Explore the wonder of Easter Island's ancient megalithic past with a tour of four incredible sites on today's full day adventure. Your day will include a visit to Ahus Vaihu, Akahanga, Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki, Ahu Te Pito Kura, and Anakena. Starting with Ahu Vaihu, you’ll stand before fallen moai—massive stone figures carved by the Rapa Nui centuries ago—still lying face down where they collapsed long ago. This quiet site offers a raw, powerful glimpse into the island’s past without the crowds.
Next, uncover the mysteries of Akahanga, also known as "The King's Platform." Here, you'll find four platforms with 12 Moai of various sizes and eight Pukao headdresses. The site is believed to be the final resting place of Hotu Matu'a, the island's first king, with a cave in the Akahanga sector possibly holding his tomb. You'll also be fascinated by the aligned stones made of red scoria, a type of iron-rich volcanic stone used to create headdresses, tombstones, boarding stones, and more. While exploring the site, take a moment to admire the petroglyphs along the front of the main Ahu platform, and note how the ancient culture was skilled at recycling and reusing materials, as evidenced by the head of an old statue incorporated into the back wall.
Continue your day traveling to Rano Raraku, where, on its volcanic slopes, ancient Rapa Nui sculptors carved moai from volcanic stone before moving about a third of them to various ahu throughout the island. Many of the island's more than 800 moai remain in the quarry and scattered nearby. As you walk with your guide to the stone pit, you'll see peeking out from the grassy ground hundreds of moai heads and partially buried torsos. Situated in front of the Rano Raraku volcano, approximately 2 km away, Tongariki is a testament to the island's ancient inhabitants' incredible megalithic culture. Here, learn about the largest reconstruction on the island and in all of Polynesia. The site boasts 15 restored Moai, which were swept away by a massive tsunami before being restored between 1992 and 1995.
After a lunch break to refuel, the tour culminates with a visit to Anakena Beach, where white sand meets turquoise water and moai watch over the coast. Ahu Nau Nau features seven restored statues, known for their detailed carvings and ceremonial significance. At this site, archaeologists located a nearly complete coral eye, encrusted with red volcanic scoria stone. Your sightseeing for the day complete, opt to swim or stroll along Anakena, one of the few white sand beaches on the island, and reflect on the island’s unique history and heritage.
*Please note, order of sites visited may vary in order to best enjoy each location.
