Orongo, Easter Island, Chile

5LookingForFamilyFun 5:00 PM Jan 22, 2020

Excellent history, better with a guide!
This is one of the two 'one entrance' locations on your Rapa Nui National Park ticket. There is a nice interpretive museum with pictures at the entrance which is helpful for those without a guide, but the site visit is much better with a guide that will share the history with you. This is the society after the moai builders and where their elite prepared for and competed in the 'bird man' competition. Their 'homes' are still here and some are cut away a bit so you can see how they were amazingly constructed of flat stones...even the roof! Sea views are fantastic as well, I have a lovely pano of the view, but TA doesn't allow the size so I didn't share it. :-( Our guide, Nuku, was excellent and he was scheduled for us by the owner of our lodging, Kona Koa, which we highly recommend both! It was $120 for the day and we provided the transportation (which Kona Koa also arranged to our great convenience!)

5WImom 5:00 PM Apr 15, 2020

A definite must see!
It takes about 2-3 hours to see this fully. This is Easter Island's most dramatic setting with a wonderful view! There is a small museum with signs that are very informative about the area (English, also). It really merits a local guide to really understand the full history. You will need to show your national park ticket upon entrance. The village is the ceremonial village where the Birdman Competition took place. Toilets are available free. Lighting is best in the early morning or mid/late afternoon. Orongo was restored in 1974 with 47 houses, many of which had collapsed or had been torn down by treasure hunters. There is an interpretive trail through Orongo which the visit better. At the end of the interpretive trail there are many boulders carved with petroglyphs.