I previously posted about the steps now necessary to get onto rapanui, https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/showthread.php?t=115695&referrerid=25095
Once there, the recent fire near and in the quarry (Rano Raraku), had essentially no short term impact on visitors. We didn't even notice it from the hiking trail up to the site. Once on site though, it is apparent; you'll be right on its edge at times when you follow the trail around the site. It looks to have singed a few of the maoi, but none of the primary attractions. (Our guide said the site was closed only on the day of the fire, and shrugged, saying the farmers/ranchers always light fires. No one arrested or fined and no urgency in doing so....)
As for guides, the new (and still handwritten!) Rules are posted where we bought our tickets/passes).
Perhaps because the policy is new, however, it was not enforced as strictly as written. We were able to visit most of the sites on our list without a guide, and we're not stopped from hiking the short "ara o te moai" trail to the quarry. We reserved a guide for the last day and we're then able to access the few remaining sites. Cost was $55 per person from 9am to about 4pm--and that included use of his car.
The sites that require a guide were those that are likely the most crowded once people start to come back in prepandemic numbers. (We had many sites to ourselves, and none were at all crowded--but the high season begins in November, and the number of weekly flights will double in December). Surprisingly to us, some of the most at risk sites, such as easily accessible petroglyphs, were not among those requiring a guide.
Bottom line is that you should plan on getting a guide to see sites. I think we were lucky to get in before everything was fully implemented.
All in all, a good side trip for us. Friendly, safe feeling, very walkable town, good ceviche, and grilled fish. But not a culinary destination, and restaurants reopening slowly. Check out the enclave of 3 food trucks and an affordable bar on mainstreet--we had cocktails there every night. Very local and mostly younger crowd, especially as the night goes on!
Once there, the recent fire near and in the quarry (Rano Raraku), had essentially no short term impact on visitors. We didn't even notice it from the hiking trail up to the site. Once on site though, it is apparent; you'll be right on its edge at times when you follow the trail around the site. It looks to have singed a few of the maoi, but none of the primary attractions. (Our guide said the site was closed only on the day of the fire, and shrugged, saying the farmers/ranchers always light fires. No one arrested or fined and no urgency in doing so....)
As for guides, the new (and still handwritten!) Rules are posted where we bought our tickets/passes).
We recommend you to always bring a local tour guide with you when visit the park sites, it is obligatory in most the sites. Only Tahai and Anakena aloud to go without a local guide.
Perhaps because the policy is new, however, it was not enforced as strictly as written. We were able to visit most of the sites on our list without a guide, and we're not stopped from hiking the short "ara o te moai" trail to the quarry. We reserved a guide for the last day and we're then able to access the few remaining sites. Cost was $55 per person from 9am to about 4pm--and that included use of his car.
The sites that require a guide were those that are likely the most crowded once people start to come back in prepandemic numbers. (We had many sites to ourselves, and none were at all crowded--but the high season begins in November, and the number of weekly flights will double in December). Surprisingly to us, some of the most at risk sites, such as easily accessible petroglyphs, were not among those requiring a guide.
Bottom line is that you should plan on getting a guide to see sites. I think we were lucky to get in before everything was fully implemented.
All in all, a good side trip for us. Friendly, safe feeling, very walkable town, good ceviche, and grilled fish. But not a culinary destination, and restaurants reopening slowly. Check out the enclave of 3 food trucks and an affordable bar on mainstreet--we had cocktails there every night. Very local and mostly younger crowd, especially as the night goes on!
