Isolated and full of mystery, Easter Island is one of the most fascinating places on Earth. Isla de Pascua in Spanish but called Rapa Nui by the natives, is dotted with volcanoes and is strewn with giant Moai.
One of the Top Things To Do in Easter Island is to visit these sights and learn about the history of the Rapa Nui people. Visitors can explore Rapa Nui with a private guide or join one of the top-rated Easter Island tours.
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Easter Island Tour Options
In general, we are independent travelers and like to discover places at our own pace.
However, visitors must be accompanied by a certified guide or authorized local to see the sights within the boundaries of the Rapa Nui National Park.
We believe it is best to join one of the tours on Easter Island that is led by certified local guides. They provide incredible insight into the magical place and people.
Easter Island Attractions
Before booking an excursion, you need to decide which Moai archaeological sites you want to see.
The Moai platforms are scattered across the landscape – and it’s nearly impossible to see all of the Easter Island tourist attractions in one day.
Most tours include 4-6 top Rapa Nui sights. We list them all below and then provide further details on each later in the article.
- Ahu Tongariki
- Anakena
- Rano Raraku
- Orongo
- Rano Kau
- Ahu Akivi
- Ahu Tahai
3 Best Easter Island Tours
While there are numerous excursion options on Rapa Nui, we feel there are 3 Easter Island tour routes that offer optimal sightseeing.
#1 Full-Day Easter Island Tour
The full-day Easter Island Tour explores the east side of the island – and the most popular Moai sights – beginning in the south and ending in the north.
The tour visits 5 must-see sights, including Ahu Akahanga, Ahu Tongariki, Rao Raraku, Ahu Te Pito Kura and Anakena.
We joined this Easter Island Full-Day Tour because we could not have imagined visiting Rapa Nui without seeing the most iconic spots. We share the complete details later in the article.
#2 Half-Day Southwestern Easter Island Tour
The Half-Day Southwestern route features Moai platforms, manmade dwellings and natural landscapes. The 4 stops are: Ahu Tahai, Ana Kai Tangata Cave, Rano Kau volcano and Orongo village.
Rather than joining a tour, we completed this expedition without a guide. We didn’t use a car either – we trekked it!
Get the details of our Easter Island Hike, but note that under the new guidelines you will need to hire an authorized local or guide to complete part of the trek.
#3 Half-Day Easter Island Moai Tour
The half-day Moai Tour introduces visitors to lesser-visited Moai sights. The areas for this tour are: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Vinapu, Puna Pau and Hanga Piko.
Although we were eager to see the seven famous Moai at Ahu Akivi, we did not join this tour due to foul weather!
Review Of the Full Day Easter Island Tour
On the morning of our Easter Island bus tour, we were picked up from our lodging at around 9:15am.
We were the only English-speaking participants, but our Rapa Nui tour guide was fluent in English and able to translate his passion about his people, land and history.
Full-Day Easter Island Day Trip Details
While Easter Island day trip experiences can differ by companies and guides, the following outline is the most popular route of all Easter Island tours.
- Duration: 8 hours; Pick up around 9:00am and drop-off before 5:00pm.
- Sights: 6 Stops including Vaihu, Ahu Akahanga, Ahu Tongariki, Rao Raraku, Ahu Te Pito Kura and Anakena
- Lunch: Included
- Transportation: Small bus
- Guide: Yes
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Easter Island Facts and Rapa Nui History
One of the best reasons to join the tours on Easter Island is the information that is shared throughout the day.
Our guide proved to be an incredible wealth of knowledge, providing historic Easter Island facts and dispelling myths about the Moai.
The native Easter Island guide helped us to better understand the Moai and Rapa Nui. We share some interesting Moai facts later in the article!
Easter Island Full Day Tour Route
Routes will vary by tour and may not stop at the exact same platforms or locations. However, the most popular tours include stops 2 through 6, as outlined below.
Stop 1: Vaihu Rapa Nui
The first stop on our All-Day Rapa Nui Tour was Vaihu. This platform has been left unrestored – so what we saw were 8 Moai lying face down.
The Moai have been left untouched since they were toppled over nearly 300 years ago. Seeing the Moai in a destructed state provided insight into the ancient Rapa Nui culture.
Stop 2: Akahanga
At Akahanga, we learned about how the tribes may have lived on the land. During the stop, we saw the remains of an unrestored platform with 12 scattered Moai and evidence of shelters and kitchens.
The settlement was established near a cave that was likely used as protection – from the elements as well as enemy tribes and foreign explorers.
Our guide showed us the 13 outlines of traditional ‘Boat Houses.’ The homes – actually built on land and only called Boat Houses because their shape resembles a canoe – were where the people slept.
The proof of kitchens is evidenced by 3-foot-by-3-foot holes in the ground, lined with volcanic rocks. It was explained that food was cooked in these underground, natural ovens (similar to the curanto).
Stop 3: Tongariki 15 Moai
The most famous of all Easter Island Moai platforms is Tongariki. It’s the largest ceremonial platform on the island – and in Polynesia – measuring more than 720 feet.
It grandly features 15 standing moai…plus one more lying broken in the pasture. It is believed that the broken Moai was never stood upright, so it was left in the field when the platform was reconstructed.
Tongariki is an incredible, awe-inspiring sight. The unfathomable work required to carve – and then move – these colossal tributes is a testament to the dedication and beliefs of the tribes here.
It truly boggles the mind that a primitive, isolated society had the capacity to create such grandness, but the evidence is standing there…all 15 of them.
Stop 4: Rano Raraku Moai Quarry
It was from here that all Moai on Easter Island were carved. And visiting the quarry is a surreal experience.
Nearly 400 yet-to-be-completed Moai litter the Rano Raraku grounds, looking like over-sized chess pieces scattered on the lawn. There’s not been any restoration here; everything is exactly as the tribes left it.
The scene appears as if one day the workers just dropped their tools and walked off the job. And it’s fascinating and eerie all at once.
The Moai at Rano Raraku – which seem frozen in time – are in various stages of creation. Some were obtaining final, intricate details, while work on one new one was just beginning. Partially-carved, it had yet to be detached from the quarry walls.
Among the various stages of Moai completion, we also witnessed numerous that lay broken at the bottom of the hill.
The theory is that these brand-new Moai were dropped or otherwise cracked during transport from the quarry.
It is believed that they were purposely left abandoned, as the spirit would have escaped at the breakage and, therefore, a new one would need to be carved.
While no one is certain how long it took to create a single Moai, it is estimated that the work took 1-2 years in the quarry.
The transportation of the giant statues – some weighing up to 70 tons – remains a mystery. There are numerous theories regarding how the Moai were moved, but one thing is certain: it wasn’t an easy process.
Stop 5: Te Pito Kura
Te Pito Kura is the platform where Paro stood. Paro is one of the only Moai whose original name is known.
It is also the largest of all Moai – more than 30 feet high and weighing 70 tons – to have been placed upright on a platform. Bigger ones were carved, but never left the quarry.
Additionally, Paro is one of the last Moai known to be standing, as reported by a French explorer in 1838.
However, it was soon after that Paro was thrown face first into the dirt, where it remains today. The topknot – measured at 6 and a half feet in height and weighs 10 tons – lays nearby.
Naval Of The World
A secondary sight at Te Pito Kura is The Naval of the World. Although some (including our tour guide) consider the supernatural sight to be a gimmick, it’s still included on most Easter Island day trips.
The five large, smooth and rounded rocks – one in the center and four surrounding it serving as ‘chairs’ – have magnetic qualities. They heat up in a hurry under the hot tropical sun and plays havoc on compasses.
There are many mystical theories about the positioning of these rocks next to the platform, but most locals don’t believe the hype.
Stop 6: Anakena Beach Easter Island
It’s easy to understand why the powdery sand beach and clear turquoise water at Anakena was a ceremonial sight for the ancient tribes.
The location, which was the last stop on our Easter Island discovery tour, is simply breathtaking. The Moai on the restored platform at Anakena are some of the best-preserved on the entire island.
When they came crashing down, they landed on the soft sand and were subsequently covered. This protected them from the harsh elements.
The detailed etching of ears, nose, fingers and even an apparent belly button are amazingly preserved.
Easter Island Beach and Swimming
Spending time at the beach or swimming was included as part of our tour of Easter Island. Even though a bit on the chilly side, we couldn’t resist jumping in!
When booking your Easter Island tour, make sure to find out if swimming is on the agenda and bring along the essentials!
What is The Best Way to Tour Easter Island?
Before our Rapa Nui trip, we debated about how to tour Easter Island. Hike or bike? Rent a car or join a guided group tour?
In the end, we experienced two ways to tour Isla de Pascua: hiking on our own and joining a local guide on a group excursion. Each had pros and cons.
Self Guided Easter Island Trip
We absolutely loved our hike from Hanga Roa to Rano Kau volcano and Orongo village. The scenery was spectacular and we could linger over the views as long as we liked.
Stretching our legs after a long day of travel also suited us, but you can also rent a car or motorcycle and visit the same Easter Island attractions.
The one draw back to setting off on our own was that we didn’t get the whole story. We used a guidebook to read about the events that took place at Orongo, but would have benefited from having a guide explain the details.
Note that the new regulations require foreign visitors to be accompanied by a certified guide or authorized local.
Guided Easter Island Tour
Our guide was phenomenal and the day was well-organized. We had plenty of free time to roam on our own, but the guide was always nearby if we wanted to ask questions.
We love when tours meet (or beat) our expectations – and they certainly did in this case. At the end of the day, we had a deeper understanding of Rapa Nui…and saw the island’s most incredible sights along the way.
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More Easter Island Day Trip Tips
Before you book that flight and pack that suitcase, we have some additional advice along with a few more important tips for your Easter Island adventure!
Easter Island Shore Excursions
Not all tours will pick up guests at the boat terminal. Guests arriving on an Easter Island cruise need to make sure they book with a company that will pick up from the dock.
Private Easter Island Tour
Visitors can book Easter Island excursions with a private guide. Easter Island tour guides can be booked online in advance with a trusted provider.
Prices vary widely by tour operators, length of the excursion and included offerings. Before booking a tour online, be sure to read all the details of the tour, as well as fellow traveler reviews.
Rapa Nui National Park Pass
All visitors must have the required the National Rapa Nui Park Pass to see sights within the park (which includes all of the moai). Visitors can purchase the pass ($100 USD) on arrival at the Easter Island Airport or online.
What You Will Need for Easter Island Tours
Whether exploring with a private guide or on a tour group, there are a few essentials you will want to bring with you.
Comfortable Shoes
Some walking is required to get the ahu platforms and Moai sights. Be sure to wear a pair of comfortable travel shoes for your Rapa Nui tour.
Travel Camera
The standing Moai are an incredible sight and we recommend upgrading to a real travel camera. We use a DSLR Canon Rebel for our photos and a 18-135mm lens.
However, to truly capture the sights on Easter Island – some of which can only be viewed from a distance – consider an even better 55-250mm lens.
Sun Protection and Day Pack
The sun can be intense on Easter Island, so be sure to bring sunscreen and a wide-brimmed travel hat for your tour of Rapa Nui.
Whether you travel with a backpack or suitcase, make sure to bring a good day bag for all your everyday items, as well.
Trip Insurance
This can cover an array of unfortunate events – from lost luggage to canceled trips to falling ill while away. If you haven’t already, check rates and consider coverage with World Nomads.
Interesting Moai Facts
For those who want to get a jump start on learning about the mysterious Easter Island Moai, we are sharing a few intriguing facts.
When, Where and Why were Moai Created?
The Moai were constructed from 1250 AD to 1500 AD. Moai are not gods. Each statue represents and honors a great tribe leader after their death.
They were positioned to face inland – not toward the ocean – as a means of watching over the community and people in their tribe.
All Maoi were carved from the same quarry, Rano Raraku, and then transported and erected on the platform (called an ahu).
It was only after they were standing that they were given eyes; it was a symbolic opening or waking the spirit.
The topknot, which wasn’t originally used, is meant to represent the hair, not a hat. The stone came from volcanic rock of a different quarry than the one used for the bodies.
Over time, the tribes began carving larger statues. The oldest are fairly small but increased in height and detail over the years.
In total, over a thousand Moai statues were carved over a period of about 500 years, but not all of them were erected.
Why Did the Moai Era End?
The exact reason for the creation – and eventual destruction – of the Moai is unknown. There are no written documents and the entire civilization was decimated, leaving no one to tell the story.
A popular theory is that as resources became scarce, the tribes went to war in an effort to secure necessities to survive.
After one tribe conquered a rival, they would push the defeated tribe’s Moai face-forward to the ground to symbolize that they no longer had a protector.
At one point, all the statues that were standing were pushed to the ground by human hands. When they were pushed over, they often broke at the neck (the weakest point).
In the tumble, they also lost the coral eyes (only one original eye remains and is on display at the local museum) and the topknot, which due to its shape, would often roll far away.
Much restoration took place on the island from the 1950s to 1990s. However, not all Moai have been restored to preserve details for future archaeologists.
Tips for Planning a Trip to Easter Island
There is a lot more involved in planning an Easter Island trip than deciding which tour to take. Use our Travel Planning Printables to stay on top of the details of your vacation!
Start planning your trip to Chile! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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