Summary of Easter Island Tours
- 4-Day Easter Island Tour
- Easter Island Tour of Ahu Akivi from Hanga Roa
- 2-Hour Sunrise at Tongariki Tour
- Tour of Anakena Beach and Lost Culture of Rapa Nui
- Easter Island Caves Tour
- Rapa Nui Full-Day Tour to Anakena Beach
- Ahu Vinapu and Rano Kao Half-Day Tour
- Rapa Nui Traditional Polynesian Dinner and Show
- Tour of Ceremonial Ana Kai and Tangata Manu
- Half-Day Archaeology Tour
- Ahu Tongarik, Rano Raraku, Anakena Beach Tour
- Full-Day Tour to Anakena
- Moai Monuments Private Tour
- Tahai Orongo and Rano Kau Half-Day Ruin Tour
- Hanga Roa History and Culture Tour
Situated on the Chilean coast in the southeastern Pacific, Easter Island is globally recognized for its colossal stone statues, whose enigmatic origins have stood sentinel over the sea for centuries.
There are nearly 900 statues in total, and owing to their historical and cultural significance, they are preserved within Rapa Nui National Park to safeguard their legacy while making them accessible to residents and visitors alike.
Archaeologists and historians believe that Polynesian settlers arrived on the island nearly 1,000 years ago; however, the origin of the statues remains a subject of controversy.
Outlined below are 15 exceptional tours of Easter Island.
1. 4-Day Easter Island Tour
This tour is ideal for visitors with four full days to explore Easter Island and its remarkable attractions.
Accompanied by an experienced guide, participants will visit the Moai statues at Ahu Akivi and Akahanga.
Accommodation options comprise 3 and 4-star hotels, along with round-trip transportation between the hotel and sites, and meals as per the itinerary.
While the Moai statues mark the tour’s focal point, additional highlights include the bird paintings within the Ana Kai Tangata cave and the Rano Raraku volcano.
Please note that park entrance fees are not included.
2. Easter Island Tour of Ahu Akivi from Hanga Roa
This three-hour expedition initiates with a drive to Ahu Akivi, one of the most picturesque locales from which the Moai statues gaze out over the expansive ocean.
According to local legend, these stoic figures symbolize the island’s original settlers who arrived centuries ago.
A visit to the red crater of Puna Pau is also essential; archaeologists believe this site provided materials for the headpieces of many Moai.
Additional stops include the solitary sentinel at Ahu Huri a Urenga, which aligns with the winter solstice, a significant event for the island’s inhabitants.
Pickup and drop-off services at Hanga Roa hotels are part of the package; however, please account for separate entrance fees and lunch costs.
3. 2-Hour Sunrise at Tongariki Tour
Experiencing the sunrise on Easter Island is a breathtaking occasion, and this early morning tour provides the ideal opportunity to initiate the day.
Departing from your Hanga Roa hotel, you will head to Ahu of Rapa Nui, renowned for its stunning vantage point to witness the dawn. A guide and fellow explorers will accompany you as you arrive at this site, which features 15 Moai statues.
The unique blend of glimmering ocean, rising sun, and sunlight reflected off the stone figures creates an extraordinary ambiance. After the primary visit, more exploration of the island’s treasures remains before returning to your accommodation.
4. Tour of Anakena Beach and Lost Culture of Rapa Nui
This excursion to Anakena Beach and the Lost Culture of Rapa Nui focuses on the island’s eastern region, featuring the temple at Ahu Vaihu, which comprises vast stone platforms that serve as the resting place for eight Moai.
The tour also visits Ahu Tongariki, which is adorned with 15 Moai, including the most significant statue—a colossal 30-foot giant weighing nearly 90 tons.
You will be amazed by the engineering and skill required to create and transport such enormous structures, especially by a society presumed to be less advanced than contemporary civilizations.
This particular site is revered by locals as the center of the world.
5. Easter Island Caves Tour
Once you have explored the majestic statues, take the opportunity to appreciate the natural aspects of the island through a cave exploration tour.
The Rapa Nui people frequently visited these caves, leaving behind intriguing archaeological sites that visitors can discover.
Your local guide will provide insights into the formation of the caves and their cultural importance to the ancient inhabitants of the island.
This tour includes round-trip transportation to and from your hotel. At just four hours long, it leaves ample time for additional activities and adventures throughout the day.
6. Rapa Nui Full-Day Tour to Anakena Beach
For those seeking a comprehensive experience of Easter Island, this full-day tour offers the chance to see numerous attractions.
Your guide will provide an in-depth historical perspective on the island and the imposing figures that adorn its landscapes as they gaze towards the sea.
The indigenous Rapa Nui were the original settlers, yet much about their culture remains enigmatic.
You will also visit Anakena Beach, celebrated for its stunning white sandy shores.
The tour convenes at the Easter Island pier and includes lunch; however, park entrance fees and hotel pickup services are separate.
7. Ahu Vinapu and Rano Kao Half-Day Tour
The southwestern coast of Easter Island features some of the island’s most captivating landscapes, and this half-day tour transports you from Hanga Roa to a selection of magnificent ceremonial complexes.
The Rano Kau volcano was venerated by the stone carvers, who not only constructed the Moai figures but also crafted grand artistic representations within nearby caves, illustrating peculiar man-like avian creatures.
Visitors will be astounded by the precision with which these massive stone slabs were assembled as they explore these historic sites. A side excursion to the volcanic crater, one of the island’s three natural bodies of water, is also planned.
8. Rapa Nui Traditional Polynesian Dinner and Show
Few experiences encapsulate the spirit of Pacific Island and Polynesian culture as profoundly as this traditional dinner and performance combination.
Both you and your companions will be enchanted by the lively music and dance that have resonated within the island for centuries. Your guide will elucidate the cultural and historical relevance of the performance as you enjoy the show.
The tour lasts approximately four hours and conveniently includes round-trip transportation from and to your hotel.
The dinner is served buffet-style, featuring both traditional and international dishes. For those interested, dance lessons are available to put on a display of your own.
9. Tour of Ceremonial Ana Kai and Tangata Manu
This tour begins with hotel pickup and travels to the Ana Kai caves, home to the island’s renowned stylized bird artwork depicting Manutara or ocean swallows found in the area.
In ancient narratives, the swallow’s egg was regarded as sacred and featured prominently in a popular island competition.
This three-hour expedition provides ample opportunity to explore the caves’ marvels, after which the tour will proceed to the Vinapu archaeological site, which is particularly noted for its elaborate construction.
This brief tour offers great value and includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel.
10. Half-Day Archaeology Tour
The ceremonial site at Ahu Vinapu in southern Easter Island is a major draw, featuring seven Moai figures positioned to observe the rising sun.
Each stunning statue stands nearly 17 feet tall and weighs an astounding 18 tons.
Local legends and traditions suggest these figures represent the explorers who journeyed from their ancestral home to settle new lands, guided by a spirit.
While the authenticity of this legend is debatable, the resolve of the Polynesian colonizers, who undertook a vast oceanic journey facing starvation, severe weather, and uncertainty, is undeniable.
11. Ahu Tongarik, Rano Raraku, Anakena Beach Tour
This comprehensive full-day tour from Hanga Roa encompasses all the significant sites that contribute to the unique character of Easter Island.
Your guide will present informative commentary on the captivating archaeological locations observed and their relevance to the histories of the island’s original inhabitants.
Notable highlights include the quarry at Rano Raraku and the ceremonial grounds at Ahu Akahanga.
After an engaging history tour, enjoy a respite at the sandy shores of Anakena Beach, concluding with a beachside BBQ lunch prior to returning to your Hanga Roa hotel.
12. Full-Day Tour to Anakena
Local legends state that the white sands of Anakena Beach served as the landing site for the Polynesian explorers who colonized the island centuries ago.
This picturesque area is one of the island’s most beautiful destinations; the accompanying tour from Hanga Roa offers a stylish means to experience it.
The itinerary includes stops in the northern and southeastern sections of the island, where some of the largest and most impressive Moai can be witnessed.
Before heading back, guests will have the chance to traverse nearby caves and unwind on a tranquil beach.
13. Moai Monuments Private Tour
Since their discovery, the Moai figures of Easter Island have captivated individuals who are often astounded at how a culturally primitive society could construct such monumental and enduring relics.
This guided tour of the Moai sites will provide a unique historical and cultural framework from your guide as you navigate the island.
With ample opportunities for exploration and a limited group size, this tour ensures an intimate and personal experience.
No site will remain unexamined, and hotel pickup and drop-off services are included.
14. Tahai Orongo and Rano Kau Half-Day Ruin Tour
The historic ruins at Orongo represent one of the island’s most well-preserved stone settlements and ceremonial sites.
Located on the southwestern coast, they are conveniently accessible for those arriving by boat.
The tour is led by a professional guide and highlights include Rapa Nui National Park, the Tahai archaeological site, and the volcanic crater at Rano Raraku.
Due to the necessity for guests to return in time for the boat’s departure, this tour includes a worry-free return policy.
Spanning approximately four hours, it offers a great overview of the island’s historical narrative.
15. Hanga Roa History and Culture Tour
The capital of Easter Island is Hanga Roa. This three-hour tour commences with hotel pickup, followed by visits to notable spots on the island.
Participants will explore the local anthropology museum named after a missionary to the islands, followed by a visit to the Church of the Holy Cross and a shopping opportunity at a local artisan market filled with unique handmade items.
Lasting approximately three hours, this tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, making it an excellent way to gain insight into the island’s history and culture.
