ABOUT THE ISLAND

Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui or Te Pito Te Henua (The Navel of The World) is the most isolated habited place in the world. Located in the Pacific Ocean at a distance of 2.190 miles from the coast of Chile and 2.641 miles distance from Papeete, it has a total area of 63 sq.mi. (27º, 7 10” S 109ª 21 17” W).
The closest island is Salas y Gomez at a distance of 257 miles east, which is totally uninhabited except for birds and a great variety of fish.

Easter Island’s particular triangular form was created when it’s main volcanoes emerged more than three million years ago. Poike, was the first one reaching an altitude of 1.236 ft., next Terevaka, the highest peak on the island with an altitude of 1.768 ft., finally the mystic Rano Kau emerged with an altitude of 1.062 ft.. With these three volcanoes and more than 70 craters found throughout the island, it’s geography acquired it’s unique form.

The tropical rainy climate compliments the islands natural beauty. The temperature reaches an annual average of 21,8ºC with a maximum of 24,6ºC in January (it’s summer) and a minimum of 19,2ºC in August.

This warm climate is reflected in it’s people’s warm, charismatic and artistic personalities. Making them a truly distinguished community in the Pacific. Isolated from the world, the Rapa Nui community has been able to maintain it’s traditions ever since the first colonizers set foot on the island. Men, women and children are in charge of showing their culture at it’s maximum splendor with a cultural festival held the first two weeks of February called Tapati ( Rapa Nui’s traditional festival). Throughout this fifteen-day celebration we are able to witness and participate in different events, ancestral athletic competitions, dances, song competitions and the annual queen election, performed in the same manner as their ancestors.

This allows the Rapanui to continually demonstrate their ancestral cultural activities and at the same time allows us to participate in their famous and unique culture along with the natural beauties this magical island, Rapa Nui or Te Pito O Te Henua has to offer.