Private Easter Island tour: iconic moai and archaeological sites

Stand in front of 350 moai at the quarry where they were carved, then walk among the restored giants on their platforms.

A private full-day tour of Easter Island's most significant archaeological sites, with hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide who drives you through the island's moai, ceremonial villages and crater views. The tour runs 6.5 hours and includes bottled water and air-conditioned transport. Children from age 4 are welcome; the National Park entrance ticket is purchased separately on arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Easter Island highlights

• Visit Anakena Beach
• See Ahu Tongariki statues
• Tour Rano Raraku quarry
• Explore Ahu Akivi platform
• View Rano Kau crater
• Visit Orongo Ceremonial Village

The Experience

Your guide picks you up at your hotel and drives you through the island in a private vehicle, so you move at your own pace between sites instead of waiting for a group to gather. The day starts at Anakena Beach, where the first king, Hotu Matu'a, is said to have landed—a white sand beach guarded by the moai of Ahu Nau Nau, now a sacred place instead of the royal resort it once was. From there you head to Ahu Tongariki, the largest monument in Oceania, where 15 restored statues stand on a 100-meter platform, each one ranging from 6 to 10 meters tall and weighing over 40 tons.

Lunch happens at Rano Raraku, the moai factory and quarry where 350 statues in different states of completion sit on the crater slope—some finished, some half-carved, showing the generations of work and the carving techniques the Rapa Nui people used. You can eat at the on-site restaurant or arrange a traditional meal, both surrounded by the statues themselves. After lunch you visit Ahu Akivi, the first restored ahu (ancestral cemetery), where seven statues face the sea and carry a legend from oral tradition about explorers. The tour ends at Orongo Ceremonial Village, perched on a crater rim with views across the island, where the birdman competition and the last official religion of the Rapa Nui people took place.

Bring cash in Chilean pesos for the National Park ticket, which you buy when you arrive—it is not included in the tour price. Comfortable walking shoes are essential because the terrain is uneven; sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses protect against the strong island sun, and a raincoat or windbreaker helps when the weather shifts quickly. A camera is the only other thing most travelers regret not bringing.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a private guide with live commentary in English or Spanish.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Easter Island Heritage

Is this one for you?If you are staying on Easter Island without a rental car, the hotel pickup solves the logistics of reaching the archaeological sites scattered across the island, and the private guide means you do not move at a group's pace or wait for other travelers to catch up—you see each site for as long as it holds your attention, then move on.

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Top questions

What is Ahu Tongariki and why is it significant?

Ahu Tongariki is the largest monument in Oceania, holding 15 restored moai statues that stand 6 to 10 meters tall and weigh over 40 tons each, arranged on a 100-meter-long rocky platform in what was once a cemetery. It is the most impressive concentration of restored statues on the island.

Can I bring my young children on this private Easter Island tour?

Children from age 4 are welcome on the tour. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available in the vehicle if you need one.

What is Rano Raraku and what will I see there?

Rano Raraku is the moai factory and quarry where 350 statues in different stages of carving sit on the crater slope, showing how the Rapa Nui people carved and transported these monuments over generations. You will see finished moai, half-carved figures and the tools and techniques left behind, and you eat lunch on-site surrounded by the statues.

Do I need to buy the National Park ticket separately?

Yes, the Rapa Nui National Park entrance ticket is not included in the tour price and must be purchased separately when you arrive on the island. Bring cash in Chilean pesos to buy it before the tour begins.

What should I bring for a full day on Easter Island?

Comfortable walking shoes are essential because you will walk on uneven terrain at archaeological sites. Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses protect against the strong sun; a raincoat or windbreaker helps when weather changes quickly; and a camera is worth carrying to photograph the moai and crater views.

How does the guide communicate during the tour?

Your private guide speaks English and Spanish, providing live commentary throughout the day about the island's history, the moai, and the Rapa Nui people's culture and traditions.