Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, is a Polynesian island and special territory of Chile, in the southeastern Pacific Ocean and a fascinating add-on to a Chile vacation.
There is much speculation about when people first arrived, but recent studies suggest it was around 800 AD. The first Europeans to descend on the island were led by Dutch Admiral Jacob Roggeveen on Easter Sunday, 1722. Rapa Nui was claimed by the Spanish in 1770 and further contact with outsiders proved disastrous for the islanders. They were used as slaves for projects as far away as Australia and Peru and those that returned to the island brought epidemics that nearly wiped out the population.
Chile officially annexed the island in 1888 and has remained in control ever since. However, recent years have witnessed a movement by the islanders to have a greater say in the governing of the land.
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Pastel de choclo, sweet corn baked over savoury meat, olives, and eggs, is a must-try. Pair it with a pisco sour or a glass of Carménère or Sauvignon Blanc.
Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, offers a profound spiritual connection to nature and culture. The night skies, volcanic landscapes, and iconic Moai statues make it one of the most isolated and romantic places on earth.
Chile’s diversity is unmatched. You can enjoy wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley, watch the sunset on the Pacific coast, stargaze in the Atacama Desert, trek the glaciers of Patagonia, and even escape to mystical Rapa Nui, all in one trip.
November through March is summer in Chile, ideal for exploring its diverse regions
Chile is stunningly beautiful. You can experience such dramatically different landscapes in one country.
Easter Island is perhaps best known for the Moai, monolithic statues that dot the landscape and were carved during 1100-1680 AD from volcanic ash rocks from the Rano Raraku crater. A total of 887 Moai have been discovered and it is believed that they were created in honour of sacred ancestors who watch over the villages Rano Raraku
