Hidden Gems: Easter Island

Hidden Gems: Easter Island – With its imposing giant stone carvings, incredible volcanic craters, and secluded location, Easter Island is a welcome addition to our Hidden Gems destination list.

This extraordinary Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) is a special territory of Chile, secluded deep in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. The island is home to more than 800 monumental statues, called moai, which were carved by the early native Rapa Nui people between 1250 and 1500. The mystery of how the Moai were moved continues to fascinate academics worldwide… It is considered remarkable that they were transported 18 km (11 miles) without the use of wheels or large animals. In 1995, Easter Island was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, with much of the island contained within the Rapa Nui National Park. The original inhabitants named the island Rapa Nui which means “Great Rapa” and Te Pito te Henua which translates as “Navel of the World”.

Easter Island got its current name from Dutch admiral Jacob Roggeveen, the first recorded European visitor to the island. He landed on Easter Sunday in April 1722.

The location

The incredibly isolated island lies in the southeastern Pacific Ocean 3,800 kilometers off the Chilean coast, at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle in Oceania.

The people

According to the most recent Chilean census conducted in 2017, Easter Island has 7,750 inhabitants making it the most remote inhabited island on the planet.

The climate

The local climate is subtropical with warm and humid summers and mild winters. The average daily temperature ranges from 23/24 °C (74/75 °F) from January to March and 18.5/19 °C (65/66 °F) from July to September.

Tourism 

Since the opening of Mataveri International Airport in the 1960s, Easter Island’s economy has been reliant on tourism. Accommodation appealing to all tastes can be found there, including hotels, ecolodges, hostels, and camp sites. For more information, check out the official Easter Island tourism site here. 

What to see on Easter Island

• Rano Raraku Quarry
• Anakena Beach and Ahu Nau Nau
• Ahu Tongariki
• Rano Kau Volcano and Orongo
• Terevaka

Easter Island presents the opportunity for visitors to step back in time and savor a unique and ancient culture that has been preserved through geographical isolation

Best time to visit Easter Island

The best time to visit Easter Island is during the Tapati Rapa Nui Festival that takes place during the first two weeks of February. The island’s inhabitants celebrate their culture with traditional activities such as dance, wood carving, and music played on unique eight-string flat ukuleles.

What makes Easter Island unique

The monumental and mysterious Moai cannot be experienced at any other place on the planet.

Flying private to Easter Island

For an Easter Island experience like no other, why not travel by private jet? Chartering a jet will ensure you enjoy the luxury of setting your own schedule and can customize your trip to suit your preferences.

Entry airport

Mataveri International Airport

• IATA: IPC
• ICAO: SCIP
• Coordinates: 27°09’28″S 109°26’11″W
• Elevation: 227 feet / 70 meters
• Fuel: Jet A1

Operational information  

• All operators must obtain landing permits without exemptions
• Lead time depends on the type of aircraft. For instance, for bigger aircraft, the insurance for commercial purposes must be approved by JAC (the Chilean equivalent to CAA). This typically takes around three working days to receive the necessary approvals
• Full ground handling facilities and catering is available
• Slot hours must be coordinated
• Only overnight parking is available

Commercial flights

The only direct flights to Easter Island are from Santiago, they operate twice a week.

Immigration

Whether you are a crew member or passenger, a national or foreigner, it is mandatory to fill out the FUI and AFFIDAVIT forms as required by Immigration, Customs, and Agriculture agents.

You can download the FUI form here.

FUI and AFFIDAVIT formalities must be submitted online before flight arrival.  Locally, these procedures cannot be done manually.

Health screening 

There are no PCR results or vaccination proof required to enter Easter Island.

Visitor tips

• Easter Island is only about 10 miles across so visitors only need a few days to see it all
• Pretty much all of the accommodation is in the town of Hangoa Roa, next to the airport
• Seafood lovers will find their spiritual home on Easter Island, particularly the ceviche

To create your ultimate Easter Island travel experience, contact UAS Charter or UAS Executive Travel.

For more Hidden Gems, visit the UAS Blog