Excursion Easter island highlights tour at Easter Island

Ahu Tahai Complex

Depart the pier for the short drive to the ceremonial site of Ahu Tahai. Located just outside Hanga Roa Town and adjacent to the cemetery, Ahu Tahai is a complex consisting of three different ahu sites: Ahu Ko Te Riku, Ahu Vai Ure, and Ahu Tahai. Ahu Ko Te Riku features a beautiful, single statue placed on a platform dating from 690 B.C. The statue is in good condition, and has white eyeballs with dark pupils. Ahu Vai Ure is home to five different statues, whereas Ahu Tahai, named after the entire complex, has a single, large moai. Restored in 1967 by archaeologist William Mulloy, this complex is believed to date from the 6th century and is amongst the oldest ancient statuary sites on Rapa Nui.

Rano Raraku Quarry and Gigantic Moais

Following your visit to Ahu Tahai, re-board your coach and head to the spectacular Rano Raraku Quarry, so symbolic of the island and the original quarry from which nearly all of the existing, immense moais on Easter Island were carved. There are still 397 of these gigantic statues covering the inner-and-outer slopes of the extinct volcano. They can be admired in their different stages of completion, from carvings in the rock to upright positions, and lying face down along their intended road to their platforms. Leaving the Rano Raraku Quarry, re-board your coach and drive to Ahu Tongariki.

Ahu Tongariki, Huge Moais, Vertical Sea Cliffs, Blue Waves Breaking, Anakena Beach

This magnificent platform is the largest ahu on the island and home to 15 moai, the heaviest of which weighs a whopping 86 tons (about 78 metric tons). This site was completely destroyed by a tsunami in 1960, but the ahu was restored from 1992-1995 by the University of Chile. The landscape is breath-taking; huge, almost vertical sea cliffs comprise the shores, and the blue waves breaking on them makes for a splendid photo opportunity. Next, re-board your coach and transfer for a final stop at Anakena Beach, famous for its sandy beach, crystal-clear waters, coral sand beds, and two restored platforms, Ahu Nau Nau and Ahu Ature Huki. Your tour concludes with a short drive back to the pier.  

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Easter Island, Ahu Tahai Complex, Shopping, Handicraft Market, Rano Raraku Quarry, Huge Moais, Ahu Tongariki, Sea Cliffs, Blue Waves, Anakena Beach, Swimming

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 1.4 miles (about 2.2 kilometres), at times over uneven, gravel, grassy, sandy, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and at the Rano Raraku Quarry. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing in layers with flat, sturdy, and closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, a sweater or light jacket, raingear, bottled water. The tour sequence may vary.