5 Days Easter Island Itinerary For First-Timers
A Complete Guide To Backpacking Easter Island
Easter Island is one of the most remote islands in the world, and while it looks like an excellent place for a grand adventure, getting to the island without breaking the bank can be quite tricky. One thing is for sure: Easter Island is not your typical destination where you can get by with US$50/day. But I can assure you that traveling around Easter Island is one of the most rewarding things you can do in your life.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need, such as how to get to Easter Island, cool things to do, and how many days you would need to explore Easter Island thoroughly. Without further ado, let’s begin, shall we?
Day 1: Explore Hanga Roa
Upon arriving on the island, your first task is to find a tour that will take you to all the tourist attractions you wish to visit. Spend the first evening strolling along Hanga Roa’s main street to find a tour agency and select the one you like. You can also check out the local tour agencies like Mahinatur, Easter Island Travel, and may more, all located in Hanga Roa.
Day 2: Ahu Tongariki At Sunrise, Rano Raraku, Anakena, And Enjoy Tapati Festival
On your second day, I recommend waking up as early as possible to visit Ahu Tongariki for an incredible sunrise. Ahu Tongariki, the largest ahu on Easter Island, features statues located on the east coast, making it one of the best places to experience the sunrise.
It should take you no more than 25 minutes to reach Ahu Tongariki. Depending on the tour and the time of the year you visit Easter Island, you may need to wake up as early as 4 AM. If you’re fortunate, you might catch a glimpse of the Milky Way, as I did when I drove out here at 4 AM. It was probably the clearest view of the Milky Way I’ve ever had, thanks to the remote location of the island, far from any light pollution.
Upon arrival, you’ll notice that the entrance to Ahu Tongariki is closed until sunrise. Don’t worry; you can simply drive around the fence and enjoy watching the Milky Way cast its radiant light onto the moai statues from that vantage point.
At around sunrise (7 AM in February), you’ll have the opportunity to enter and witness the sunrise. Even if you’re not typically a morning person, I highly recommend waking up for this experience. It’s truly wonderful to observe the shadows of the moai statues shifting around you.
To the northeast of Ahu Tongariki lies Rano Raraku, a volcanic crater that served as the source of all the rocks for the Moai statues. In the quarry, you can witness numerous Moai statues scattered about, with some still in various stages of completion.
You can still observe some of the statues in the process of being carved before the carvers abandoned their work due to encountering hard rocks in the material.
After the hike up Rano Raraku, imagine the perfect way to unwind—by relaxing on a beach. Anakena, a white coral sand beach in the north of the island, is easily accessible from Rano Raraku. You can drive up, enjoy a delightful lunch, or simply relax under palm trees while listening to the soothing sound of waves crashing onto the beach. There’s nothing more peaceful than that.
Don’t forget to check out Ahu Nau Nau, home to some of the best-preserved statues on the island, located not too far from the beach.
If you happen to be there during the incredible Tapati Festival, an island-wide celebration typically held at the end of February, seize the opportunity to explore the shows taking place at the town center. During the festival, locals showcase traditional clothing and dance to lively island traditional music—truly an experience like no other!
Make sure to align your visit with either the opening or closing ceremony to fully experience the best of the festival during your time on the island.
Day 3: Visit Ahu Akivi, Ana Kakenga, And Rano Kau Crater
The following morning, you can begin your day by heading to another Ahu—Ahu Akivi. This site holds particular sacredness for the Rapa Nui people due to its precise astronomical alignment. Featuring seven moai statues, they all face precisely towards the point where the sun sets during the equinox, aligning with the Moon as well. It’s definitely worth checking out while you are here.
After you are done, you can head over to Ana Kakenga, a volcanic tube formed a thousand years ago through the island’s volcanic activities. What sets this cave apart is its unique location overlooking the ocean. To reach the entrance, you’ll need to hike, and there’s no sign indicating its presence—just a small hole marking the entrance.
Locating the entrance can be challenging, but with a guide, they’ll lead you to it. The view is said to be worth the effort—although, personally, I couldn’t find the entrance myself!
Next up, we visit Rano Kau, which is one of the most impressive places to visit on the island. This extinct volcano crater features a central wetland and lake. The unique formation of the crater walls provides shelter to the lake from the island’s prevailing winds, creating a microclimate within the crater.
Day 4: Check Out Ahu Tahai, Anthropological Museum, And More Tapati Festival
On your fourth day, spend your time and walk around the city center and head north. You will find Ahu Tahai, a ceremonial complex comprising three Ahu platforms, one of which has had its eyes restored. Did you know that some moai statues have eyes? I did not!
Make sure to visit the Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum to delve into the history of the Rapa Nui and Easter Island. Conveniently located within walking distance from Ahu Tahai, the museum is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly.
One of the advantages of visiting during the Tapati festival is that there is no shortage of evening performances to enjoy. Be sure to check it out before retiring to your guest house.
Day 5: Fly Back To Santiago
On your last day, take a moment to stroll around a bit more and shop for a souvenir before heading to the airport. The miniature moai statue, in particular, was my favorite, and I couldn’t resist buying it for friends and family back home, so be sure to walk around the souvenir shops in town before leaving.
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