Half Day "Looking Towards the Stars"

Visit Ahu Huri, one of the last Ahu (altars) to be restored by Dr. William Mulloy. It is believed to be astronomically positioned so that as the sun rises, on the morning of both the winter and summer solstices, shines directly onto the facade of the moai. Next visit Ahu Akivi, an archaeological site, which in the 1960s was one of the first restored sites. The ceremonial place of Ahu Akiv is particularly interesting, not only for its location (in the centre of the island), but also by the legends that are known about the seven moai. The tour continues to Ahu Vai Teka, an archaeological site that was apparently to face towards the rising sun of the equinox (beginning of spring and autumn). Around this ahu a large number of caves and waterholes are found, a very important source of freshwater for the ancient populations. Finally visit the Puna Pau site located east of the town of Hanga Roa, in a small crater of red scoria rock.