Stunning Anakena is our only big sandy beach, and is also of high historic value. This is where our first king Hotu Matu'a arrived a thousand years ago when colonizing the island. Palmtrees and beautifully carved ancient moai statues decorate the landscape. The statues of the main monument, Ahu Nau-Nau, were buried in the sand for centuries, and were recently dug up when restored a few decades ago, so they are among the most well-preseved statues of the island. We go here mainly for historic and photographic purposes, but if you want to have a quick swim, please feel free to.

Orongo is a ceremonial village perched dramatically on the edge of the Rano Kau crater. It was the center of the unique Birdman cult, where a dangerous annual competition determined leadership on the island. Dozens of restored stone houses and intricate petroglyphs reveal the spiritual and political importance of the site. From within Orongo, we’ll have a stunning view of the volcanic crater of Rano Kau — by far the largest on Easter Island. Its freshwater lake was once an essential source of drinking water for the island’s ancient inhabitants.

Walk among giants and awe-inspiring traces of the past in Rano Raraku — the volcanic quarry where almost all of the island’s moai were carved. The entire hillside is scattered with statues in various stages of completion — some still partially buried, others frozen mid-creation. This is where the ancient sculptors worked for centuries, shaping the stone giants that would be transported across the island. It’s a haunting and awe-inspiring landscape that feels like the workshop of a lost civilization.

Stand face to face with the island’s most iconic monument at Ahu Tongariki — a grand ceremonial platform lined with 15 towering moai. These massive stone figures once watched over the island's eastern shores, and today they remain a powerful symbol of Rapa Nui’s cultural legacy. The site was devastated by a tsunami in the 1960s, but carefully restored in the 1990s, bringing the majestic lineup back to life against a dramatic coastal backdrop.