Revisiting Wild Horse Nine
Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent partnered with Searchlight Pictures to create a Wild Horse Nine itinerary inspired by the film. “We’re seeing growing interest in film-inspired travel, particularly when a destination plays such an important role in the story,” explains A&K’s Adam Fogg, who created the itinerary. The journey begins in Santiago, discovering the events surrounding the 1973 coup highlighted in the film, eventually transporting travelers to the remote shores of Rapa Nui to explore its ancient culture and archaeology. On the island, guests enjoy dinner in a local family’s home before embarking on a nocturnal exploration. “Inspired by the legends of Haumaka and Hotu Matu’a, they discover how early voyagers crossed vast stretches of the Pacific using the stars, ocean currents, and natural elements to guide them,” Fogg says.
Things to Do On Easter Island
Beyond the film, excursions on the island range from trekking volcanic craters to horse riding up to the island’s highest point on Mount Terevaka. “One of my absolute favorite experiences is hiking along the northern coast of the island,” Fresno says. This hike showcases a quieter side of Rapa Nui and finishes at the white sands of Anakena Beach. For travelers eager to visit one of the island’s dormant volcanoes, Fresno points to a longer hike in the Poike area, which explores the volcanic landscapes and caves before continuing towards Ahu Tongariki, where 15 moai stand on a single ceremonial platform. “It’s one of the most mesmerizing sites on the island.”
If you’re a diver, the island’s volcanic origins can be explored via underwater cliffs, caves, and rock formations. “The water is this extraordinary, almost electric shade of blue,” Fresno says. “And while you won’t necessarily find the abundance of coral and marine life associated with some tropical diving destinations, the combination of exceptional visibility, volcanic scenery and the vastness of the surrounding Pacific makes diving here really special.”
Best Places to Eat and Drink
Fogg notes that one of the most impactful ways to support the local community is being thoughtful about where your tourism dollars go, which includes dining at family-run restaurants. And while Rapa Nui isn’t a destination brimming with elaborate fine dining, that’s not really the point of coming here. Travelers will encounter plenty of Polynesian influences in the local cooking, as well as Chilean flavors. “I always encourage my travelers to try the seafood, particularly the tuna,” Fresno says. “The island’s isolation…is generally much more relaxed and informal, and I think that’s part of its charm.” While here, seek out an umu, which is a traditional Polynesian method of cooking food in an earth oven using heated stones.
