Easter Island tour: Ahu Tongariki sunrise & Polynesian dance

Rano Raraku holds dozens of moai still in the ground, some buried to their necks in the quarry where they were carved.

A 4-day tour of Easter Island with a certified local guide covering Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Orongo Ceremonial Village, Anakena Beach and four major archaeological sites across two full days, a sunrise at the 15-moai platform, and a night of Polynesian dance with buffet dinner and the ancestral Umu Pa'é ceremony. Hanga Roa transfers, guide and personalized assistance are included. The regular option does not include national park entry, though an alternative with the access ticket is available at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore archaeological sites and beaches

• Visit Hanga Te'e Bay archaeological site
• Explore King Hotu Matu’a burial complex
• See moai at Rano Raraku quarry
• Visit Ahu Tongariki ceremonial altar
• View largest moai and spherical stone
• Visit restored ahu on Anakena beach
• Relax at Anakena Beach

Day 2: Visit volcanoes and archaeological sites

• Visit Rano Kau volcano crater
• Explore Orongo Ceremonial Village
• See precise stone construction site
• Visit Ahu Akivi moai platform
• Explore Cave of Bananas

Day 3: Sunrise at Ahu Tongariki

• Travel to Ahu Tongariki before dawn
• Watch sunrise behind 15 moai platform

Day 4: Polynesian dance and cultural ceremony

• Transfer to cultural show venue
• Receive welcome snack and takona face paint
• Wear typical costumes for photos
• Participate in Umu Pa’é ancestral ceremony
• Enjoy buffet dinner (drinks not included)
• Watch folkloric narrated Polynesian dance show
• Celebrate special occasions if applicable

The experience

Ahu Tongariki anchors this tour: the largest ceremonial altar on the island, where 15 moai rise in front of the Pacific. You see it twice: once at sunrise before the crowds arrive, when the light hits the statues as the sun clears the ocean, and again during the two full days of exploration that make up the core of the itinerary. Those days take you to Rano Raraku, the quarry where most of the island's moai were born. Dozens still lie on the slopes in different stages of carving, some buried up to their necks. You walk through Orongo Ceremonial Village at the top of Rano Kau volcano, where the bird man competition was held centuries ago, and stand at Ahu Akivi, the only platform whose seven moai face the sea instead of inland.

Anakena Beach, where the founding king Hotu Matu'a is believed to have landed, breaks up the archaeological sites with white sand and turquoise water. The fourth day centers on the cultural evening: transfer included, you wear traditional dress, receive a takona marking on your face to connect with Rapanui tradition, and participate in the Umu Pa'é, the island's ancestral curant ceremony. A buffet dinner follows the folkloric show (dances, legends and Polynesian music) with special acknowledgments for birthdays, anniversaries or honeymoons if that applies to you.

A certified local guide leads the entire tour in English or Spanish, handling all commentary and logistics. The air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from Hanga Roa and returns you there after each day. The pace is built around the sites themselves: early mornings for the sunrise, full days for the archaeological complex, and the evening reserved for the cultural ceremony and dinner.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and site visits.
• certified local guide in English or Spanish.
• pickup and return to Hanga Roa.
• buffet dinner with meat, seafood, fish, sweet potato and rice.
• participation in the ancestral Umu Pa'é ceremony.
• traditional dress and takona marking.
• Polynesian dance show with narrated folklore.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to1d before

GroupUp to 50

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 19 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 effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by DREAMS COME TOUR

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that lets you follow the commentary comfortably across the four days. The tour involves moderate physical activity (walking archaeological sites and volcanic terrain), so it suits travelers with at least a moderate fitness level. It is not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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 Rano Raraku and why do so many moai still lie there?

Rano Raraku is the sacred quarry where the island's moai were carved from volcanic stone. Dozens of statues remain on its slopes in different stages of construction, some still buried up to their necks in the ground, because they were abandoned mid-carving or mid-transport: a striking record of how the island's moai production came to an end.

Do I need to buy a separate ticket for Rapa Nui National Park?

The regular tour option does not include national park entry. An alternative that incorporates the access ticket is available at the time of booking, so you can choose which version suits your budget.

What happens during the Umu Pa'é ceremony on the final evening?

The Umu Pa'é is the island's ancestral curant ceremony. You participate in it after receiving a takona marking on your face and wearing traditional dress, connecting directly with Rapanui spiritual practice before the buffet dinner and Polynesian dance show begin.

What is included in the buffet dinner, and are drinks covered?

The buffet includes diverse foods such as meat, seafood, fish, sweet potato and rice. Drinks are not included in the meal, so you can order them separately during dinner.