Waitlist only, please email us at adventures@calacademy.org to add your name to the waitlist.
Easter Island: Eclipse of a Lifetime
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Sept. 28-Oct. 5, 2024 2,600 miles off the coast of Chile, an archeological oasis awaits your exploration. On Easter Island, you'll marvel at imposing moai, witness a "ring of fire" solar eclipse, and more.
With its enigmatic stone statues and dramatic land formations, Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is like nowhere else on Earth. Journey to this remote South Pacific island with the Academy to experience its natural and cultural history firsthand. Stand toe-to-toe with monolithic moai, visit volcanic crater Rano Raraku, and enjoy an unforgettable vantage point for the annular solar eclipse.
Want to see even more? Consider extending your trip to Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, located on the southernmost tip of Chile.
When: September 28-October 5, 2024
Where: Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chile
Group: Max. 10 participants (ages 13+)
Activity level: Moderate
Price: $7,290/$9,090 (double/single occupancy)
Watch the recorded info session for more details about this trip and our trip to Madagascar!
Save your spot!
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Activities
On Easter Island, you'll tour breathtaking moai sites, the legendary Rano Raraku quarry, and the beautiful beach of Anakena. Take in stunning sunrises and sunsets, and catch a spectacular view of the annular solar eclipse. Bookend your adventure with forays to Chile's vibrant cities of Santiago and Valparaiso.
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Accommodations
Facing the Pacific Ocean, Nayara Hangaroa is a 5-star resort that serves as your gateway for discovering Easter Island's treasures. Guestrooms feature panoramic windows and terraces that offer unparalleled sea views, while the resort's amenities create an atmosphere of elegance and serenity.
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Meet the expert: Ryan Wyatt
As Senior Director of Morrison Planetarium, Ryan oversees one of the largest all-digital planetarium domes in the world. Ryan joined the Academy in April 2007—just in time to help shape what the new Morrison Planetarium would become.
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Upcoming Adventures
Contact us
Questions about Academy Adventures? We're here to help!
(415) 379-5415
Highlights and details
- We’ll be traveling from Santiago to Easter Island to Valparaiso.
- Your adventure starts in Santiago with a reception and evening stargazing at the Cerro Calán Observatory, followed by a stay at the 4-star Hotel Pullman El Bosque.
- Spend three nights on Easter Island at the opulent Nayara Hangaroa resort.
- Embark on a full-day guided tour of the island, including all key moai sites.
- Observe the eclipse alongside an astronomy expert—the Academy's Ryan Wyatt.
- Back on the mainland, visit the charming port town of Valparaiso.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Saturday, September 28): US/Santiago: Depart from your home city on an overnight flight to Santiago, the capital of Chile.
- Note: Airfare to and from Santiago and to and from Easter Island is not included in the tour price. Overnight flight (meals inflight).
Day 2 (Sunday, September 29): Arrive Santiago: Arrive in the morning in Santiago and transfer to our 4-star hotel, Hotel Pullman El Bosque, located in one of the most exclusive areas of Santiago. After a short afternoon orientation and city tour, you’ll travel to Cerro Calán Observatory for a welcome reception and evening stargazing before returning to the hotel.
Day 3 (Monday, September 30): Fly to Easter Island: After breakfast, you’ll transfer by bus to Santiago airport and fly to Easter Island. Upon arrival, transfer to our 5-star resort, a short distance from the airport. Lunch and afternoon on your own. Watch the sunset from Ahu Tahai, then return to our hotel and group dinner.
- Note: Airfare to and from Easter Island is not included in the tour price.
Day 4 (Tuesday, October 1): Tours of Easter Island: After breakfast, you’ll set off on a full-day tour of Easter Island. First, drive to the south coast and visit Rano Raraku, the quarry where nearly all moai originated. Then, visit Ahu Tongariki, the most recent and biggest restoration on the island, with 15 re-erected statues. Drive to the east coast and visit the biggest statue on the island: the Moai Paro. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a private home, then visit the beautiful beach of Anakena with six of the best preserved moai standing guard. After returning to the hotel, enjoy dinner on your own.
Day 5 (Wednesday, October 2): Annular eclipse: Relax in the morning and find that perfect spot to observe the eclipse—either on the resort grounds or at another location (perhaps a moai site) by special arrangement. Later in the afternoon, take a walking tour of the town of Hanga Roa or enjoy the hotel facilities. End the day with a celebratory group dinner.
- Note: The eclipse begins at 12:24 pm local time and ends at 3:52 pm.
Day 6 (Thursday, October 3): Easter Island/Santiago: Before dawn, guests can drive to Ahu Tongariki to see the beautiful sunrise. Then, return to the hotel for breakfast, check out, and transfer to Mataveri Airport for the flight back to Santiago.
- Note: This flight returns to Santiago too late to make connections to your international flight home, so you’ll be met after landing and (after claiming your luggage) transfer the short distance to the Holiday Inn Santiago Airport.
Day 7 (Friday, October 4): Valparaiso/US: After breakfast, you’ll begin a day trip to the colorful port town of Valparaiso. We will also visit Viña del Mar, a seaside resort town near Valparaiso known for its beautiful gardens, beaches, and tall buildings. After the tour ends, you’ll return to the Santiago airport, where you’ll be assisted with check-in for the overnight flight back to the US. (If you’re taking the optional extension to Patagonia, you’ll be escorted to the airport and for assistance with check-in for your flight to Punta Arenas.)
Day 8 (Saturday, October 5): Arrive home: After an overnight flight from Santiago and your connecting flight, you return home with wonderful memories of the annular eclipse and the time you spent with Easter Island’s iconic moai.
Optional post-trip extension to Chilean Patagonia (October 4-9, 2024)
Located at the southernmost tip of Chilean Patagonia, the stunning Torres del Paine National Park is a world of unique contrasts. The park’s magnificent mountains—especially its namesake trio of massive granite peaks—tower above a landscape of turquoise lakes, evergreen forests, and vast ice fields. No wonder that this region has been named a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
In this stark-yet-verdant landscape you’ll find abundant evidence of the glacial erosion that shaped it over millions of years. Large populations of guanacos and pumas run freely on the plains nestled among the mountainous peaks, while condors and more than 400 other species of birds soar overhead.
Our optional 5-day/4-night extension affords you ample time to explore this unique landscape at the very tip of South America.
Day 1 (Friday, October 4): Overnight Santiago: After returning from Valparaiso, overnight in Santiago before a flight to Patagonia the next morning. Holiday Inn Santiago Airport
Day 2 (Saturday, October 5): Santiago/Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine: After breakfast and check out, your guide will escort you to the Santiago airport for a morning flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival there, a representative of Las Torres Lodge will join you for a scenic 5-hour drive northward through the expansive Patagonian pampas. Stop for lunch along the way at the private estancia (ranch) Cerro Negro, then continue to Torres del Paine National Park, arriving at your hotel in the early evening. Hotel Las Torres Patagonia or similar (B, L, D)
Day 3 (Sunday, October 6): Torres del Paine National Park: Choose from an extensive array of half- and full-day excursions in the surrounding parkland led by expert guides. Torres del Paine National Park is surrounded by impressive mountains, including spectacular granite peaks that seemingly erupt from the landscape to heights of more than 8,000 feet. Additionally, you may explore the organic garden or the working stables of the hotel. Hotel Las Torres Patagonia or similar (B, L, D)
Day 4 (Monday, October 7): Torres del Paine National Park: After breakfast, continue your exploration of this remarkable landscape. You’ll again have many options: Grey Glacier and lake with its blue iceberg; Salto Grande, a glacial waterfall set against majestic peaks; hike or ride horses with an expert guide; or simply relax in the park and its surrounding wilderness. Hotel Las Torres Patagonia or similar (B, L, D)
Day 5 (Tuesday, October 8): Punta Arenas/Santiago/US: After breakfast, transfer by motor coach to the Punta Arenas airport (about 5 hours); a box lunch will be provided en route. The return flight to Santiago offers, weather permitting, magnificent views of the Andes and its snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and ice fields. Upon arrival in Santiago, local guides will help you check in for your overnight flight back to the United States or wherever you call home. Overnight flight (B, L, meals aloft)
Day 6 (Wednesday, October 9): Arrive in US: Arrive back in US and transfer for flights home.
Pricing and what's included
Pricing (main trip):
- $7,290 per person based on double occupancy
- $9,090 single occupancy
A $1,000 deposit is required to secure your spot by September 22, 2023.
Pricing (Patagonia extension):
- $4,850 per person based on double occupancy
- $5,700 single occupancy
Airfare to and from Punta Arenas is not included.
Cancellations:
- Cancellations within 14 days of booking will receive a full refund.
- Cancellations received up to September 6, 2023, will be assessed a cancelation fee of $500 per person.
- Cancellations received from September 7, 2023, to April 30, 2024, will be assessed a cancelation fee of $2,000 per person.
- Cancellations received on or after May 1, 2024, will be subject to a 100% penalty of all deposits and payments, regardless of booking date.
There are no refunds for unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features.
The price of this trip includes:
- English-speaking Tour Director exclusive to California Academy of Sciences
- professional English-speaking guides at all locations
- one group transfer from airport to hotel and to airport on return
- land transport by private motor coach
- meals as indicated on the itinerary, including special welcome and farewell meals
- wine with some meals
- bottled water during outings
- baggage handling
- tips to local guides, drivers, service charges, and taxes
- entrance fees on itinerary excursions and visits
- stargazing and cocktail reception at a local observatory
The price of this trip does not include:
- international airfare to Santiago
- airfare to and from Easter Island (passengers will be separately invoiced for this airfare)
- passport fees
- COVID testing fees, quarantine costs, medical expenses
- room service
- alcoholic beverages, aside from wine included with dinners and some lunches
- meals not indicated in the itinerary
- personal items such as laundry, phone calls, and snacks
- travel, evacuation and health insurance are not included
- tip to the tour director is at the passengers’ discretion
Save your spot! Please make your $1,000 deposit by August 25, 2023, via our logistics partner's website, by emailing info@royaladventures.com, or by calling 1-800-453-4754.
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