Welcome to Easter Island, one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world! While here, your closest neighbours are over 2,000 kilometres away on Pitcairn Islands. This Chilean island is perhaps best known for its over 900 moai, the monolith human figures carved between the years 1250 and 1500, created by the remarkable Rapa Nui people.

After transferring to your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Why not stroll through the nearby church and village, where you’ll have the opportunity to observe both Catholic and indigenous symbols and statues. Explore the close by local market and museum, rich in Rapa Nui artefacts and culture.

Today you’ll dive into the fascinating history of the Rapa Nui people. Begin your tour heading south along the coast to Hanga Te’e, enjoying the amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and the black volcanic rocks that jut out from the shoreline along the way. Here, you’ll be able to see a variety of toppled moai at the Ahu Vaihu.

From Hanga Te’e you’ll continue to Rano Raraku, the volcanic quarry that supplied about 95% of the stone used to carve the island’s iconic statues. The site still houses some 400 moai, which remain in varying stages of completion. Savour a boxed lunch here among the quarry and its moai population. Keep in mind that these statues average a height of 3.9 metres (the tallest was 10 metres) and a weight of 12 tonnes (the heaviest was 86 tonnes), making their transport across the island a true mystery.

After lunch, visit Ahu Tongariki, the largest ahu (stone platform) on the island. Though its moai were toppled during civil wars and the platform swept inland by a tsunami, it has been restored with 15 moai, including the heaviest ever erected at 86 tonnes. From here you’ll head east to the ‘Navel of the World’, named so for its large round stone, which was brought to the island by Hota Matu’a, the first settler and king of the Rapa Nui, from his homeland of Hiva, or so the legend goes.

Conclude the day with some relaxation at Anakena Beach, where powdery white sand, coconut palms and warm waters create the perfect tropical escape.

Today is filled with history, culture and breathtaking sights! Begin your morning with a drive up to the extinct volcano Rano Kau, where stunning panoramic views of the entire island await.

Continuing on to the ceremonial village of Orongo, you will learn about the fascinating birdman cult. This perilous annual ritual involved contestants sending proxies to obtain the first sooty tern egg of the season from the islet of Moto Nui, with some tragically lost to sharks, drowning and fatal falls from cliffs. To finish off the morning you’ll make your way back down the volcano to the Ahu Vinapu, here you’ll admire the interesting stonemasonry before exploring a cave adorned with wall paintings nearby.

This afternoon, you will travel to the inland Ahu Akivi, featuring seven re-erected moai. Legend has it that these moai represent the seven explorers sent to Rapa Nui by the late king Hotu Matu’a. Your journey continues to Hanga Poukura, an extraordinary site where many tumbled moai statues and scattered pukaos (carved chieftain topknots) can be found. The pukaos were carved from a lighter, red-coloured volcanic rock called ‘red scoria’, found in the quarry of Puna Pau a short drive away.

Your last visit of the day will take you to the ceremonial site of Tahai, which boasts three ahus, restored moai, remains of boathouses and a boat ramp.

Today marks the end of your adventure across Easter Island, exploring the ancient and fascinating Rapa Nui. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!