It holds 887 giant stone statues, called Moai, which are part of the Rapa Nui National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Glued to the Rano Raraku crater, on the outer edge of the Rano Kau volcano, are the ruins of Orongo. All of this is in harmony with the view of the sea and the sound of the waves crashing on the cliffs. Today it one of the most interesting archaeological sites of Easter Island and open to visitation. Learn how your comment data is processed. Your email address will not be published. These statues are incredibly tall. At first, researchers believed the moai figures may have been situated to guard the Rapa Nui gardens, but archaeologists didn’t uncover evidence of gardens near all the statues so the theory was abandoned. There, ropes were tied around the heads of the moai, eye level, and people on either side of the moai pulled the ropes, moving it slowly to their final resting place. The statues generate curiosities, mysteries and are the main tourist attractions of the island. This is the best option to enjoy the beach in Rapa Nui. That’s the magic of staying at Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa. All of the Moais that are upright on the Island has been restored and erected by historians and restorers. The in-house tour company, Mahahina Tours, organized all of our excursions and transportation around the island during our stay. It has been a literal dream of mine, since I was 15 years old, maybe younger, to visit Easter Island. Below we have listed out the top 5 tours you should take when visiting Rapa Nui National Park. This is the nearest volcano in Hanga Roa (the “capital” of Easter Island). But they aren't the only attraction. $85.00 + $10.00 shipping . What is Easter Island? The Rapa Nui National Park is one of these places, located in the world’s most remote island. Being based at Hotel Hangaroa allowed us to be minutes away from many of the popular sites while allowing us to have a little bit of privacy. To get to the Poike, visitors go by bus to the base of the volcano and then walk up the ridge, through an open country trail. Love between the representatives of two warring tribes changes the balance of power on the whole remote island. The Rapa Nui National Park is not cheap as we pay 54,000 Chilean Peso (80US $) per person. Easter Island is a name given by Dutch seafarer Jacob Roggeveen in 1722 to the Polynesian island of Rapa Nui.It is a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean, known for it's huge moai statues. The ahu and moai are sacred to the people of Rapa Nui today, a source of mana – power and spiritual energy, and also tapu – sacred with implied prohibition. Other accommodation options available on Easter Island: TRAVEL GEAR & PACKING Shown on a stone platform. It is a volcanic crater 324 meters (1062 ft) high located in the lower part of the Terevaka Summit, an extinct volcano in Rapa Nui National Park. Archaeologists have proposed … Ahu Tautira and Ahu Akapu are right in the center of the city, on the seafront, next to each other. We know that all the Easter Island Heads (with the exception of some Moais found buried standing in the Rano Raraku volcano) were knocked over for some unknown reason. There’s a spot on 1 hand that looks like it was carved from a chunk of wood with a worm hole already in it. Walking around this site gives you the feeling that you’re walking through history. Lonely Planet Chile & Easter Island (Travel Guide), DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Chile & Easter Island, Fodor’s Chile: with Easter Island & Patagonia (Travel Guide), Easter Island (Lost Worlds and Mysterious Civilizations), Easter Island & Santiago Travel Reference Map. That was not intentional, and it happened because when the Rapa Nui stopped building and moving the moai, these moai that you see below were left there and constant rain on the island led to material from the mountain sliding down the slope covering large parts of their bodies. In fact, the way the moai got the platforms is pretty simple – they walked. As the original inhabitants of Easter Island, the Rapa Nui people have some fascinating customs that must have seemed strange to their European conquerors. The Rapa Nui currently speak Spanish and the traditional Rapa Nui language. Rapa Nui is also known by its Spanish name, Isla de Pascua, which is the transliteration of the English name. awesome sculptures. Roggeveen came upon Rapa Nui on Easter Sunday, 1722, hence the English name Easter Island. This is the home of many moai who never made it to their platforms, who were left there, either still in the process of carving, or carved and ready for transportation, and even some who had attempts of transportation. The Birdman Competition - "The Hunger Games" of Rapa Nui - Maria Baias, What is cultural heritage and how can science protect it? Moai are statues carved of compressed volcanic ash on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). This was done so that the mana of that person would move through the body of the moai upwards towards the head and then the mana was transmitted through their eyes, once these were in place, to their tribe. The statues are all monolithic, that is, carved in one piece. There you can find a large set of Easter Island Heads in the Ahu Nau Nau, one of the platforms where you can see the most details: ears, hands, noses and very well carved eyes. Hope to see more from you in future. Their existence is a marvel of human ingenuity — and their meaning a source of some mystery. Its bar and two restaurants allowed us to not to worry about breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These majestic statues are found all around Rapa Nui, and, opposite to what some might say, they do not face the ocean. You may ask how did we get so many great photos? But how do they do that, you might wonder. I wish to visit this place. Authentic Hand Carved Rapa Nui Moai Kavakava Wooden Head Figure Easter Island. Down below, inside the crater, the rain-drenched water forms one of the only three natural reservoirs on the entire Easter Island. Compare prices and book with our custom-built hotel search engine. Read our Disclosure here. Top Recommended Tour: Small-Group Full-Day Easter Island Highlights South and East. Going back to the building of the moai, at Rano Raraku the carvers had plenty of material to work with, as their material of choice for building the moai was the volcanic tuff. It is not known exactly when they decided to replace the armed conflict they used to have a kind of “mystical triathlon” to decide which clan would rule the others. The statues have an average height of 4.5 to 6 meters (14 to 19 ft), and they weigh tons. by the ocean. Your email address will not be published. Discover Myths and Legends of the Moai on Rapa Nui-The Easter Island. Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa is built to look like the Bird Man ruins of Orongo. In addition, Poike holds other points of interest such as smaller eroded Easter Island Heads, remnants of old houses and inscriptions on some rocks. The Rano Raraku Quarry is a symbol of the Chilean region. It was the main quarry of the island for 500 years and where most of the island’s famous moai were carved. Although the history of the island is not fully known, it is estimated that navigators from Western Pacific regions contributed around the year 1000. We’ve visited nearly 100 countries on all 7 continents. To its original inhabitants the island is known as Rapa Nui, and its population is predominantly of Polynesian descent. This summer I spent ten days on Easter Island and I’ve learned so much about its fascinating history, and I’m happy to share it all with you. Start your explorations of mystical Rapa Nui (Easter Island) with this 3-hour city sightseeing tour of Hanga Roa, the island capital, including hotel pick-up. If you’re thinking of the size of these moai, which could reach 18 m, you can’t help but wonder how did the Rapa Nui people move them around the island without any modern means of transportation? The site is also one of the most interesting, containing the Ahu Ko Te Riku with fully restored eyes, the only one to have this feature on the island. The moai are always facing inland, looking over the land of the different tribes of the island. Rapa Nui legends say the moai “walked” with the help of a chief or priest who had mana, or supernatural power. Easter Island has its soil formed almost entirely by volcanic rocks, moreover, the strong waves make many beaches not suited to swimming. Near each end of this triangle, there is a great extinct volcano. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the Rapa Nui people were organized into seven clans that were not always in peace. It is one of the most isolated places of the island in which only the descendants of the Rapa Nui, that live near, usually cross. There are about 1000 moai in total, but concerns about tourists climbing on the statues to be photographed have mounted over recent years. Free shipping . Divergent Travelers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The island is often called to be the most remote place in the world. It was a moment of excitement and nostalgia for the years I dreamed of being able to see this place with my own eyes. Condition is "Used". Moai statues are massive megaliths at Easter Island, and these are what this island is famous for. The moais were built in approximately 1400 - 1650 A.D. by the natives of this island also known as Rapa Nui. You can learn more about us here. Get a discount with AirBNB and learn how to maximize your savings with up to $100 in discounts.PROTECT YOUR TRIPDon’t forget your travel insurance! Rapa Nui (or Easter Island, as it is commonly known) is home to the enigmatic Moai, stone monoliths that have stood watch over the island landscape for hundreds of years. Easter Island is called Rapa Nui by the people who live here. Disclosure: In accordance with FTC guidelines, we disclose that we may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. Their existence is a marvel of human ingenuity — and their meaning a source of some mystery. The fascination started by watching documentaries with my Dad. Visiting them is free, with the exception of Rano Raraku. Extremely incredible pictures you captured. The property is beautifully maintained and the staff is over the top friendly. Two of them cannot get beaten. Explore Easter Island (Rapa Nui) holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. You should also check out our tips for finding cheap accommodation. The most amazing thing to be seen there is not petroglyph (drawings made by Rapa Nui civilization on stones), but the breathtaking scenery. The pictures are epic and fantastic…Thanks fro this post !! The beach is small, with a stretch of 300 meters (984 ft) of sand, and it is like a small bay. To learn more about the history of Rapa Nui, have a look at the birdman competition and see how the Rapa Nui people managed to maintain peace on the island. In the language of the natives, Ahu is the sacred place where the moai are (platforms) and Akivi is the only one that has seven figures looking at the sea, not at the center of the island. Read more The island is considered the most isolated inhabited territory in the world. The capital itself, Hanga Roa, holds great cultural importance and exhibitions. Today, few people remain with true ties to the original Rapa Nui people. With very few waves it is the perfect spot to relax. Protect your investment and yourself. Undoubtedly this is one of the most beautiful and important places on Easter Island. Rapa Nui's mayor Edmunds Paoa is calling for stricter regulations to prohibit vehicles from driving near the moai on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island. The massive site has room to move and explore but be sure to get there early to nab a prime photo spot before the crowds arrive at sunset. Recommended Tour: Private Easter Island Full-Day Tour. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a48da3b7816228d6e8d07cea8836e223" );document.getElementById("jf3844f2db").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are David & Lina Stock, a married couple from NW Wisconsin who have been traveling together since 2001. Following the road, it is only 6 km (3.7 miles) uphill. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The colors rarely disappoint. all the images are looking great. Each moai is carved in the memory of a certain ancestor of that tribe, and that’s not just any ancestor, but very high-ranking ancestor, someone whose spiritual energy, called the mana, would be strong enough to protect the tribe. They are called pukao and are made of red scoria. From December 21 (summer solstice) to March 21 (autumn equinox) the sun rises behind the lined-up Easter Island Heads which makes for fantastic photography opportunities. The Museum cares for two large stone moai from Rapa Nui (Easter Island): Hoa Hakananai'a and Moai Hava. Most famous for the incredible Moai statues scattered around the island, the Rapa Nui also worshiped a bizarre birdman cult and were experts in farming the land. Made up of three different Ahu’s, Tahai is the most popular place on Easter Island to watch the sunset. The moai were built at the quarry at Rano Raraku, one of the volcanos on Easter Island. Rapa Nui (meaning large island) is not only the traditional name of the island but also designates the people who live there, as well as the language spoken. While all the theories sound interesting – some more realistic than others – recent studies have shed some light on this mystery. The moai are always facing inland, looking over the land of the different tribes of the island. The name of the island comes from the date of the arrival of the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday in 1722. Check out this book: Mysteries of Easter Island. Located right on the sea, you get the drama of the water with the contrast of Hanga Roa in the background. Most historians assume that the Easter Island Heads were created to honor ancestors, leaders and other important characters. You have no choice, because you come to Easter Island to admire the impressive Moai statues. First off, we took every tour we could. If you’re interested in learning even more about the moai and Rapa Nui/Easter Island please subscribe to my newsletter using the form below because more posts on the fascinating history of Rapa Nui will follow. This helped in getting the moai into their walking position – after carving, the moai were slid down the slope of the mountain until they reached flat ground. Terevaka Volcano is the youngest of the three volcanoes, as well as being the tallest and the one occupying most of the surface of the island. The moai are monolithic stone statues that are very specific to Rapa Nui. Read Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Check out this book: The Statues that Walked: Unraveling the Mystery of Easter Island. TRY OUT AIRBNB Easter Island is the last frontier of South America and it has Polynesian roots. The moai walked with a bit of help from the Rapa Nui people. It is speculated that the island would have originated from volcanic eruptions, giving rise to the natural rock formations of that environment. Then, archaeologists began looking for signs of freshwater — Easter Island has no freshwater streams, rivers, or springs. About 95% of the moai on Easter Island are made of volcanic tuff, while the other 5% are made of other materials, such as basalt, trachyte, or red scoria. Someday came and I can tell you without hesitation that while I had some of my long formed questions answered, I left with more questions and an overwhelming sense of childhood giddiness. If you look closely, you will notice that these three summits form a triangle, making up the shape of the island. By Lina Stock on August 21, 2018 • Last updated December 2, 2020 • 6 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links. The Rapa Nui people grew their hair long, their hair length being associated with the mana, so the pukao is placed on the top of the moai to help pass on the mana. These beliefs and their evolution significantly affected the course of history.. That said, they can’t be discounted as any less amazing than the others. In April the sun is born from behind the Poike volcano, which also generates unforgettable images. The moai of Rapa Nui – The Protectors of Easter Island. The Statues that Walked: Unraveling the Mystery of Easter Island, Easter Island Independent Adventure 4 days, Hanga Roa to Hanga Roa Adventure, Small-Group Full-Day Easter Island Highlights South and East, Private Full-Day Easter Island Moai Monuments Tour, Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Vinapu, and Puna Pau, Shore Excursion: Easter Island to Ahu Akivi, Ahu Vinapu, and Puna Pau, Easter Island Super Saver: Ahu Akivi and Orongo plus Anakena Beach Day Trip, Easter Island Full-Day Tour: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku, and Anakena Beach, Private Tour: Full-Day Easter Island Highlights, Small-Group Full-Day Easter Island Highlights North and West, Private Full-Day Tour Easter Island – Archeological sites, How to Get to Easter Island: Essential Planning Guide, 16 Exotic Islands That Are Worth Visiting, Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park: A Month by Month Breakdown, How to Plan Your Drive Along the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park Planner (Things to Do, When to Go & Advice), 25 Best Things to do in Whitefish, Montana, 15 Best Things to do in Grand Teton National Park. Ahu Tongariki contains 15 moai on Easter Island (Rapa Nui), situated on a 720-foot-long ceremonial platform called an ahu. Questions abound surrounding the origins of the people and their culture, the Moai statues, the Tangata manu – Birdman cult and the history of the Islands racial extermination, ecological and natural disasters. 2.5 x 3.75 x 8.75 inches. Other than that, if you are really into discovering the mysteries of the Easter Island Heads, Ahu Tahai and Ahu Nau Nau are worth the visit. Later it was annexed to the Chilean territory. The Moai of Rapa Nui National Park. This luxury resort is a fully functioning Ecovillage. $59.00. It is the easternmost outpost of the Polynesian island world and is famous for its giant stone statues. It's hard to feel connected to Chile, over 3700km to the east, let alone the wider world. A normal traveler only visits easter island for 3 nights at most. Easter Island, Chilean dependency in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Spanish is the most widely spoken language on Easter Island and the primary language of education and administration. The height of the crater measures an incredible 200 meters (656 ft) and you can see part of the crater that collapsed thanks to the uninterrupted impact of the waves of the sea, eroding its base.
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