A mere dot in the vast Pacific Ocean, Easter Island is a one-of-a-kind destination whose very remoteness lends it unmistakable authenticity and an aura of mystery. Explore Rapa Nui’s pink-sand beaches, its volcanic cones and windswept grasslands, and – of course – the monumental moai statues; over 1,000 of them bearing silent witness to a long-lost, complex society. 

Highlights 

Archaeology Sites  

Easter Island in and of itself is a huge open-air museum. Archaeological sites are scattered throughout the island and they give you an idea of what their culture and development was like, through their process of sculpting the stone to create the huge moai with its gigantic ceremonial platforms. 

Moais 

Moai means “statue” in Rapa Nui and they are monolithic human figures carved by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island between the years 1250 and 1500. Almost all moai have overly large heads, three-eighths the size of the whole statue. The production and transportation of the more than 900 statues is remarkable, considered a creative and physical feat. The tallest moai is almost 10 meters high and weighs 82 tonnes. 

Beaches 

Having high rocky cliffs and considering it’s not surrounded by huge beaches, it’s true that Easter Island has a distinct geography from other islands in the Polynesian Triangle. However, the small beaches that are there are certainly wonderful, especially Ovahe and Anakena. These two are both located just across from the village of Hanga Roa, making them quiet – and almost lonely – enclaves, where white coral and volcanic red rock have formed the soft sands that welcome travellers in search of rest and tranquility. 

Tapati Festival 

The Tapati Rapa Nui Festival is the most important cultural event on Easter Island, celebrated annually during the first half of February.  The festival has been transformed over time to become a tribute to the ancestral traditions of the Rapanui people, and is a unique occasion to relive, share and preserve the cultural identity of this fascinating corner of the planet. There is enormous participation from the island inhabitants in the Tapati Festival; everyone gets involved with pride and enthusiasm. That passion for their party is spread to visitors who are invited to participate in supporting one of the groups, living a unique and unforgettable experience. 

Excursions 

• Highlights of North & West: Visit Puna Pau, Rano Kau, Ahu Akivi 
• Rapa Nui Stargazing  
• Full-Day Anakena   
• Half-Day Orongo Ceremonial Village   
• Half-Day Ahu Akivi