Have you ever wondered how Easter Island got its name or what those giant heads are made of? If so, then it sounds like a trip to the tiny, secluded Polynesian island should be on your horizon. Easter Sunday seems like the perfect time to set out on the voyage, so prepare yourself for what will certainly be an adventure of a lifetime.
Over the years, much of the natural beauty of Easter Island has been compromised due to deforestation, and its remote location off the coast of Chile makes it a complicated destination. But the mysteries behind the culture and numerous monolithic stone statues, or moai, warrant a trip to the secluded island — consider it a bucket list trip.
The first European to come across Rapa Nui did so on April 5, 1722. It was Easter Sunday, which is why Jacob Roggeveen so cleverly named it “Easter Island.” Of course, Roggeveen came across Easter Island while at sea, not by air. If you’re the seafaring type, consider taking the annual 35-day voyage from New Zealand aboard the Soren Larsen to arrive on Easter Island.
A formidably remote island, tourism has not been as popular to this island as many other Polynesian islands. In fact, it takes at least 5.5 hours to fly there from the closest continent. Flights are limited as the Mataveri International Airport (IPC) has only a single runway, and it is the most remote airport in the world. Now that service to Lima, Peru, has been cancelled, you can only fly commercially from Santiago, Chile, or Papeete, Tahiti. Certainly a more private and flexible option is to take your private jet for the journey or charter a jet.
No matter how you get there, a visit to Easter Island will be a memorable trip. The giant moai, made of solidified volcanic ash, will leave a lasting impression, and you will feel as if you’ve traveled to the ends of the earth.