Tours

There are several ways visitors arrange tours on Easter Island. Book ahead of time before setting foot on the island, which is recommended even for the plan-averse, especially for more strenuous, time-consuming hikes or horseback rides to the north coast and Poike. Fans of the all-inclusive experience can make the most of hotel-based tours, while more spontaneous travelers can arrange tours on-site with hotels and agencies, which can get you out the following, or even same day, depending on the activity. Before visiting Rapa Nui National Park, make sure you purchase your national park ticket from CONAF as agencies do not include them in packages.

Another option is to simply wander the streets of Hanga Roa, looking for storefronts that offer tours, which can also yield good results, but may not be the most time-efficient and keeps you away from some of the smaller, more innovative agencies. Sernatur, the local tourist office, has extensive knowledge of options and opportunities, and can point you in the right direction.

Easter Island Travel. An unlikely transplant to Easter Island, Marcus Edensky, a Swedish man married to a Rapa Nui woman, runs some of the best-reviewed tours on the island. An outdoorsman, he leads multiday hiking tours, horseback riding, and spiritual tours, among others, often on the north coast. He speaks Swedish, Spanish, English, and Rapa Nui. Easter Island Travel specializes in small group tours, and the north coast tour ends (optionally) with tunu ahi, or food cooked directly on hot rocks. Private day-long hiking tours cost 91,000 pesos, and three-day adventure tours start at 875,000 pesos; both have a two-person minimum. Policarpo Toro, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Valparaíso, 2770000. 9/7510--3841; www.easterisland.travel. From 90000 pesos.

Kava Kava Tours. This local company runs small full- and half-day tours taking in major sights, including moai and caves. One half-day tour goes to Puna Pau, the quarry from which the red stone topknots that sat atop the moai were carved. Another day-long tour goes around the Poike Peninsula, the oldest part of the island, and one of two areas open to hikers or people on horseback with guides only and not accessible by vehicle. Prices are steep so team up with others to form a group of four and bring down costs. Av. Ana Tehe Tama, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Valparaíso, 2770000. 9/7216–5015; www.kavakavatours.com. From 193000 pesos.

Kia Koe (). One of the largest and oldest tour companies on the island, this company runs full- and half-day excursions with pick-up and drop-off from some of the major hotels. Av. Atamu Tekena s/n, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Valparaíso, 2770000. 3/2210–0852; www.kiakoetour.cl. From 20000 pesos.

Makemake Tours & Rental. A metal sculpture of a bike signals the entrance to this shop, slightly hidden from the street. It rents mountain bikes and surfboards, both to use alone or with a guide and instructor. Guided walks, private tours, snorkeling, and boat and fishing tours are also available. A mountain bike rental runs 11,000 pesos for eight hours, 13,000 pesos for a day, and 21,000 pesos for two days. A guided day-tour on mountain bike is 26,000, and a horseback-riding tour over the north coast is 80,000 pesos per person, with a two-person minimum. Atamu Tekena s/n, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Valparaíso, 277000. 9/6212–7132. From 25000 pesos.