it seems your stay was quite limited.

From what I understand, there are daily flights from Chile to Easter Island which are probably the easiest to arrange. But there is also a once a week flight from Tahiti, so it would be possible to go New Zealand - Tahiti - Easter Island - Chile or reverse as part of a trip to South America.

How did you find LAN Airlines? Seems to be the only option for getting direct to South America.

Cheers

David

[gayet]

The flight I was on was Santiago to Tahiti, stopping at Rapa Nui. It was operated by LanChile but was a codeshare arrangement with QANTAS. As my ticket was QANTAS, I couldn't 'stay' on Rapa Nui. Back then, you needed to book directly with LanChile on LC operated and coded flight in order to get off/on. I don't recall if Aer Peru (?) were also permitted to disembark but its possible, same for Argentine Airlines (?). Lan Chile was fine, except for the same movie 3 times on the same flight. The reserves were 'not playing' so Antonio Banderas, in whatever it was, on continuous repeat was a different approach to overcoming insomnia.

I did quite a bit of research on it before I took off round the world, then again on my return as I had thought about making a return trip just for Rapa Nui, but other things got in the way and it never eventuated.

Given the lack of trees the landscape is slightly monotonous but what you are there for are the Moai. According to Wikipedia " As of 2011, Rapa Nui's main source of income derived from tourism, which focuses on the giant sculptures called Moai. " Back when, it was possible to walk around large parts of the island as well as hire a horse or a bike. There wasn't much info on the state of the bikes and it was suggested to have a look at the horse before paying your money, although most were OK. Cliff top vistas were barely mentioned but I recall them being available......

[cdg]

I spent several weeks there back in early 2000's. I flew in on LAN Chile from Tahiti. They are a Qantas code share, so you can request the flight. i actually flew sydney/nz then after days of rain in nz i flew to tahiti and then after a sun drenched week i flew tahiti/Easter island. I couldnt book the flight online but the travel agent could. The Easter Island flight only goes a few times a week and goes l.a./tahiti/easter island/Santiago and reverse.

Accommodation on Easter island is easy. As you go through the immigration/customs area there is a room with multiple vendors manning stalls. They have books of photos and maps showing how great their establishment is and where it is. These vendors also provide transport from the airport to their venue. Quality ranges from 2 star to camping and everything in between. I didnt prebook and I was fine. I think I paid about $50 a night for hostel style accommodation. The main town is pretty small, about the size of Maldon in Victoria. Anywhere you stay you will be able to walk around the main town and to the museum.

Travelling around is easy - there are organised tours, or you can do what I did - find some like minded travellers and split the cost of a suzuki rental for a day or two. There are taxis, but i never used one so i cant comment on that.

Food and drink - easy to locate but expensive. You are in the middle of nowhere and its all shipped in. Be careful, once you get started on pisco sours, you get hammered pretty quick.

I had a great time, and will go back one day. I would say you really need at least four days to 'see' Easter Island.

If you have any more questions ask away.

[cdg]

horses - on easter island they are used like bicycles. you see them ridden bareback by locals, and tied to peoples houses. i never saw a pony club, stables or one of these poor buggers getting a rub down! little girls would be horrified - but they are practical, working animals and treated like that. i didnt see mistreatment, but these horses are not 'pets'.

landscape - largely grass, with few trees. there are lot of newly forested areas, mainly around the main town. these trees are almost exclusively gum trees! its quite bizarre. i half expected a kookaburra to be sitting in them. i think the trees are to supply wood for residents wood fires. see my comment about being in the middle of nowhere and everything having to be shipped in.