Day 1: Flying
Day 2: Arrival
Day 3: Easter Island
Day 4: Easter Island
Day 5: Easter Island
Day 6: Santiago
Day 7: Return
Easter Island
The moai of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) are famous, and after a long closure to tourists due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they finally reopened. Flights are no longer daily, so a bit more inconvenient than before, but still only a small barrier to making it to one of the most remote inhabitated islands in the world.
Day 1: day of flying, complete with a layover at Houston Intercontinential Airport (IAH) at the United Polaris Lounge.
Day 2: early morning layover in Santiago, Chile, then one more flight to Easter Island before the sightseeing begins at Ahu a Kivi, Ana Te Pahu, and Ahu Tahai.
Day 3: Pu o Hiro hike to Ovahe Beach, Anakena Beach, and Ahu Ature Huki. Afternoon at the moai quarry, Rano Raraku, plus a quick hike on Te Ara O Te Moai, plus some astrophotography to wrap up the day.
Day 4: Vinapu, then the extinct volcano Rano Kau and Orongo ceremonial village. Ahu One Makihi and Ahu Tongariki in the afternoon.
Day 5: Puna Pau (red scoria quarry), Ahu Hanga Poukura, and the restored village at Ahu Hanga Te'e before flying back to the mainland.
Day 6: exploring Santiago before flying back to the USA.
Day 7: morning arrival in the USA.