In this fourth and final post of Easter Island I am going to tell you about:
- Ahu Akivi
- a walk along the western coast of Easter Island
- Ahu Tahai
- Easter Island Tamati Festival
- Explora Rapa Nui
Over the past three weeks I have posted three stories about key sites to see on Easter Island. These posts were:
- Ahu Tongariki
- Ara O Te Moia
- Rano Kau and Orongo
The above are three sites that my guides at Explora Rapa Nui recognised as the key sites on Easter Island. However, there is much more to the island than the above three sites. Today I am going to tell you about a few other locations/activities to consider.
You will recall from the first post (Ahu Tongariki) that Easter Island is basically triangular in shape. One part of the triangle is on the northern side, the second part being on the western side and the third being on the south-eastern side. For a map of Easter Island click this link. Both Ahu Tongariki and Ara O Te Moia are near the north-eastern corner of Easter Island. Rano Kau is near the south-western corner of the island.
Ahu Akivi
Ahu Akivi is somewhat inland but is closest to the western coast (you can see its location on the map above). The site consists of seven moai that are particularly notable because they face the ocean (most moia that are found on platforms have their backs to the ocean – like Ahu Tongariki).
These seven identical moia precisely face the sunset at spring equinox (and have their backs to the sunrise at autumn equinox).
Trail along western coast towards Hanga Roa
There is a trail that goes along the western coast (and part of the northern coast to Anakena Beach). Following our visit to Ahu Akivi we took this trail towards Hanga Roa (the main township on Easter Island). We left the trail after entering two caves near Hanga Roa. Following are three images from the trail (the final one being from one of the caves that anyone is free to enter).
This trail is a nice excursion with reasonably flat terrain and you are free to pick your own route along the coast.
Ahu Tahai
There are a complex of platforms at Ahu Tahai. Ahu KoTe Riku is notable for the restoration of the eyes in the moia – you will also observe the top knot of scoria:
On the opposite side of a little inlet is Ahu Vai Ure:
Easter Island Tapati Festival
The Easter Island Tapati Festival is held in the first two weeks of February every year. It is a celebration of Easter Island culture and mainly involves music, dance and traditional sports. During my stay I attended two evening sessions in Hanga Roa. Following are two images from the festival.
Explora Rapa Nui
Since this is the last post in my series on Easter Island I wanted to leave you with photos taken around my accommodation on Easter Island. I chose to stay at Explora Rapa Nui. As you will observe from the following photos, the accommodation was very nice. I would also add that the food matched the accommodation and all the excursions I have documented in this four part series were taken with the guides that were part of the package delivered through staying at Explora Rapa Nui.