Easter Island is located smack dab in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is shaped like a triangle and 24.6 km long by 12.3 km at the widest point. Easter Island is a volcanic island with three extinct coalesced volcanoes ~ Terevaka, Poike and Rano Kau. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for nearly 1,000 monumental statues, called Moai (the statue heads you see in pictures). Hanga Roa is the main town with a population of ~8,000 residents.
It is very remote and the nearest inhabited land is Pitcairn Island which is 2,075 km away. I recently learned that due to the remoteness, Easter Island is a designated emergency landing option for the space shuttle and NASA improved the runway.
Easter Island is number one on my Bucket List and the reason why I have a Bucket List. I’ve been dreaming of this tiny island for about 20 years and had a trip all booked for July 2020 ~ COVID ruined my plans and it was cancelled. Once the island reopened, I found it difficult to align my work schedule, the flight to Santiago, the LATAM flight to Easter Island and room availability at Explora Rapa Nui. Things booked up fast!
My pre-COVID original flight was Edmonton ~ Toronto ~ Santiago with Air Canada and then LATAM for Santiago ~ Easter Island. Air Canada has changed/cancelled a lot of routes. After much searching, I was able to use my Aeroplan points for a business class seat. It’s going to be a long flight.
- Edmonton (YEG) ~ Montreal (YUL) Air Canada (00:25 ~ 06:32)
- Montreal (YUL) ~ Panama City (PTY) Copa Airlines (08:31 ~ 13:39)
- Panama City (PTY) ~ Santiago (SCL) Copa Airlines (15:21 ~ 23:57)
- Santiago (SCL) ~ Panama City (PTY) Copa Airlines (04:19 ~ 10:05)
- Panama City (PTY) ~ Cancun (CUN) Copa Airlines (12:44 ~ 15:33)
- Cancun (CUN) ~ Edmonton (YEG) Air Canada (17:45 ~ 23:05)
Easter Island is located 3,750 km from Santiago and LATAM Airlines is your only choice with one flight daily there and back. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the aircraft, but with the 2-2-2 configuration in business class. I’m not a fan of the 2-2-2 config.
- Santiago (SCL) ~ Rapa Nui (Easter Island) (IPC) LATAM (08:25 ~ 12:05)
- Rapa Nui (Easter Island) (IPC) ~ Santiago (SCL) LATAM (14:45 ~ 21:15)
Explora Rapa Nui is an all inclusive 5 star hotel located on a hillside overlooking the ocean.
- Outdoor pool area, complete with sauna, Jacuzzi, and massage tables
- Explorer’s Bar, a meeting point where local guides plan expeditions in the evening
- On-site restaurant, with a full stock of premium Chilean wines
- Store stocked with artisanal goods and guidebooks
- Wi-fi and TV available in communal areas
- Room service
- Laundry service
- Accommodation
- All explorations with guides
- All meals and beverages (including alcohol ~ my wine is included!)
- Entrance fees to National Parks
- Transfer services from and to the airport
The Varúa Room is awaiting me for 7 whole nights! The room measures 345 square feet and has a view of the sea!
Explorations are either half day or full day and a guide is provided. There are over 30 different guided hikes, bike rides, snorkeling and scuba diving. My focus is hiking and diving.
I can’t wait for April and to arrive at the airport in my hiking boots and purple backpack to finally experience Easter Island.
Happy Travels!
Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to 7 continents, 5 oceans and 105 countries and she is always planning the next destination and adventure!