Following the previous two guides, start by purchasing the $80 ticket. Next, you’ll need to secure a guide, as most of the island’s must-see attractions require one, whether through a group tour or a private guide.
1⃣️ Joining a Tour:
You can choose from full-day and half-day tours, which typically have fixed itineraries and groups of around 10 people. The main challenge is that your desired sites might be split across different tours, necessitating booking more than one. Prices range from about $40 to $90 per person, depending on the itinerary, with sunrise tours costing around $30.
⚠️ Signing up for a sunrise tour is a bit of a gamble due to unpredictable weather. However, if you skip it, you won’t be able to enter the designated sunrise area, leaving you to watch from outside the fence.
2⃣️ Private Guide:
After inquiring with several guides, we found that a sunrise plus half-day tour, where we could pick the locations, cost between $120-150 for a car (note: many find cheaper options). We started at 5:45 AM and were back at the hotel by noon.
📍Ahu Tongariki: We caught the sunrise at 7 AM and stayed until 8:30 AM, enjoying the site almost to ourselves.
Our guide then took us to a cave, sharing stories of their ancestors who once lived there and still occasionally visit.
📍Rano Raraku: After the sunrise, we waited until 9 AM when the quarry opened, and it was relatively quiet. The guide provided fascinating insights into the creation of the Moai statues, making the experience truly enriching.
📍Ahu Vinapu: Here, you’ll see a collection of scattered statues. The intriguing part is the difference in stacking techniques between the two Ahu (clearly visible in Figure 16). The precision-cut Ahu bears a striking resemblance to the ancient Inca’s Machu Picchu, suggesting historical interactions between the two cultures.
📍Ahu Akivi: This is the only site where the Moai statues face the sea, symbolizing the seven earliest explorers who first set foot on the island.
‼️ All communication should be done via WhatsApp.
‼️ Most tour fees need to be paid in Chilean pesos cash, though some also accept card payments.
