Easter Island 2-Day Tour: Moai, Ahu & Orongo in Small Groups

Walk among 400 moai still embedded in volcanic rock, then stand before the island's largest restored platform.

A two-day guided tour of Easter Island's archaeological sites in small groups, visiting moai quarries, ceremonial platforms and coastal villages with a live English or Spanish-speaking guide. The tour includes hotel pickup and raincoats. National park entry is purchased separately before the first day begins. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the itinerary spans six to seven hours each day across sites like Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Orongo Ceremonial Village and Tahai.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Rano Raraku1h 30m
2. Ahu Tongariki45m
3. Puna Pau25m
4. Tahai30m
5. Ahu Akivi20m
6. Orongo Ceremonial Village45m

Explore Easter Island archaeological sites

• Visit Anakena beach platform
• See Moai Paro statue
• Tour Rano Raraku Moai quarry
• Explore Ahu Tongariki platform
• Visit interpretation center site
• See ceremonial complex with basalt slabs
• Visit Puna Pau red slag quarry
• Explore Tahai ceremonial platforms
• Visit Ahu Akivi with seven Moai
• See Rano Kau volcano crater
• Explore Orongo Ceremonial Village

The experience

The tour opens at Anakena, the platform where Rapa Nui's ancient capital stood, where seven moai (the best-preserved restored statues on the island) still face the ocean. From there the route moves to Ahu Tongariki, Polynesia's largest platform, where 15 upright moai stand with their backs to the sea. The scale of these sites anchors what comes next: a visit to Rano Raraku, the moai factory where roughly 400 statues remain, many still half-carved from the volcanic rock where they were born. Walking through the quarry, you see the construction technique laid bare: unfinished moai at every angle, abandoned mid-carving, revealing how the island's sculptors worked.

The second day turns to ceremonial and cultural sites. Orongo Ceremonial Village sits atop Rano Kau volcano with views across the Pacific to the motu (islets), and its stone houses and petroglyphs tell the story of the bird-man cult that shaped island life. Tahai, one of the oldest inhabited areas, holds three ceremonial platforms and serves as a key site for contemporary ceremonies. The tomb of American archaeologist William Mulloy rests here. Puna Pau, the red slag quarry, shows where the pukao (the massive topknots crowning some moai) were carved: some weighing nearly 10 tons. The guide explains how these pieces moved across the island and why so many statues fell during tribal conflicts, offering context for what you see at each stop.

Pickup from your hotel is included, and raincoats are provided if weather turns. The national park ticket must be purchased in advance through Ma'u Henua offices or online. This entry is separate from the tour cost. Food restrictions and allergies should be noted when booking so the operator can plan accordingly. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or travel in a stroller. The moderate fitness level required reflects the walking and uneven terrain at archaeological sites.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• raincoats if needed.
• access to six major archaeological sites across two days including Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Orongo Ceremonial Village, Tahai, Puna Pau and Anakena.

Options for this experience

2 options

PrivateGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30Private option: a guide and transport reserved just for you or your group, with pickup included

Semi-private groups over two full daysGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 29 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by RAPA NUI DREAM

Is this one for you?Choose the semi-private group if you want to meet other travelers. Book private if you prefer one-on-one guide attention and to set your own pace through quarries and ceremonial sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What's the difference between the semi-private group option and the private tour on this Easter Island trip?

The semi-private option runs with small groups, while the private tour is for your party alone. Both include the same sites and guide, so the choice depends on whether you prefer traveling with other visitors or keeping the experience to yourself.

Do I need to buy the national park ticket before the tour starts?

Yes, the national park entry ticket must be purchased in advance: either in person at Ma'u Henua offices or online. This is separate from the tour cost and required before the first day begins.

What exactly is Rano Raraku and why does it matter?

Rano Raraku is the moai factory where virtually all of Easter Island's statues were carved from volcanic rock. About 400 moai remain there (some finished, many still embedded in the stone), so you can see the carving technique and understand how the island's sculptors worked.

What happens if it rains during the tour?

Raincoats are provided by the operator if weather turns wet, so rain won't cut the tour short or leave you unprepared.