Orongo, Ahu Vinapu and Rano Kau Half Day Tour
3h30
Half Day
Instant confirmation
About this activity
After hotel pickup in Hanga Roa, you're driven to the Ahu Vinapu ceremonial complex. The ceremonial center of Vinapú includes one of the largest ahu in Rapa Nui. This ceremonial center has an extraordinary platform, which stands out for having an architectural structure composed of large slabs carefully wedged, similar to the Inca constructions of Cusco.
Then re-board the minivan and travel south to Ana Kai Tangata, a cave along the coast.The only cave on the island to contain ancient pictures, many believe this location served as the starting point of the annual Tangata Manu ritual practiced until around 1800. As you listen to the rhythmic crashing of the surf against the cliffs and hear ancient legends, imagine the men selected from each tribe leaping from the cave and swimming toward the islet of Motu Nui to collect the first egg laid by a sooty tern. Many drowned or were killed by sharks. The first man to return with the egg was rewarded with riches for his tribe for the rest of the year.
Leave the cave and set sights on the Rano Kau volcano and its crater lake. Capture this dramatic landscape from three different vantage points before your guide takes you to the village of Orongo at the southern tip of the island. Orongo contains 54 restored oval-shaped houses constructed out of slabs of shale, each with a small square entryway overlooking the ocean. Note the abundance of birdmen petroglyphs here, and learn about the site's use as a ceremonial center for birdmen rites between 1600 and 1866.
After your guide's introduction to village lore and legend, spend a little over an hour exploring the site on your own before transport back to your hotel.
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Then re-board the minivan and travel south to Ana Kai Tangata, a cave along the coast.The only cave on the island to contain ancient pictures, many believe this location served as the starting point of the annual Tangata Manu ritual practiced until around 1800. As you listen to the rhythmic crashing of the surf against the cliffs and hear ancient legends, imagine the men selected from each tribe leaping from the cave and swimming toward the islet of Motu Nui to collect the first egg laid by a sooty tern. Many drowned or were killed by sharks. The first man to return with the egg was rewarded with riches for his tribe for the rest of the year.
Leave the cave and set sights on the Rano Kau volcano and its crater lake. Capture this dramatic landscape from three different vantage points before your guide takes you to the village of Orongo at the southern tip of the island. Orongo contains 54 restored oval-shaped houses constructed out of slabs of shale, each with a small square entryway overlooking the ocean. Note the abundance of birdmen petroglyphs here, and learn about the site's use as a ceremonial center for birdmen rites between 1600 and 1866.
After your guide's introduction to village lore and legend, spend a little over an hour exploring the site on your own before transport back to your hotel.
Included
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned van or bus
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Entrance fee to Rapa Nui National Park (56,000 Chilean pesos or 80.00 USD)
- Transfers from the pier (Please note there's an special option called Shore Excursion trip for this case)
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Remember that this excursion is not a private tour
- It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring water and snacks
- Note: Port pickup is not available
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
85%
Reviews
Great tour and guide.
The tour was well worthwhile - informative and interesting. The guide Christina was knowledgeable and helpful.
Loved this tour! Exactly as advertised. Learning more of the history was great. Cristine, the guide did a great job speaking to two different languages!
Fabulous half day in Easter island. This was one of the best excursions I have ever been on, loved it. Our guide was excellent and the scenery was stunning. Would highly recommend
It was a great tour, well done, guide was knowledgeable. However, we booked this tour not knowing how easy it would be to get around the island on our own. We actually rented a car the day before and had already visited some of the sites we went to on the tour. But if you don't want to rent a car, this is a great tour.
A great trip to the Bird Man cult centre which has been restored. Guide was first class and explained everything well
Great tour of Easter Island to be able to see and hear stories of some fascinating sites. Tour guide was excellent and offered the tour bilingually though less English as English-speakers were a small minority. The tour group size was a bit large, but for the price and the quality of the guides, I would definitely recommend this tour! I did the two half-day tours on different days, which was perfect.