Easter Island itinerary, 5-day of Moai, magic and wonders
Mapping the Easter island Itinerary
Day by Day on the Easter island Itinerary
You don’t need to be early bird in the Easter island. We woke up around 7am and were thinking is 4am or so… it was still dark outside. The sun raises quite late here, and as there seems to be more cloud at night and early morning, it didn’t help. That were the conditions in July 2019.
After a nice breakfast, and a long coffee enjoying the view of the island, it is time to get serious and prepare sandwiches for lunch. The only place with a shop/restaurant was in Ahu Akivi (the seven Moai) that we reach around 1:30pm or so knowing that we left around 10am.
Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Hanga Roa
After your arrival at Mataveri International Airport from Santiago de Chile, you’ll transfer to your accommodation in Hanga Roa, the heart of Easter Island. Start your Easter Island itinerary by exploring this charming town and its surroundings. A visit to the Rapa Nui Cemetery offers a fascinating glimpse into the island’s unique culture, with its blend of Polynesian and Christian influences visible in the headstones. Later in the day, head to Ahu Tahai, a restored archaeological site featuring towering Moai statues. This is a prime location to witness a breathtaking sunset, providing a perfect introduction to your adventure. End the day with a traditional Rapa Nui meal at a local restaurant, setting the tone for the days ahead.
Day 2: Exploring National Park Trails and Terevaka Volcano
Your second day on this Easter Island itinerary is dedicated to discovering the island’s natural and cultural treasures. Begin by exploring the famous caves of the island. Visit Ana Kakenga, known as the “Two Windows Cave,” for stunning views of the ocean framed by volcanic rock. Continue to Ana Te Pora, the Cave of the Reed Canoe, and Ana Te Pahu, nicknamed the Banana Cave, thanks to its lush vegetation.
In the afternoon, make your way to Ahu Akivi, where seven Moai statues face the sea. These statues are believed to represent ancient explorers of Rapa Nui. End the day with a hike to the summit of Terevaka Volcano, the highest point on the island. From here, you can enjoy sweeping views of Easter Island, surrounded by the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
For more details, see the full post: Wild Hiking Easter Island National Park in 1 day
Day 3: A Scooter Adventure Around the Island
Day three of your Easter Island itinerary is all about adventure and exploration. Renting a scooter is a fun and flexible way to navigate the island. Start the day at Ahu Huri a Urenga, a solitary Moai with fascinating astronomical significance. Continue to Vaihu, a site featuring fallen Moai, offering insight into the island’s turbulent history. Then, explore Akahanga, an ancient village with remnants of traditional Rapa Nui structures and caves.
In the afternoon, visit the famous Rano Raraku, the volcanic quarry where the iconic Moai statues were carved. This site offers a chance to see unfinished statues still embedded in the slopes of the volcano. Next, head to Ahu Tongariki, the most iconic platform on the island, featuring fifteen towering Moai overlooking the ocean. Afterward, relax at Ovahe Beach, a quiet, wild stretch of coastline, before heading to Anakena Beach, known for its white sand, turquoise waters, and Moai at Ahu Nau Nau. Conclude your day at Puna Pau, the quarry where the red topknots (pukao) used on the Moai were carved.
For more details, see the full post: 1-Day Scooter Road Trip on Easter Island: A Perfect Adventure
Day 4: The Volcano Trail and Sacred Village
On the fourth day of your Easter Island itinerary, immerse yourself in the island’s culture and natural beauty. Start your morning by enjoying live music performed by local bands in Hanga Roa, giving you a taste of Rapa Nui’s vibrant cultural scene. Afterward, set out on the Te Ara o Te Ao Trail, which leads to Rano Kau, a massive volcanic crater with a serene freshwater lake surrounded by lush greenery.
In the afternoon, visit Orongo, a sacred ceremonial village perched on the edge of the crater. This historic site was the center of the Birdman Cult and offers incredible views of the ocean and nearby islets. Exploring Orongo is a fascinating journey into the spiritual traditions and history of Easter Island.
For more details, see the full post: Te Ara o Te Ao Trail: Your Ultimate Guide to a 1-Day Easter Island Hike to Rano Kau and Orongo
Day 5: Farewell to Easter Island
On the final day of your Easter Island itinerary, take time to soak in the tranquil atmosphere of Hanga Roa. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the town, stopping at local shops for souvenirs or a cozy café to reflect on your journey. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to revisit a favorite spot or take a relaxing stroll along the coastline. Finally, transfer to Mataveri International Airport and bid farewell to the captivating beauty of Easter Island.
Everything you need other to know
Morning & Evening
Sunrise is pretty late on the Easter island, and sunset is quite early. For us, we enjoyed taking our time for breakfast and we were cooking (or making sandwiches) for lunch before we start our day. Generally, we left our accommodation between 9:30 and 10am and were always back between 5 to 6pm.
Getting there (Easter Island itinerary)
To begin with there are only one company going to the Easter island: Latam Airline. Which is a brazilian company and one of the biggest airlines is South America.
There are 2 flights a day going to and from there. Go flight are at 6:30am and the other at 9:30am. Return flights are at 11:45am and 2:45pm.
The plane was a brand-new Boeing 787-9Y+. It was a 5h25min flight from SCL to IPC (Isla de Pascua) (flight LA845). There was an entertainment set in each seat, all seats were reclining and there were 2 charging plugs for 3 seats. We had a blanket and a pillow.
In flight, they served breakfast with an omelette or sandwich. Some fruits, crackers, jam and butter.
Therefor our story was: we woke up around 4:30am, finished packing our backpacks and took the 5am shuttle to the airport. We stayed near to the airport and arrived at 05:10am, it was a simple 10min ride.
Firstly, we self-check-in and as we didn’t do an online check-in earlier, we got separated seats 20C and 31C. But well, we are going to the Easter Island!!! Whaooo.
Secondly, we dropped off our packs and headed toward immigration. The time was passing, the queue was not moving, and we got closer and closer to the gate closing time but there were still many people. While the Easter island is Chile, there was still an immigration control where you get another immigration document (don’t lose it)
Finally, we were on board the plane at 6:10am and at 6:28am the boarding was complete. Even our departure was delayed, we arrived on time
Where to stay on the Easter Island
As you probably know, there isn’t too many option to stay on the Easter Island, but some of them are unbelievable. You will need a good place to stay after hiking Easter island national park
“Oh the places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
