Orongo, Ahu Vinapu and Rano Kau Half Day Tour
Overview
Discover archaeological wonders on the southwestern coast of Easter Island on this half-day tour, including The ceremonial center of Vinapú includes one of the largest ahu in Rapa Nui. This ceremonial center has an extraordinary platform, which stands out for having an architectural structure composed of large slabs carefully wedged, similar to the Inca constructions of Cusco. The cave paintings of Ana Kai Tangata and the stone masonry homes of Orongo village. Watch the waves crashing against cliffs while you imagine the history of the place, and admire the crater lake near the inactive Rano Kau volcano. As you explore, learn about Rapa Nui culture and the legends surrounding the mysterious birdmen. Pickup and drop-off from Hanga Roa hotels are included.
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned van or bus
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Ahu Vinapu, Easter Island Chile
After hotel pickup in Hanga Roa, you're driven to the Ahu Vinapu ceremonial complex. The ceremonial center of Vinapú includes one of the largest ahu in Rapa Nui. This ceremonial center has an extraordinary platform, which stands out for having an architectural structure composed of large slabs carefully wedged, similar to the Inca constructions of Cusco.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ana Kai Tanata, Easter Island, Valparaíso, Chile
Then re-board the minivan and travel south to Ana Kai Tangata, a cave along the coast.The only cave on the island to contain ancient pictures, many believe this location served as the starting point of the annual Tangata Manu ritual practiced until around 1800. As you listen to the rhythmic crashing of the surf against the cliffs and hear ancient legends, imagine the men selected from each tribe leaping from the cave and swimming toward the islet of Motu Nui to collect the first egg laid by a sooty tern. Many drowned or were killed by sharks. The first man to return with the egg was rewarded with riches for his tribe for the rest of the year.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Rano Kau, Easter Island Chile
Leave the cave and set sights on the Rano Kau volcano and its crater lake. Capture this dramatic landscape from three different vantage points before your guide takes you to the village of Orongo at the southern tip of the island
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Orongo, Easter Island Chile
Orongo contains 54 restored oval-shaped houses constructed out of slabs of shale, each with a small square entryway overlooking the ocean. Note the abundance of birdmen petroglyphs here, and learn about the site's use as a ceremonial center for birdmen rites between 1600 and 1866.
After your guide's introduction to village lore and legend, spend a little over an hour exploring the site on your own before transport back to your hotel.
Duration: 1 hour
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Ahu Vinapu, Easter Island Chile
After hotel pickup in Hanga Roa, you're driven to the Ahu Vinapu ceremonial complex. The ceremonial center of Vinapú includes one of the largest ahu in Rapa Nui. This ceremonial center has an extraordinary platform, which stands out for having an architectural structure composed of large slabs carefully wedged, similar to the Inca constructions of Cusco.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ana Kai Tanata, Easter Island, Valparaíso, Chile
Then re-board the minivan and travel south to Ana Kai Tangata, a cave along the coast.The only cave on the island to contain ancient pictures, many believe this location served as the starting point of the annual Tangata Manu ritual practiced until around 1800. As you listen to the rhythmic crashing of the surf against the cliffs and hear ancient legends, imagine the men selected from each tribe leaping from the cave and swimming toward the islet of Motu Nui to collect the first egg laid by a sooty tern. Many drowned or were killed by sharks. The first man to return with the egg was rewarded with riches for his tribe for the rest of the year.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Rano Kau, Easter Island Chile
Leave the cave and set sights on the Rano Kau volcano and its crater lake. Capture this dramatic landscape from three different vantage points before your guide takes you to the village of Orongo at the southern tip of the island
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Orongo, Easter Island Chile
Orongo contains 54 restored oval-shaped houses constructed out of slabs of shale, each with a small square entryway overlooking the ocean. Note the abundance of birdmen petroglyphs here, and learn about the site's use as a ceremonial center for birdmen rites between 1600 and 1866.
After your guide's introduction to village lore and legend, spend a little over an hour exploring the site on your own before transport back to your hotel.
Duration: 1 hour
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 tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Chung Lin W
September 2015
Guide gave way more explanations in Spanish than English.
Guide gave way more explanations in Spanish than English.
thalia_n
September 2023
josephina, our guide's expertise and personal touch were very beneficial to the tour. Of course the beautiful views of the crater and the surroundings, the petroglyphs and the history connected to the birdman cult were a real bonus
josephina, our guide's expertise and personal touch were very beneficial to the tour. Of course the beautiful views of the crater and the surroundings, the petroglyphs and the history connected to the birdman cult were a real bonusDiane_Y
November 2016
Loved this tour! Exactly as advertised. Learning more of the history was great. Cristine, the guide did a great job speaking to two different languages!
Loved this tour! Exactly as advertised. Learning more of the history was great. Cristine, the guide did a great job speaking to two different languages!
johndO4326GA
February 2020
Valentine was excellent and very informative and fun . She took a lot of time to me helpful telling us lots of stories n info . She was extremely timely and picked us up and dropped us off at our lodging
Valentine was excellent and very informative and fun . She took a lot of time to me helpful telling us lots of stories n info . She was extremely timely and picked us up and dropped us off at our lodgingwarjan43
November 2018
We booked a half day tour with Viator [part of Trip Advisor] toTahai Orongo and Rano Kau on Easter Island.We arrived by ship and was collected on the dock by a Viator representative who did not speak one word of English. He drove us to Orongo and handed us over to a guide who did speak English.He...
We booked a half day tour with Viator [part of Trip Advisor] toTahai Orongo and Rano Kau on Easter Island.We arrived by ship and was collected on the dock by a Viator representative who did not speak one word of English. He drove us to Orongo and handed us over to a guide who did speak English.He took us around the Orongo site. After this he took us to a mini van where 3 or 4 other people were waiting. It was obvious we were just joining another tour.We left Orongo and went to another site not listed on our voucher. We then asked our guide why, and he had no answers. He said our tour would be for 2 hours and he was not interested in our voucher which clearly stated what we had paid for and the sites involved.He said we could talk to his local office which we did and they gave us the same story.On return to Australia we sent an email to Viator complaining how we treated.They have now come back with a lousy refund of AUD38.41 after we paid out AUD 361.52 for 2 persons.This is terribly disappointing when Viator hand the booking to an overseas agent and they can just do what they like and not honour what we booked and what we paid for . We would never consider using Viator againmbloomer1
February 2018
For anyone out there who is going on a cruise to get to easter island go visit green island tours. This was our second visit in 4 years the first time we couldnt get in because of swell on the sea so this time with everything crossed we were alittle bit more prepared or so I thought! c ouldnt get...
For anyone out there who is going on a cruise to get to easter island go visit green island tours. This was our second visit in 4 years the first time we couldnt get in because of swell on the sea so this time with everything crossed we were alittle bit more prepared or so I thought! c ouldnt get any information from the ship tried trip advisor everything booked for both days. Having got on the ship early went straight to excursions and booked one half day tour which incedentelly was the same trip the next day.Horrendously priced but didn't care we were going. That night we met up with people at dinner two brits and two Canadians who had all booked one full day and one half day with green island tours; they then contacted green island to see if they could take us yes they could and it was booked and we cancelled the ships tour. It was absolutely wonderful even better than we dared hope. After waiting 3 hours the first day and 2and a half hours the second day to get off the ship green island were waiting for us . The whole experience just blew me away we saw just about everything and not at all rushed and including a packed lunch on day one. Our guide was Patricio a Chilean married to a raponui and lived on the island for over 40 years so he knew everything there was to know. He was so kind to me I am 75 and a bit over weight so getting up to the quarry was a bit of a challenge. My face was bright red and it was very hot he helped me down some steps and enquire what sun factor I was using. To be fair if the ship cant get in you lose your deposit of £160 to green island and you do have to pay$80 p.p. for park entrance fees.Whereas if you go with the ship tours you are covered. BUT by going with green island the cost of both trips was less than one half day with the ship tours. I'm a very happy and lucky bunny.