Our Easter Island tour packs many hours of adventure and exploration into four enriching days. The journey begins when you land at Mataveri airport and are whisked away to your hotel. Take the opportunity to get to know the Chilean culture and sample some of the local cuisine.
The following day, the real fun begins as you explore a number of Ahu (burial platforms), which have been restored with moai statues, hand carved by the Rapa Nui people between 1250 – 1500. We’ll also visit the volcanic crater of Rano Raraku and the white coral Anakena Beach in Rapa Nui National Park, which is best known for its tepid Pacific waters.
Our tour will take you to the extinct volcano of Rano Kau, which stands at an impressive 1,063 feet tall. We’ll explore the ceremonial village known as Orongo and savour jaw dropping panoramic views of the three islets: Motu Nui, Motu Iti, and Motu Kao Kao. Walk through the Ana Kai Tangata caves and observe the cave paintings and spend time at the topknot quarry Puna Pau where all the Pukaos were made. We’ll also explore Tahai, a sought after ceremonial site with numerous treasures to uncover, such as boathouse remains and more.
Trip Highlights
- Set off on a relaxing coastal ride to catch a glimpse of the moai statues
- Catch some rays on the glistening white coral Anakena Beach in Rapa Nui National Park
- Visit Rano Kau, an extinct volcano 1,063 feet tall which forms Easter Island’s southwestern headland
- Head to the red scoria stone Puna Pau quarry where all the Pukaos were made
Start your Journey
Arrive at Easter Island
You will land at Mataveri airport on Easter Island before being picked up and transferred to your hotel.
Spend the remainder of the day and evening getting a feel for the robust Chilean culture and anticipating the archaeological sites that you’ll be exploring tomorrow.
Why not close off a long day of travel with some mouth watering mahi mahi and a side of plantain and fresh, home grown greens at a local restaurant?
Hanga Te’e - Rano Raraku - Rapa Nui National Park
Today is the day you’ll be exploring the best Easter Island has to offer. Unsurprisingly, your first stop is the restored Ahu Vaihu (a traditional burial platform) in the bay of Hanga Te’e, and Akahanga. This particular ahu is thought to mark the spot where the respected king Hotu Matua, who was the first settler on Easter Island, was buried.
From there, we will move on to Rano Raraku, a volcanic crater which is home to the island’s famous stone statues. The well known stone statues (moais) are thought to have been hand carved by the Rapa Nui people between 1250 – 1500.
The next Ahu on our tour will be the Ahu Tongariki, which was restored with 15 moais and the largest restauration on the island. Then we’ll visit Ahu Te Pito Kura and the “Navel of the World”.
Concluding your whirlwind tour of the island’s most awe inspiring sites is a visit to the glistening white coral Anakena Beach in Rapa Nui National Park, where you will have the opportunity to make the most of its tepid Pacific waters.
Rapa Nui National Park – Orongo - Puna Pau
Start the morning off on a high note as you drive up to visit the extinct volcano of Rano Kau. Take a moment to marvel at its majesty – it stands at an impressive 1,063 feet tall. Your next visit will be to Orongo, a ceremonial village known for its round, windowless, sod covered buildings and its incredible view of the three islets known as Motu Nui, Motu Iti and Motu Kao Kao. The morning excursion concludes with a visit to Ana Kai Tangata caves, wich are embellished with cave paintings of the Manutara – a bird considered sacred by the members of the cult of Tangata manu.
Once your stomach is full and your energy restored, we’ll continue to Ahu Akivi in the heart of the island. It is another ancient burial platform that has since been restored with seven moais in total. Legend has it that these seven moais represent the seven explorers who were sent to Rapa Nui by king Hotu Matua himself.
Our next stop is the topknot-quarry Puna Pau with its red scoria stone, where all the Pukaos were made. The final stop for the day is Tahai, a sought-after ceremonial site that ticks all of the boxes in terms of adventure and discovery. Here, you will find a variety of boathouse remains, an old boat ramp and three incredible ahus with restored statues, as well as the only statue on the entire island that has eyes.
Final day in Easter Island
Enjoy a satisfying breakfast at your hotel before leaving for Mataveri airport to catch your departure flight back home.
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Includes
- English-speaking local guides for all private guided excursions as illustrated in the itinerary.
- All entrance fees as appropriate.
- Air-conditioned transportation.
- Cost of accommodation (double room based on two people sharing) for a total of 3 nights (alternative but similar accommodation may be used at certain times of the year)
- Meals included as detailed.
- Assistance and porterage: meeting and assistance on arrival/departure at airports and hotels
Excludes
- International and domestic flights.
- Optional attractions and excursions (unless specified)
- Gratuities for drivers, tour directors, local guides, naturalists and hotel staff
- Meals (unless specified)
- Personal expenses, such as alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, laundry, camera fees, spa and business facilities in the hotel
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