With our partner for gay and lesbian tours, HE Travel, this adventure-of-a-lifetime for LGBTQ+ travelers (allies welcome) visits one of the remote destinations in the world — Easter Island! Explore the stark but stunning landscape, with an interesting mix of activities as well as wondrous natural attractions on this gay adventure tour. Hike and bike around the island from volcanic heights to ocean shores and visit its many Moai statues. You can even opt to explore the island on horseback!
This far-flung island in the South Pacific is a great destination for a hike-bike-relax vacation. Over 2000 miles from the nearest population center, Easter Island has long attracted and intrigued visitors with its iconic giant moai statues. But this remote island with its quirky landscape also offers great opportunities for active exploration. We will hike, bike, and explore one of the most fascinating archeological sites in the world. As with all of our adventure tours, we offer active experiences that bring us closer to the environment, but we won’t be surprised if the laid-back attitude of the Rapa Nui people may occasionally tempt us to slow down the pace and enjoy the scenery.
Easter Island is a volcanic island of some 67 square miles. It consists mainly of three extinct volcanoes: each at one of the points of this triangular island. Terevaka, the highest at an altitude of 507 meters, forms the bulk of the island with Poike and Rano Kau at the eastern and southern headlands. Along the miles of coastline are the ahus or platforms which host the great moai statues with their arresting presence and brooding faces. We will explore the island and its culture, then relax and respect the tradition of island time.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Most travelers will arrive on the same flight from Santiago, Chile to Easter Island. Our luggage will be transported to our hotel, but we will stretch our legs after the long flight with a short walk to our nearby accommodations. Easter Island is a place like no other, and rushing is not in order, so we will begin with a leisurely walk to get the stiffness out of our legs and begin to experience the island’s magic. Tonight we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner with typical island fare.
Days 2-5: Mysteries and Adventure Abound!
We begin our gay adventure on Easter Island with a hiking tour behind the airport on the rugged volcanic slopes of Rano Kau, one of the three volcanic peaks that command the corners of this triangular island. We’ll visit the cave paintings of Ana Kai Tangata and the Orongo ceremonial village that sits atop the outer rim of the volcano, high above the crashing waves of the ocean. The archeological artifacts here are from the “Birdman” cult, rather than the famous moai’s that we will see in so many other parts of the island. Across the waves are the two largest of the five satellite islands around Easter Island, Motu Nui and its smaller sibling, Motu Iti. To win the annual Birdman title for his clan, a young man had to climb down the cliff from the Orongo village, swim across the narrow, turbulent passage to these islands, then be the first to return with an intact egg of the sooty tern.
The next morning a bike ride is in order, so after breakfast, we check out our bikes and get oriented to the layout of the town. We can head out of town along the coast and check out Tahai and Tepeu, two of the famous ahus (archeological sites). We may also pop into the museum if there’s time. A picnic is always fun, and lunch at the cave at Ana Te Pahu would be a good location. We could then continue on to Akivi and Puna Pau (more Moai, each in a unique setting!), and coast back to the island’s only village, Hanga Roa.
On one of our excursions, we will head to Anakena Beach at the far end of the island. This small beach is one of only two actual beaches along an otherwise rocky coastline. Weather conditions permitting, you may be able to get into the water for a bit before our barbecue lunch in the shadow of one of the island’s more picturesque moai platforms.
With nearly 800 Moai to observe from bikes, on foot, or from our van, we’ll head home with amazing memories of this unique place with its mysterious past.
One of the joys of Easter Island is the way it works its magic on you. No cell phone here, please! An idle hour is an hour well spent (although there are Internet cafes with slow connections when you do feel the need to connect back home). With so many options, combined with the island mood of taking things at your own pace, we offer free time to let you customize your trip to fit your own desires.
One possible option for those who wish additional hiking may be to join our tour leader for a hearty hike up Teravaka, the highest point on the island. This 507 meter (1650 foot) peak offers fantastic views of the surrounding area. Of course, we will feast on delicious island food for our Farewell Dinner, and thank our hosts who have been gracious enough to invite us into their homes.
Day 6: Departure
This morning take a last look at your favorite Moai, or wander around town, as most travelers will depart on the afternoon flight and make it in time for overnight connections to North America or Europe.
Price
Shared Room: $3598 per person
Private Room: $4348 per person
Deposit: $500 per person
Price Includes
Price includes: All transportation on Easter Island; Five nights in an intimate Easter Island guesthouse; daily breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners on Easter Island; Services of a knowledgeable HE Travel tour host (with a minimum number of participants); Local guides; Use of bikes; All hotel service charges and taxes, porterage, and gratuities for included meals. HE Travel provides complimentary Medical & Evacuation Insurance for every US Resident on our group tours who does not have other coverage.
Not included: Flights between home, Santiago, Chile (or Tahiti) and Easter Island; Meals not included in tour fee; Horseback riding and other options not listed as included; Airport departure taxes; Personal items including alcoholic beverages, snacks, laundry, and telephone calls. Gratuities to guides and host.
Note: no visa or other arrival fee is required for US citizen visitors to Chile & Easter Island.
We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance to protect your vacation investment in case of unforeseen circumstances such as flight delay, illness, or injury. Click Here to learn more about our Insurance partner.