Experience a journey through time on a guided tour of Easter Island. Learn about the first settlers and the rise and fall of the ancient megalithic culture. Visit many fascinating and important sites of different character in the north, central, and south-western areas of Easter Island.

Combine this with Tour B: Megaliths to see all of the easily accessible highlights of Easter Island in two days. This tour is highly optimized to visit the sites when the light conditions are as good as possible for photography, and when there are fewer crowds.

After the moai carving period, the ancient islanders evolved the mortal competitions of the birdman, or tangata manu. The sites of this tour are located in the central and southwestern parts of the island and include:

1) Anakena: At the most beautiful beach of the island, the capital of the ancient society was located. In the sand stands a monument with the best preserved restored moais of the entire island. Quite recently they were dug up after centuries of having been buried in the sand. If interested in having a swim or enjoying some beach time, we suggest coming back on your own, as the tour will mainly focus on the archaeological and historical aspect of this area.

2) Te Pito Kura: The ahu monument of this area has the largest statue that ever reached an ahu platform, reaching almost 10 m tall. Nearby is also a round rock with magnetic properties.

3) Puna Pau: Small volcano where the red scoria stone was quarried for the moai statue topknots - the so called pukao. All of the moai statue pukaos come from this place.

4) Ahu Akivi: The only monument with moais that are looking out towards the sea.

LUNCH (not included): Stop somewhere adequate for lunch. Don't forget to bring 5,000 - 25,000 Chilean pesos per person for lunch. You are also free to bring a snack of your own.

5) Tahai: The tribesmen of this village were remarkably ambitious and hard-working. They raised several statues at three different ahu platforms. A ramp was made to enter the ocean from within the area.

6) Rano Kau crater: The crater of volcano Rano Kau is one of the most stunning views of the whole island. Its crater lake was one of the most important sources of drinking water in ancient times.

7) Orongo: Ceremonial stone village dedicated to the birdman competition, located at the ridge of volcano Rano Kau. From within Orongo, have a fantastic view of the crater of this volcano.