Here’s what you can expect…*

*always subject to change based on weather and other circumstances

Day 1, May 26 – Arrival and first sunset

You’ll schedule your flight to arrive on this day or the day before. LATAM Airlines has a daily flight arriving from Santiago, Chile around midday to Mataveri Airport in Hangaroa (airport code IPC).

Arriving at the island, you’ll be transported in style to one of the island’s top 5-star accommodations.

If you plan to arrive a day early, you can arrange a day tour with the hotel, or simply relax at the pool and spa or explore the town of Hangaroa on your own.

At 3 p.m., we’ll meet for tea and orientation in the lounge. Then, after some free time, we’ll meet up again at 6 p.m. to board our van to Tahai—the island’s most popular spot to watch the sunset behind moai statues.

After watching your first sunset on the island, you’ll be free to depart and explore the many culinary options in town for dinner. Or head off to bed.

Meals included: Meals on arrival days are not included. Everyone arrives at different times. Dinner is on your own but many will not want to eat after our wine and cheese sunset.

Day 2, May 27 – Early morning start — Sunrise and boat ride

You’ll wake up early for our first sunrise shoot at Tahai at 6 a.m. Although most people visit this site at sunset, it is equally—if not more—stunning before sunrise in the early morning light.

And the best part is, the tourist groups arrive hours later... so there’s almost no one there.

By the time they arrive, you’ll already be on your way back to the hotel for a leisurely and hearty breakfast.

After breakfast, we’ll visit the Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum. Here, you’ll learn about all things moai and Rapanui—essential to appreciating all the sites that you’ll be photographing the next few days.

After lunch in town, there’s time to rest until the evening photo shoot.

Following rest, we’ll make our way to the harbor and board a small boat for an afternoon ride along the coast. Seeing the island from the water will give you an entirely different perspective and increase your amazement as to how the Rapanui people were able to travel vast ocean distances to arrive at such a remote place.

After the boat ride, grab a quick dinner in town as we’ll be meeting up again at 7:30 p.m. for an evening stargazing tour at Anakena Beach.

You’ll learn the basics of astrophotography, and you’ll get a chance to practice these techniques on a perfectly moonless night, free of light pollution. Have your camera, tripod, and a good headlamp ready to go.

Meals included: B, L, D

Day 3, May 28 - Moai nursery

Enjoy a more leisurely breakfast this morning before we make our first visit to Rano Raraku, the ancient stone quarry where the majority of the island’s moai statues were carved.

Known as the “nursery,” this site is slightly eerie as stone faces are seemingly everywhere and will be sure to leave a lasting impression.

After getting your fill of moai, we’ll return to the hotel for rest.

In the late afternoon, we’ll regroup to visit the sites Ahu Akivi—an ancient star observatory and one of the most sacred places on the island—along with Puna Pau crater and quarry. Finally, we’ll explore hidden island caves, once used as tombs by the indigenous people years ago.

Dinner is on your own tonight because many will want to get to bed before tomorrow’s very early start.
Meals included: B, L

Day 4, May 29 – Incredibly early morning

Today, we’ll rise early again — even before the local roosters — as we head out to the eastern side of the island to shoot stars and the night sky at the island’s most impressive collection of standing moai—Ahu Tongariki.

The sheer massiveness of this construction will take your breath away, as well as the morning sunrise behind the moai.

You’ll have enough time to get your shots and even a few selfies before we return to the hotel for breakfast.

Lunch is on your own today. Take some time to wander around Hangaroa and meet some friendly locals. Many of them speak English, and if you know Spanish, even better, as it’s the official language (Easter Island is a Chilean territory).

After exploring the ancient mysteries of this fascinating island, this afternoon, we’ll head to the town harbor to catch an intimate look at modern island life. There, we’ll watch and photograph local fishermen at work... kids swimming and jumping off the dock... surfers nearby... and possibly turtles!

Enjoy a relaxing evening on your own.

Meals included: B, D

Day 5, May 30 – Modeled photo shoot

Today you’ll have the rare opportunity to meet and photograph Easter Islanders in their traditional dress by the white sands and jewel-toned waters of Anakena Beach.

Joining us will be several local models who look like they came straight off the set of Kevin Costner’s 1994 film “Rapa Nui.”

We’ll have the models stationed strategically around the beach and divide the group up so everyone will have a chance to work with each person.

If you’ve never worked with models before—have no fear. Beginners are always amazed at how much fun these shoots are! We’ll teach you exactly what to do.

We’ll later return to the hotel for a much-deserved breakfast. You’ll have a few hours on your own today to work on your images and grab lunch in town.

After rest, we’ll gather in the evening for a late afternoon shoot with our models at a new island location.

This evening, we’ve arranged a special event for you.

The Rapa Nui are fiercely proud of their culture and traditions and nowhere is this better expressed than in their song and dance. Tonight, you’ll visit Te Ra’ai, the island’s best dance and dinner show.

You’ll get to sample a traditional Rapanui meal, cooked underground with hot stones, and a rousing dance performance that will have you out of your seats in applause.

With our cameras in-hand, we’ll have plenty of photo opportunities and a chance to take photos with the performers after the show.

Meals included: B, D. Breakfast is late today and dinner is big. You may choose to skip lunch or have a small snack instead.

Day 6, May 31 - Bird-man cult

Our last full day together will start off with an early morning hike along Rano Kau—the largest volcanic caldera on Easter Island—where you can catch a glimpse of the blue and green pool of water in the middle of this volcanic circle.

Next, we’ll make a stop at the stone village of Orongo, the ceremonial home of the bird-man cult.

Lunch will be on your own. If you haven’t done so, you may want to visit one of the several restaurants along the beach or harbor.

In the afternoon, we’ll head out for a final shoot along the coast at Ana Kai Tangata, the “Cave of the Cannibals,” with its legends and cave paintings, and Ahu Vinapu, with its ancient stone masonry reminiscent of Incan architecture, in that each stone fits with the next perfectly.

In the evening we’ll convene for our farewell dinner in town.

Meals included: B, L, D

Day 7, June 1 - Departure

We’ll meet for our final breakfast together and then you’ll have time to finish your packing and check out. You’ll have a little time this morning to grab any last-minute souvenirs or spa treatments or just roam around the town.

You may even want to attend Sunday mass at the island’s Catholic church, the Iglesia Hanga Roa. It’s worth a visit for its spectacular wood carvings that integrate Christian doctrine with Rapanui tradition. You will see the islanders dressed in their Sunday best and belting out rousing hymns.

Around the middle of the day, hotel staff will take you back to the airport... but you will not want to leave, so the Islanders will welcome you to return to ensure that you do.

Consider booking this trip with our Peru trip and maximizing your flights to South America.

Price:

Full Price: $7,987

Additional Savings: Pay just $6,587 when you bring (share a room with) a spouse or friend.

Initial Deposit: $1,000 today to secure your spot.

Payment Plan: Spread the remaining balance over the next 2 months with equal payments to complete your payment conveniently.

What's Included:

• Luxury Accommodations: Six nights in a private room at the luxurious Nayara Hotel (formerly the Hanga Roa Eco Village & Spa).

• Dining: Daily breakfast along with afternoon coffee and tea. Four dinners and three lunches.

• Exclusive Tours: Five days of expert-led photography tours across Easter Island’s stunning landscapes, including calderas, beaches, caves, and historical sites.

• Cultural Immersion: Unique access to the moai statues and engaging with the Rapanui people’s daily life and culture.

• Photography Sessions: Includes sunrise, sunset, and night-time star photography at iconic locations, plus private photo shoots with local models in traditional attire.

• Professional Guidance: Hands-on assistance from a local photography expert to enhance your skills.

• Transport: All transportation for scheduled shoots and national park entrances, museum tickets, plus airport transfers aligned with our itinerary.

• Special Events: A welcome wine and cheese sunset reception and a culturally rich farewell dance with dinner.

• Support: Comprehensive pre-event planning and on-the-ground support from our dedicated team.

Not Included:

• Airfare: Round-trip airfare to and from Easter Island.

• Photography Gear: You are required to bring your own camera and accessories such as memory cards and tripods.

• Additional Meals: Meals not specified in the itinerary (budget approximately $30-$50 per day).

• Leisure Transport: Bike or car rentals for personal exploration during free time.

• Personal Expenses: Souvenirs and other personal purchases.

Secure your place in this unforgettable adventure and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Easter Island with us!