Maunga Pukatikei - North Shore Trailhead

Getting There

While it is possible to walk to both Maunga Terevaka & Rano Kau from Hanga Roa, Maunga Pukatikei is at the other end of the island.  We rented a vehicle from Paul at Hotel Tekarera on Christmas Day to do some site seeing and to climb Pukatikei.

Getting to Easter Island – Isla de Pascua.  We flew LAN Chile from Miami to Santiago and then the next day LAN Chile to from Santiago to Easter Island.  When booking our tickets we found LAN flew to Easter Island and back every day but Tuesday.  The scheduled flight was 5 hours 40 minutes to Easter Island and 4 hours 50 minutes on the return.

Route Description

Many maps show a track heading northeast up the mountain from along the road that crosses the island from the south by Ahu Tongariki to the north shore.  We saw what was probably that road, but chose instead to head to near where the main road meets the shore on the north side of the island.  Just before the road turns west to head across the north side of the island, there is an unpaved road on the right.  

The first part of the road was okay for most vehicles, but it quickly became a 4WD road.  Fortunately there are wide spots to park with a beautiful view of the rugged shoreline.  This is probably the first time I climbed a mountain where the trailhead was right next to the ocean. 

After parking the rented Suzuki we started up the road for as far as it would take us.  We could see the trees in the summit crater rising above us to the southeast.

It wasn't far before the road ended at a wire fence.  We crawled under the fence at a dip in the land.  

After the fence the route was simple.  We aimed for the saddle between the summit and the row of volcanic cones on the north side of the mountain.

After gaining about 500’ we came across a road.  Not a constructed road but one formed by driving on the terrain.  This was probably the same road we passed on our way to our trailhead. 

This road conveniently headed straight up to the Maunga Vai – Heva saddle. 

It continued down the other side a distance unknown to us. The GPS showed the saddle elevation to be 828’. It took us around 50 minutes to come this far.  

From here, we made a right turn and headed up a social path towards the summit.

On the way to the summit at around 1000’ is a small moai marked and protected by a fence.  We took a few pictures and continued on to the summit.  

A direct approach to the crater rim started getting a little steep near the top so we swung a bit to the right.  On the first high point of the rim was a couple with a two kids.  

After exchanging pleasantries we continued around the crater clockwise until we came to the high point.  

The crater has a thick patch of trees and other vegetation growing in it.  We stayed on the broad rim without exploring the crater.  Whereas we gained the crater rim on the northwest we traveled around to the south to get to the summit marked by a cairn. 

There are a couple small antennas on the summit and great views of much of the island.  The broad shield volcano Maunga Terevaka, the monarch of Easter Island provides views for most of the hike. 

Rano Kau  and Rano Raraku line up nicely for a picture.

From the saddle to the summit took a casual 30 minutes.  We took our time having a lunch on top and taking pictures while completing the circle of the crater rim.

It took about an hour to hike back down to the trailhead at an easy pace reversing the same route.

As long as it’s clear you shouldn't have any trouble finding your way.  Even if there were thick fog, the mountain takes up the eastern peninsula of the island.  You would just have to head west to hit the main road.  We had great weather our entire time on Easter Island, with only a few light sprinkles.

Essential Gear

The standard advice on Easter Island is to take lots of water and sunscreen!  Hiking boots or trekking shoes recommended along with sunglasses and a hat!  It's possible the wind might pick up or there will be a shower, so a jacket in case a t-shirt proves not to be enough.

Puka turn off    671113  7002070  27m  1:52:50pm  27.09318  109.27406  89'

Puka Trailhead  671157  7002141  6m  11:02:53am  27.09253  109.27363  19'

Puka fence    671647  7002115  38m  11:19:22am  27.09271  109.26868  124'

Puka track    672645  7001592  167m  11:44:33am  27.09731  109.25855  548'

Puka saddle    673229  7001330  252m  11:57:22am  27.09960  109.25262  828'

Puka moai    673099  7000947  310m  12:08:12pm  27.10307  109.25388  1016'

Puka  crater    673041  7000744  366m  12:20:54am  27.10491  109.25445  1201'

Paku  summit    672965  7000627  372m  12:26:55pm  27.10597  109.25519  1219'

Magnetic declination is about 15 degrees to the east

External Links

We stayed at Kainga Nui cabin at Hotel Tekarera.  Our host Paul picked us up at the airport.  Paul drove us around town pointing things out to get us oriented. The next day Paul was our guide for a full day tour of island.  Paul is very knowledgeable of the history of Easter Island.  As a teenager in the 60s he worked with archaeologist William Mulloy. Paul is American but spent much of his adult life on Easter Island married to a native Rapa Nui.  We spent 6 nights on Easter Island and could easily have spent another week. 

http://tekarera.com/index.html