Rapa Nui full-day tour: 4 archaeological sites with guide

Walk through quarries and caves to understand how Rapa Nui built its monuments

A full-day guided tour of Rapa Nui covering four major archaeological sites: Puna Pau quarry where the red stone pukao headdresses were carved, Ahu Akivi with its seven moai facing the ocean, and the volcanic caves of Ana Te Pahu and Ana Kakenga. Certified local guides lead small groups through the island's most important sites, sharing stories and archaeological details. Hotel pickup is included, and you'll need your National Park ticket to enter.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Puna Pau20m · entry included
2. Ahu Akivi30m · entry included

Explore Rapa Nui's key sites

• Visit Ana Te Pahu volcanic cave
• Explore Puna Pau quarry and pukao
• Discover Ahu Akivi moai platform
• Tour Ana Kakenga two-eyed cave

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel or a point you choose, then moves through sites that show different chapters of Rapa Nui's history. At Puna Pau, you walk through the quarry where ancient carvers shaped the pukao (the distinctive red stone headdresses that sit atop the moai), and see unfinished pieces still embedded in the rock. The scale of the work becomes clear when you stand among the abandoned stones and learn how these heavy elements were transported across the island. From the quarry, the panoramic views stretch across the island and out to sea.

Ahu Akivi holds seven moai that face directly toward the ocean, unlike most others on the island that face inward. According to legend, these seven represent the first explorers who arrived from Hiva, bringing ancestral knowledge to Rapa Nui. The site sits on a ceremonial platform with views that connect the monuments to the landscape they overlook. Then you move to the volcanic caves: Ana Te Pahu, a massive underground cavern formed by ancient lava flows that served as a refuge and water source for early inhabitants, where you can see marks left on the walls; and Ana Kakenga, known as the "Two-eyed Cave" for its two natural openings to the sea. Walking through its passages, you hear waves breaking against the underground walls and see how the cave opens to light and ocean views.

The guide is a certified local who speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French, and the group stays small so the commentary stays personal. The tour runs six to seven hours and includes trekking poles, rain equipment and mountain gear. You'll need moderate physical fitness and should bring your National Park ticket, which is not included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup or a point of your choice.
• certified local guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French.
• trekking poles.
• rain and mountain equipment.
• transportation between the four sites throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (30 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 21 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

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 34 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Pukao Moai Tours Rapa Nui

Is this one for you?The guide speaks your language and keeps the group small, so you get personal commentary on the archaeology and legends rather than a rushed overview. You'll need moderate fitness and good cardiovascular health for six to seven hours of walking and climbing through caves and quarries. This is not a casual stroll but an active exploration of the sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 21 years); Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6).

What is Puna Pau and why does it matter to understanding the moai?

Puna Pau is the quarry where the pukao, the red stone headdresses, were carved and shaped. Seeing the unfinished pieces still in the rock shows the scale of labor and skill that went into creating these symbols of status and power, and helps explain how the ancient Rapa Nui people built their most iconic monuments.

Why do the moai at Ahu Akivi face the ocean when most others face inward?

Ahu Akivi's seven moai are unique in facing the ocean. Legend says they represent the first explorers who arrived from the distant island of Hiva, bringing ancestral traditions to Rapa Nui, which is why they face outward toward the sea from which those ancestors came.

What makes Ana Kakenga different from Ana Te Pahu?

Ana Kakenga is a volcanic cave connected directly to the sea with two natural openings, earning it the name "Two-eyed Cave", where you can hear waves breaking against the underground walls and see light pouring through the openings. Ana Te Pahu is a massive inland cavern formed by lava flows that served as a refuge and water source, with marks left by ancient inhabitants on its walls.

Is the National Park ticket included in this tour?

No, you need to bring your own National Park ticket to enter the sites. The tour includes transportation, guidance, trekking poles, rain equipment and mountain gear, but entry to the park is separate.