Easter Island North Coast Hike: Moai and Ancient Sites

Walk where few venture: a full day crossing the Miru territory on foot.

A full-day hike across Easter Island's North Coast covers more than ten miles of terrain without roads, passing multiple ancient settlements, fallen moai, ceremonial centers and petroglyph sites. The route takes 6 to 7 hours of walking and ends at Anakena Beach, where swimming is optional. A local guide shares scientific and traditional knowledge of the region. A picnic meal is provided halfway through. The hike is limited availability and not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or poor cardiovascular health.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day hike along North Coast

• Hike 6-7 hours northwest and north
• Explore ancient settlements and moai
• Visit petroglyph sites and caves
• Reach Anakena beach
• Optional swimming at Anakena

The experience

The North Coast of Rapa Nui has no roads, only narrow trails cutting through the territory the Miru tribe once ruled. You'll hike for 6 to 7 hours across an area where motorized vehicles are banned and few people venture, passing the remains of multiple ancient settlements: Ma'itaki te Moa, Vai Matā, Omohi, Otoki, Hanga Oteo and Papa Tekena among them. At each stop you'll see monumental ahu, many fallen moai, caves and petroglyph sites that have sat mostly undisturbed for the last 150 years.

Your guide speaks English or Spanish and carries both scientific and traditional perspectives on what you're walking through: the ceremonial centers, the moai roads, the rocky landscapes of the northwest and north coasts. Halfway through the hike, you stop for a picnic meal. After 6 to 7 hours on foot, you reach Anakena Beach, the white sandy capital of the Royal Miru district, where you can swim if you want to.

Pickup is included. Children from age 12 are welcome. The National Park ticket is separate and not included in the tour price.

What’s included

• Pickup.
• a local guide speaking English or Spanish.
• a picnic meal halfway through the hike.
• access to multiple ancient settlements, fallen moai, ceremonial centers and petroglyph sites across the North Coast.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 29 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Rapanui Pioneers Society (RPS)

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you follow the commentary in your own language throughout the day. The 6 to 7 hours of continuous hiking demands at least moderate fitness and is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or cardiovascular concerns.

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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: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much of the day does the actual hiking take?

The hike itself runs 6 to 7 hours, covering more than ten miles of the North Coast without roads. The full tour is structured around that walking time, with the picnic stop built into the middle of the day.

What kind of ancient sites will I actually see on the North Coast?

You'll pass through multiple ancient settlements including Ma'itaki te Moa, Vai Matā, Omohi, Otoki, Hanga Oteo and Papa Tekena, where you see monumental ahu, many fallen moai, caves and petroglyph sites. The area has been mostly undisturbed for the last 150 years.

Is there a chance to swim during the hike?

After the 6 to 7 hours of hiking, you reach Anakena Beach, a white sandy beach at the end of the route. Swimming there is optional, so you can choose whether to get in the water.

What does the guide explain along the way?

Your local guide shares both scientific and traditional knowledge of the region, explaining the ceremonial centers, moai roads and rocky landscapes you're walking through. The guide speaks English or Spanish.

Do I need to bring my own food?

A picnic meal is provided halfway through the hike, so you don't need to carry your own lunch for the day.