Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.
Overview
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned van or bus
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Ahu Tahai, Rapa Nui, Easter Island Chile
Rapa Nui National Park, a wildlife sanctuary spread across most of Easter Island and a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains about 900 moai sculptures as well as 300 ahu, or ceremonial platforms, on which the carved figures stand. Sculpted from solidified volcanic ash, these statues are believed to represent the spirits of ancestors and high-ranking members of each tribe.
After hotel pickup from Hanga Roa, travel south with your guide into the park to Ahu Tahai, a ceremonial platform that has a unique moai, a stone giant that stands alone, but which is protected by its more than 4 meters high and its imposing figure.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Puna Pau, Hanga Roa, Easter Island Chile
Continue north to Puna Pau to see how some moai sport a different look. You'll notice they have pukao, or topknots made out of red scoria on their heads. It's believed the volcanic rock was used to impress rival tribes. Roughly 30 pukao are located in or near the Puna Pau quarry, the source of the red scoria.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Ahu Akivi, Easter Island Chile
Then head to Ahu Akivi, where you’ll see a line of seven moai looking out toward the ocean. The moai here each stand 16 feet (5 meters) tall and weigh about 18 tons (16 metric tons). What's mysterious about these sea-facing figures? It's an unusual sight considering the other ahu moai stand with their backs against the water.
One theory behind their unusual position: These moai symbolize the seven explorers from the Polynesian homeland of Hiva sent by the chief to find the island of Rapa Nui. According to this hypothesis, these statues face the ocean in the direction they came from.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Ahu Huri a Urenga, Pia Taro, Easter Island Chile
Our last point will be The -Ahu Huri a Urenga- one of the 25 platforms that are not on the coast, but in the interior of the island and corresponds to an agricultural area, human settlements.
After your engaging exploration of ahu moai, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
Duration: 45 minutes
Additional information
- Remember that this excursion is not a private tour
- It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring water and snacks
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Note: Port pickup is not available
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
The tour guide was not friendly at all when I ask him the same questions he mentioned and felt irritated.
The tour guide was not friendly at all when I ask him the same questions he mentioned and felt irritated.
Excellent tour, the ship had to land on the other side of island but still the tour bus met us. Did not charge any park entrance fee and an excellent multilingual guide.
Excellent tour, the ship had to land on the other side of island but still the tour bus met us. Did not charge any park entrance fee and an excellent multilingual guide.
The Moais are all over the island, but the guided tour was the best we could have done. My only regret was that I didn't book the full day.
Awesome experience. My girls loved it and want to return to Easter Island for Christmas again.
The Moais are all over the island, but the guided tour was the best we could have done. My only regret was that I didn't book the full day.
Awesome experience. My girls loved it and want to return to Easter Island for Christmas again.
This is one for those with more time on the Island or are keen on the building of the statues and platforms. It visits the one showing similarities with Inca stone work, The top Knot Quarry and the Inland site where the Moai look towards the sea.
This is one for those with more time on the Island or are keen on the building of the statues and platforms. It visits the one showing similarities with Inca stone work, The top Knot Quarry and the Inland site where the Moai look towards the sea.
We really enjoyed our archaeology tour. We learned much about the archaeological and historic sights of the island, and our guide was excellent at answering all of our many questions. She also answered many of our questions pertaining to the modern history of the island and the current state of a...
We really enjoyed our archaeology tour. We learned much about the archaeological and historic sights of the island, and our guide was excellent at answering all of our many questions. She also answered many of our questions pertaining to the modern history of the island and the current state of archaeology and social issues. Would recommend.If you have limited time, a half day tour could give you a glimpse of this great place. Daniela, our tour guide, was excellent, patient, answered all our questions and was great overall. Couldn’t recommend her more!
If you have limited time, a half day tour could give you a glimpse of this great place. Daniela, our tour guide, was excellent, patient, answered all our questions and was great overall. Couldn’t recommend her more!