Journey of the Ancestors: Tongariki, Rano Raraku & Anakena Beach
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Hanga Roa, Chile
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Discover the dramatic beauty and rich history of Easter Island without having to navigate rugged roads on this full-day tour from Hanga Roa. Admire an intriguing tableau of iconic ‘moai’ sculptures with an archaeologist guide who can provide deeper insight than you'd get alone. Explore the volcanic slopes and dramatic quarry of Rano Raraku and marvel at the sacred ceremonial sites in Ahu Akahanga.
- Insight from your guide adds context to what you see
- See a side to Easter island that most travelers miss
- Check off plenty of top sights in one convenient tour
- Learn Rapa Nui history and walk among hundreds of moai
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned van
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Entrance fee to Rapa Nui National Park
- Entrance fee to the Moai sites
- Transfers from the pier
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
The pick up is included from your Hotel located in the Rapa Nui urban zone, Hanga Roa. If your Hotel is too far away from the pick up zone, we will be letting you know the meeting point for the excursion.
Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
Depart from your Hanga Roa hotel to begin your journey into the heart of Easter Island’s historical legacy. Venture to Ahu Akahanga in an air-conditioned minivan alongside your accomplished archeologist guide; explore the enthralling grounds, visiting the 59-foot (18-meter) platform to discover a dozen moai statues and the reputed burial ground of King Hoto Matu’a.
After thorough exploration of the curious scene, follow the curvaceous coastline to Ahu Tongariki, the island’s largest ceremonial site. Marvel at the prominent postures of the 15 maoi sculptures, learning about the violent tsunami that almost destroyed the site in 1960.
Next, venture inland to the visionary volcanic slopes of Rao Raraku to appreciate the rugged beauty and selection of sculptures. Enjoy an exhilarating hike into the stone pit of the quarry, observing the partially buried torsos and protruding heads of over 300 statues.
Pleasure your palate with a flavorsome and fulfilling barbeque lunch on inviting grassland, savoring the rich flavors of grilled chicken, fresh fish, crispy salad and fluffy rice. Revitalized, head to the renowned site of Ahu Te Pito Kura to see the largest moai statue ever erected; marvel at the 33-foot (9.8-meter) tall sculpture that weighs 82 tons (74 metric tons) and become intrigued as our guide firects your attention to a round magnetic stone, referred to as the ‘navel of the world.’
Arrive at your final stop of Anakena after a short and scenic drive; admire the series of vibrant statues before relaxing upon the silken sands of the beautiful beach. Swim in the crystal clear waters and appreciate the vibrant red of the volcanic rocks before returning to your hotel in the comfortable minivan.
After thorough exploration of the curious scene, follow the curvaceous coastline to Ahu Tongariki, the island’s largest ceremonial site. Marvel at the prominent postures of the 15 maoi sculptures, learning about the violent tsunami that almost destroyed the site in 1960.
Next, venture inland to the visionary volcanic slopes of Rao Raraku to appreciate the rugged beauty and selection of sculptures. Enjoy an exhilarating hike into the stone pit of the quarry, observing the partially buried torsos and protruding heads of over 300 statues.
Pleasure your palate with a flavorsome and fulfilling barbeque lunch on inviting grassland, savoring the rich flavors of grilled chicken, fresh fish, crispy salad and fluffy rice. Revitalized, head to the renowned site of Ahu Te Pito Kura to see the largest moai statue ever erected; marvel at the 33-foot (9.8-meter) tall sculpture that weighs 82 tons (74 metric tons) and become intrigued as our guide firects your attention to a round magnetic stone, referred to as the ‘navel of the world.’
Arrive at your final stop of Anakena after a short and scenic drive; admire the series of vibrant statues before relaxing upon the silken sands of the beautiful beach. Swim in the crystal clear waters and appreciate the vibrant red of the volcanic rocks before returning to your hotel in the comfortable minivan.
1
Ahu Tongariki
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Rano Raraku
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Anakena Beach
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- It is recommended that you wear a bathing suit and bring a towel, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Note: Port pickup is not available. This tour is not suitable for passengers coming by cruise.
- Remember that this excursion isn't a private tour
- Entrance Fee Information Rapa Nui National Park Passengers traveling to Easter Island are required to pay an entrance fee of USD 100 to visit the Rapa Nui National Park. The ticket can be purchased: - Upon arrival at the CONAF Office inside Mataveri Airport, or - Online in advance through the official website. The entrance fee is valid for 10 consecutive days from the date of purchase and must be presented when visiting archaeological sites during our tours. We recommend purchasing the ticket with the date of your first tour, so you can make the most of the 10-day validity period. Please remember to download the ticket to your phone or carry a printed copy, as internet access is limited in most tourist areas of the island
- Excursions can be modified by weather conditions
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 70 reviews
nancy_t, Jan 2026
It was well presented and very informative.
It hit the highlights of Rapa Nui.
Jose, was very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind review! 😊
We’re delighted to hear that the tour was well presented, informative, and covered the highlights of Rapa Nui. It’s wonderful to know that Jose’s knowledge made the experience even more enjoyable. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again!
Brian_S, Nov 2025
Very good tour driver and guide very professional friendly and caring daw major sights lunch was good well worth doing. The van was very old no ac no lights no charge points but it worked lol
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your review!
We’re glad you enjoyed the tour, the sights, and the professionalism of our driver and guide.
Thank you as well for your comments about the van, we’re working on improving our vehicles for greater comfort.
We hope to see you again on a better and smoother experience!
Mark_H, Aug 2025
Great time and history from Hugo. He was wonderful. Such an amazing fulfillment of a dream and Hugo added the context.Thank you again.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad Hugo made your experience memorable and special.
Maria_S, Aug 2025
This tour was perfect! Everything was set up perfectly. We had enough time for each place to appreciate the sites and get as many pictures as we wanted/needed. The guide and driver were both super kind and knowledgeable! Highly recommend
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! 🌟 We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that everything met your expectations. It’s great to know you had enough time to explore, take photos, and truly appreciate each stop. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our guide and driver, who will be very happy to know they made your experience even more memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Colette_M, Jun 2025
Loved this tour. Our guide, Javi, did a great job giving information in both Spanish and English. Javi’s passion for sharing the history of Rapa Nui is evident. I felt like we really got great value for our money, as we got as close as you can get to the Moai. We were picked up and dropped off at our hotel and our lunch was at a nice location with a great view of the moai on the hill. I’d highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation!
We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Javi made the experience memorable with his knowledge and passion for Rapa Nui’s history. It’s great to know that the logistics, lunch, and especially the close-up views of the Moai added value to your day.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable adventure.
Warm regards,
Marelvys Rangel
Gopal_S, Jun 2025
Very nice and caring tour guide. The hotel pick and drop off were on time.
The day activities were organised well.
We enjoyed the tour very much.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for choosing our services and for taking the time to share your experience!
We’re truly grateful you joined us and hope you had an unforgettable time. Your feedback means a lot to us and helps us continue improving. We’d love to welcome you again in the future for another adventure!
Morleen_R, May 2025
I've taken many Viator tours. I can say they have never disappointed like this one. First of all, it was twice the normal price for an 8 hr tour. Viator's markup was way beyond reasonable. Not really for English speaking travelers. Felt like outsider. I realize Rapa Nui does not have the same level of customer service infrastructure as a city like London, but this missed the basics like water for clients in van and capable English speaking guide.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
We’re truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback, which helps us identify where we can improve. We regret that the tour fell short in terms of comfort and communication, and that you felt excluded as an English-speaking guest. That is certainly not the experience we aim to provide.
While Rapa Nui presents unique logistical and service challenges due to its remote location, we are committed to continuously improving our service and ensuring that all our guests feel welcomed and well cared for. Your comments regarding language support and basic amenities like water onboard have been noted and will be addressed with our team.
Thank you again for your honesty—we hope to have the opportunity to offer you a better experience in the future.
Sincerely,
Marelvys Rangel
Keith_H, Apr 2025
Top tour . You get to see nearly everything you need in one day . Fantastic places and enough time at each place not rushed
Gonzalo_M, Feb 2025
This tour covered all the highlights and provided a great historical overview and cultural context. Uka did a fabulous job!
Stuart_N, Feb 2025
Our guide, Ora (unfortunately I did not get the correct spelling of her name) was excellent. She consistently gave explanations in both Spanish and English. Her English was good. She also answered all our questions, while adding a bit of the Rapa Nui cultural viewpoint. This tour requires a good deal of climbing as well as walking on rocky terrain. Transport van was comfortable and could easily carry 12 people, our tour group consisted of 5 adults and 1 toddler. Lunch was provided and was tasty, with a choice of beef, chicken or salmon plus a drink. Despite the rain, the tour continued to all projected stops. Our last stop at the beach would have been magnificent had the sun been out instead of the torrential downpour we faced. Pickup was at 9:30 am and we got back at 5 pm.
Good value for money, hits all the main spots, along with a good lunch and a knowledgeable and very personable guide. I would recommend
Quacea_G, Jan 2025
Wonderful experience. I enjoyed learning about the history and culture of Easter island along with the Moai stones.
Deborah_D, Jan 2025
Jaime picked us up at the hotel. He was kind, patient, informative, and knowledgeable about the Moai culture and civilizations. We were able to see quite a bit of Rapa Nui parks in one day.Highly recommend.
Ally_B, Jan 2025
Excellent full day tour which covered many main sites on the island with a very informative guide. The guide was superb, very knowledgeable with excellent local knowledge.
Mark_W, Nov 2024
Very special day seeing the Moai. Our guide was kind and helpful throughout the day, we enjoyed the experience and would recommend.
There are bathroom/ toilet stops along the way (at 2 of the stops).
In hindsight I wish I’d booked the two day tour trip.
Cecilia_M, Nov 2024
The itinerary covered “must” see places in Easter Island if you have only one day. Then follow with other places. The itinerary/what’s included did not state that lunch was included. I wondered at first because I paid twice as much as other people in the tour. I learned after I ordered when tour guide called my name at restaurant after Rana Raraku.
Overall the transportation was good and comfortable. Tour guide did both Spanish and English but sometimes he skipped ttanslating to English.
Also, why other tours start at the same time so it gets crowded with the group tours in one place. Can they stagger the start time so we are not in each other’s photos?
robert_s, May 2024
This was an all-day tour of the Island's most interesting and memorable sites, from the quarry to the giant statues along the coast. It was a small group adventure and our guide gave the presentation in both English and Spanish, as we were a mixed group.
teresa_h, Apr 2024
Migeul was a terrific tour guide. He made the tour fun and informative. He is a credit to tour guides and Easter Island!!!
Linda_H, Mar 2024
The quarry site is amazing. It is beautiful and awe inspiring. Pick-up and drop~off was convenient and the luncheon food was bountiful. The guide’s English and historical knowledge was inferior.
blakleyadams, Mar 2024
Overall it was a great day. The pace was much slower than we would have preferred. I would have liked to have spent less time at the recreated villages so we could have more time at the Quarry and the beach. Lunch was fantastic!
Anonymous, Jan 2024
Loved this tour, and the tour guide Daniella, was both knowledgeable and fun to be around. Lunch was far more than we expected- it was excellent! Daniella was great- she went above and beyond to show us all of the landmarks and provide information. She even helped me find and pick out quality souvenirs!
Fang_L, Dec 2023
Loved the tour guide Vincent who is knowledgeable about the history and the culture of Rapa Nui people, enjoyed the lunch.
Isabel_M, Dec 2023
We had a Master Carver who was able to provide more detail on the culture. The 15 Moai were amazing. Would recommend this tour to everyone.
Tatiana_M, Feb 2020
Our guide had great energy and patiently shared stories about Rapa Nui history in both perfect English and Spanish. This tour is a lovely way to get an overview of the island's must-see sights.
hughpahlow, Feb 2020
We enjoyed the fact that this tour was a small group in just one 8 seater van. It was personalised and the guide made us feel very comfortable. Information shared on the your was insightful and guide had a intimate knowledge of the Rapa Nui people. Weather was not on our side for that day sadly as it was raining
terri_N, Dec 2019
If you want to see all the highlights and learn about the history of Easter Island. This is a great tour! The guide was super knowledgeable and I feel like I not only saw a lot of the island, but I also learned history that I'm not able to read about in a book. I would totally recommend this tour to anyone visiting the island.
Francisco_H, Dec 2019
Our tour guide, Daniela, was knowledgeable, friendly, and even went out of her way to get to places we might’ve not seen. Most importantly, she kept my daughter interested and engaged, which I appreciated a lot.
Thank you!
dan s, Oct 2019
Great Tour!
Very nice organised, punctual, lunch was wonderful, the guide had lots of knowledge regarding traditions of the Rapa Nui people and also about the island itself.
Eacata G, Jul 2018
If you have very limited time on the island and are really only interested in going to X site and taking pictures before moving on to the next site, then this is a great tour. The tour visits some amazing places and there is time to take pictures but that's about it. The tour is very perfunctory, with the guide/driver requiring everyone to stand in specific places while he recited the required information before moving on to the next spot. It was clearly all from a script - when I asked a question about a site that we passed that we were not visiting, I was told that it wasn't relevant for the tour. There is no time to really explore most of the sites that are visited and a lot of time is wasted trotting behind the guide as he walked to the next lecture point. The lunch was OK but definitely not worth the increased costs. And given that it was winter, stopping at the beach for almost 2 hours was a big waste of time, especially since we had just had lunch and so you couldn't even use up time by having lunch. Not worth the price and there are better tours out there - look up Easter Island Tours instead.
Ljiljana P, Mar 2018
This was one of the best tour I have done. Very well organaised, very informative with very friendly group.
Guide was great and answered all questions any pf us asked about Rapa Nui people and their history.!!!
Ljiljana
Shelly H, Feb 2018
I had great hopes for this tour with a driver and a local Rapa Nui guide. It turned out to be minimal information/photo stops. The tour was conducted in Spanish and English. When the Spanish speaking folks asked a question, they got a lengthy answer which was never translated for the English speaking folks. The stop at the beach and the lunch were great. This was a third day tour for me so I knew we weren't getting a lot of information. It is a nice tour if you have only one day to see the highlights.
From $142.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Journey of the Ancestors: Tongariki, Rano Raraku & Anakena Beach
70
8 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$142.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Hanga Roa, Chile
More attractions near Hanga Roa, Chile