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Easter Island & Polynesia ABOARD LE SOLEAL Enjoy an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Pacific aboard the 264-guest Le Soleal . After exploring the mysterious ceremonial sites and huge moais of Easter Island, you’ll set sail on an adventurous cruise across the boundless sea from Hanga Roa, the main town of Easter Island, to Papeete, Tahiti. Along the way, you’ll step ashore on seldom-visited Pitcairn Island, where the mutinous crew of the Bounty landed, explore Mangareva, in the Gambier Islands, with its lush green mountains and luminous lagoon, then finish with a flourish with fabulous swimming and snorkeling excursions at the enchanting isle of Mo’orea, one of the pearls of French Polynesia and a true postcard of paradise.

DAYS 1-5 EASTER ISLAND Explorations on Easter Island include Ahu Akivi, whose seven moais face the ocean and offer commanding views, Ahu Huri a Urenga, one of the few inland ahus of the island, and Ahu Tahai, a complex constituted of three different ahu sites. You may also visit Orongo, center of the birdman cult and one of the most significant of the archaeological sites, and have a chance to hike up the walls of Rano Raraku volcano, where most of the moais were carved—today there are 394 statues in various stages of completion. At Anakena Beach, with its four ahu sites (two are restored, the others left to time), you can enjoy a swim in the sea before heading back to the ship. DAYS 6-11 PITCAIRN ISLAND TO MANGAREVA Rimmed by steep cliffs, volcanic Pitcairn is best explored on foot. In Adamstown, the only village on this two-square-mile island, you’ll meet some of the 50 sole inhabitants of the entire archipelago. Cruise around Temoe Atoll, the most easterly atoll in French Polynesia, and call at Mangareva, surrounded by a magnificent coral reef. Located in the Gambier archipelago, it is the cradle of Catholicism in this part of the world and boasts an exceptional cultural heritage, as demonstrated by the vestiges of 19th century religious buildings. DAYS 12-13 MO’OREA TO PAPEETE Lush, emerald vegetation, a turquoise sea, inviting white-sand beaches—the beauty of Mo’orea is utterly captivating. Optional explorations include swimming, snorkeling and diving excursions, boat trips to view dolphins and whales, off-road adventures, shark and ray snorkeling, and lunch in the flower-filled garden of a local resident to discover the secrets of Polynesia cuisine and customs (be sure to sample the poisson cru !). The cruise ends in Papeete, capital of French Polynesia, where urban buzz combines with the legendary laid-back Polynesian lifestyle. Disembark on Day 13 and depart.

DATE Mar 8-20, 2020

TRIP COST From $5,120 Price is per person and depends on cabin type

PACIFIC OCEAN

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Mo’orea

1,000 mi

Papeete

1,000 km

Rikitea

GAMBIER ISLANDS

Ducie Island

Adamstown

PITCAIRN ISLANDS

Hanga Roa

EASTER ISLAND

26

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