Full Day Tour Rapa Nui: Moai, Ahu Tongariki & Rano Raraku

Four archaeological sites in a single day, from the moai factory to the restored platforms

A full-day guided tour of Rapa Nui's most significant archaeological sites, covering Orongo Ceremonial Village, Rano Kau volcano, Rano Raraku moai quarry, Ahu Tongariki, and Ahu Akivi. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours with a live guide in English or Spanish and hotel pickup included. National Park entrance tickets must be purchased separately before the tour begins.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Orongo Ceremonial Village1h 30m
2. Rano Raraku2h
3. Ahu Tongariki1h 30m
4. Ahu Akivi1h

Visit Rapa Nui's key archaeological sites

• Explore Orongo Ceremonial Village
• Visit Rano Kau volcano summit
• See unfinished Moai at Rano Raraku
• Discover Ahu Tongariki platform
• Tour Ahu Akivi Moai site

The experience

The tour moves through four major stops that frame Rapa Nui's archaeological story. Orongo Ceremonial Village sits on the rim of Rano Kau volcano, the largest volcanic crater on the island, where the Tangata Manu competition (a ritual involving the hunt for sooty tern eggs) once took place. Rano Raraku is the moai factory where roughly 400 unfinished specimens remain in the stone, abandoned mid-carving and scattered across the crater floor. Ahu Tongariki, the largest platform in Polynesia, holds 15 upright moai with their backs to the ocean. Ahu Akivi, over 500 years old, stands as one of the few ahu with moai facing the ocean rather than inland: a rarity in the Polynesian triangle.

A professional guide leads the group through each site, explaining the history and cultural significance while keeping the experience within the archaeological limits that protect Rapa Nui's fragile landscape. The pace is set to allow time at each location without rushing the details. The tour lasts 7 to 8 hours total and includes hotel pickup. You'll need to arrange your National Park entrance ticket in advance. These can be purchased online or at the Ma'u Henua offices before the tour begins.

Choose between a private tour with your own guide and vehicle, or an open group tour. Both options follow the same route and stops. The difference is whether you travel with others or as a party on your own. Children from age 1 are welcome, though infants must sit on an adult's lap. The tour requires moderate physical fitness, as you'll be walking uneven terrain and climbing at several sites.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• access to four major archaeological sites (Orongo Ceremonial Village, Rano Kau volcano, Rano Raraku moai quarry, Ahu Tongariki, and Ahu Akivi).
• 7 to 8 hours of guided exploration with stops at each location.

Options for this experience

2 options

Full-day tour, open scheduleUp to 2 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:30Pickup is included

Full-day private tourUp to 8 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 09:30Private lunch, pickup 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 (7 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupUp to 10

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 18 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 100

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by RAPA NUI DREAM

Is this one for you?Book the private option if you want a dedicated guide and vehicle for your group. Choose the open tour to share the cost and travel with other visitors following the same route. Either way, you'll need to purchase your National Park ticket separately before departure, so factor that into your planning.

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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 6 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What is Rano Raraku and why does it matter on this tour?

Rano Raraku is the moai quarry where the island's sculptors carved the statues. About 400 unfinished moai remain there, abandoned in various stages of completion, and the site reveals how the moai were made and why production stopped abruptly: a central mystery of Rapa Nui's history.

Is the National Park entrance ticket included in the tour price?

No, the National Park entrance ticket is not included and must be purchased separately before the tour starts. You can buy it online or in person at the Ma'u Henua offices.

What's the difference between the private and open tour options?

The private tour gives you a dedicated guide and vehicle for your group alone, while the open tour travels with other visitors. Both follow the same four-site route and take 7 to 8 hours. You choose based on whether you prefer traveling solo or sharing the experience.

How much walking and climbing is involved?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. You'll walk uneven terrain at each of the four sites and climb at several locations, particularly at Rano Kau and Ahu Tongariki. The guide adjusts the pace to the group, but it's not a leisurely stroll.