Easter Island and Atacama

This is a tour to get a first-hand experience of the work performed by artisans and farmers, and to also admire the unique landscapes in San Pedro. The outing starts out with a visit to Toconao, a village located at an altitude of 2,475 meters (8,120 ft.) that offers a glimpse of the peaceful life and skills of Atacama artisans who carve volcanic stones, specially liparita or pumice. Next are Quebrada de Jerez (Jerez creek) with its fruit plantations and Chaxa lake in the Altiplano (high plateau), located in Salar de Atacama (Atacama salt flat). Spending time in the Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos (Los Flamencos national reserve) is a rewarding experience, admiring the three varieties of flamingos reflected in the lake’s crystal waters. It consists in a remarkable and unique ecosystem found in an area -that in spite of its barrenness and rocky terrain- amazes us with its vitality.

Visit the ruins of the temple of Akahanga where the hats of the moai are the outstanding feature, they lie where they fell when the platform was destroyed. Continue to the volcano of Rano Raraku, where all the moai on the island were carved out of the rock. Climb to the edge of the crater of the volcano to appreciate the small lake inside and moai scattered about the inner slopes in various stages of construction. Continue to Ahu Tongariki, where many of the huge moai were toppled by a large “seaquake” in 1960. Finally the tour ends at Anakena beach with its two beautiful ahu. Time for a bathe in the sea before returning to Hanga Roa in the afternoon.