Day 21 ... a hike to the highest mountain on the island before it's time to go home

Today was our last day in Rapa Nui and the last day of this adventure if you don't count the travel day(s). So time to pack and check out ... after our delicious breakfast ... and leave our luggage with the lovely Eileen who runs this hotel until we come back from our half day tour.





We were met by our guide and driver Mara ... a beautiful, young, vivacious lady who took us on our final tour. When we booked the trip with SATO they had nothing on this morning but with our flight not leaving until 4.30 we asked if they could find a half day tour to fill the morning. What we got was a hike Mount Teravaka.

Mara drove us expertly to the base of the mountain on rather rough roads. Thank goodness we had a four wheel drive to negotiate some of the massive holes and crags in the road. More amazing is that Mara drove one handed all the way!

 










We parked about half way up the mountain, coincidentally near her brother’s house, and then began the walk. We opted for the longer route which Mara said would take about 40 minutes (the short walk was about 25). The walk traversed grassed areas with a trail, to tussock like terrain with rocks and the odd hole, to steep inclines.

 














We reached the top in 42 minutes ... and were feeling pretty chuffed with ourselves! The view at the peak was amazing. 360⁰ views of the island, which in this very rare case meant 360 of sky meets sea horizon. In every direction we could see the sea. We were so high (507m) that we could see over and beyond all of the island’s other high points. Mara was able to point out places we had been ... the quarry, the volcano, where the beach was. The peak was windy (of course ... it was the peak) but not cold. 

A chance to take photos ... to take in the surrounds and enjoy the serenity before we headed back down to the car ... with the return journey taking just 32 minutes.



















Mara drove us back to our accomodation, with her brother’s music playing on Spotify, where she dropped us off. She handed us another "boxed" lunch ... sandwich, muesli bar, 2 eggs, a mandarin and a bag of nuts! 

We had asked Eileen if it was ok for us to chill at the hotel until we had to leave ... and she was more than happy for us to do that. She even provided us with access to the staff bathroom to freshen up and change. 

So suitcases sorted, a chance to relax, eat some lunch ... while waiting for our airport transfer to arrive. And then off to the airport where we begin our journey home.

 











First flight ... Rapa Nui to Santiago ... 5hrs

Second flight ... Santiago to Melbourne  ... 12 hrs

We will be home in the early morning on Thursday ... and we will do our final post where we do a round up of the trip and our learnings when we come up for air ... 😴😴😴 

Steps ... 10,786

Kms ... 8.24

Photos  ... 157 plus 30 from Ian

 

Comments

  1. Karen Ostenheden & Mark ShierNovember 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM

    What a fantastic view for a last day hike Jacqui, I have been reading each day, your blogs are fantastic, I hope mine will be just as good. They inspire me each day. Thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM

    I’m going to miss the blog, but what memories there are for us all.

    ReplyDelete

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