Stone moai statues dot the isolated Easter Island

Situated 3790km west of the Chilean mainland in the middle of the Pacific, including Rapa Nui on your tour of Chile involves quite a detour, but it's certainly fascinating enough to warrant one if time and finances allow.

Three extinct volcanoes mark the corners of this triangular-shaped island, known by its original inhabitants as Te Pito o te Henua, 'the navel of the world'.

The cultural development of this isolated people, thought to be Polynesian in origin, offers a unique and bizarre history.

Once thought to be thickly wooded, the island's total deforestation is traced to the obsessive, competitive erecting of moai, the 600-odd iconic carved stone figures that dot the island. Only once the last trees had been felled to roll another huge statue into position did the rival clans realise what had been done.

Allow a day or two to explore the island and investigate the moai, ahu (altars) and remnants of the equally interesting 'birdman' cult that followed.

Regular flights link Santiago with Hanga Roa on Easter Island.