One Week Exploring Easter Island 🗿 Rapa Nui 🐎 Full Travel Guide & Must-See Sights ✈️ Isla de Pascua

Sometimes a once in a lifetime opportunity presents itself and you take it. Traveling to Easter Island (known locally as Rapa Nui and in Spanish as Isla de Pascua) was something we never thought possible in our lifetimes. However, when a short-time discounted airfare was available, we snapped it up and with an opportunity to explore the island slowly, we spent time hiking, walking and renting a vehicle to cover as much as the island as possible. The following Easter Island travel video is our best attempt to document our day to day adventure in the form of a series of vlogs from Day 1 to Day 7. We feel that if you're going to experience the best Easter Island has to offer you had better give yourself a 4 to 7 days. Our visit Easter Island travel guide documentary covers some of the top attractions including all of the various moai statues, beaches and best locations for sunset and sunrise photos. We also cover off-the-beaten-path activities you won't find in a typical Easter Island tourism brochure. 🗿✈️ One Week Exploring Easter Island (Rapa Nui): Full Travel Guide & Must-See Sights 🌍 Arrival in Rapa Nui: A Dream Adventure Begins After nearly a month traversing Chile, we finally set foot on Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, the mysterious and remote jewel of the Polynesian Triangle. Excitement was high as we landed, ready to experience the legendary moai statues, sweeping volcanic landscapes, and vibrant local culture that have fascinated travelers for generations. 🏞️ DAY 1: Hiking Ancient Volcanoes & First Sunset We kicked off our journey with a morning hike up the extinct Rano Kau volcano, accompanied by friendly local dogs. Along the route, we witnessed true "country living," as one of the dogs snatched a chicken for breakfast—an unforgettable slice of island life! The hike was manageable and offered stunning views from the crater rim, revealing a lush micro-climate unique to this sheltered spot. We continued to the ceremonial village of Orongo (rain cut our visit short, but we returned later in the week) and finished the day watching surfers catch waves and the sun set over Hanga Roa’s harbor, ice cream cones in hand. ⛪🛍️ DAY 2: Local Culture, Crafts & Sunset at Ahu Tahai On Sunday, we joined Catholic Mass at a local church, a vibrant fusion of Rapa Nui language, traditional music, and unique attire. Dogs wandered the aisles, and flower garlands adorned both locals and visitors, making it a colorful, communal event. Next, we browsed the artisan’s market for souvenirs—miniature moai, jewelry, and keepsakes—before exploring Ahu Tahai’s moai platforms, including the iconic Ahu Ko Te Riku with restored eyes. As dusk fell, we returned for one of the island’s most beautiful sunsets, watching golden light fade behind ancient statues. 🚗🗿 DAY 3: Road Trip to Rano Raraku & Tongariki With rental car keys in hand and brand-new Rapa Nui passport stamps, we circled the island, starting at the volcanic quarry Rano Raraku, the birthplace of most moai. This haunting landscape is scattered with unfinished statues, toppled giants, and wild horses. We hiked into the lush volcanic crater, discovered a hidden lake, then made our way to Ahu Tongariki—the largest ceremonial platform with 15 majestic moai. Sunset from Orongo capped a day of discovery. 🌅🐎 DAY 4: Sunrise at Tongariki, Wild Horses, and Island Flavors A pre-dawn drive brought us back to Ahu Tongariki for a bucket-list sunrise: the sky turned pastel as sunlight silhouetted the stone giants. Later, we stopped at Ahu Akivi, notable for its seven moai gazing out to sea, and spotted herds of wild horses along the way. A highlight was ceviche lunch at our favorite island eatery—fresh fish, shrimp, lime, and cilantro, followed (of course!) by local artisan ice cream. Another afternoon road trip revealed more wild horses and coastal beauty before unwinding at the golden sands of Anakena Beach. 🏖️⛰️ DAY 5: Beach Days, Red Pukao & Stone Villages On our last day with the car, we revisited Anakena Beach for sunrise snaps, then drove to Puna Pao, the red stone quarry that produced the moai’s topknots or “hats.” Later, we explored the historic Orongo village, famous for its birdman cult and stone dwellings, finally blessed with clear weather. That night, we dove into Rapa Nui’s dance culture with a live performance. 🏡 DAY 6: Slow Living & Our Home on the Island A day of relaxation gave us a chance to tour our humble, comfortable cottage. Accommodation on Easter Island tends to be simple and a little pricey—ours was $830 USD for the week. 👋 DAY 7: Farewell Rapa Nui All too soon, our week was over. Saying goodbye to this enigmatic island, we reflected on the surreal, magical experience. Easter Island remains one of the most fascinating places we’ve ever explored—from hiking volcanoes and meeting wild horses to standing before the iconic moai at dawn and dusk. One Week on Easter Island (Rapa Nui): Moai, Sunrises & Adventure Travel Guide | Isla de Pascua Music: Audio Network