What to do and see in Hanga Roa, Easter Island: The Best Walking Tours

August 9, 2021 Milan Banda

The epic Moai stone statues that stand guard over Easter Island are among the main attractions of this remote and lonely part of the world. Hanga Roa is Easter Island’s commercial hub and its only village. The airport is here, as are several restaurants, guest houses and hotels. Use it as a base for island adventures, which may include trekking, exploring white sand beaches, snorkeling, diving, visiting archaeological sites or even your own private spiritual journey.
Restaurants in Hanga Roa

1. Moai Rise and Fall: Full Day Private Tour

Atamu Tekena, Hanga Roa, Isla de Pascua, Valparaíso, Chile Rapanui Pioneers Society (RPS)
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Moai Rise and Fall: Full Day Private Tour is an archaeological field trip that explores the meaning, inception, creation and destruction of the megalithic statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). By visiting several key sites, the whole story of the moai comes to life through the explanations of a local expert with academic background. This field trip is based on scientific, ethnographic and historical evidence, supplemented by a deep knowledge of our oral tradition. RPS Experiences is the tourism wing of the Rapanui Pioneers Society, a research and educational organization formed by thoroughly experienced members. Our slow tours go against the fast-paced group tours to make sure that our Rapanui culture is well represented. We visit the sites during the hours of best light and avoiding (as much as possible) the busy hours, and we take our time on each site to get the full experience. This tour is also customizable depending on our travelers' special interests. Private service only.

Inclusions: Picnic lunch at Rano Raraku, Reusable water bottle

Exclusions: National Park Ticket is required to take this field trip.

Reviewed By keithkQ2101FZ

This was an amazing half day. Christian really knows how to deliver a thoughtful and insightful description of the Rise and Fall of the Birdman Cult. I couldn't have hoped for a better experience. It was all I had hoped for.

2. The Birdcult: Half Day Private Tour

Atamu Tekena, Hanga Roa, Isla de Pascua, Valparaíso, Chile Rapanui Pioneers Society (RPS)
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

The Birdcult: Half Day Private Tour is an archaeological field trip based on scientific, ethnographic and historical evidence suplemented by a deep knowledge of our oral tradition. This tour is also customizable depending on our travelers' special interests. RPS Experiences is the tourism wing of the Rapanui Pioneers Society, a research and educational organization formed by thoroughly experienced members. Our guides are scholars or local experts with a vast trajectory working in tourism and experience with some of the top companies in Rapa Nui and abroad. Our slow tours go against the fast-paced group tours to make sure that our Rapanui culture is well represented. We visit the sites during the hours of best light and avoiding (as much as possible) the busy hours, and we take our time on each site to experience them fully. Private service only. Limited availability.

Inclusions: In-person guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: The National Park Ticket is required to do this field trip.

Reviewed By keithkQ2101FZ

Christian was an outstanding guide. We hiked around Poike Peninsula for a full day. Christian provided fascinating insights into the local history and customs. It was exactly what I was looking for and the highlight of my two week Patagonia - Rapa Nui trip. If you enjoy hiking this is the trip to book and Christian is the guide to have. Thanks for the memories Christian! Take care brother.

3. Private Easter Island Full-Day Tour

Green Island Tours Easter Island
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4.9 based on 38 reviews

Enjoy a full-day private tour of Easter Island learning about the historical Birdman Cult competition and seeing many stunning highlights of the island. Caves, beautiful ocean vistas, the huge volcanic crater of Rano Kau, the top knot quarry, and some of the most beautiful rock-work on the island await your discovery on this breathtaking journey. Enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off and a private guide that will teach you about the culture and history of Easter Island and the cult that partook in the Birdman competition.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Private tour

Exclusions: National park fee: $80USD, Food and drinks

Reviewed By 716sachink

I had communicated with this travel company several months prior to my actual travel to Easter Island. I was provided with a customized 2 and 1/2 day itinerary by the representative. When I was ready to confirm and make payment for the same, there was no communication whatsoever, despite several emails. I had to eventually go with another travel company, which provided exceptionally great customer service right from my first communication. I will be providing a separate review on stargazing tour for which customer service was very professional.

4. 4-Days Trip to Discover Easter Island

Signature Tours
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3.5 based on 2 reviews

The island is located more than 3700 km off the coast of Chile, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Rapa Nui or Easter Island, also known as "The Belly Button of the World" is the most insular island in the world. The island is considered the largest archaeological museum site of the world, and it is definitely a place full of fascinating mystery! We invite you to come and explore the entire Rapa Nui culture, its moai, meadows, and its people.

Inclusions: Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, 3 Nights Accommodation at a 4* Hotel in Easter Island, All Transfers with Spanish-speaking Driver only, Small-Group Excursions with Bilingual Guide (English/Spanish)

Exclusions: Air Tickets and Airport Taxes, Entrance fee to Rapa Nui National Park

Reviewed By bigfin2016

Did this trip in February. To sum it up it consists of 11 hours in a minivan to visit three churches in Chiloe, none of them is interesting unless you are an academic interested in the technical details of wooden church building in the mid 19th century. However good the guides are (and our guide was excellent) this piece of Chile is not worth visiting. The drive to Castro in Chiloe island comprises a 70km motorway run to a ferry and then more than two hours driving along a scruffy, semi industrialised road with no redeeming features to Castro. On arrival the only logical question is "why bother". There are so many beautiful places in Chile I would suggest that people give this excursion a swerve and prevent the total waste of a day of their lives.

5. Private Tour: Easter Island Caves

Kava Kava Tours

On 4 hours trekking tour visit the fascinating caves of Easter Island and learn how this place were used by Rapa Nui people as houses or temporary shelters or just as burial purposes and hidden places.  Accompanied by a private tour guide you will walk off a beaten path and enjoy all main touristic caves from inside to outside. You will also understand about the volcanic origin of the island and its geographical formation.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle, Local guide, Professional guide

Exclusions: Entrance fees: USD 80 per person, Lunch, Food and drinks, Tour not available for cruise ship passengers

Reviewed By JJ O

We took a full day tour with Sebastián. It was brilliant! The Guide Sebastián is from Rapa Nui and so was able to combine the factual history aspects of the island with enthusiasm and knowledge of the current culture. He knew everything about each of the sites we visited. On top of that, he is involved with the restoration and preservation on the island so gave us more background knowledge on the places we visited. He answered every question we had and showed us photos and pictures on a kindle as we went along (it was great to use the kindle rather than a phone or tablet so the sun didn't created a glare - just an indication that he'd actually thought about the guest experience rather than just going through the motions of his usual tour). The tour We got picked up from our hotel in a 4x4 at 9am and travelled around the island for the day. It's worth taking some snacks for the car as it's a pretty full on tour from 9am until 3pm. Take water and sunscreen as well. We told Sebastián that we only had one day on the island and he immediately adapted the tour to cover the sites he thought would be most important and most interesting. We were very grateful for this as we would have missed out on visiting Orongo otherwise. We started at a restored traditional village. We were the first ones there - even before the staff. I was a bit skeptical of this part of the tour but it laid the foundations for the entire day so was important to see - for me, that's the difference between having a professional tour guide and doing a DIY tour. We then visited Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki, Anakena Beach, Ahu Nau Nau and Orongo (in that order). See my photos for which site is which. We had plenty of time at each of them - not rushed and not bored / waiting around either. For me, the highlight was Rano Raraku and it was great to be one of the first people there. The customer service KavaKava tours were great when booking the tour. Alejandra is very responsive and helpful. We asked Sebastián to take some photos of us during our tour and he was able to send these on within about 5 minutes of us asking when we got home! Summary Our experience on Easter Island was fantastic. If you are wondering whether to get a private tour then I would recommend doing so and I cannot recommend KavaKava tours enough. They were brilliant!

6. Rapanui Origins: Full Day Private Tour

Atamu Tekena, Hanga Roa, Isla de Pascua, Valparaíso, Chile Rapanui Pioneers Society (RPS)

Rapanui Origins: Full Day Private Tour is an exploration of the origins of the Rapanui people, the inhabitants of Easter Island. To find out, we visit multiple key archaeological sites including Vinapu, Anakena, Te Pito Kura and Ahu Akivi to get an overview from a scientific, ethnographic, historical and traditional versions of the first human settlement. Our guides are scholars or local experts with a vast trajectory working in tourism and experience with some of the top companies in Rapa Nui and abroad. Our slow tours go against the fast-paced group tours to make sure that our Rapanui culture is well represented. We visit the sites during the hours of best light and avoiding (as much as possible) the busy hours, and we take our time on each site to obtain a thorough experience. This tour is also customizable depending on our travelers' special interests. Private service only. Limited availability.

Inclusions: Picnic lunch at Anakena. Water included., A reusable water bottle with filtered water from Rapa Nui.

Exclusions: National Park Ticket is required to take this field trip., Restrooms at Anakena are US$1 and not included here.

Reviewed By keithkQ2101FZ

This was an amazing half day. Christian really knows how to deliver a thoughtful and insightful description of the Rise and Fall of the Birdman Cult. I couldn't have hoped for a better experience. It was all I had hoped for.

7. Half-Day Trekking Adventure in Easter Island

RipioTurismo Easter Island

CAVES TREKKING ADVENTURE Length: 3 to 4 hours aprox. Departure from your accommodation place in Hanga Roa town, to a half-day guided excursion, to go to the Roiho sector by vehicle, where we´ll begin our trekking to the caves, visiting Ana Kakenga, Ana Te Por, Ahu Tepeu and ending in Ana Te Pahu. Return to your place of accommodation by vehicle.

Inclusions: Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off

Exclusions: Dinner, Gratuities

8. Discover the mystical Easter Island and its famous gigantic stone statues

Signature Tours

We invite you to embark on an adventure to Easter Island, also know as Rapa Nui, steeped in mysticism and offering a distinctive blend of Polynesian and South American culture. Other than classic sightseeing, you can look forward to an abundance of activities such as scuba diving and snorkelling in crystal clear waters, a magical sunset, cultural immersions, horse riding and cycling in scenic surrounds.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, 3-Nights in Easter Island, 1-Night in Santiago, Bilingual local speaking guide during excursion

Exclusions: Air tickets and airport taxes, Travel Insurance , Gratuities (optional)

9. 7-Days Romantic Escape in the Wine Region & Easter Island

Signature Tours

If you are looking for a romantic getaway, this is the perfect trip including the Maipo Valley, fertile valley nestled between the mountains and the ocean which is the perfect terroir for some of the best wines in the world, and Easter Island visiting the Rapa Nui National Park or Tepito o Te henua, declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Stay at the Hotel Casa Real located on the Santa Rita Estate; it was formerly the summerhouse of the winery’s founder. Located in a 40-hectare park designed by leading French landscape gardener Guillaume Renner. Following your journey in the Wine Country, embark on an adventure to Easter Island; steeped in mysticism and offering a distinctive blend of Polynesian and South American culture. Also known as Rapa Nui, this incredible destination boasts the volcanic crater of Rano Kau, the Rano Raraku quarry where the sculptured heads of the moai were carved, and the Ahu Tongariki, the resting place of 15 moai.

Inclusions: Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Lunch, Dinner, 3-Nights Lodging at Hotel Casa Real by Santa Rita , 3-Nights Lodging at Hotel Hanga Roa, Bilingual Local Guides in all tours , Admission fee to Rapa Nui National Park , Typical Show with transfers

Exclusions: Domestic Air tickets and airport taxes, Gratuities (optional)

Reviewed By bigfin2016

Did this trip in February. To sum it up it consists of 11 hours in a minivan to visit three churches in Chiloe, none of them is interesting unless you are an academic interested in the technical details of wooden church building in the mid 19th century. However good the guides are (and our guide was excellent) this piece of Chile is not worth visiting. The drive to Castro in Chiloe island comprises a 70km motorway run to a ferry and then more than two hours driving along a scruffy, semi industrialised road with no redeeming features to Castro. On arrival the only logical question is "why bother". There are so many beautiful places in Chile I would suggest that people give this excursion a swerve and prevent the total waste of a day of their lives.

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