TOURS
How many people will be on my tours with me?
All of our tours are private, meaning that it will just be you and your private guide/driver. However, if you are keen to share your tour(s) with other visitors in order to reduce costs, please let us know when you book, and we’ll try to put you together with other people who are looking to do likewise.
What days of the week do the tours take place?
Our tours are available every day of the week, year-round. There are only 2 days of the year that we don’t offer tours for obvious reasons: January 1st and December 25th.
What is suitable clothing for the tours?
Easter Island is capable of the 4 seasons in one day, however light clothing in layers is still best. Sunscreen and a hat are highly recommended, as is bringing a rain jacket just in case.
No special footwear is necessary, and most people find sneakers or low-cut walking shoes to be fine. Flip-flops and open-toe sandals are not recommended.
What time will my tour start?
All of our tours generally start at 09.30, unless you’re touring on your first afternoon on the island, in which case we start at 15.30. We will always email you a few days before you arrive with the exact timings.
Since our tours are private tours, there is some flexibility with the timings, although we are obviously constrained by the opening and closing times of the National Park each day.
Where do my tours start and finish?
We will always come and pick you up from your island accommodation, and likewise drop you off there at the end of your tour. If you are taking a half day tour on your final morning here, we can also take your bags with us on the tour and drop you off at the airport at the end, in good time for your departing flight.
I see that Tours A & D include a cooked lunch. What are the options?
There is a choice of fish, beef or chicken with rice and vegetables, or a vegetarian option. Your guide will take your order on the morning of the tour.
I see that lunch isn’t included in other tours. What are the options?
Your guide will always show you the options for lunch, whether it’s a restaurant in town (Tour B) or buying something at Rano Raraku (Tour C). For the hikes, people generally bring snacks and refreshments with them, since there are no facilities to buy anything.
Can you also pick me up from the airport?
We don’t do airport pick-ups since all accommodations here offer them, either for free or for a small charge. There are also numerous taxis at the airport which charge about $15 to anywhere in town.
We can however drop you off at the airport at the end of a tour for no additional charge – see the information above regarding tour starts/finishes.
Can I adjust some of the sites visited in your tours?
Yes and no. Our tour itineraries have been designed as a result of many years of putting together tours around Easter Island, and we feel that they’re the best way to see the most important sites here and maximize your time. That said, if there is a particular site that isn’t included that you’re desperate to see, check with us and if we can include it, we will.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?
This is much less of a problem than people think, and the weather in fact can even change noticeably from one side of the island to the other. However if adverse weather really looks like you won’t be able to see much at all, we will always do our best to reschedule your tour, depending of course on guide and vehicle availability.
PAYMENT
How does payment work?
At the moment of booking, we will send you a Paypal invoice for 50% of the total of your tours, which you can pay securely using your credit card or your Paypal account if you have one. This payment guarantees your reservation with us. The remaining balance is due one week before your first tour, again payable via PayPal.
NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE
What is this and do I need to pay it?
All visitors who intend to visit the archaeological sites, all of which are found within the limits of the Rapa Nui National Park, need to pay this one-time fee, currently U$80 per visitor for all overseas visitors. You can buy it from the local office on the island, but it’s much easier to buy it online beforehand here.
At many of the sites you will be asked to show your ticket, meaning that you should carry it with you at all times. In theory it is only valid for one visit to Rano Raraku and Orongo, although there is sometimes some flexibility about this.
TAPATI FESTIVAL
Do I have to pay an entrance fee to watch the festival?
No, all festival events are free, open to all, and no tickets are required.
Can you tell me which events take place on which day?
Probably not! The schedule is only released a month or so before the festival, meaning that planning your visit around certain events is extremely difficult. That said, the whole festival is an amazing spectacle, so you’ll be in for a treat on whichever day you happen to coincide with it.
If I book a tour during the Tapati, will I miss the festival events that take place during the day?
Not at all. We generally combine tours with festival events where possible, meaning that you get to see the best of both.
Can I participate in the festival competitions?
No – they’re only open to islanders, for obvious reasons.
GENERAL
What if my plans change or I miss my connecting flight to the island?
Let us know as soon as you possibly can and we will always do everything we can to reschedule your tours. It will all depend on our availability this end.
Can I book my tours when I arrive on the island?
We can rarely offer last-minute tours since we’re generally always fully booked by then. Most people book 2-6 months before they arrive, and that way we can offer much better availability.
If you’re unsure of exactly which tours you may want to take during your visit here, we recommend that you at least book the days with us, and we can then switch tours around once you’re here if you decide to make any changes (where possible).
EASTER ISLAND SPIRIT
