Moai Rise and Fall: Full Day Private Tour

5.0 (3 reviews) 5–8 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

3 reviews

5.0

Ahu Tongariki, the biggest ceremonial monument in Polynesia. One of the key sites in RPS' Moai Rise and Fall full day field trip — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Moai Hinariru at Rano Raraku. The quarry of the statues is another key site during our RPS' Moai Rise and Fall full day field trip — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Moai Rise and Fall: Full Day Private Tour is an archaeological field trip that explores the meaning, inception, creation and destruction of the megalithic statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). By visiting several key sites and taking our time on each one, we shed light on the enigmas of the moai, bringing their story to life through the insights of a local expert.

This experience is especially tailored towards travelers that want to spend a bit more time on each archaeological site and appreciate each archaeological feature. Our day tours are thematically focused towards specific periods and topics of Rapa Nui's history. However, they can still be customized to our travelers' special interests.

Private service only.

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At a glance

Duration: 5–8 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–4
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Rapanui Pioneers Society (RPS)

Ages: Children (6–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–64 years) · Seniors (65–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private transportation
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle

Not included

Not included: National Park Ticket is required to take this field trip.

Itinerary

Ahu Tahai

one hour

Extensive visite to the Tahai Archaeological Complex for a thorough overview of Rapa Nui's ancient history as an introduction to the island's culture. Three monumental ahu and remains of several other archaeological structures can be found at the site. We also pay homage to American archaeologist William T. Mulloy visiting his memorial.
Ahu Vaihu

one hour

The ruins of a monumental ahu in the Vaihu district are a chilling memory of the fall of the moai. We offer a talk about the reasons for the fall, the modern myths about the collapse and how the ancient culture came to an end. There is also an interpretive center nearby with a functioning replica of an ancient micro-village.
Ahu Akahanga

40 min

A magnificent unrestored ceremonial center with more than a dozen fallen statues faces the remains of an ancient village.
Ahu Tongariki

1 h 30 min

Ahu Tongariki is the biggest ceremonial monument in Polynesia. Besides a thorough walk around the ahu, we visit the petroglyph site of Papa Tataku Poki in the same area, linked to detailed legends about warfare.
Rano Raraku

2 hours

A breathtaking monumental archaeological site, Rano Raraku was the birthplace of the moai. Near 400 attempts at moai remain there in different stages of the carving process. This place is also of significant geological and historical importance. This is an in-depth visit of every single feature of this place, including (if weather permits) the small caldera at the top.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Since we offer private tours exclusively, we will find our travelers at their preferred pickup spot.

End point

Since we offer private tours exclusively, we will find our travelers at their preferred pickup spot.

Pickup points

Taura'a Hotel
Hotel Tiare Pacific
Casa del mar Rapanui
Hotumatua
Kaimana Inn Hotel & Restaurant
La Casa De Hatirenga
Hotel Maea Hare Repa
Mana Nui Inn
O'tai Hotel
Hare Maea
Easter Island Eco Lodge
Hotel Taha Tai

and 17 more pickup points

We meet or pick up our travelers from any place in Hanga Roa urban area including the Mataveri International Airport (IPC) and major hotels, hostels, vacation homes, camping sites, downtown, etc.

Travelers need to have the National Park Ticket to enter most of the sites. Ticket not included.