Easter Island lies more than 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile, yet most travelers find the journey to see the archaeological sites of this unique volcanic Polynesian island completely worth it. Called Rapa Nui by native inhabitants, the island is the site of massive stone statues, called moai, that were carved in the 12th-17th centuries. The statues resemble human forms, with emphasis on the heads, standing up to 30 feet tall and weighing up to 90 tons. Explore one of the most remote inhabited islands on earth, see these spectacular statues with your own eyes, witness the dramatic scenery of Polynesia, and engage with big questions about civilization, climate change, and time during your visit to this fascinating destination. This itinerary serves as a sample of what is possible to see and do on Easter Island. You can arrange private excursions or join others in a small group. The order of the itinerary may vary upon booking.
On arrival at the Isla de Pascua Airport on Easter Island, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for overnight. Your charming hotel is located in the heart of Hanga Roa village surrounded by a lush garden just steps away from the cove, shops, and restaurant.
Meals
None
Lodging
Hotel O'Tai or similar
BDay 2Easter Island Exploration
In the morning, join a small group with an English-speaking guide to the volcano Rano Kau (approx 3.5 hours). From the top, enjoy a wonderful view of the sea, crater, and town of Hanga Roa. Visit the ceremonial site and village of Orongo, with 53 distinctive houses. Numerous petroglyphs can also be observed on the site. Then, transfer to the site of Vinapu, where some say the stones are reminiscent of Machu Picchu. Visit Ana Kai Tangata Cave and view its impressive cave paintings.
Return to the hotel around midday to rest and have lunch, then head out again to explore the Ahu Akivi area of the island. See the Tahai ceremonial site where the remains of the Rapa Nui culture at its height can be found. You will also see the ahu platform the area is named for, with seven restored moai, and the cave Ana Te Pahu, one of the largest in the island. End the day at the quarry of Puna Pau, where the Pukao (topknots of the moai) were carved. Return to the village for your overnight.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel O'Tai or similar
CDay 3Easter Island Exploration
After breakfast, head out on a full-day excursion to the Rano Raraku volcano and surroundings. Your journey begins on the southern coast of the island, at the archaeological un-restored site of Vaihu. After visiting the archaeological site of Akahanga, where the famous king Hotu Matua is supposedly buried, arrive at one of the most important and greatest attractions of Easter Island: Volcano Rano Raraku. Almost all the moai were carved in its quarries. In the crater, you can observe many moai still lying unfinished. Continue towards Ahu Tongariki, where 15 moai stand aligned, and finally arrive at Te Pito Kura, where you can admire the highest moai ever lifted on an ahu platform. The day ends at the beautiful beach of Anakena, with golden sand and bountiful palm trees. Return to your hotel for overnight.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel O'Tai or similar
DDay 4Easter Island at Leisure
You’ll spend the day as you like. Maybe you’d just like to sit back at the hotel among the peaceful surroundings, take a swim in the pool, or bask in the sun. For those looking for more active options, you can take a walk on the beach and swim in the ocean, do some snorkeling or diving, learn how to surf or paddleboard, see a traditional dance performance, do some horseback riding, or do more touring of the island – the possibilities are endless! Additional tours and activities can be booked in advance or with your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel O'Tai
EDay 5Depart Easter Island
You’ll be transferred to the airport in time to check-in for your onward flight.
Easter Island lies more than 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile, yet most travelers find the journey to see the archaeological sites of this unique volcanic Polynesian island completely worth it. Called Rapa Nui by native inhabitants, the island is the site of massive stone statues, called moai, that were carved in the 12th-17th centuries. The statues resemble human forms, with emphasis on the heads, standing up to 30 feet tall and weighing up to 90 tons. Explore one of the most remote inhabited islands on earth, see these spectacular statues with your own eyes, witness the dramatic scenery of Polynesia, and engage with big questions about civilization, climate change, and time during your visit to this fascinating destination. This itinerary serves as a sample of what is possible to see and do on Easter Island. You can arrange private excursions or join others in a small group. The order of the itinerary may vary upon booking.
On arrival at the Isla de Pascua Airport on Easter Island, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for overnight. Your charming hotel is located in the heart of Hanga Roa village surrounded by a lush garden just steps away from the cove, shops, and restaurant.
Meals
None
Lodging
Hotel O'Tai or similar
BDay 2Easter Island Exploration
In the morning, join a small group with an English-speaking guide to the volcano Rano Kau (approx 3.5 hours). From the top, enjoy a wonderful view of the sea, crater, and town of Hanga Roa. Visit the ceremonial site and village of Orongo, with 53 distinctive houses. Numerous petroglyphs can also be observed on the site. Then, transfer to the site of Vinapu, where some say the stones are reminiscent of Machu Picchu. Visit Ana Kai Tangata Cave and view its impressive cave paintings.
Return to the hotel around midday to rest and have lunch, then head out again to explore the Ahu Akivi area of the island. See the Tahai ceremonial site where the remains of the Rapa Nui culture at its height can be found. You will also see the ahu platform the area is named for, with seven restored moai, and the cave Ana Te Pahu, one of the largest in the island. End the day at the quarry of Puna Pau, where the Pukao (topknots of the moai) were carved. Return to the village for your overnight.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel O'Tai or similar
CDay 3Easter Island Exploration
After breakfast, head out on a full-day excursion to the Rano Raraku volcano and surroundings. Your journey begins on the southern coast of the island, at the archaeological un-restored site of Vaihu. After visiting the archaeological site of Akahanga, where the famous king Hotu Matua is supposedly buried, arrive at one of the most important and greatest attractions of Easter Island: Volcano Rano Raraku. Almost all the moai were carved in its quarries. In the crater, you can observe many moai still lying unfinished. Continue towards Ahu Tongariki, where 15 moai stand aligned, and finally arrive at Te Pito Kura, where you can admire the highest moai ever lifted on an ahu platform. The day ends at the beautiful beach of Anakena, with golden sand and bountiful palm trees. Return to your hotel for overnight.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel O'Tai or similar
DDay 4Easter Island at Leisure
You’ll spend the day as you like. Maybe you’d just like to sit back at the hotel among the peaceful surroundings, take a swim in the pool, or bask in the sun. For those looking for more active options, you can take a walk on the beach and swim in the ocean, do some snorkeling or diving, learn how to surf or paddleboard, see a traditional dance performance, do some horseback riding, or do more touring of the island – the possibilities are endless! Additional tours and activities can be booked in advance or with your hotel.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel O'Tai
EDay 5Depart Easter Island
You’ll be transferred to the airport in time to check-in for your onward flight.
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.
Comfort Level
Delightful
Activity Level
Active
Why Journeys International
Our purpose is to understand the journey you are on – not just the vacation you want to take – and to help you on your way.
We are here to help you plan the trip that will move you closer to your goals and help you fulfill your dreams.
We are here to help you plan a more inspiring, more provocative, more breathtaking, more transformational adventure.
We say “adventure” and not “trip” because, for us, a trip is just going someplace else, but an adventure is an experience that takes you someplace beyond your comfort zone – and therefore maximizes the potential for wonder, discovery, and potentially transformation.
Why trust Journeys to plan that kind of experience with you?
Journeys is an award-winning industry-leader with more than 40 years in business planning creative and thoughtful adventures in interesting places around the world
Our staff is professional and devoted, with adventure specialists in Ann Arbor and guides in the field who take pride in traveler satisfaction; many stay with us for decades
Our Ecological Code of Ethics has long stood as a model for others, and our Earth Preservation Fund puts our money where our mouth is
We go to the farthest corners of the earth – you’ll see some pretty remote destinations on our list, and if you want to challenge us with something new, we’ll likely be willing (though we’ll make sure you know if we’ve never experienced it firsthand)
We’re real people like you, starting with the real person who will answer the phone, right through the owner, Robin Pollak, who you can talk to any time you want (or even her parents, Joan & Will Weber, who started the company!)
We ask lots of questions and get to know you as well as possible to we can design the best experience for YOU
Your unique itinerary includes sites, accommodations, activities, and meetings with people hand selected for personal goals, passions, interests and abilities
Your personal adventure specialist stays with you from trip planning through departure to answer all your questions – promptly – and make sure every detail is handled so you are well prepared for your trip
Our partners on the ground in your destination will welcome you as a friend of a friend; we’ve been working with many of them for ages
We’re open and clear, and offer a complete picture of what you can expect while traveling. We don’t want to make an easy sale; we want to make an honest one.
24-hour emergency phone support while traveling
We’ll be excited to hear about the trip when you get back, and take all feedback seriously
Our travelers come back again and again, for five, ten, or more adventures — and they trust us enough to send their friends to us, too
We love what we do, and we love sharing our common passion with you.
