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adventUres among the moai


one of the remotest places on earth, tiny easter island, or rapa nUi, is a magical and mysterioUs place in the pacific ocean...


half the group headed on from lima, using lan's direct service, to visit chile's amazing easter island. on this part of the trip were robert myhill, american express; lucy


haynes, flight centre; richard bowen, Uniglobe; Jonathan insley, sta travel; sue prince and ravina kaur, co-op travel; tracy bracher, Uniglobe; kimuli sylvester, reed & mackay, Jose antonio martinez-allona from lan and steve thompson, selling long haul.


6 LAN in South America


Easter island is around a fi ve-hour fl ight from the South American mainland. Virtually all the island’s 5000 inhabitants live in the island’s tiny capital, Hanga Roa, and they nearly all make their living from tourism which has steadily increased to 40,000 visitors per year since the airstrip was built in the 1960s.


Why go there The iconic statues or ‘moai’ which line


the shorelines are the main attraction. There are around 400 fi nished statues scattered around the island, with nearly as many being renovated. The average height of these monolithic human fi gures carved from rock is over 13 feet and they date back to the 1200s. The unspoilt landscape, rugged


coastline, impressive volcanic craters and natural beauty have added to the island’s appeal as a stopover for round-the-world ticket holders and adventurous independent travellers looking for something different and new.


fam highlights s The Rano Kao crater


s Orongo village and the Vinapu Inka style wall


s Akahanga village s The Rano Raraku crater s Ahu Tongariki - the 15 large symbolic moai


WoW factor


Easter Island makes you feel like an explorer. Tell everybody about it, but then on the other hand maybe keep it a secret!


top tip


Reassure travellers that although it’s a long journey, the people are really friendly and hospitable. Add in the aura of mystery about the place and they’ll fi nd it a very spiritual place!


s Puna Pau quarry s The seven Ahu Akivi moai facing the ocean


s Tepahu caves and Anakena beach


“The moai are obviously the highlight and why everybody comes here but there are also the volcanoes to investigate and a lovely relaxing beach. It’s a great destination for independent travellers who want something a bit different, untouched by mass tourism,” Richard Bowen - Appointment Group


What to sell: LAN is the only airline to fl y to Easter


Island and operates twice a week from Lima, daily from Santiago and once a week from Tahiti. Suggest: s Two-/three-centre holidays combining Easter Island, Machu Picchu and


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