Moai Monuments Tour
From USD 320
Uncover the secrets of Easter Island by piecing together the many clues given to us by the gigantic sculpted megaliths that cover this mysterious land. Start the journey by visiting the ahu platforms at Tahai, where the clear morning light brings alive the moai that look over this restored ancestral village of the Rapanui people. Visit the ruins of the fallen moai at Ahu Akahanga, where three platforms sit untouched since the Rapanui turned on the traditions of their ancestors and began toppling the moai. Stand in awe at the restored site of Ahu Tongariki, where fifteen stone giants stand watch over the land as silent sentinels, dwarfing all who come into their presence.
Spend a bulk of the afternoon absorbing the grandeur of the moai that sit half emerged from the soil Rano Raraku, the volcano crater that acted as a stone quarry and birthplace for these immense figures. Visit Ahu Te Pito Kura, the site of the largest moai to ever stand on an ahu, and see the legendary magnetic stone that according to island history, was brought to Easter Island from the original Polynesian homeland of Hiva by the first king, Hotu Matuʻa. Finish the day taking in the coconut palms, turquoise water and white sand at Anakena Beach, and gazing upon the post-modernist style moai of Ahu Nau Nau.
This excursion can be done as a private tour, or as a small group tour.
The Moai Monuments small group tour runs on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from November to April. Tours are for a minimum of two and a maximum of ten people. The maximum number of languages spoken on the tour will be two (usually English or Spanish). Pick up from your lodgings is between 9:30AM-10:00AM.
Lunch is not included in the tour unless specified in the booking section, but there is an opportunity to buy refreshments from the café at Rano Raraku.
Tahai - The clear morning light is great in the morning for capturing images of the three restored ahu platforms, and for exploring the restored village of the ancient islanders which gives us information on the religious rites and customs which made up every day life.
Ahu Akahanga - One of the largest archeological complexes on the island, Ahu Akahanga is an unrestored conglomerate of three ahu platforms sitting as they have been for over two hundred years since the islanders turned on the traditions of their ancestors and began toppling the hundreds of moai found throughout the island.
Ahu Tongariki - Restored between 1992 and 1996, this is the most awe inspiring of the various platforms. Here, fifteen of the largest moai set their stone faces like flint, looking eternally toward the setting of the sun, as well and the comparatively insignificant tourists who come to pay them homage.
LUNCH - Refreshments are available for purchase at the café at Rano Raraku.
Rano Raraku - This is the birthplace of the moai, a virtual quarry of statues. Here, hundreds of handsome heads and torsos sit in various stages of carving, still waiting to be transported to their various ahu located all over the island.
Ahu Te Pito Kura - At ten metres tall, here lies one of the tallest moai ever to be erected, now but a vestige of its former glory. Nearby sits the famous magnetic circular stone which legend says came to Easter Island from the ancient homeland of Hiva with the first king, Hotu Matuʻa.
Anakena Beach/Ahu Nau Nau - Anakena beach belonged to the royal family in ancient times, and it is easy to see why. With its crystalline water, white sand, coconut palms and royal moai, it truly is one of a kind.
- Tahai
- Ahu Akahanga
- Ahu Tongariki
- Rano Raraku
- Ahu Te Pito Kura
- Anakena Beach/Ahu Nau Nau
- Duration - Approximately seven hours
- Pick up from accomodation is between 9:30AM and 10:00AM for Small Group Tours, and at 10:00AM for Private Tours.
- Please note that we reserve the right to change the order of the sites visited depending on preference of the guests, weather and other factors.
Route
- Tahai
- Ahu Akahanga
- Ahu Tongariki
- Rano Raraku
- Ahu Te Pito Kura
- Anakena Beach/Ahu Nau Nau