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Offered languages
- English
- Spanish
Moai Rise and Fall: Full Day Private Tour is an archaeological field trip that explores the meaning, inception, creation and destruction of the megalithic statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). By visiting several key sites and taking our time on each one, we shed light on the enigmas of the moai, bringing their story to life through the insights of a local expert.
This experience is especially tailored towards travelers that want to spend a bit more time on each archaeological site and appreciate each archaeological feature. Our day tours are thematically focused towards specific periods and topics of Rapa Nui's history. However, they can still be customized to our travelers' special interests.
Private service only.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We meet or pick up our travelers from any place in Hanga Roa urban area including the Mataveri International Airport (IPC) and major hotels, hostels, vacation homes, camping sites, downtown, etc. Travelers need to have the National Park Ticket to enter most of the sites. Ticket not included.
Since we offer private tours exclusively, we will find our travelers at their preferred pickup spot.
Itinerary
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1
Extensive visite to the Tahai Archaeological Complex for a thorough overview of Rapa Nui's ancient history as an introduction to the island's culture. Three monumental ahu and remains of several other archaeological structures can be found at the site. We also pay homage to American archaeologist William T. Mulloy visiting his memorial.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
2Ahu Vaihu
The ruins of a monumental ahu in the Vaihu district are a chilling memory of the fall of the moai. We offer a talk about the reasons for the fall, the modern myths about the collapse and how the ancient culture came to an end. There is also an interpretive center nearby with a functioning replica of an ancient micro-village.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3Ahu Akahanga
A magnificent unrestored ceremonial center with more than a dozen fallen statues faces the remains of an ancient village.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Ahu Tongariki
Ahu Tongariki is the biggest ceremonial monument in Polynesia. Besides a thorough walk around the ahu, we visit the petroglyph site of Papa Tataku Poki in the same area, linked to detailed legends about warfare.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Rano Raraku
A breathtaking monumental archaeological site, Rano Raraku was the birthplace of the moai. Near 400 attempts at moai remain there in different stages of the carving process. This place is also of significant geological and historical importance. This is an in-depth visit of every single feature of this place, including (if weather permits) the small caldera at the top.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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