Easter Island tour: 7 archaeological sites with expert guide

Walk among fallen moai and restored ahu across seven sites that reveal how the Rapanui people built their island civilization.

Rapanui Origins is a private, full-day tour of Easter Island's archaeological heartland, visiting seven major sites with an expert local guide fluent in English or Spanish. You move at your own pace through Vinapu's ceremonial ruins, the magnetic stone Te Pito Kura, Anakena Beach where the first Polynesian settlers are believed to have landed, and Ahu Akivi's seven westward-facing moai. Lunch is served at Anakena. Swimming is an option there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Anakena Beach1h
2. Ahu Akivi1h

Explore Easter Island archaeological sites

• Visit ceremonial center ruins
• See Te Pito Kura magnetic rock
• View petroglyphs related to sea
• Relax and have lunch at Anakena Beach
• Explore Ahu Naunau restored ahu
• Visit Ahu Akivi with seven moai

The experience

If you've just arrived on Easter Island or have a full day free, this tour builds around the sites that tell the story of Rapanui origins rather than rushing through a checklist. The guide is a local expert in the Rapanui National Park with deep knowledge of the island's history and archaeology. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters on an island where the sun is relentless and distances between sites add up. The pace is slower than a shared tour. You spend real time at each location instead of moving on when the group is ready.

The seven stops trace the settlement and development of the island. Vinapu shows two ceremonial centers with fallen statues and pukao (topknots), plus stonework that sparked old theories about pre-Incan contact. Te Pito Kura is an egg-shaped magnetic rock paired with Moai Paro, one of the island's largest fallen moai. Hanga Poukura holds petroglyphs tied to sea legends. Anakena Beach is the legendary landing site of the first settlers: a sheltered bay with white sand where you can swim if you want, and where lunch happens. Ahu Naunau, in the royal district, is the best-preserved restored ahu on the island and speaks to the power of ancient Rapanui chiefs. Ahu Akivi closes the day with seven moai facing west, the island's first proper archaeological restoration, where old and modern myths intersect. Papa Vaka and Puna Pau round out the archaeological picture.

The tour runs 7.5 hours and can be customized if a particular site or period of Rapanui history draws you more than others. Pickup is included. The guide speaks English or Spanish. Children from age 6 are welcome. The National Park ticket is separate and purchased on arrival.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• expert local guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch served at Anakena Beach.
• pickup from your accommodation.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: 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 22 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.

Paid on siteUS$ 100

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Rapanui Pioneers Society (RPS)

Is this one for you?At 7.5 hours, this tour fills most of a day but leaves room for an early breakfast or a late dinner in Hanga Roa. The private format and slower pace suit travelers who want to linger at each site rather than keep up with a group schedule, and the guide's expertise makes sense if Rapanui history and archaeology are what drew you to the island.

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); Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 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.

What is Te Pito Kura and why is it on this tour?

Te Pito Kura is an egg-shaped magnetic rock that features in old Rapanui legends. It sits next to a large ahu with a single fallen statue, Moai Paro, which is among the biggest moai on the entire island, making it a key stop for understanding both the spiritual and monumental scale of Rapanui culture.

Can I swim at Anakena Beach during the tour?

Yes, swimming is possible at Anakena Beach, where the tour stops for lunch. Changing rooms and services are available there for a small fee. The beach is a sheltered bay with white sand, backed by three volcanic hills.

What makes Ahu Akivi different from the other ahu on the tour?

Ahu Akivi was the island's first proper archaeological restoration and is the only ahu with seven moai all facing west. It blends old and modern myths and represents a turning point in how Rapanui's ancient structures were understood and preserved.

Is this tour suitable if I'm visiting Easter Island for the first time?

Yes. The tour visits the major sites that reveal the origins and development of Rapanui civilization, and the expert local guide provides the historical context for each stop. The slower pace gives you time to absorb what you're seeing rather than moving quickly through highlights.

What's included in the price besides the guide and transport?

Air-conditioned vehicle transport, the expert guide, and lunch at Anakena Beach are included. The National Park entrance ticket is purchased separately when you arrive.