Category: Rapa Nui (Chile)

CULTURE, TRADITIONS and CEREMONIES OF EASTER ISLAND

Easter Island is located remotely in the Pacific Ocean and is famous for its enormous moai stone sculptures. This tour aims to showcase the island’s culture, traditions, and ceremonies.

Excursion Details

Lasting approximately 3 hours, this tour takes you from the pier to the ceremonial heart of Rapa Nui. The adventure begins with a bus transfer to Tahai, where you will see three restored ahus with moai statues including the only one with reinserted eyes. Also at this site, you will see an ancient launch ramp, the remains of a chicken coop (hare moa), traditional buildings (hare paenga), and a cave used as a shelter. Next, a group of local artists will provide a cultural immersion through takona body painting, storytelling with kai kai rope figures, and the powerful Hoko warrior dance. After this cultural immersion, a short drive takes you to Hanga Kio’e to see an ahu with moai and visit the local church. There, wooden sculptures emerge as an expression of the syncretism between ancestral and contemporary religious symbols. The tour ends with the return to the ship.

Important Information:

The price of the excursion includes the admission fee to Rapa Nui National Park. We inform guests that the buses are not air-conditioned. This excursion may have several departures during the ship’s stay in port. Please contact the shore excursion office on board for information on departure times. Wear comfortable shoes, as the site can be slippery in case of rain. As the trip can be bumpy and on uneven terrain, the tour is not recommended for guests with back or neck problems.

It is forbidden to touch the Mohais. Security is very strict: you may be fined by the local park rangers who control the area, so always follow your guide during the tour. We recommend that you bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. The tour is subject to weather conditions and may be canceled without notice and without similar options

HISTORY and MOAI OF EASTER ISLAND

Take a look at the iconic moai sculptures and other relics of ancient Rapa Nui life with a visit to the museum that will familiarize you with the history of Easter Island. This approximately 3-hour tour offers a fascinating encounter with one of the most remote places on the planet.

Excursion Details

Lasting approximately 3 hours, this tour offers a deep dive into the history and archaeology of Rapa Nui. After boarding at the pier and traveling to Hanga Piko, the first stop is Tahai, where you will find three restored ahus with moais (one of them with eyes), a ceremonial ramp, hare moa, hare paenga, and a cave shelter. There is also a museum on site that displays exhibits on the geography, history, geology, fauna, flora, and art of Rapa Nui with pieces such as tools, sculptures, and stone art.

The itinerary continues with a visit to Ahu Akivi, a platform with seven moais lined up facing the sea, symbols of ancestral connection and remarkable astronomical precision a rare and fascinating feature on the island. The tour culminates with a panoramic return to the ship, passing once again through emblematic landscapes. Admission to Rapa Nui National Park is included, but please note: the terrain is rough, the bus has no air conditioning, touching the moai is prohibited, and you must follow the guide. Wear appropriate clothing and protect yourself from the sun.

Important Information:

The price of the excursion includes the admission fee to Rapa Nui National Park. We inform guests that the buses are not air-conditioned. The excursion may be conducted more than once during the ship’s stay in port. This excursion may have multiple departures during the ship’s stay in port. Please contact the shore excursion office on board for information on departure times. As the trip can be bumpy and on uneven terrain, the tour is not recommended for guests with back or neck problems.

It is forbidden to touch the Mohais. Security is very strict: you may be fined by local park rangers who control the area, so always follow your guide during the tour. We recommend that you bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. The tour is subject to weather conditions and may be canceled without notice and without similar options

EASTER ISLAND MOAI and THE BIRDMAN CHALLENGE

Enormous stone figures, a fascinating culture, and incredible landscapes are part of the remote Easter Island.
Excursion Details

This excursion takes you to impressive settings and the heart of the ancient Rapa Nui culture. After a short bus ride, marvel at the panoramic views of the Rano Kau crater and the immense Pacific Ocean. Next, visit Orongo, an ancient ceremonial village where the legendary Birdman competition was held—in which competitors sought the first egg of the swallow-tailed gull on nearby islets and returned via challenging cliffs to deliver it to their sponsors.

Walking among dozens of restored stone houses and contemplating one of the largest collections of petroglyphs in the region, you will discover the mythical essence of this tradition. The tour then continues to Tahai, a ceremonial site with three restored ahus (one of which has had its eyes reinserted), an ancient chicken coop (hare moa), traditional dwellings (hare paenga), and a cave sanctuary. The return to the ship concludes this historical immersion.

Important Information:

The price of the excursion includes the admission fee to Rapa Nui National Park. We inform guests that the buses are not air-conditioned. Guests are advised to wear sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes. As the excursion involves travel over rough and uneven terrain, it is not suitable for people with limited mobility, neck or back problems, or wheelchair users. This excursion may have several departures during the ship’s stay in port.

Please contact the shore excursion office on board for information on departure times. It is forbidden to touch the Mohais. Security is very strict: you may be fined by the local forest rangers who control the area, so always follow your guide during the tour. Viewing the petroglyphs depends on sunlight. The tour is subject to weather conditions and may be canceled without notice and without similar options

MYSTICAL STATUES
The incredible moai sculptures that dot Easter Island are known throughout the world, and these three hours off the ship will take you to the main quarry of Rano Raraku, where most of these larger-than-life figures were carved from volcanic tuff stone.

Excursion Details

Explore the unique Rano Raraku quarry, where most of the iconic moai were carved directly from volcanic tuff. Several hundred of these monumental figures remain on the hillside, some still connected to the rock, as if awaiting their final destination — a ceremonial platform (ahu) Wikipedia. Then pass by one of the ahus where 15 moai have already been re-erected, demonstrating the grandeur of the work of the ancient inhabitants. The adventure continues to the quiet beach of Anakena, where Ahu Nau Nau, with five moai, and the emblematic Ature Huki — the first moai restored in modern times — await your visit. The return trip to the ship concludes this archaeological discovery.

Important Information:

The price of the excursion includes the admission fee to Rapa Nui National Park. We inform guests that the buses are not air-conditioned. Guests are advised to wear sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes. As the excursion involves travel over rough and uneven terrain, it is not suitable for people with limited mobility, neck or back problems, or wheelchair users.

This tour may have several departures during the ship’s stay in port. Please contact the shore excursion office on board for departure times. It is forbidden to touch the Mohais. Security is very strict: you may be fined by the local forest rangers who control the area, so always follow your guide during the tour. The tour is subject to weather conditions and may be canceled without notice and without similar options

AMAZING ANAKENA ON YOUR OWN

Enjoy your free time after a short transfer to a rare sandy beach and discover one of the most historic sites on Easter Island on this half-day excursion to the heart of Rapa Nui National Park.

Excursion Details

After the transfer, you will arrive at the legendary Anakena beach, with white sand, coconut trees, crystal clear waters, and ahus steeped in history where, according to oral traditions, Chief Hotu Matu’a landed with the first settlers and which later became a ceremonial center linked to the sacred Rongorongo tablets.

One of only two sandy beaches along the rocky coast, Anakena is blessed with crystal clear blue water, white sand, and coconut trees. In addition, it has several moai (the monumental statues for which Easter Island is famous), arranged in an ahu or traditional meeting place. Upon arrival at Anakena, you will be free to visit the Ahu Nao-Nao archaeological site, sunbathe, and swim.

Important Information:

The price of the excursion includes the admission fee to Rapa Nui National Park. The site has a remote infrastructure, with few restaurants and limited access to restrooms. US dollars and Chilean pesos are accepted. Guests who wish to swim should bring swimwear and a towel. This tour may have several departures during the day. Once on board, please contact the onboard tour office on shore for information on the exact departure time.

As the route can be rough and unpaved, the tour is not recommended for guests with back or neck problems. The deserted beach is a local public area where there are no sun loungers or parasols available for hire, and we recommend that you bring water, sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses. There are no changing rooms or showers available on the beach. The tour is subject to weather conditions and may be canceled without prior notice and without similar options

EASTER ISLAND DISCOVERY WALKING TOUR

Discover Rapa Nui on foot, on a tour full of history, culture, and fascinating landscapes!

Excursion Details

Starting your journey by walking directly from the pier, follow the coast to the island’s commercial center, then continue past archaeological sites, a fishing village, and finally the cemetery and ceremonial complex of Tahai, the site of what is likely the island’s first settlement. On the way back, you will have time to browse for souvenirs at the local craft market.

Important Information:

The tour price includes the admission fee to Rapa Nui National Park. The walking distance is approximately 3 km each way. Guests are advised to wear comfortable shoes and a hat. The order of stops and visits may vary without prior notice. We recommend bringing water, as well as sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. At the local craft market, guests can pay with local currency or US dollars, but in this case, change may be given in local currency. The tour is subject to weather conditions and may be cancelled without prior notice and without similar options

EASTER ISLAND TEREVAKA HIKING

Climb to the top of Rapa Nui — a 360° adventure under the sky!

Excursion Details

This tour requires physical fitness: lasting approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes, it begins with a transfer from the village of Hanga Roa to the remains of the old sheep farm in Vai Tea, where the trail begins, climbing almost 500 meters to the top of the Terevaka volcano, the youngest on the island. From here, enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the coast, connected to the vastness of the Pacific. After a moment of contemplation and rest, the descent continues to Ahu Akivi, where seven majestic moai statues face the sea and the sunset. The support vehicle will return you to the port.

Important Information:

The price of the excursion includes the entrance fee to Rapa Nui National Park. Please note that the buses are not air-conditioned. The excursion can be taken more than once during the ship’s stay in port. Guides in languages other than Spanish/English are limited. If a tour guide in your language is not available, the excursion will be conducted in Spanish or English only.

Guests are advised to bring water and wear sunglasses, a hat, high factor sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes. The tour is subject to weather conditions and may be canceled without prior notice and without similar options.