Discover More with Our Rapa Nui Explorations
A tiny Pacific Ocean island formed by volcanoes, Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is home to a fascinating ancient culture that endures today. Explore its many textures, wonders and iconic moai sites with a choice of 30 guided Explorations, included as part of your stay at Explora Rapa Nui. These full- and half-day discoveries and experiences are customized to match your interest and fitness level, designed for small groups of no more than eight guests and led by Explora’s own certified bilingual guides. Explore seven unique zones, including Rapa Nui National Park, with opportunities to hike, bike, snorkel and more.
30 guided Explorations included with your stay
Led by Explora’s own certified bilingual guides
Customized for every interest and fitness level
Flexible Experiences Customized Daily
Our Explorations feature classic routes and popular sites as well as Signature Explorations, designed and operated exclusively by Explora in the region’s most remote and pristine locations. Every adventure is customized daily to match with your skills and interests — something you’ll experience every evening, when your Explora guide meets with you to tailor the next day’s Explorations to your preferences.
Explorations are limited to a group size of no more than eight guests to allow for a more personal atmosphere and in-depth discovery. Privately guided Explorations are available at an additional cost.
Led by Explora’s Exclusively Trained Guides
Deeply familiar with the region and its traditions, are local guides have an unyielding passion and knowledge for the island and the mystical, rugged landscapes we explore. They’re trained at our own School of Guides and fluent in Spanish and English. They are also keenly aware of the fragility of these unique places and share in our advocacy for the conservation of Rapa Nui’s many wonders.
Discover the Best of Easter Island
Choose from 30 immersive Explorations across seven zones of Easter Island. These adventures and experiences customized for beginners and experts include hikes to the island’s largest crater and Orango ceremonial village, sunset bike rides to the massive moai ahu at Tongariki and unique opportunities to snorkel, SUP and dive.
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Hike
Overland
Bike
Self Guided
Combination
At the sea
Hike
Overland
Bike
Self Guided
Combination
At the sea
1. Poike
Together, wind, sea and fire have carved a unique identity for each corner of the island, all contrasted against the ever-clear pantone of isolation.
This zone is the tip of a vast volcanic peninsula and the island’s easternmost point. Its geographic position has caused severe erosion, which drove its inhabitants to abandon the area over 600 years ago. As a result, this zone is of unique, untouched beauty.
The Poike zone, named after the oldest volcano on the island, offers some of its most unusual sceneries, with harsh conditions evidencing how the Rapa Nui is eroded by sea and water, one of the its people’s most pressing ecological predicaments.
1. Poike
Together, wind, sea and fire have carved a unique identity for each corner of the island, all contrasted against the ever-clear pantone of isolation.
This zone is the tip of a vast volcanic peninsula and the island’s easternmost point. Its geographic position has caused severe erosion, which drove its inhabitants to abandon the area over 600 years ago. As a result, this zone is of unique, untouched beauty.
The Poike zone, named after the oldest volcano on the island, offers some of its most unusual sceneries, with harsh conditions evidencing how the Rapa Nui is eroded by sea and water, one of the its people’s most pressing ecological predicaments.
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2. The South
The island’s very existence is testament to a battle fought long ago between fire and sea.
This zone comprises the south-facing lowlands, where four territorial clan divisions and numerous archeological vestiges, including agricultural tools and ceremonial instruments, have allowed researchers to understand and reconstruct important clues of Rapa Nui’s past.
The Akahanga sector is of particular interest in this zone, as are the dramatic waves caused by intense oceanic wind currents
2. The South
The island’s very existence is testament to a battle fought long ago between fire and sea.
This zone comprises the south-facing lowlands, where four territorial clan divisions and numerous archeological vestiges, including agricultural tools and ceremonial instruments, have allowed researchers to understand and reconstruct important clues of Rapa Nui’s past.
The Akahanga sector is of particular interest in this zone, as are the dramatic waves caused by intense oceanic wind currents
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3. Lava Flows
From water came lava and from lava came land. Tales to be told only by the elements themselves.
As the byproduct of a series of volcanic eruptions, Rapa Nui is dotted with vestiges of its geographic past. Numerous rock wells and caverns, most of which are important sources of water, account for this zone’s once high population. The island’s most recent lava movements have been found here, originating from the nearby Maunga Terevaka, Rapa Nui’s largest volcano. Accordingly, the surrounding landscape is overall irregular and interrupted by vestiges of volcanic activity, which also characterize the zone’s memorable skyline.
3. Lava Flows
From water came lava and from lava came land. Tales to be told only by the elements themselves.
As the byproduct of a series of volcanic eruptions, Rapa Nui is dotted with vestiges of its geographic past. Numerous rock wells and caverns, most of which are important sources of water, account for this zone’s once high population. The island’s most recent lava movements have been found here, originating from the nearby Maunga Terevaka, Rapa Nui’s largest volcano. Accordingly, the surrounding landscape is overall irregular and interrupted by vestiges of volcanic activity, which also characterize the zone’s memorable skyline.
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4. Rano Kau
As one of the volcanoes from which the island originated, Rano Kau’s vigilant gaze defines Rapa Nui’s enigmatic cultural landscape.
Located in Southeastern Rapa Nui, the dormant volcano’s lowlands host a substantial part of the population. Towards the coast, Hanga Roa bay has offered shelter to nomad vessels throughout history. As well as various settlement types, this zone’s coastal area is home to numerous ceremonial archaeological sites, such as the Vinapu ahu, one of the largest in its kind. Not to be missed are the volcano’s gigantic crater lake and the Orongo ceremonial village, where a large part of the island’s heritage is preserved, studied and accessed by visitors.
4. Rano Kau
As one of the volcanoes from which the island originated, Rano Kau’s vigilant gaze defines Rapa Nui’s enigmatic cultural landscape.
Located in Southeastern Rapa Nui, the dormant volcano’s lowlands host a substantial part of the population. Towards the coast, Hanga Roa bay has offered shelter to nomad vessels throughout history. As well as various settlement types, this zone’s coastal area is home to numerous ceremonial archaeological sites, such as the Vinapu ahu, one of the largest in its kind. Not to be missed are the volcano’s gigantic crater lake and the Orongo ceremonial village, where a large part of the island’s heritage is preserved, studied and accessed by visitors.
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5. Miru
We climb mountains not only on foot, but also in heart and mind, often reaching places reserved for only a few sky-scraping birds and travelers in search of movement and contemplation alike.
At 1,664.73 ft, the Maunga Terevaka, is Rapa Nui’s highest peak, providing a lookout so isolated that you can distinguish our planet’s curvature in the horizon. Given its prominence, this zone was once occupied by the Miru aristocracy in the pre-Christian era.
The zone’s lowlands, which include the island’s north and northeastern coasts, host many archaeological vestiges, most of which remain intact and have therefore been vital clues in understanding the island’s mysterious past. This zone also includes Anakena, Rapa Nui’s political and cultural capital, where numerous restored monuments can be found.
5. Miru
We climb mountains not only on foot, but also in heart and mind, often reaching places reserved for only a few sky-scraping birds and travelers in search of movement and contemplation alike.
At 1,664.73 ft, the Maunga Terevaka, is Rapa Nui’s highest peak, providing a lookout so isolated that you can distinguish our planet’s curvature in the horizon. Given its prominence, this zone was once occupied by the Miru aristocracy in the pre-Christian era.
The zone’s lowlands, which include the island’s north and northeastern coasts, host many archaeological vestiges, most of which remain intact and have therefore been vital clues in understanding the island’s mysterious past. This zone also includes Anakena, Rapa Nui’s political and cultural capital, where numerous restored monuments can be found.
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6. Hotu Iti
Hotu ‘Iti is the zone located on the Rano Raraku volcano’s slopes and plains. Its role in Rapa nui culture is of upmost significance, as it is here where most moai were quarried from.
Given the zone’s socio-cultural significance, some of the most remarkable Rapanui archaeological vestiges can be found within, including the Ahu Tongariki, which was damaged by civil wars and a powerful tsunami. The ceremonial site was restored in the 90s and now includes fifteen moai, all of which face the sunset during the summer solstice.
6. Hotu Iti
Hotu ‘Iti is the zone located on the Rano Raraku volcano’s slopes and plains. Its role in Rapa nui culture is of upmost significance, as it is here where most moai were quarried from.
Given the zone’s socio-cultural significance, some of the most remarkable Rapanui archaeological vestiges can be found within, including the Ahu Tongariki, which was damaged by civil wars and a powerful tsunami. The ceremonial site was restored in the 90s and now includes fifteen moai, all of which face the sunset during the summer solstice.
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7. Moana
A tiny speck on the infinite blue Pacific Ocean. The definition of remote.
The ocean plays a key role in Rapanui culture. Not only did the island’s first inhabitants arrive by sea, but it this isolation also kept generations to come from ever leaving. Furthermore, seafood and fish are an important part of Rapa Nui’s culinary heritage to this day.
The waters surrounding the island offer a unique clarity for sea explorations. This is due to low levels of plankton in the area, which also cause a lower number of larger species to be found. Regardless, however, marine fauna on Easter Island is endemic to its waters, which is why scuba diving and snorkeling are highly recommended.
7. Moana
A tiny speck on the infinite blue Pacific Ocean. The definition of remote.
The ocean plays a key role in Rapanui culture. Not only did the island’s first inhabitants arrive by sea, but it this isolation also kept generations to come from ever leaving. Furthermore, seafood and fish are an important part of Rapa Nui’s culinary heritage to this day.
The waters surrounding the island offer a unique clarity for sea explorations. This is due to low levels of plankton in the area, which also cause a lower number of larger species to be found. Regardless, however, marine fauna on Easter Island is endemic to its waters, which is why scuba diving and snorkeling are highly recommended.
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