Peru/Chile/Easter Island
Machu Picchu & Rapa Nui: Experiencing Two Mysterious Civilizations
Program No. 23246RJ
Two iconic, ancient sites will amaze you as you explore Machu Picchu and Rapa Nui with local experts, and uncover the fascinating history and culture that surround them.
Participant Reviews
Based on 21 Reviews
SHOWING
Wonderful fast pace program with lots of travel in order to see all the great sights and destinations. Luis was an excellent guide who made sure all details were taken care of for either planned or unplanned needs. Highly recommend this program.
— Review left November 23, 2025
Fabulous and fascinating! This is the trip of a lifetime!
— Review left October 25, 2025
Machu Picchu and Rapa Nui are true wonders of the ancient world, and I've enjoyed getting to know them in person. Also, the Peru section offered amazing culinary experiences.
— Review left October 24, 2025
A fascinating and fun trio, filled with surprises. The best RS trip I’ve been on.
— Review left October 24, 2025
Bucket List Double Play: Machu Picchu + Rapa Nui = epic win!
I’m so glad we didn’t try to do-it-ourselves! Road Scholar handled all the logistics (flights, site reservations, entry fees, etc.) as well as provided outstanding educational opportunities before, during, and after each location.
Our Group Leader, Nicole, was absolutely amazing. She did a great job of setting the expectations of group interactions from the very beginning of the trip, creating a fabulous group experience. This was a dream trip for my mom and knowing this Nicole added a very quick stop at an Ahu that wasn't in the plan. All the members of the group were grateful for this stop.
Our Individual guides were knowledgeable, personable, and very good educators.
We wondered about the number of meals being lower than other tours, but there was more than enough food.
The guided activities were nicely balanced out by the free time we were offered.
The pacing at the various sites was fantastic with plenty of time for photos.
This tour as a small group experience was ideal.
Be sure to bring sunscreen and a sun hat, the altitude makes the sun so much more intense.
A walking pole (or two) are very beneficial, the terrain can be uneven, and the steps usually don’t have handrails.
This is a trip I would highly recommend!
— Review left October 8, 2025
A five star program!! Easter Island has been on my bucket list for many years, and this program was a dream come true. Our very special group leader, Nicole, kept us organized and informed throughout the plane, train, coach and taxi transfers. She kept the group together during many field trips, walking slowly with the ones who wanted to take photos. Her warm personality and good humor made me forget how much responsibility it takes to keep a complicated program like this one running smoothly. Road Scholar’s daily itinerary is very accurate. We did everything and a lot more. Nicole, Paula and Chris made Peru and Chili come alive. I wish I could post my photos with this review because words can’t do justice to the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Santiago, Easter Island, and Valparaiso. The hotels, food, field trips and instructors were all first quality. The highlight for me was Easter Island. Chris, our instructor, is a true educator who guided us to many archaeological sites and explained about the history and restoration of the moais on the island. We visited the quarry where the moais were carved. He also brought to life the huge volcanic crater lake and ceremonial village. We bought postcards in Hanga Roa, Easter Island’s quaint ocean-side village, and got the moai stamp for our passports. The program ended in Valparaiso, a beautiful hillside city. Nicole and Paula know a local family who live near the top of a hill. We enjoyed a homemade meal and learned what it’s like to live five generations in Valparaiso.
— Review left September 20, 2025
Overwhelming sensations and experiences, amazing food, great accommodations, convivial group, knowledgeable and interesting guides. If anything, I could have used another couple of days.
— Review left December 2, 2024
The Road Scholar tour to Machu Picchu and Easter Island should make anyone's "bucket list" possible.
— Review left September 30, 2024
My trip was fantastic!!!
— Review left March 25, 2024
This trip exceeded my expectations. Every local site was interesting, Ricardo, our group leader was excellent, all local guides were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their culture. Our fellow Road Scholar travelers were great company. Everything was well planned.
— Review left January 1, 2024
Do not hesitate to travel with Road Scholar. It was the most enjoyable and educational trip we have ever taken, and we plan to take many more!
— Review left December 23, 2023
I cannot speak highly enough of Road Scholar! My son and I had a fantastic adventure.
— Review left October 12, 2023
This trip was a lifelong dream fulfilled. Machu Picchu and Easter Island are culturally and artistically important sites that are beautiful and utterly fascinating. The trip was well organized and so much fun.
— Review left December 16, 2019
Well this was an amazing trip from Ivonne our Guide and leader to my fellow travelers to our amazing destinations. I would like to thank Ivonne for being so helpful and just plain fantastic a leader, she was the best and I hope to have her again in the future if i go back the the wonderful country of Peru. I was very happy with all the Hotels we stayed in and loved the food we were able to taste and enjoy. The tour of Lima was excellent and our local guide was great she was funny and knew everything we needed to know about the places we went to. Cusco was a wonderful place and the Sacred Valley is a place I could see myself living out my life. I was very pleased with our buses and how well prepared our plane flights were set up . It went so smoothly and was not a problem in any way . I enjoyed every part of our trip to Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes. Ivonne even setup a morning birding adventure for me alone will a local bird guide that was fantastic i saw many wonderful birds and was lucky enough to see the bird of the country ,the cock of the rock. It was an unexpected thrill for me. Thank you Ivonne and my guide Arturo.
As for the experience on Rapa Nui it was beyond my expectations. Wow If i am lucky I will be able to go back there again. I just loved it there . So this was a trip of a life time and I am so pleased with with my experience and would recommend this trip to one and all. It was a must see. Thank you too all our guides Jorge,Chris and Marco and the great drivers too. Loved it all.
— Review left December 14, 2019
This trip should be on everyone's bucket list...the sites are full of mystery, the tour guides very knowledgeable. This tour transports you back in time to experience a lost world.
— Review left November 19, 2019
It was the trip of a lifetime. I could never have seen all these places on my own and the cost was so reasonable.
— Review left May 11, 2019
Wonderful experience- historical fact, legends and mysticism in some of the most spectacular sites in the world. Breath taking scenery that pictures can't do justice- a double rainbow over a moai or a llama baby taking first steps at Machu Picchu made a trip of a life time
— Review left April 15, 2019
If Machu Pichu and Rapa Nui are on your bucket list, this is the program for you! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of activities in this information dense trip.
— Review left April 14, 2019
This was my first trip with Road Scholar but believe me when I say it will not be my last!!
— Review left April 8, 2019
This trip brought history to life, and was a total joy!
— Review left April 6, 2019
My trip to Machu Picchu and Rapa Nui was a wonderful experience, one of the best trips I have ever taken.
— Review left April 1, 2019