Far-flung and gloriously remote, Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as it is known locally – sits 3,700kms west of the Chilean mainland – a 5-hour flight from Santiago.
Its 887 world famous stone figures are scattered over a windswept landscape of green hills, sandy beaches and volcanoes populated by thousands of wild horses. These Moai heads, some measuring up to 30ft high and weighing 20tons, were carved by the Polynesians, some say as early as 1100AD.
Three or four nights on Easter Island should allow enough time to reflect upon the wonderful mysteries of these sculptures, how they were transported and by whom, whilst enjoying fabulous diving, riding and hiking.