Easter Island
THIS TRIP IS FULLY BOOKED.
There are no spaces available.
Our apologies.
~ Christ Consciousness ~
Exploration to Rapa Nui
(Easter Island) and Moorea
"Te Pito O Te Henua" — The Navel of the World
With Drunvalo Melchizedek
and One Heart Productions
Easter Island and Moorea
January 26/27 — February 07, 2008
ITINERARY
ARRIVAL INFORMATION: Please read carefully…
Two Points of Arrival: Santiago de Chile OR Papeete, Tahiti
Participants may arrive into Santiago de Chile or Papeete, Tahiti depending on your flight origin and where you live in the world. You will need to arrive at either location by the following dates: (You may wish to fly in a couple of days early to enjoy the surroundings and to rest before embarking on the journey. Also think about extending your stay ahead of time to avoid airline change fees and overbooking). (Please see additional flight information at the end of this itinerary for more important information to consider).
Saturday, January 26 — Arrive Santiago de Chile (departing flight Jan. 27th 6:05p.m.)
Saturday, January 26 — Arrive Papeete, Tahiti (departing flight Monday AM EARLY 0.30 a.m.)
Sunday January 27
Those Departing from Santiago de Chile:
Group meets at 3:00 pm in the afternoon at the airport in Santiago de Chile for your National flight to Easter Island — departure Santiago de Chile is at 6:05 pm, arriving at Mataveri Airport/Easter Island at 9:25 pm local time. (5 1/2 hours). Meals supplied on flight.
Transfer to our hotel in Easter Island. Upon arrival in Easter Island, check into hotel, unpack our luggage and get *grounded* in Hanga Roa, the only village on the island.
Those Departing from Papeete, Tahiti:
Arrive from your international flight either Saturday Jan 26th or Sunday Jan 27th. Your flight leaves early Monday morning at 0.30 a.m. — 30 minutes after midnight Jan 28th)
(You may wish to arrive a few days early to rest and relax before embarking on the journey.)
B,L,D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Monday January 28 — Day 1 — B,L,D
For those Arriving into Papeete, Tahiti — your flight leaves Tahiti for Easter Island early this morning 0.30 hours (12:30 a.m.). Please arrive at the airport by: 10:00 p.m. Sunday the 27th) Flight time: approximately 5.15 hours. You will arrive in Easter Island early this morning. (10:45 a.m. local time) (THESE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES WILL BE CONFIRMED)
Upon arrival in Easter Island, check into hotel, unpack our luggage and get *grounded* in Hanga Roa, the only village on the island.
Easter Island, called Rapa Nui by the local population, lies 2,400 miles from the mainland of Chile and is the most isolated human habitation in the world.
Our hotel is surrounded by lovely gardens and located near the ocean and the centre of the village. You will feel the high energy and see how easy it is, to become a member of the Rapa Nui community.
Breakfast at the hotel. Later in the morning after the Tahiti group arrives, we will gather for a first celebration and walk along the coast to reach the location where we will enjoy our first Easter Island family meal. To honour the locals and their culture on this very first day, we will have a traditional curanto in a private setting near the ocean. The local food is cooked in the traditional way on hot stones covered with earth and leaves. A ceremonial meal will be specially prepared and all food will be blessed by traditional prayers, dances and chants. Musicians and dancers will show us their dances and songs.
After lunch we will visit a cave along the coast, called Ana Kai Tangata. Here there will be time to honour Mother Earth, time for group ceremony and quiet time. The island is full of sacred caves, known only to the Rapa Nui tribes. Dinner at the hotel.
Half an hour before sunset we will walk to a sacred spot along the coast called Tahaj, to greet our first Moai's, the famous giant statues. Tahaj is a special sunset spot and ideal for group ceremony and meditation. Here we will meet the only statue on the island that has eyes. Easter Island's sunset time is pure magic with many hues of different colours. This sacred site is ideal for a first connection to the ancient ones, the sacred teachings of the statues, the altars and … the Rapa Nui horses, that often come here at sunset, as they are free to run the island. Our guide will introduce us to the cultural history and the sacred environment.
General Note: The island of Rapa Nui is special and is one of a kind — very inviting and green with clear tropical skies and beautiful sunsets, many volcanic craters and thousands of horses everywhere, free to go where ever they wish. There are wild, unspoiled open spaces in every direction and you really feel as if you are in paradise. The energy is very high and many can feel it. The island is twenty two miles long, has 5,000 residents (3500 locals from island lineages, 1500 from the continent) and relatively few tourists arrive each week, staying mostly for two or three days although during the Festival Tapati weeks it gets more crowded!!!
Day 2 — Tuesday January 29 (Bring your bathing gear) B,L,D
Early breakfast in the morning (or we take a breakfast box from the hotel, and while it is still dark, we will drive to one of the most impressive sites, called Ahu Tongariki, a huge altar platform near the ocean with 15 Moais (giant statues) and wait for sunrise. It is magic to experience the sun rising behind the statues. They had been toppled as most of the statues on the island, but in 1992 a team of Japanese archaeologists put them up again.
After sunrise we will visit the sacred stones at La Perouse, a site called *the navel of the world*. This spot was known over thousands of years throughout the Pacific Triangle for navigation, it indicated the canoes where to land on Rapa Nui. The magnetics are strong as the main boulder is not from our planet (as they say!) This sacred spot is called Te Pito Te Henua and we find a large round boulder surrounded by 4 others. It symbolises a connection to the womb of the planet for the ancient people.
We continue our journey and visit the only white sand beach on the island, called Anakena Beach, to greet the ocean. Anakena is an ancient abode of the main chiefs of Rapa Nui. This place has many archaeological sites — Ahus (altars) with statues, including two large altars and important groups of petroglyphs. We will have time to swim in the crystal clear water and celebrate in ceremony.
After Anakena, we will then drive to the birth place of the statues at Rano Raraku. On this volcano mountain most of the statues were carved out of the rocks and about 400 giant statues are still lying on/in the ground, still attached to the rocks or standing halfway in the earth in varying stages of completion. It is an overwhelming sight!
The statues are very sacred and there are over 800 of them on the island, some as tall as 68 feet, weighing as much as 200 tons. Lunch (we order lunch/picnic from the hotel) is at the crater lake, inside the Rano Raraku volcano, where the interior of the caldera contains many finished and unfinished statues as well. Erosion has covered many nearly completely and it's possible that more lay beneath the ground, covered by hundreds of years of erosion. After or before lunch we can swim in the sweet water crater lake. We can greet the sweet water element. We will have plenty of time for ceremony, meditation or group activity.
In the afternoon we have some free time to explore this magic site on our own, meditate alone and connect with the energy of the many statues in the crater and the mountain slopes. Dinner at the hotel.
As we start very early, we have no evening program! (There are many Rapa Nui dance and music shows or dance rehearsals to visit (Polynesian chants and dances) for the Tapati Festival and the night birds can find their disco. Dance show for those who wish around US$20 — we will have list of times, dates and shows available)
Day 3 — Wednesday January 30 B, L, (Dinner on your own)
After breakfast we will hike to the volcano Rano Kau, which has a huge lake inside its crater. This hike is an easy one and no difficult climbing is necessary. After all the days travelling to get here, this will be good exercise! (Those who cannot walk will be transported in a bus and meet the others at the crater peak.)
From here we walk together to the Orongo ancient village, which is mostly *flat walking* at the crater wall). This site is not especially known for its giant statues or dramatic ruins but for its natural beauty and the ancient village Orongo, dedicated to the bird man.
We start our walk at the foot of the volcano Rano Kau. On the slope we will hike through forests, meadows and have spectacular views all the time. Glistening lakes and grasslands dot the floor of this crater (plants much like in Lake Titicaca grow here). Hawks ride the thermals along its green and brown streaked walls. The crater wall drops 1000 feet to the deep blue ocean. It is here on the far end of the crater rim that we find Orongo, a ceremonial village of the ancient Tangata Manu (birdman) cult.
Fertility rites were performed here in the old culture. Up until the 1878 the islanders practiced ancient rights and tests of skill. Most famous was the ritual whereby Rapa Nui would scale down the sheer cliffs, swim through shark infested water and then fast on the tiny islets off shore waiting for the first Tern (specie of bird) to lay her eggs. The winner, the one who brought back the first egg, would be the ruling King for one year.
The rocks at Orongo are carved with hundreds of petroglyphs of the birdman. The sea birds, especially the frigate bird, were an important symbol for the Rapa Nui, as they brought hope and new life to the island, in a time when the inhabitants were kind of imprisoned by themselves. They could not build any boats as they lost all their forests and had no more wood.
We will lunch (from the hotel) at the crater site. During this day, we will have enough time for ceremony, meditation and sacred work. Our guide will share the story and wisdom of the ancient peoples with us. In the afternoon we hike back (those who cannot walk can take our bus down) and enjoy the views, which are amazing in all directions.
Evening: free time to have a private dinner in one of the little restaurants of the village. Time to explore the village with its many little shops and cafes and join the Rapa Nui family. Dinner on your Own.
Day 4 — Thursday January 31 B,L,D
Breakfast at the hotel; We will then visit the Rapa Nui Cultural Museum at the Tahaj end of the village to get a better understanding of the history and struggles of the island. We visit the site of Ahu Vinapu, Uru Uranga, Akahanga, where we see a style of stonework not found at other Polynesian sites. While this type of precise stone fitting is nonexistent in Pacific Island cultures, it is common though among South American cultures like the Inka occurring before and during Easter Island's occupation. It is this striking similarity that has led explorer, Thor Heyerdahl, to suggest that it is evident that South Americans were present on Easter Island and influenced the culture. Here there is time for connection with the ancient ones from Peru and Bolivia in meditation and group work.
There is a huge light temple behind Ahu Vinapu, which many on the island know of. Lunch in the hotel (or picnic). Free afternoon for shopping, swimming in the natural pools filled with ocean water in the village, hire a bike or scooter and explore the island. Dinner in the hotel.
After dinner we go to the Rano Kau crater for a night celebration. The crater is known for strong UFO activity.
General Note: The Festival Tapati can start today or tomorrow, dates are not confirmed yet!!: Opening night celebration of the annual Rapa Nui Festival called Tapati, in which the whole local population competes. These are family clans honouring their ancient culture. There will be the presentation of the 3 young feminine candidates, who will compete during 17 days in many activities, helped by their family clans, to be chosen as Queen Tapati 2008. Their will be lots of traditional hula dancing, chanting etc. Three family groups/clans, each 1000, rehearse for the Festival held in February. Some start preparing themselves in March, others in September. Their dancing, chanting and story telling is amazing as young and old are part of this! There is always a lot going on at night and we will be informed where and when groups are playing or repetitions and special events are going on.
Day 5 — Friday February 1 B,L,D
Breakfast at the hotel. During this day we visit the many altars with Moais on the south coast, many of enormous archaeological importance, like Hanga Hahave, Hanga Poukura, Ura Uranga te Mahina, Akahanga, Poike and several less famous ones. There will be plenty of time for ceremonial or healing group work. We will return to the hotel for lunch or take lunch for a picnic. We have dinner at the hotel. Tapati Festival starting at 10pm.
Note: the evening festivities can go on till 1 — 3 o'clock at night, depending on how the locals feel, as this Festival is mainly for themselves and not for the tourists! All is for free! It can go on all night and into the wee hours!
Day 6 — Saturday February 2 B,L,D
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we drive to Anakena Beach for a nice swim.
THIS IS HORSE BACK RIDING DAY: We will be visiting sites that are only accessible by horseback. We will be riding for as long as 4 hours on this day. If you choose not to ride then another wonderful excursion is available with our guide (see below). You will meet up with the group later at the hotel for dinner. If you choose to be with Drunvalo, then horseback riding would be your choice on this day.
Those who option to ride will be provided with good saddle horses. Our guides will lead us on a trip exploring the rest of the island, much of which is inaccessible by car and prohibited by motor or 4x4. We will explore the altars and statues at the northwest side of the island. We visit the Ahu Vai Mata Altar, one of the most complete altars on the island. The Vai Mata altar is 60 meter long and 3 high it is build of big rocks well carved by ancient artisans. There is an ancient maternity hospital and caves near this site. We then visit the Ahu Vai Tara Kai Ua Altar, found in 1934 with human remains still on the altar. Hundreds of archaeological traces were found here and many stone inscriptions. Time for group ceremonies or healings. We will pass the volcano mountain Tere Vaka, from where you can see the entire island. On horses we return back to our hotel. We take a lunch box from the hotel.
Those who do not want to ride horses will go by bus to visit some wonderful spots, like the altar, called Ahu Akivi, an inland Ahu site with seven statues. Our main guide will take this group to well hidden caves on the way, some other important statues and you can stop for walks and meditation. You will return by dirt roads to the village. Free time after getting back to the hotel, as the two groups will return at different hours.
Group dinner at the hotel. Tapati Festival at night, starting at 10pm.
Day 7 Sunday February 3 B,L,D
Breakfast at the hotel. Those who want to, can visit the local church at 9 am and attend a colourful one hour *misa* with lots of loud Polynesian chanting! A real must! After church you will have free time to pack and prepare for travelling to Tahiti. It is our last day on Easter Island; We will celebrate this day with a wonderful *thank you* curanto meal, during which many artists will be with us, presenting their art, culture, costumes etc. We will learn how to work on wood to make little statues, how to make their costumes or crowns, learn how the local artisans work the stones, make the mahute and paint it. Early Rapa Nui dinner at the hotel. Our flight for Papeete/Tahiti leaves at 9.25 pm. We must be at the check-in at 7.25 pm. Before departure we will enjoy a light buffet at the hotel. Arrival at Faaa airport in Papeete at 11.30 pm. Transfer and check-in to our hotel in Tahiti on the west coast.
TAHITI + MOOREA
Day 8 Monday February 4 B, (Lunch on your own) D
Our beautiful hotel is located on a natural white sandy beach, in Punaauia, 20 minutes from the town of Papeete. After breakfast at the hotel you have free time to enjoy the beach. The beaches of Tahiti are protected by coral reefs; this is real Polynesian and pacific feeling!!
By the end of the morning we will drive to Papeete where you will have free time for a nice French or Polynesian lunch, for shopping at the famous Tahitian market or at the little shops in town.
We gather at the harbour to board the last afternoon ferry to Moorea. This is a wonderful half hour trip to enjoy the spectacular sights of the famous volcanic island coming nearer. Transfer to and check-in to our luxury hotel, which is located on the northern coast of the island at 10 min from the airport and 15 from the ferries dock. The hotel is known for its beautiful setting and its direct access to the famous turquoise lagoons. Dinner at the hotel.
MOOREA
Day 9 Tuesday February 5 B,L,D
Breakfast in the hotel. During this first day in Moorea we will visit several sacred sites and spots in the mountains, accompanied by our Tahitian and French guides. We will take lunch from our hotel to enjoy a nice outdoor meal on a beach or in the mountains as we choose. In the evening we will enjoy a Polynesian traditional dinner with hula dance and chants in a wonderful beach setting.
Day 10 Wednesday February 6 B,L,D
Breakfast in the hotel. During this second day in Moorea we will visit more sacred sites and spots in the mountains, accompanied by our Tahitian and French guides and working with Drunvalo on the Christ Grids. We take lunch from our hotel to enjoy an outdoor meal on a beach or in the mountains. Last day dinner at our hotel.
In the evening after dinner we find our charter plane to fly from Moorea to the international airport of Tahiti, a 15 minutes flight. Those who return to Santiago will be guided to their connecting flight to Santiago de Chile, departing on Thursday February 7 at 1.00 am with Lan Chile, or to your hotel should you choose to extend your stay or for those who fly out the next day back to your homes.
AN OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO OUTER ISLANDS WILL BE OFFERED: More information coming soon.
Day 11 Thursday February 7
Arrival in Santiago de Chile at 5.50pm (10.20 hours flight)
Day 12 Friday February 8
International departures
IMPORTANT FLIGHT NOTES:
Santiago to Easter Island:
Because of limited seats on the flights from Santiago, Chile to Easter Island at this time of year (festival time), we have a group reservation for this flight route: Santiago/Easter Island /Tahiti/Santiago. (There is no return to Easter Island). The cost of this ticket is included in the tour cost as noted on the registration form. These flight seats will be held until November 1st, 2007. All participants in the tour must be completely registered and paid by this date. After this date there are no guarantees that flights will be available due to a high volume of festival traffic.
If you choose, you may book the Easter Island/Tahiti/ portion within your international flight plan from your country of origin in which case the tour price will be less — also noted on the registration form. If you choose this option and you MUST book your flights on the same dates as noted within the itinerary or your registration will not be accepted. You will have until September 1st to complete your air reservations on your own and provide us with your flight details. After that, the tour price and flights will revert to the group reservation as noted above without exception.
If you think you may stay longer in the South Pacific, we suggest booking an "open jaw" to your international ticket. This means that you can return home from any port. For instance: If you do choose the group reservation option the return date cannot be change. You may however, stay longer in Tahiti and return home from Tahiti by booking an "open jaw" on your international ticket back to Germany, Belgium, or wherever your international flight originates from. Check with your travel agent about this option.
TAHITI TO EASTER ISLAND:
If your residence country is closer to Tahiti than to Santiago (Japan, Western USA, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, etc) you may choose this arrival option. We recommend that you arrive in Tahiti a few days early to rest and relax if you can do so. We are currently negotiating a group rate for Tahiti/Easter Island / Tahiti which will be included in the tour package (unless you choose book this portion with your international air ticket as stated below)
If you choose, you may book the Tahiti/Easter Island/ Tahiti portion within your international flight plan from your country of origin in which case the tour price will be less — also noted on the registration form. If you choose this option, you MUST book your flights on the same dates as noted within the itinerary or your registration will not be accepted. You will have until September 1st to complete your air reservations on your own and provide us with your flight details. After that, the tour price and flights will revert to the group reservation as noted above without exception.
BECAUSE OF EXTREMELY HIGH DEMAND FOR AIR TICKETS AND ACCOMMODATIONS TO EASTER ISLAND, ALL TOUR RESERVATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND PAID IN FULL BY NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 1ST, 2007. This is the timeline that has been given to us by our ground operators and flight consultants. After this date there is no guarantee of flight availability. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE AS WE FULLY EXPECT THIS TOUR TO BE COMPLETELY FULL.
