Easter Island Full-Day Private Tour of North and West Highlights
by Easter Island Travel
Overview
This private full-day tour begins with a hotel pickup in Hanga Roa and lasts about 6 and a half hours. Travelers ride by vehicle to key sites on the north and west parts of Easter Island, visiting locations in an order optimized for good lighting and fewer crowds. The guide covers the island’s history starting with the arrival of the first king, the construction and toppling of the moai statues, the birdman competition, and the arrival of missionaries. The first stop is Anakena Beach, where the ancient society’s capital was located and the best-preserved restored moai statues stand partially buried in sand. Visitors can learn about the archaeological significance here; swimming is possible but not part of the guided tour. Next, the tour visits Ahu Te Pito Kura to see the tallest moai ever transported, measuring 9.9 meters, which remains toppled and unrestored. A magnetic round rock nearby is also shown. The tour continues to Puna Pau, a small volcano that provided red scoria stone for the moai statue topknots called pukao. At Ahu Akivi, travelers see the only moai that face out to sea. The next stop is Ahu Tahai, featuring several statues on three platforms and an ocean ramp built by the tribesmen. At Rano Kau volcano, the group views the crater and its lake, which was a vital water source. The final stop is Orongo, a stone village at the crater rim dedicated to the birdman competition, offering views over the volcano’s crater. Throughout, the private guide is available to answer questions and adjust the tour as desired. Bottled water, transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a driver/guide are included. Admission fees, lunch, gratuities, and tours for cruise ship passengers are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Anakena Beach
This beach was the location of the ancient society’s capital. It features a monument with some of the best preserved and recently restored moai statues, which had been buried in sand for centuries. Visitors can focus on the archaeological and historical aspects; swimming or beach time is possible but recommended on one’s own after the tour.
35 min
Ahu Te Pito Kura
Here stands the tallest moai ever transported to an ahu, measuring 9.9 meters tall. Like other statues, it was toppled long ago and remains unrestored. The area also contains a round magnetic rock believed by some to have special properties.
25 min
Puna Pau
This small volcano was the quarry for the red scoria stones used to make the moai statue topknots known as pukao. All pukao on the island come from this site.
20 min
Ahu Akivi
This site has the only moai statues on the island that face out toward the sea.
20 min
Ahu Tahai
The local tribesmen built several statues here on three separate ahu platforms. They also constructed a ramp to enter the ocean within this area.
30 min
Rano Kau
The crater of the Rano Kau volcano offers one of the island’s most notable views. Its crater lake provided a key source of drinking water in ancient times.
20 min
Orongo
This ceremonial stone village sits on the rim of Rano Kau volcano and was the site of the birdman competition. The location provides a view of the volcano crater.
45 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.