4. Rapa Nui Highlights Program: 3 incredible tours to discover!
- Ahu Akivi Tour: Departure from your hotel on Easter Island to Ahu Akivi, one of the few platforms on the island where the moais face the ocean. These structures represent the seven explorers sent by King Hotu Matu'a before his colonization voyage. After this visit we will continue our journey to the site of Puna Pau, a small crater of red slag, a place where the Pukao, a kind of hat, was made. Finally, visit Ahu Uri Aurenga, which has a single statue and has the particularity of being oriented in the line of the winter solstice, marking not only the beginning of this season (tonga), but also the time of different taboos (prohibitions) that regulate fishing and other activities on the island. Astronomically it also faces east, aligned with two neighboring hills, and Maunga Mataengo and Maunga Tararaina, as well as 2 smaller Ahu nearby. - Half Day Orongo Departure from your hotel to the Vinapu sector, an archaeological site characterized by its large basalate roof tiles made to fit together in a similar way to the Inca constructions of Machu Pichu. We will continue to Rano Kau, a place where we will find a lake with small islands of reeds and lake with exuberant vegetation and micro fauna. Finally we will visit Orongo ceremonial village where the ceremony of the contest of the ceremony of the Birdman contest. - Full Day Anakena Departure from our hotel to the east of the island to visit the Ahu Vaihu and Akahanga, temples formed by platforms or stone altars where the Moais and the Pukaos (the hats or cofias of ancient times) are gathered. Continuing our trip, we will go to Rano Raraku, a volcanic crater formed by consolidated ash, which also contains a lagoon. The volcano has a historical significance for the island, since on its slopes were sculpted the Moais. Today, 397 of these impressive sculptures remain there. Next we will visit the Ahu, a ceremonial platform, the most amazing of the island. Ahu Tongariki has 15 huge moais. But in actually, it is Te Pito Kura that has the largest statue erected on an Ahu, the Moai Paro, 10 meters high and weighing 85 tons. Next to Te Pito Kura we will find a large spherical stone that is identified as the navel of the world: Te Pito o Te Henua. Finally, we will end the day resting at Anakena, the most popular beach on the island. In addition to its natural beauty, what makes it a unique beach is a row of moais that turn their backs to the sea. Anakena is definitely a unique landscape to enjoy before returning to our hotel.