Page 37 - Cruise Manual travelArt

HANGA ROA

Ancient cultures of Easter Island (Half-day)

During this half day excursion explore the oldest ahu complex on the island and visit a restored ceremonial
village on the caldera of Easter Island’s second oldest volcano, the Rano Kau. Before arriving to the village you
will hike along the caldera’s rim. By the freshwater lake at the southernmost crater of the volcano you can ad-
mire species-rich, exotic vegetation. Orongo’s 52 dwellings, petroglyphs and unrestored ahu were dedicated to
a defunct esoteric Birdman Cult. The Tangata Manu or Birdman cult followed the Moai era of the island when
warfare broke out because of dwindling natural resources and then the construction of statues was stopped.
Participants must hike over uneven terrain.

Highlights of Easter Island” (Half-day)

During this half day tour you will visit the oldest moai complex in Ahu Tahai, which houses a massive monolith
15 feet high and 20 tons in weight and includes three different ahus: Ahu Ko Te Riku, Ahu Vai Uri and Ahu
Tahai. In 1967/68 this ceremonial complex was restored by the archaeologist William Mulloy. After you will
admire moais when we explore the volcano of Rano Raraku, the volcanic crater where nearly all of the great 37
moais were produced and today is home to 390 moais in various stages of production. Its high caldera,
measuring 1.5km in diameter, contains one of the island’s three fresh water lakes. Then you will hike to Vaihu,
an unrestored site situated in Hanga Te’e Bay that bears witness to the wars and disasters that have overrun
the culture of the island.

Participants must hike over uneven terrain.

Excursion “looking towards the stars” (Half-day)

During the last period of the statue cult - the most important culture of Easter Island - the descendants of
Polynesian sailors looked more and more towards the sky for reverence. During this half day excursion you will
see archaeological sites that indicate a link between the islanders and the universe. Ahus (platforms) and moais
(statues) prove the development of these great megalithic constructions held an astronomical orientation. Visit
the archaeological sites Ahu Akivi, Ana Te Pahu and Puna Pau and will discover the platform with seven moais
that, according to oral tradition, were created in honour of the first explorers of Rapa Nui. At the pukao quarry
Puna Pau you will enjoy a panoramic view of the Hanga Roa village. One of the highlights of this tour is the
visit to the amazing Ana Te Pahu cave, a tube formed by the volcanic lava flow thousands of years ago. The
ancient Rapa Nui used this cave as a home and took refuge there in times of social instability. Here you can see
archaeological remains that will allow you imagine what life was like there.