Anyone planning/considering going to Easter Island in the next month or two, please get in touch as I have open tickets to there and would love to actually use them (part of my OWE ticket.) Since a minimum stay on the island is required, I figure I'd go nuts if I went alone (especially in the winter)-- but I would love to see the heads, if possible.

how long is the minimum stay on Easter Island? last time I went, I went in and left the next day on the return part of the flight. As the plane goes on to PPT and returns to SCL through Easter Island right away, I don't think you need to stay there for too long.. no more than 24 hours...

Why would you go nuts being alone? I was there alone for four days, and still ran out of time before I could see everything I wanted to.

I guess it's just a personal preference thing, really. I've certainly done my share of solo adventuring, but for Easter Island I'd prefer to run around with some company if I'm gonna' be there for several days (apparently I was mis-informed about three/four days being the minimum stay?) Plus even just for the flights, it's always fun to fly with others, especially if there are long lay-overs involved, etc.

Looking forward to it in any case!

Ditto to tfung's comments.

In March, I was on Easter Island for 14 hours while the LAN 767 went to and from PPT. I arrived in the early evening and left in the late morning. I even had time for a three hour tour of the island and thought I saw quite a bit of the island's offerings.

This was also part of a OWE.

You guys are absolutely right, I now see that you can arrive on Sunday eve./ leave Monday morning or Weds./Thurs. I'd certainly make plans in advance, get up stupid early on the morning of departure and then get dropped right at the airport after a quick tour of the island.

Can always stay a little longer next RTW trip!

Sounds like a good plan.

I hired a guide for the morning for 100 USD. He had a jeep and dropped me off at the airport after the tour. My hotel (Vai Moana) made the arragments. His first name was Ramon and he was excellent.

I just did the same thing as PresRDC. My guide was a young woman who was a native and really knew her stuff. I think I would go nuts spending 4-5 days on Easter Island unless I was really into the history of the Moai.

The Vai Moana it is inexpensive and primitive but an OK place. No phone, TV, air condx or alarm clock in the room. When I found out that my alarm watch didn't alarm anymore I was a little worried about waking up in time for the 7 AM tour departure. I needn't have worried, however, as the local roosters took care of my wake up call. Being a city boy, I always thought that roosters crowed at sun up. The one's on Easter Island do -- but at sun up in Santiago, two hours east!

BTW, bring US$ cash to pay for the room ($40) and tour ($100).

Excellent, thanks.

I'll probably spring for a room that's a bit less "rustic" (have a website list of 'em) but other than that I think I'll probably do the same "quicky tour" unless I end up going when the weather is warm, in which case I might be able to keep myself entertained for a few days.

Plenty to do on Easter Island. I found the cheap places were better if travelling alone, its easy to meet up with other solo travellers and go touring, chatting, walking or whatever. I was there 3 yrs ago and the local guest house operators congregate at the airport for arriving flights - its easy to get a cheap room - and they drive you to their place too (avoids the taxi). Just keep an eye on your valuables, I found three of my travellers cheques removed from the BACK of my cheque bundle. The cheque wallet was in my cabin bag in the bedoom while I had breakfast in the dining room. I only found out because I was doing an inventory of what I had left. Trying to notify VISA (in London) of the cheque theft via a Spanish speaking phone operator was an adventure itself! (had to get the refund in SCL). Enjoy your time there, I would love to return.

[This message has been edited by og (edited 05-30-2002).]