Easter Island is known locally as Rapa Nui and is a special territory of Chile.  Most famous for its monumental statues, this remote island is worth visiting for its phenomenal mythology alone.
 
Maoi Statues
 
Easter Island has become an open-air museum attracting attention from scores of fascinated scholars, travellers and artists alike.  With almost 1,000 giant stone statues occupying much of the land on this tiny 15 by 7 mile island, there are more questions than answers.  Excavation projects continue to uncover the secrets of the mysterious stones.  You can discover their developments alongside them.  Exciting advances are being made all the time and, as recently as May 2012, torsos of two 7 metre tall statues were found partially buried underneath the surface. 
 
Rano Raraku
 
This UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rapa Nui National Park is a marvel to behold.  A fascinating volcanic crater forms the quarry which provided the majority of the stone for the island’s monolithic sculptures.  Take in the panoramic sight of Rano Raraku’s crater lake before getting up close to learn how the deforestation and overexploitation of the lands natural resources wiped out a civilisation.
 
Motu Nui
 
There isn’t a great deal of marine life off the coast of Easter Island but that doesn’t stop it being one of the best dive sites around the world.  Motu Nui is the largest island off the coast and it is perched on top of a huge volcanic mountain which lies on the ocean bed.  While the luxurious blue waters provide unrivalled visibility, divers relish the beauty of the great underwater landscape flitting between arches and caves.  Other dives on the island include Hanga Roa, Te Peu and Lost Arch, but Motu Nui is by all means our favourite.
 
Round Up
 
From the dramatic rise and fall of the most isolated Polynesian culture to the baffling ancient statues – Easter Island is an intriguing destination shrouded in an air of mystery.
 
WHERE TO STAY: Posada de Mike Rapu
This all-inclusive luxury stay covers everything from gourmet food, top quality drinks, transfers and tours.  The hotel is built to blend in with the islands natural landscape and each of the 30 rooms feature full-length windows from which you can watch the sun rise over the ocean.  Perhaps the most remote luxury hotel in the world.
 
HOW TO GET IN: LAN Airlines
Easter Island is described as ‘remote’ for a reason.  The only airline with regular flights in and out of the Polynesian island is LAN Airlines with daily flights to Santiago, Chile along with twice weekly flights to Lima, Peru and a weekly flight to Tahiti. 
 
WHAT TO DO: Tapati Nui Festival
It may be a new festival but it has all the cultural traditions of the days gone by.  Lasting two weeks between January and February, this event consists of traditional rituals, ceremonies, sporty activities and theatre-like presentations where you will see painted islanders, lots of dancers and plenty of Rapa Nui music.

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