DESTINATION GUIDE
Rapa Nui at a Glance
The most remote inhabited island on Earth — home to the enigmatic moai and a living Polynesian culture.
The most remote inhabited island on Earth, Rapa Nui is home to the enigmatic moai and a living Polynesian culture. It’s a place apart — reached by a long flight, and unlike anywhere else in Chile.
Beyond the archaeological sites, Rapa Nui is a living island community, where Polynesian traditions continue through language, dance, and festival life alongside a landscape of volcanic craters, white-sand beaches, and dramatic Pacific coastline.
HIGHLIGHTS
The island’s essential sites
Ahu Tongariki
The island’s most iconic ceremonial platform, where fifteen restored moai stand facing inland against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Sunrise transforms this remarkable site into one of Rapa Nui’s most unforgettable experiences.
Rano Raraku
The volcanic quarry where nearly every moai on the island was carved. Hundreds of statues remain scattered across the crater’s slopes, offering a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship and unfinished legacy of the Rapa Nui civilization.
Ahu Akivi
Unlike most ceremonial platforms, the seven moai of Ahu Akivi stand inland and face the open ocean. Their precise astronomical alignment adds another layer of intrigue to one of the island’s most distinctive archaeological sites.
Ahu Tahai
Just outside Hanga Roa, this beautifully restored ceremonial complex features several ahu, including a moai with reconstructed coral eyes. It is widely regarded as the island’s finest location for sunset.
Rano Kau Crater
One of Easter Island’s most spectacular natural landmarks, this immense volcanic crater shelters a freshwater lake covered with floating reed islands, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and panoramic coastal views.
Orongo Ceremonial Village
Perched along the rim of Rano Kau, Orongo was the ceremonial center of the Birdman competition, one of the island’s most significant spiritual traditions. Its carefully restored stone dwellings overlook the Pacific and the offshore islets of Motu Nui, Motu Iti, and Motu Kao Kao.
Anakena Beach
A crescent of white coral sand and swaying palm trees that contrasts beautifully with the island’s volcanic landscape. Nearby, the restored platforms of Ahu Nau Nau and Ahu Ature Huki combine archaeological significance with one of Rapa Nui’s most inviting beaches.
Tapati Rapa Nui Festival
Held annually from late January to mid-February, Tapati Rapa Nui is the island’s most important cultural celebration — traditional sporting events, music, dance, body painting, canoe races, and ancestral ceremonies, culminating in the crowning of the festival queen. More than a festival, Tapati offers visitors an authentic opportunity to experience the living traditions, pride, and enduring cultural identity of the Rapa Nui people.
Experiences in this region
Multi-day journeys that feature Rapa Nui are designed privately, around your dates and interests. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll craft a proposal.
Suggested Itinerary
Rapa Nui is one of five regions woven into our Chile Grand Signature journey (13 days) — the flagship exploration spanning Santiago, wine country, the Atacama Desert, Easter Island, and Patagonia. Request a quote or tell us what you have in mind and we’ll craft a proposal.
From the Journal
Before you go
Practical guidance on when to visit, what to pack, and getting around is in Before You Travel.