Private Easter Island Full-Day Tour: Explore Birdman Cult History and Island Highlights

Embark on a private full-day tour of Easter Island, delving into the fascinating history of the Birdman Cult and exploring the island’s breathtaking highlights. Discover caves, ocean vistas, volcanic craters, and stunning rock-work with a knowledgeable guide.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Begin your private 6.5 hour tour with hotel pickup service at the chosen time of departure.

Begin with a visit to the Ana Kai Tangata, a cave with paintings on the roof and a name that reflects the cannibalism which took place on the island during the warfare period. See the Rano Kau, a volcano with a panoramic view of the island which plunges 200m (656ft) below to a beautiful lake.

See the ceremonial village of Orongo where, during the 18th and 19th centuries, one of the most interesting political ceremonies took place annually as different tribes competed to become the leader of the island. In breathtaking sports event that involved climbing down cliffs, swimming out to some islets off the coast, the islanders came to this beautiful part of the island to see who would be their next king.

Additionally, become intrigued with the Vinapu site, where you will see some of the island’s beautiful rockwork, reminiscent of that found in the great Inca civilization of South America.

Make your way to Puna Pau quarry from which the large scoria (red, cindery, basaltic lava stone) where adornments that were fitted on the heads of many statues were taken. Then discover the Ahu Akivi, a restored site of seven statues. It is said to be the representations of the first seven explorers who came to the island. These seven moai are the only group of statues looking out to the sea.

Lunch is not included on this tour, but there will be opportunities to stop and get food along the way if you find yourself hungry.

Like many volcanic islands, Easter Island is riddled with lava tubes. Ana Te Pahu is one of the more extensive networks found on the island that you will see. Learn how the ancient Rapa Nui people used these cave networks to live, collect water, plant vegetables and hide from aggressive visitors from the outside in the 18th and 19th centuries.

When the tour is complete, you will be dropped back at your hotel.

Points of Interest

  • Hotel Manutara
What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (exclusions apply)
  • Personalized private tour
  • Knowledgeable driver/guide
  • Live onboard commentary
What's Not Included
  • National park fee is not included in the price
  • Food and drinks
  • Port pick up not included / NOT COMPATIBLE WITH CRUISE EXCURSIONS
Additional Information

Indulge in an all-day exclusive excursion around Easter Island, delving into the past of the enigmatic Birdman Cult contest while taking in the island’s magnificent landmarks. Explore caverns, witness exquisite sea panoramas, marvel at the immense Rano Kau volcanic caldera, visit the top knot quarry, and encounter some of the island’s finest stonework during this fascinating tour. Benefit from the convenience of being picked up and dropped off at your hotel, and gain knowledge from a personal guide about Easter Island’s heritage, traditions, and the Birdman competition participants.

  • Lunch is not included but opportunities will be made to buy food along the way
  • It is recommended that you purchase the $80USD national park pass upon arrival at the airport (valid for 10 days after purchase) or online at www.rapanuinationalpark.org
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • A maximum of 6 people per booking
Location
Hotel Manutara
Hotu Matua s/n
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(55 Ratings)
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1 star
Lorann_d
May 14, 2024
Brilliant Monuments Tour - We had a brilliant tour with Patricio. We chose the Monuments Tour and saw everything we hoped for including the ‘maoi factory’ and the volcano crater which were highlights. Patricio’s deep knowledge of the island’s history brought to life the landscape, the archaeology and social connections. Patricio is among the very best guides we’ve had.
Review provided by Viator
Amie_b
Jan 16, 2024
Amazing Day Tour - Our tour guide was Yoyo. He was absolutely amazing. Made the day so much fun and was super knowledgeable about the island and its history! We had the best day and couldn’t fault it. Will be recommending this to anyone coming to Easter Island!
Review provided by Viator
Chiddy32
Mar 24, 2023
Amazing - Amazing tour guide names Yo-Yo. Knew his stuff and helped us have a great time. Highly recommend him and the company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S213gapeterb
Feb 24, 2023
Want a great tour company? Go with Green Island Tours Easter Island - My wife and I went on a 7 hours Private Tour around the island in a private group of 10 people in total. And it was a really great experience from booking to the end of the tour. I shall give you some points as to why you can comfortably book a tour with Green Island Tours: 1) I booked through TA, but got quickly in direct email/whatsapp contact with Pauline and she was indeed "on her toes" - quick, friendly, service minded, flexible, straight....exactly as you want your travel agent to be. 2) The payment was extremely flexible - paid a deposit via PayPal - worked perfectly. The balance should be paid in cash on day of travel, but unfortunately I did not have enough cash. So I asked Pauline if I could transfer the funds via PayPal in advance or pay with credit card. Pauline's comment was something like: "Don't worry - if the credit card machine does not work on the day, you just pay afterwards via PayPal" (this is what I mean with "flexible" and "service minded"). 3) On the day of travel we (and the rest of the group) were severely delayed (should have been there 9am) caused by circumstances totally beyond the control of Green Island Tours. But yet again: no problem "if you come at 11 we are there, if you come at 12 we are waiting for you" 4) The guide Yoyo is just a great guy - full stop!! Very friendly, well-informed, qualified and not least service minded. We had one person with reduced mobility in the group, and he was just there for the 93-year old lady without in any way sacrificing the attention to the rest of the group. We had a wonderful day with Green Island Tours and especially Yoyo. My very best recommendation to the company and the people there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Beersgr8
Feb 22, 2023
Exceeded Our Expectations! - We did two full tour days. Ludo was our guide for both days. Ludo was an exceptional guide! His knowledge about the island's history and his passion for the culture made it a truly memorable experience. Our expectations were exceeded ten times over! Pauline at Green Island Tours provided great communication and kept us up to date on all the details. You won't go wrong booking with Green Island Tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lulugrey
Feb 21, 2023
Best Choice on Easter Island - Green Island Tours was a pleasure to work with from the correspondences with Paulina to the day of the tour - coordinating our disembarkation from the cruise ship to meeting our guide on the pier. The tour was fantastic; Yoyo, our guide, an Easter Island native, knew everything there was to know about the island and imparted his knowledge and insights in a fun and informative way. The price was very competitive. It was an excellent value. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eugene
Feb 21, 2023
Fantastic service and amazing guides - Green Island Tours did an amazing time setting up three days of sightseeing on the island. They were incredibly communicative and did everything they could to tailor the trip to my requests. The guides were also incredibly accommodating and knowledgeable, unveiling the history of the island as we went along.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Celiacoameicano
Feb 11, 2023
Knowledgeable, Caring and Passionate Guides; Great Management, too - The communication with Paulina, the administrator of the company, was excellent from the start. When we arrived on the island and found that the heat and humidity were causing problems for my health, she quickly and efficiently rearranged the tours to take advantage of the cool weather in the morning. Yoyo, our guide for two of the excursions, is incredibly knowledgeable, but also a kind and funny man - the type you'd want to have as your friend. I learned as much from him in our time together as I did reading several books about the island. He was also a lead performer in one of the Tapati festival events and is known and respected all over the island. The Stargazing tour with Marc and his partner was beyond words. It was again a mix of deep knowledge about the stars, navigation, and Polynesian history and a true passion for those subjects. Unexpectedly, they sang and played the guitar for us beautifully. The picture they took of us at Anakena Beach at midnight looks like it was from a professional photo shoot. That was possible because of their attention to detail concerning the position of the moon and the time of its rising. On the tour, we saw the Milky Way with the naked eye, Venus, Jupiter and some of its moons, and star clusters through their telescope. All in all, it was an awesome experience that I'd do again given the chance.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Spitcool
Jan 9, 2023
Amazing tours, people, and sights - We booked two days of private tours (myself and my wife). Tiko, our guide, was excellent. A native of Rapa Nui, he was able to answer every question we had about the things he was showing us as well as just about anything else. The car used was comfortable and capable, and the flexibility by Tiko and Green Island Tours was very useful to make the most of our two days on the island. We also did Stargazing with Marc. This was a shared activity and was hugely informative and enjoyable and we even got a great picture go along with it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mpek
Dec 12, 2022
Great overall experience- recommend them - Overall, our experience with Green tours was terrific. Easter island is a special place and it’s important that you have the right guide to offer a perspective beyond what you see. We signed up with Green tours for multiple full days small group tours and a private tour. My experience with them was very professional marked with clear communication. The most important part for me was their guide - YoYo. He is a native, with incredible experience of the place, fluent with English, most importantly knows the art of story telling. Extremely conscious of the elderly in the group, and equally enthusiastic to answer all our questions. Green tours Co is definitely not the cheapest option on the island - but I did experience a strong sense of professionalism. You could actually hire private guides after you get down there, but I cannot speak for their fluency of English or knowledge.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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