Ultimate Easter Island: Private 2-Day Essentials Highlights Tour

2 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 1 more

Get to know all of Easter Island’s essential sites on this immersive two-day private tour. You'll embark on a journey through time — from the legendary arrival of the first king, Hotu Matu'a, to the carving of the majestic moai statues, the deadly birdman competitions, and the eventual arrival of Christianity.

By the end of the tour, you won’t just have visited Rapa Nui — you’ll understand it. You’ll return with insights, stories, and a sense of place that few travelers ever gain — practically an expert on this fascinating island.

What's Included

Private transportation
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Driver/guide
Bottled water
Gratuities
We'll offer to stop at a place where you prefer
1 ticket per person, valid for all tours and sites, bought online beforehand
Tour not available for cruise ship passengers

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).

Itinerary

Duration: 2 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Journey of Legends: North and West

    7 stops
  • 1
    Anakena Beach

    At the most beautiful beach of the island, the capital of the ancient society was located. In the sand stands a monument with the best preserved restored moais of the entire island. Quite recently they were dug up after centuries of having been buried in the sand. If interested in having a swim or enjoying some beach time, we suggest coming back on your own, as the tour will mainly focus on the archaeological and historical aspect of this area.

    50 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Ahu Te Pito Kura

    The tallest moai that was ever successfully transported to its ahu can be found in this area. It was an amazing 9.9 m tall. Just like all other statues it was toppled in ancient times, and today it is still unrestored. There is also a round magnetic rock in this area that some say has magical properties.

    40 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 3

    Small volcano where the red scoria stone was quarried for the moai statue topknots - the so called pukao. All of the moai statue pukaos come from this place.

    25 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 4
    Ahu Akivi

    The only monument with moais that are looking out towards the sea. Some say that these statues were built to represent the first seven settlers that arrived to Easter Island a thousand years ago.

    25 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 5

    The tribesmen of this village were remarkably ambitious and hard-working. They raised several statues at three different ahu platforms. A ramp was made to enter the ocean from within the area.

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 6
    Rano Kau

    The crater of volcano Rano Kau is one of the most stunning views of the whole island. Its crater lake was one of the most important sources of drinking water in ancient times.

    20 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 7
    Orongo

    Ceremonial stone village dedicated to the birdman competition, located at the ridge of volcano Rano Kau. From within Orongo we will have a fantastic view of the crater of this volcano.

    45 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • Day 2

    Megaliths: South and East

    6 stops
  • 8
    Ahu Vinapu

    The most perfectly fit rock wall, Ahu Tahira, is found in this area. It was engineered with such skill that many draw conclusions on contact with the Inca Empire.

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 9
    Ahu Vinapu

    Hanga Poukura: Close to Vinapu we have the area of Hanga Poukura. This is a beautiful coastal area of interesting, rough lava rock formations has several unique features. Several statues are in a strange and mysterious manner buried in a line, with only the backs being visible. The ahu is one of the most well-made ever with blocks that are cut for a better fit. Hanga Poukura area also has an amazing natural phenomena that has been occurring constantly since this these areas were created by lava flows almost a million years ago - a blowhole. The blowhole of Hanga Poukura is one of the best ones of Rapa Nui, and when the ocean is right, water will spurt up into the air as waves come in.

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 10
    Ahu Vaihu

    This area has a replica of an ancient village built up in modern times. We will be able to see examples of how ancient plantation techniques work, and we will have the opportunity to enter replicas of the ancient "boat houses" that were used hundreds of years ago.

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 11
    Ahu Akahanga

    Feel the presence of history as you walk among the ruins of one of Rapa Nui’s largest ancient villages. Explore boat-shaped house foundations, earth ovens, and a massive ceremonial platform where moai statues still lie toppled. A second, unrestored ahu nearby holds 13 statues of varying sizes — a powerful reminder of the island’s past. According to legend, this sacred site is also the burial place of the island’s first king - Hotu Matu'a.

    40 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 12
    Rano Raraku

    The volcano that was converted into a mass production factory of gigantic megaliths. Virtually all statues were carved here. One day the workers stopped, and the hundreds of statues that were left behind haven't moved since.

    1 hour 40 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 13
    Ahu Tongariki

    The largest monument on Easter Island, Ahu Tongariki features 15 massive moai standing proudly against the ocean backdrop. Once toppled by an earthquake and swept inland by a tsunami, these giants were restored to their original glory — a breathtaking symbol of Rapa Nui’s strength, history, and spiritual legacy.

    40 minutes Admission ticket not included

Additional info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Easter Island Travel

Tags

Overnight Tours
Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
Historical Tours
Archaeology Tours
Car Tours
Additional fees
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Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

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