5-day Easter Island tour

After the flight from Santiago to Easter Island, we're met at the airport by our friendly local guide and taken to the main town and capital of Easter Island, Hanga Roa, where almost 90% of Easter Island's inhabitants (the Rapa Nui) live.

We check into our hotel and our guide tells us about the upcoming itinerary. Then we enjoy a good night´s rest, ready for tomorrow's adventure.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we drive along a coastal road to Hanga Te’e stopping at the ancient temple of Vahiu and visiting Ahu Akahanga and Ahu Tongariki (both alter sites - Ahu means sacred place and refers to the rectangular stone platform on which the Moai statues were erected). These sites were recently restored following damage caused by the tidal wave from the Great Chilean Earthquake in 1960 which washed the statues meters away from their original settings.

Afterwards, we continue to Ahu Te Pito Te Kura, an incredible perfectly round stone used for ceremonial purposes. If we put a compass on the stone it would start spinning crazily and finally show a wrong direction! We continue our exploration at Ahu Nau Nau and Rano Raraku, the border of which is ringed with Moais leading towards the quarry inside the crater rim. Here the Moai were cut from Volcanic tuff and some 150 unfinished figures were mysteriously left there.

We finally head down to Anakena Beach, the legendary landing place of Hota Matua (founder of the island) before journeying back to our hotel in Hanga Roa.

After breakfast we start driving towards Rano Kao volcano, the biggest on the island, whose enormous crater is now a freshwater lake with floating green fields of totora reeds. This site offers an exceptional view of three craggy islands where the bizarre "bird-man" ritual took place. Nearby, we find the ruined village of Orongo where almost 50 stone buildings, the “bird-man” petroglyphs and Ahu Tahai ceremonial center are located. Afterwards, we drive back to our hotel.

After lunch, you will have a free afternoon. A possible suggestion for your afternoon would be visiting the archaeological site Tahai with its 3 restored Ahus and Moais. and then watching the spectacular sight of the sun setting behind the Moai.

We start the day by visiting Ahu Akivi. Unlike other Rapa Nui ceremonial sites, Akivi is not located on the coast and the moai are facing the ocean rather than with their backs to it - very enigmatic for researchers. According to the legend, these 7 Moai statues represent the first explorers who arrived on Easter Island, including supreme chief and king Hotu Matu'a. We then visit Hanga Poukura, an unrestored Ahu (stone platform) located on the island's southern coast. Finally, we head to the Puna Pau quarry, the place where the Moai hats were made.

The afternoon is free for leisure activities, with optional tours available. Inquire options with your Travel Experience Designer.

After a morning spent packing, relaxing and soaking up final views, we are driven back to the airport in time for the flight back to Santiago...Adiós Isla de Pascua!