Excursions on Easter Island: What you can do?

To live one of the most interesting cultural experiences, do visit Rapa Nui (Easter Island), one of the most untamed islands on the Pacific Ocean; you will fall in love with its landscapes and excursions

Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is surrounded by 887 monumental statues known as Moai all wrapped in mysticism. The people, the landscapes and all the history harbored by the island will show you one of the most profound cultures of our country.

We are here to tell you the places you must get to know. There are regular direct flights to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) from Santiago, Papeete and Lima.

Hanga Roa

This is the largest town you´ll encounter on Rapa Nui (Easter Island); all tours and excursions start from here. All level accommodation is available, but you´ll need to make reservations far ahead of time, as capacity is limited.

We recommend walking around the town, visit the Moais, and taste the typical fresh shellfish and fish such as mahi mahi, sawfish or kana kana. Traditional cuisine to enjoy is the Umu Rapa Nui or “curanto pascuense” baked in a stone or earth oven.

Anakena Beach

An exquisite white-sand-beach, turquoise water and enormous coconut palm trees. This is a place to rest and enjoy sunny days.

History recounts it as the landing spot of the first King to arrive on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Ariki Hotu Matua, and the birthplace of the peoples and culture of Rapa Nui .

This is the place of the Ahu Nau Nau, a platform of 7 Moais looking out to sea.

Playa Anakena

Ahu Tongarki

Fifteen Moai statues await your visit to contemplate the sunset. The largest Ahu of the island stands in the same location, an absolute must-see for all visitors. Moais are monolithic, carved from a single volcanic stone block of large dimensions, only found on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). These guardians are set a kilometer away from the Rano Raraku volcano, at Hotu-iti in the Rapa Nui National Park.

Rano Raraku Volcano

This is an unbelievable location! The Rano Raraku volcano crater is the main Moai quarry and one of the most impressive archeological sites in the world. You will meet one of three fresh water lakes on the island surrounded by several Moais; one over 21 meters high, with an estimated weight of 270 tons. It´s a mystery: were those Moais left there for a specific purpose, or did they fall from somewhere else and remained stuck there?

A trekking path along the edge of the crater will take you to see various archeological finds. Several of the most famous Moais are found outside the quarry, immersed to their shoulders.

Ahu Akivi

Ahu Akivi is another of the island’s mysteries, holding a privileged view to the ocean; most Moais look towards the centre of the island. During the spring equinox, with a full movie-like panorama, sunset is quite a wonderful spectacle. Two theories explain why Ahu Akivi is facing the ocean: the first one tells the tale of it helping navigation, the other, tells the tale that it represents the spirit of the King flying over the ocean, after the 7 explorers stayed on the island, awaiting his return. Watching the Sunset in this setting is one of the must-do activities on Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Orongo

Orongo is one of the most fascinating sites of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). This stone village declared UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the 90´s was a settlement inhabited by old tribes and island rulers reminiscencent of the Manutara bird cult. Every year, the Tangata Manu competition consisted in carrying, as fast as possible, an intact egg of the Manutara bird to a nest located on a rock at sea. Many lost their lives in this competition: statues were built to celebrate the winners.

Tapati Festival

This festival celebrates the rapa nui culture and lasts for two weeks. The island rejoices with dances, challenges, tribal paintings and the election of the Tapati Queen.

This festival is open to all, not only local people, so get ready to have fun with the rapa nui, bring your best dancing shoes!