Today, we visit some of the most dramatic archaeological sites of Rapa Nui. We begin by driving along the southern coast towards the impressive volcanic crater of Rano Raraku, a UNESCO World Heritage Site used for nearly 500 years as the primary quarry for carving moai from volcanic tuff.

We will explore the mountain slopes and admire hundreds of unfinished statues; some are partly buried and standing, while others remain embedded in the volcanic ash. The largest moai ever built is here, measuring more than 70 feet long and weighing nearly 270 tonnes! The ghostly scene at Rano Raraku makes it seem as though the workers suddenly abandoned their duties at once.

Continuing along the path, we will study Tukuturi, a very unusual moai in a kneeling posture. Boasting 15 erected statues, Ahu Tongariki is the largest ceremonial site in Rapa Nui, including a massive moai of over 80 tonnes. The site is rich with stonework and petroglyphs depicting tuna fish, frigatebirds, and the creator god, Make-make.

Heading back, we visit Ahu Akahanga, a site containing several overturned moai and striking semi-pyramidal burial sites. Later, our second boat trip takes us to the motus to search for Herald, Kermadec, Phoenix, and Henderson’s Petrels, along with Brown Noddy, Great Frigatebird, and Masked Booby.

This morning’s destination is the stunning ceremonial site of Orongo, located at the southwestern tip of the island. The setting of the huge caldera of the extinct Rano Kau volcano makes this a highlight of the tour. The microclimate inside the mile-wide caldera supports various endemic plants, and its lake was historically a vital freshwater source.

At Orongo, the gateway to Rapa Nui National Park, we visit the characteristic oval-shaped stone houses that sheltered contestants of the ancient “Birdman” (Tangata Manu) rituals. This site was extensively restored in 1974 by William Mulloy; the houses were built with benmorite, a basalt found only in this area. We will also admire petroglyphs depicting birdman motifs and Make-make.

Later, we explore Vinapu, where we can compare ahu sites from different periods. You will be impressed by the precision of the stonemasonry, which bears a striking resemblance to Inca wall structures in South America, though it represents a unique local evolution in construction.

Our third and final boat trip to the motus provides another opportunity to observe the diverse seabird colonies and document any species we may have missed on previous outings.

On our fourth day, we visit Anakena Beach, a beautiful location featuring a grove of coconut palms and the most extensive beach on the island. There are three ahu here, with Ahu Nau Nau being the most colorful and well-preserved, restored in the 1980s by local archaeologist Sergio Rapu.

While the current palms were brought from Tahiti in the 1960s, archaeological evidence shows that Rapa Nui was once covered by hundreds of thousands of native palms. The beach setting provides a stunning contrast to the archaeological sites, with turquoise waters and white coral sand.

We conclude the day at Puna Pau, the “quarry of the hats.” This cinder cone provided the red scoria used for the pukao (top-knots) of the moai. It is overwhelming to realize these massive stones had to be transported across the island to their respective ceremonial platforms, a testament to the engineering prowess of the ancient Rapa Nui people.

This morning, you have the opportunity to visit the local crafts market and the shops of Hanga Roa. We also highly recommend a visit to the Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum, which houses phenomenal collections detailing the prehistory and history of Rapa Nui.

Your guide will transfer you to Mataveri Airport for your flight back to Santiago, where our journey concludes.

End of the trip. We hope this comprehensive cultural, archaeological, and seabird adventure has provided unforgettable encounters with the mysteries of Rapa Nui — from the iconic moai and ancient rituals to the rare pelagic petrels nesting on the volcanic motus.