Off the trail

1 – HANUA NUA MEA. From the woods, in Vaitea, the gentle ascent takes you to the heart of Rapa Nui: positioning and archaeological studies, in the natural trench below, are intriguing.

2 – AVA HANGA UKA TO TOROKE HAU. The hike continues to the summit, going up the trench where sometimes, after the rain, a small ephemeral waterfall forms long enough to water the local ferns. Rare spectacle for the lucky ones.

3 – TEREVAKA. The highest point of Rapa Nui. A true natural belvedere with 360-degree panoramic views of the entire island and the vastness of the ocean that surrounds it. Obligatory photo stop!

4 – VAI MATA. The slabs of its platform are the most imposing on the island. A few meters from a Moai that would never have reached its final destination, a unique burial. Then come two basalt outcrops housing a set of Rapa Nui’s best preserved petroglyphs.

5 – ANA KIONGA. The hike continues with the discovery of a very special cave, with a cramped entrance.

6 – ANA HEU. Past the natural curiosity of a breath of air coming out of the rock under the action of the swell, sculpted in the mineral crevice, the faces of the creator god Make Make bear witness to the worship rendered.

7 – HANGA O TEO. Shortly before arriving at this volcanic amphitheater, lying on its back, a small anthracite-colored Moai. Then a succession of astronomically oriented constructions. Absolute serenity of the place, the northern area being, nowadays, very little frequented.

8 – ANAKENA. The return to the heavenly beach of Easter Island, where turquoise waters, white sand and coconut trees await for a restorative bath, will be an opportunity to admire some more examples of Rapanui rock art.

Departure at 9:00 a.m. from your accommodation.

• This full-day hike will take you to discover the north coast of Easter Island, passing by its summit and its 360° panoramic view, far from the beaten track and its tourist contingency.

• Short motorized journey of around fifteen minutes to get to the wooded center of the island, Vaitea.

• The gentle ascent to the highest point of Rapa Nui begins with a small natural canyon on the edge of a forest cover.

• First it is the ahu Hanua Mea Mea which will welcome us with a singular Moai.

• Continuing to follow the canyon, we arrive at the remains of a collapsed lavatube.

• Then it’s the turn of Rano Aroi to welcome us, before reaching Terevaka, the highest peak on Easter Island, a real natural viewpoint and its spectacular views.

• We will then go back down to Vaimata, platform, Moai, burial, and petroglyphs, are there.

• We will discover an underground cavity converted into a shelter during the dark periods of Easter Island.

• A prelude to the volcanic amphitheater in the far north of the island, it is another mineral crevice which will reveal to you the numerous engravings of Make Make, the creator god of Rapanui mythology.

• And, on the way back, towards Anakena beach, some examples of the rock art of Easter Island will still be observed.

• Return to the village by motorized journey of around twenty minutes using the island’s crossing road.