2 Full Days and Sunrise in Tongariki

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Moai factory
6 stops
1
Ahu Vaihu
In Vaihu, you will discover a deeply moving ceremonial site, where the moai and their stone headdresses lie torn down as they were found. This place reflects the historic moment when rival clans began a phase of internal conflict, marking the beginning of the end of the cult of the Moai. You will walk among ancient platforms surrounded by unspoilt nature and learn from our local guide the oral stories that explain the symbolism and fall of these statues. It is an ideal stop to reflect on the cycles of power, spirituality and transformation of Rapa Nui culture.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
2
Ahu Akahanga
Akahanga is one of the most enigmatic sites on the southern coast of Rapa Nui. Here you will explore the remains of an ancestral village where the foundations of boat-shaped houses, vestiges of ceremonial platforms and fallen moai that were never restored are still preserved. This is said to be the place where Hotu Matu’a, the first king of the island, was buried. Our guide will share with you the stories linked to this sacred place, as you walk among the vestiges of a powerful past that coexists with the sound of the ocean. It is an ideal stop to feel the connection between the sea, the ancestors and the origins of the Rapa Nui civilization.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
3
Ahu Tongariki
With its towering 15 moai lined up in front of the ocean, Ahu Tongariki is the largest and most majestic ceremonial site on the island. This place is a symbol of power, unity and spirituality for the Rapa Nui people. During the visit, you can admire these gigantic restored statues, learn about their history, their destruction during ancient conflicts, and their subsequent reconstruction with international support. It is also one of the best spots on the island to take unforgettable pictures, especially if you visit at dawn, when the sun rises behind the statues creating a magical spectacle. A must-see stop for those who wish to experience the greatness of Rapa Nui culture at its finest.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
4
Rano Raraku
Explore the volcanic crater of Rano Raraku, the place where almost all the Rapa Nui moai were born. This archaeological site is a real open-air museum: you will see dozens of statues in different stages of carving, some still embedded in the rock, others emerging from the ground as if they were waking up. As you walk along its paths surrounded by vegetation and natural formations, our guide will reveal the secrets of how these giant figures were carved and transported. The atmosphere here is unique: every moai seems to tell a story stopped in time. An essential place to understand the art, engineering and spirituality of the Rapa Nui people.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
5
Ahu Te Pito Kura
Te Pito Kura is a place full of energy and symbolism. Here is the largest moai that was ever successfully transported and erected: a statue more than 9 meters high fallen face down next to its ceremonial platform. A few meters away, you will discover a perfectly round stone known as Te Pito or Te Henua, or “the navel of the world”. This stone, surrounded by four smaller ones, is believed to concentrate a powerful energy (hand) and has been the subject of mystical tales for generations. Our guide will tell you the history of this sacred site and its cultural importance, while enjoying a serene and magnetic landscape, ideal for a pause of contemplation and connection.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
6
Anakena Beach
Anakena is the most famous beach in Rapa Nui and one of the most special places on the island. White coral sand, turquoise waters and palm trees welcome you in this paradise setting where, according to legend, Hotu Matu’a, the first ariki (king) of Rapa Nui, landed. In addition to enjoying its natural beauty, here you will visit the impressive Ahu Nau Nau, with restored moai that retain unique details in its carvings. Our guide will explain the ceremonial importance of this place, which was a political and spiritual center in ancient times. You will have time to walk, take pictures, or even take a swim in the sea if you wish. Anakena is the perfect brooch to close an unforgettable day.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Full Day: Orongo and Volcanic Shelters
6 stops
7
Orongo
Located at the top of the cliff by the crater of Rano Kau, Orongo is an ancient ceremonial village that was the epicenter of the Tangata Manu cult, or “Bird Man”, one of Rapa Nui’s most enigmatic traditions. During the visit, you will tour the perfectly assembled stone houses and observe petroglyphs depicting figures of birdmen, masks and marine deities. From this point you also get breathtaking views towards the islands Motu Nui, Motu Iti and Motu Kao Kao, key to the ritual competition that defined the island’s new spiritual leader. Our guide will transport you to a time of physical challenges, sacred visions and deep connection with nature. An essential place to understand the Rapa Nui worldview and its cultural evolution.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
8
Rano Kau
Rano Kau is one of the three main volcanoes that gave birth to Rapa Nui and is home to one of the most striking views of the island. From its viewpoint, you can gaze at the huge crater with its inner lagoon covered in totora, creating a surreal landscape that seems otherworldly. This place not only impresses with its natural beauty, but also with its symbolic value. It was considered a transitional space between the physical and spiritual worlds by the ancient inhabitants of the island. In addition, its cliffs mark the southwestmost point of Rapa Nui, offering an unforgettable panorama of the Pacific Ocean. A stop that combines geology, history and contemplation, perfect for those who seek to connect with the primitive energy of the island.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
9
Ahu Vinapu
Vinapu is one of the most enigmatic archaeological sites in Rapa Nui. Here, the ceremonial platforms are built with huge stone blocks perfectly assembled, without any adhesive, in a style that is surprisingly reminiscent of Inca architecture. During the visit, you will learn theories about possible transoceanic contacts and structural similarities between ancient cultures. You will also observe fallen moai and fragments of ancient pukao (red stone headdresses), which invite you to reflect on the spiritual and technological evolution of the Rapa Nui people. It is a key stop for those looking to go beyond the obvious and explore the unsolved mysteries of the island’s history.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
10
Ahu Akivi
Ahu Akivi is one of Rapa Nui’s most special sites, known for being the only ahu whose moai faces the ocean. According to oral tradition, these seven statues represent the explorers sent by King Hotu Matu’a before his arrival on the island. This site is located in a more interior area, surrounded by hills and vegetation, offering a serene and harmonious atmosphere. In addition to its unique alignment, Ahu Akivi also stands out for its astronomical accuracy: its moai are aligned with the sun during equinoxes, reflecting the deep astronomical knowledge of the Rapa Nui civilization. An experience that combines history, legend and ancient science in one place.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
11
Ana Te Pahu
Ana Te Pahu, also known as the banana cave, is one of the largest and most impressive volcanic caverns in Rapa Nui. Formed by ancient lava flows, this cave was used as a refuge by the island's inhabitants during times of conflict and scarcity. As you walk through its underground passageways, you will discover how the ancient Rapa Nui took advantage of this space to survive: you will see remains of protected growing areas, natural ventilation systems and signs of human use over time. The guide will explain its importance in the daily and spiritual life of the past, as you walk among banana roots and unique rock formations that turn this place into a surprising experience unlike anything else on the island.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
12
Puna Pau is the ancient quarry where the Rapa Nui carved the pukao, the cylindrical red stone headdresses that crowned many of the island's moai. Located on a hill of volcanic ash, this site offers not only a window into the technical and artistic past of the village, but also panoramic views over the valleys of Hanga Roa. During the visit, you will see several unfinished pukao scattered along the way, allowing you to understand the process of carving, transport and symbolism behind these pieces. It is believed that the Pukao represented power and status, similar to a ceremonial hat or noble hairstyle. A fascinating place where art, spirituality and landscape are intertwined in perfect harmony.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Sunrise in Tongariki
1 stop
13
Ahu Tongariki
Experience a magical and unforgettable experience witnessing the sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, Rapa Nui’s most imposing ceremonial site. Facing the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by silence, you will see the sun slowly emerge behind the 15 moai, projecting majestic silhouettes as daylight reveals the details of these ancient statues. It is a time of deep connection with the energy of the island, ideal for reflection, taking unique photographs and starting the day with a spiritual experience in one of the most sacred places in the South Pacific. Our local guide will accompany you to share with you the history and symbolism of this site as you enjoy the most breathtaking natural spectacle of Rapa Nui.
2 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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