Chile - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 478

Anakena Beach
Easter Island's largest and most popular
beach is found on the northeast side of
the island, and can be reached directly by
the paved, cross-island road. A white-sand
beach dotted with coconut trees, it has
picnic tables and fire pits, public toilets
and showers, as well as food stands
offering drinks and snacks. The beach is
also home to the largest hare paenga
(boat-shaped house) on the island and is
believed to have been the landing point
for the legendary King Hotu Matu'a. To
the east stands the large, squat moai on
Ahu Ature Huki , re-erected by hor
Heyerdahl's expedition of 1955 with the
help of some islanders, while nearby stand
the seven moai of Ahu Nau Nau , four
sporting pukaos and two badly damaged.
The best time for photographers to visit is
in the mid-afternoon.

trees. The inland road leads you along
fenced-off pasture land to Ana Te Pahu
on your right-hand side - one of many
underground lava caves on the island,
used as a manavai (underground garden)
to cultivate bananas, sweet potatoes,
taro and other tropical plants due to its
moisture and fertile soil.
At the southwestern base of Maunga
Te re v a k a , the island's highest point
(507m), is Ahu Akivi , with seven intact
moai , the only ones on the island to be
looking out to sea. As the road heads
south to link up with the island's main
thoroughfare, a dirt track to the west
takes you to Puna Pau , the quarry where
the pukao were carved.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By plane Aeropuerto Mataveri is located on Hotu Matu'a,
southeast of Hanga Roa; most residenciales provide free
transfers. Flights to Easter Island tend to be in the region
of US$700-900 return, unless you buy your ticket very
much in advance and also in conjunction with a long-distance
LAN flight. LAN ( T 600 5266000) is the only airline with
commercial flights to Easter Island, and flies direct from
Santiago seven days a week; some flights continue onto
Papeete, Tahiti. Flights are often full, so book well in advance.
Some travellers have complained that due to overbooking,
they have been bumped off their return flight, so it may be
worth confirming flights at Hanga Roa's LAN o ce or
checking in for the afternoon flight in the morning
Conaf Mataveri Otai s/n, south of Hanga Roa (Mon-Fri
8am-4.30pm; T 32 2100236, W conaf.cl), has information
on the Rapa Nui National Park. Conaf ranger stations
are found at Rano Raraku, Anakena Beach and Orongo
ceremonial village.

4

THE NORTHERN COAST AND
THE INNER LOOP
Heading up the coast from the north end
of Hanga Roa, a rutted dirt-and-gravel
road takes you past Ana Kakenga , or
Caverna Dos Ventanas - a cave set in the
cliff with a spectacular view of the coast.
Look for two offshore islets , Motu Ko
Hepko and Motu Tautara; the cave is
directly opposite them, with a cairn
indicating the location. Bring a torch if
you wish to explore. Further along, at the
site of Ahu Tepeu, the road turns inland
while a path carries on up to a copse of

EASTER ISLAND TOUR OPERATORS
There is a proliferation of tour operators in Hanga Roa, and touring the archeological sites
with a knowledgeable guide, especially if you have limited time on Easter Island, can be very
worthwhile. If you are not thrilled at the idea of being cooped up in a minivan, horseriding can
be an excellent way of seeing the sites instead. A full-day car tour costs around CH$30,000,
while a day's horseriding can set you back around CH$35,000.
Aku Aku Turismo Av Tu'u Koihu s/n T 32 2100770,
W akuakuturismo.cl. Established operator offering
standard guided day- and half-day tours of the island's
sites, both in 4WDs and on horseback.
Cabalgatas Pantu T 32 2100577, W pantupikerauri
.cl. Reputable operator offering half- and full-day
horseback tours of the west and north coasts, including
the ascent of Maunga Terevaka, the island's highest point.

Kia Koe Tour Atamu Tekena s/n T 32 2100852, W kia
koetour.cl. Bilingual archeological tours of the island.
Taura'a Tours Atamu Tekena s/n T 32 2100463,
W tauraahotel.cl. Excellent operator offering full-day,
small-group tours of the south coast, including Anakena
Beach as well as the principal sites, or the west coast,
incorporating the inland moai site of Ahu Akivi. English
and French spoken; tailor-made tours possible.