Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience
From USD 90
Journey back in time to the world of the Polynesian voyagers with Easter Island’s only hands-on stargazing experience. Learn about the principles of basic astronomy, the history of Polynesian voyaging and settlement, navigational techniques and the archeo-astronomy of Rapa Nui. Head out to some of the island’s traditional observatory sites to gaze at the night sky on one of the most remote islands in the world, and view stars and constellations visible only in the Southern Hemisphere.
Your guide will point out stars and constellations of interest to the Polynesian navigators, relating some of the stories and legends that are tied to them, and explain techniques on how to find certain cardinal points of the traditional Polynesian compass by using the layout of the night sky. Look at the beauty of star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, stars and planets visible through our high-powered telescope before of heading to Anakena Beach* with the option of taking spectacular shots of the star-filled sky moai in the foreground. Finish the night with a hot beverage and a slice of local cake.
*We reserve the right to change the order of sites visited and/or the moai statue location due to weather.
8:45pm – Meet at our office located on the main street (Atamu Tekena)
8:50pm – Presentation on Polynesian history, navigation, basic astronomy and archeo-astronomy at the Green Island Tours office
9:20pm – Drive to observation site
9:50pm – Observation site – Set up telescope, general overview of sky layout, stars and constellations of significance
Coffee Break
10:00pm – Look at visible planets, nebulae, stars, and clusters through telescope and binoculars
10:50pm – Head to Anakena
11:10pm – Anakena – Option of night photography by the moai
12:00am – Head to Hanga Roa
12:30am – Drop off at accommodation
PLEASE NOTE –
The Rapa Nui Stargazing experience operates from Sunday to Thursday. Due to the nature of stargazing, there is always a possibility of cancellation due to cloud cover, rain or high winds. Green Island Tours reserves the right to postpone or cancel tours when atmospheric conditions are not conducive to stargazing. In such cases, a full refund will be offered. Customers have the right to cancellation up until an hour before the tour commences, after which the full payment will be required. Green Island Tours recommends that customers book the Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience on the first available night's stay on the island so that tours are able to be postponed to the following night if weather conditions are not suitable for stargazing on the date of booking. Rapa Nui Stargazing also needs a minimum of 4 people to run the tour. Although this is generally not a problem we may have to cancel or move dates of tours which do not meet the minimum number of people required. In such case, a full refund will be given.
As sunset times change significantly throughout the year, start time and drop off may change depending on the time of year you make your booking. Green Island Tours will contact you regarding the start time on the lead up to your tour. (In mid-summer, tours generally run from 8:30PM-00:30AM, in mid-winter, from 7:30PM - 23:30PM)
The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience includes –
- A short presentation on basic astronomy, Polynesian navigation, and archeo-astronomy
- General stargazing and explanation on navigational techniques at a remote observation site
- Telescope observation of various stars, planets, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies
- Options for night photography at Anakena Beach (or another moai platform)
- Use of a red-light night vision headlamp
- Hot beverage and slice of local cake
- Maximum of twelve people per guide
- Drop off back to your accommodation after the tour
- Duration - 4 hours
Things to bring –
- Warm clothing
- Adequate footwear
- Bottle of water
- Good digital camera for night photography (optional)
Route
- Green Island Tours
- Playa de Anakena
- Playa de Anakena