Easter Island Adventure
Destination
Chile
Duration
5
Activity Level
Active
Comfort Level
Delightful
Easter Island lies more than 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile, yet most travelers find the journey to see the archaeological sites of this unique volcanic Polynesian island completely worth it. Called Rapa Nui by native inhabitants, the island is the site of massive stone statues, called moai, that were carved in the 12th-17th centuries. The statues resemble human forms, with emphasis on the heads, standing up to 30 feet tall and weighing up to 90 tons. Explore one of the most remote inhabited islands on earth, see these spectacular statues with your own eyes, witness the dramatic scenery of Polynesia, and engage with big questions about civilization, climate change, and time during your visit to this fascinating destination. This itinerary serves as a sample of what is possible to see and do on Easter Island. You can arrange private excursions or join others in a small group. The order of the itinerary may vary upon booking.
Great For
- Ancient history
- Ruins
- Island scenery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Easter Island
On arrival at the Isla de Pascua Airport on Easter Island, you will be met and transferred to your hotel overnight. For the rest of the day you are free to walk around and explore on your own OR we could book an afternoon activity for you.
This evening enjoy a dinner show. This program is focused on visitors to Rapa Nui who want to experience Rapa Nui culture in an interactive, didactic manner, together with a Rapa Nui family sharing anecdotes, history, and legends.
Meals
Dinner
Lodging
Hotel Vai Moana or similar
Day 2 Easter Island Exploration
This morning enjoy a full day exploring Easter Island. The first stop will be on the south coast, where you will visit the ruins of the temple of Vaihu. This platform next to the attractive fishing bay of Hanga Te’é, holds 8 moai, each with its red headdress, the moai now lying face down, just as they stood when they were knocked down.
Next, you will meet Ahu Akahanga, an archaeological site with remains of platforms where, according to oral tradition, the first king of the island Hotu Matua was buried. After that, we will go to the Rano Raraku Volcano, also known as the quarry, or the “factory of the moai”, here you can see almost 400 statues in different stages of carving, with different characteristics and states of conservation.
From here, we will visit Ahu Tongariki, the most extensive platform and with the largest amount of restored moai on the whole island, one of the unmissable postcards of your trip to the navel of the world. Next, we will move to Te Pito Kura, where you will find a rock with magnetic properties that would have been brought by the first King from Hiva, the mythical Polynesian island from which the first settlers came and are therefore full of mana (energy), near there is also the Paro moai, the largest moai ever transported from Rano Raraku and erected on a platform, it measures 10 meters (32.8 feet) and weighs 70 tons approx.
And last but not least, you’ll visit the beach of Anakena a paradisiacal beach with white and fine coral sand and a crystalline turquoise sea. Near the beach, you will meet the Ahu Ature Huki which is the first moai statue raised on the island in modern times, and the Ahu Nau Nau an imposing platform with seven moai, is one of the island’s best-preserved platforms.
Once finished the tour we will return to the Hotel.
Duration: 7.5 hours
Meals
Breakfast, Box Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Vai Moana or similar
Day 3 Orongo
Private Excursion in Orongo – 3.5 Hours:
We will drive up the extinct Rano Kau, the largest volcano, from where you will appreciate one of the most majestic views of the whole island. Afterward, we will go to the ceremonial village of Orongo, where the birdman competition took place and you can see the spectacular petroglyphs related to this culture and enjoy the breathtaking view towards the 3 islets Motu Nui, Motu Iti, and Motu Kao Kao opposite the coast. We continue our journey towards the sector of Vinapu where you can appreciate the development of carving techniques for the construction of platforms on Easter Island. At the last stop, we will visit the cave of Ana Kai Tangata, where you will appreciate the wall of the cave bottom, which reveals the remains of several paintings of native birds. The figures are painted with natural pigments of earth and animal fat, which in theory makes them much more durable.
Return to hotel in time for lunch. Rest of the day at leisure.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel Vai Moana or similar
Day 4 Akivi
Private Excursion in Akivi – 3.5 Hours:
After hotel pickup travel south with your guide into the park to visit the Tahai with its three ahu or ceremonial platforms located on the small rocky cliff that rises above the sea. The altars form a visual line that stars in this magnificent setting. If you look straight at the platforms, the first group on the left with five restored moai a sample of the different styles is the Ahu Vai Uri, the next one is the Ahu Tahai, a single solitary moai about 4.5 meters high (14.7 feet) raised on the oldest platform of the complex built around 700 AD. The last one, the Ahu Ko Te Riku, is a single statue wearing a pukao or headdress, this is the only moai that has the eyes of the whole island. After that we will continue to Ahu Akivi the most important and elaborate platform, it has seven moai that it is said, are the only statues that look at the sea of the whole island, since the rest turn their back on the ocean. The last stop before returning to the Hotel is Puna Pau volcano where the red pukao, or headdress, were extracted and carved.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel Vai Moana or similar
Day 5 Depart Easter Island
You’ll be transferred to the airport in time to check-in for your onward flight.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
None
Dates & Price
Dates
Custom & private on your dates. Contact an Adventure Specialist to create your dream trip! Schedule a call or tell us more about your dream trip!
Best Time of Year to Visit
Easter Island lies more than 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile, yet most travelers find the journey to see the archaeological sites of this unique volcanic Polynesian island completely worth it. Called Rapa Nui by native inhabitants, the island is the site of massive stone statues, called moai, that were carved in the 12th-17th centuries. The statues resemble human forms, with emphasis on the heads, standing up to 30 feet tall and weighing up to 90 tons. Explore one of the most remote inhabited islands on earth, see these spectacular statues with your own eyes, witness the dramatic scenery of Polynesia, and engage with big questions about civilization, climate change, and time during your visit to this fascinating destination. This itinerary serves as a sample of what is possible to see and do on Easter Island. You can arrange private excursions or join others in a small group. The order of the itinerary may vary upon booking.
Rates Per Person
Need to Know
Rates Per Person -
Land cost (private and custom)
$2250
Rates Per Person -
Includes private touring.
Does not include flights.
Need to Know
Duration 5
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.
Comfort Level
Delightful
Comfortable small to mid size lodges
Activity Level
Active
Easy walking; low impact
Extensions
Activity Level
Match the trip’s intensity to your ability and motivation.
Gentle
Easy walking, with opportunities for low-key physical activity.
Active
Energetic exploration with optional day hikes, leisurely cycling, or light canoeing.
Vigorous
Day-long active excursions and options for demanding activity in varied environments.
Challenging
Strenuous hiking or other intense activity that may be at high altitude or over rough terrain.
Demanding
Multi-day trekking and other activities requiring endurance or strength. Steep trails. No technical expertise necessary.
Comfort Level
Choose accommodations and amenities that fit your personal style
Simple
Our most natural accommodations. Bath facilities often shared, sometimes rustic.
Delightful
Comfortable and especially personal. Small to mid-sized lodges, typically with private bath.
Superior
Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined artistry, or extra-special settings.
Deluxe
Exclusive or luxury lodges, hotels, or safari camps with fine dining options.
Uncommon
The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.