Easter Island

Rapa Nui: An Adventure to the Edge of the World

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Explore one of the world’s greatest archaeological landscapes—with the expert who helped rewrite its history.

Hosted by Tessa Boyce and Professor Terry Hunt

Our Rapa Nui journeys are a signature experience at Tour Resource Consultants, created in partnership with Professor Terry Hunt, one of the world’s foremost authorities on Easter Island’s history, ecology, and culture. These immersive programs offer travelers an extraordinary opportunity to explore the island alongside the very scholar whose research transformed our understanding of the moai, the island’s environmental story, and the resilience of its people. Few places on Earth evoke wonder like Rapa Nui—a remote volcanic island in the South Pacific, home to dramatic cliffs, sweeping grasslands, and the legendary moai statues that rise from the landscape. With TRC, you’ll experience Rapa Nui through the eyes of those who know it best.

A Deeply Immersive Experience

Your journey begins in Santiago, Chile, where travelers settle in with time to explore the capital’s vibrant neighborhoods, sample Chilean cuisine, and enjoy an optional excursion into the surrounding wine country. From there, you’ll fly nearly 2,300 miles west to Rapa Nui, one of the most isolated inhabited places on the planet.
For six nights, our group stays at Explora Rapa Nui, the island’s premier lodge—known for its exceptional hospitality, sustainable design, and all-inclusive guided explorations. Each day offers new perspectives on the island’s natural and cultural heritage:

• Walk among the monumental moai that define the island’s horizon
• Explore ancient quarries, ahu platforms, petroglyphs, and archaeological sites rarely seen by visitors
• Learn about Polynesian navigation and settlement, environmental shifts, and the island’s evolving cultural narrative
• Experience the island’s modern Rapanui community, traditions, and ongoing preservation efforts
• Enjoy evenings of world-class dining, ocean views, and time to relax and reflect

Every day on Rapa Nui is a blend of discovery, story, landscape, and connection.

Led by Professor Terry Hunt
Terry L. Hunt, Ph.D. is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking research on Rapa Nui and Eastern Polynesia. His decades of fieldwork have reshaped global understanding of the island’s past, challenging outdated collapse theories and revealing a story of innovation, adaptation, and resilience.

Professor Hunt has:
-Appeared in National Geographic, PBS, and History Channel documentaries
-Published extensively, including the award-winning The Statues That Walked
-Conducted archaeological research on the island for over 20 years
-Served as Dean of the University of Arizona Honors College

Travelers on this journey have the rare chance to explore Rapa Nui with him—walking the sites his research helped illuminate, learning directly from his expertise, and engaging with the island’s archaeological story at the highest level.

Why Travel with TRC

For over a decade, Tour Resource Consultants has specialized in faculty-led and educational travel, partnering with universities, scholars, and experts around the world. Our Rapa Nui programs reflect our commitment to meaningful, academically grounded, small-group exploration.

We design each journey to offer:

• A perfect balance of learning, comfort, and adventure
• Thoughtfully paced days with time for rest, curiosity, and conversation
• Deep cultural insight alongside unforgettable natural beauty
• Access to top-tier accommodations and expert local guides—including Gina Pakarati, one of the island’s leading cultural interpreters

Our goal is simple: to create travel experiences that stay with you long after you return home.

Trip Snapshot: Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Arrival in Santiago, Chile – Welcome dinner, trip orientation, two overnights in Santiago
Day 2: Wine Tasting and Gourmet Lunch in the Colchagua Wine Valley
Day 3: Early morning flight to Rapa Nui! Check in to luxury lodge Explora. Visit Tahai site
Day 4: Visit Ahu Akivi, Ana Tepahu cave, Ahu Tepeu and remote coastal village
Day 5: Visit the incredible moai quarry of Ranu Raraku. Walk a portion of the moai road & visit a local farm.
Day 6: See monumental ahu and moai along he south and northeast coasts. Picnic at Anakena beach & optional snorkeling
Day 7: Visit Rano Kau and the Birdman site of Orongo, with spectacular views of the offshore islands and towering cliffs
Day 8: Free day to explore the island. Scuba diving, snorkeling, horseback riding options available
Day 9: Travel back to Santiago, check into hotel for 1 night
Day 10: Check out of hotel & program concludes