Easter Island is famous for its stone statues of human figures, known as moai . The island is known to its inhabitants as Rapa Nui. The moai were probably carved to commemorate important ancestors and were made from around 1000 C.E. until the second half of the seventeenth century.

There were some clouds in the horizon at sunrise so we didn’t get that perfect pink sky but nevertheless seeing the moai in that morning light is an unforgettable moment. Our experience here was however entirely ruined by the local guide called Vanessa Teao! We got to Rapa Nui the evening before and we’ve been told you can only visit Tongariki (and a bunch of others) with a guide. Tried find one but everyone was unavailable so we thought we’ll turn up in the morning hoping to get a guide at the location as you have them in most other places. Got there well before sunrise (still dark) and realised we forgot our camera back at the hotel. The park ranger at the gate asked us for CLP 10k ($10) for a guide to let us in. Told him we’ll be back once we get the camera. On returning an hour later, this woman was now at the gate together with the same ranger saying she’s a guide and asking for CLP 20k. When told we’ve been asked for 10k by her ranger colleague she goes ‘the guy before you paid 20k for one person, you’re getting a discount!’ I then asked her what kind of guide services will she provide if she just collects money from everyone and she doesn’t go with them to which she goes ‘you pay and you go look at the moai’, in other words a very productive way of scamming people while it’s still early in the morning and not a lot of other officials around. When asked why was the price 10k in the morning with the ranger she switched to Spanish (which we also speak) and kept telling the guy he should have never asked for that. I told her in that case it will be just me going in and my partner will stay at the car, handing her the 10k. She refused to allow this saying she wants 20k for one person too, switching to Spanish again and starting swearing at us, saying I’m willing to leave ’ese puta’ in the car and picking on again as why he only asked for 10k only ruining her business. She eventually realised we called her bluff and allowed us both in for 10k, being sweared at and treated like this before sun was even up ruined the whole experience for us. I can understand the guide fees help the locals of Rapa Nui after the hard pandemic years, but such scamming will end up pushing tourists away. I should say no one ever asked us for the $80 pp National Park tickets we paid for as it’s not a source of personal income for any. I found a picture of Vanessa Teao on the National Park site and attached here, avoid this horrible person if you want to enjoy your holiday

Magical place at sunrise. We were fortunate to have a great custom tour with Kava Kava tours with our tourguide Sebastian. We arrived an hour before sunrise, to get there early. Not many tourists there at that time. We set up chairs in the west corner of park. Looking east toward the faces of the Moai and with the backdrop of the sea. Great small park.

Close to the quarry, this is a great stop before or after. We did not go at sunrise. The site was destroyed by a tsunami but restored by a Japanese company, and it is arguably the best restored ahu platforms.

Amazing moai display. Very magnificently arrayed on an enormous ahu. You can walk around them and see them from all sides. Their faces are quite unique. One of them resembled Richard Nixon, scowl and all!

Ahu Tongariki is the largest ahu(platform) on Easter Island. It’s moais were toppled during the island's civil wars, and in the twentieth century the ahu was swept inland by a tsunami. It has since been restored and has fifteen moais, including one that weighs eighty-six tonnes, the heaviest ever erected on the island. Ahu Tongariki is in the Hotu-iti area of Rapa Nui National Park. All the moais here face sunset during the summer solstice. It was a flabbergasting experience to see these giant moais up close. Plenty of photograph opportunities around this particular attraction. Essentially it is the highlight of the trip to Easter Island and is visited by every tourist on the island..

Visited twice. Once during the day and once at dawn to take pictures of the sunrise. Easy to get to, and big lines. Had to show ticket and passport on both occasions and be accompanied by a guide. That can take a little time as the ranger records the info manually.

[Guide Required] Incredibly restored Ahu featuring 15 beautifully restored Moai. This is the highlight of the island. Come here and take 1,000,000 photos, but make sure the weather is good first - you can only enter once!

Ranked high on my list of favorite sites on Rapa Nui! This site is simply amazing with 15 Moai standing on an Ahu (platform) right in front of the ocean on the east coast of the island. One Moai even has a Pukao (topknot). The site was restored in the late 1990s. I highly recommend coming here for sunrise too, you'll remember the view your whole life.

Lovely place where there is a row of 15 Moai statues. There were petroglyphs scattered around the area. This is a place you should not miss, if you visit Easter Island.

The most popular place to watch sunrise on the island. And try to think, which is your favorite Moai?

A local guide is priceless. Sunrise a bonus and try to check out the stars at night too, unforgettable memories

If you are going to Easter Island, this is one of the two main sites you have to do. This site is amazing. The Moai here are fantastic, really impressive. We went here twice, once in the afternoon and once in the early morning, to see it in different light. This is definitely the best site on the island for seeing the Moai in their original form. If you get the right positions, you can also have some fun with editing. Take a look at my pictures.

Rano Raraku is a volcanic crater formed of consolidated volcanic ash, or tuff, and located on the lower slopes of Terevaka in the Rapa Nui National Park on Easter Island. Moai are monolithic carved stone figures with elongated faces and no legs that were mostly quarried from tuff, a kind of volcanic ash, at the Rano Raraku volcano. Around 900 moai were carved at the quarry and 396 still remain there half finished.

This is everybody's favorite site on Rapa Nui and for a good reason. Tons of Moai 🗿 in all sorts of size and shape. On a good day, you'll have the blue of the ocean, green of the grass and the Moai in your picture and you'll feel like Sir David Attenborough. Don't hesitate, just go and enjoy!

Visiting Rano Raraku was an absolute marvel! The enigmatic aura surrounding the Moai statues and the breathtaking landscape captivated my imagination. Witnessing these colossal figures emerging from the earth was an awe-inspiring experience, leaving me spellbound by the ancient craftsmanship and the island's historical legacy.

If you go to Easter Island, you have to see this place. Easily one of the most amazing places on the island. 🗿

Possibly the best of many highlights of our tour. The quarry has many moai in different stages of development as well as stages of preservation. The hike is relatively easy unless one has significant disability. The cantina nearby is a good lunch stop. As with almost anywhere on the island, the views are amazing. We were told you need a guide to get in.

If you are going to Easter Island, this is one of the two main sites you have to do. This site is amazing. The Moai here are fantastic, really impressive. This is where they were carved and one of the few places you can clearly see the caramel coloured sandstone they are actually carved from. Its worth spending a few hours here and doing all the paths. There are some really impressive Moai higher up. Around the end of the volcano you can also get a really good view of the Moai on the coast. We went just after the fire and you can see where its burned.

My favourite spot on Easter Island. Over 400 moais decorate the hills of this valley where they were carved before being taken to their final destination. Most never got there and remain here in a magnificent panorama. A walk round here is the best experience you can have on Easter Island. A photographer's delight. Not to be missed.

This is the highlight of our day tour on Easter Island. Although it was raining when we arrived, it did not deter us from making the hike up the path. We didn't manage to go all the qa into the quarry. We are slow walkers and we were only given about 35 minutes to explore. However, seeing the half buried Maoi made us truly wonder just how could the indigenous people build and erect these statues.

My favourite place on the island! Perhaps because there wasn’t anyone around in the morning I was there, the weather was lovely and the sand, blue water, the palm trees and the moai all make it such a dreamy paradise. If you stay later and don’t mind the tour groups, some food and pisco sours at the hut restaurants would be amazing as well as a swim. Just be aware you might be sharing with jellyfish

Great spot to relax on the only beach of the island. Got to spend an hour plus here which is really needed to enjoy the beach and there was time to go for a soak if desired although the water was clear, the beach sand in the water is nothing to write home about. A small ahu behind the beach as well. A couple restaurants if you’re hungry although prices can be quite steep.

Lovely beach and significant Maois

Anakena Beach (Hanga Mori o One) is a white coral sand beach located on the north coast of Easter Island, about 18 kilometers from Hanga Roa. According to oral tradition, the first Polynesia settlers of Easter Island arrived at this beach approximately 1,000 years ago from the Marquesas Islands. This beach is an oasis of palm trees, shade, and has a small restaurant/grill (Pae Pae Anakena O Nua Pule).

This is a nice beach, the sand, the water, the trees, the moai all is matched! A little windy when I visited but I enjoyed my 1hour free time!

This place is so stunning! The only beach on Rapa Nui, lot of palmtrees, bar, restaurant, toilet. The ocean is cold (of course), but the possibility of swim is really unique ;)

Anakena, a beach of pure bliss With its golden sands, it's hard to miss Ancient moai statues, and coconut trees But the infrastructure, leaves us unease The sand, it's soft and golden A perfect place, to feel beholden The moai, an impressive sight But the stray dogs, can cause a fright Roaming around, they may seem cute But the potential risk, is hard to refute The boardwalk, in need of some care Could use a fix, to make it fair Microplastics, washed out on the shore A stark reminder, of what's in store For our planet, if we don't take heed And reduce our use, of plastic in our feed Anakena, a beautiful beach to see But the stray dogs, and microplastics, must flee Infrastructure, could use an upgrade too So that we can all, enjoy the view.

Beautiful sandy beach! It seems to get all the afternoon sun. Went in August of 2019 (winter!) and there was a bunch of people swimming. The water was cool but not too cold. Some fun small waves to play in. Lots of families around. Good place to watch the sunset. There are some restaurants there but the food is quite expensive.

From the warm hospitality of the park rangers (thank you Moa) to the expansive beaches, barbecue spots, and iconic moai, this place truly exudes magic. It holds the top spot as my favorite destination in Rapa Nui.

Above expectations of blue water, welcoming swimming for all ages, white sand and nearby landscape of Maoi makes for must visit spot of Rapa Nui! No guide or park ticket needed for this area.

Anakena Beach is the most beautiful beach on Easter Island. It is not big but its curve shape makes for a calm cove. It is believed that this is likely entry point for Easter Island's first settlers many centuries ago. Ahu Nau Nau where four of the five standing moai have their beautiful red crowns on is only 100 metres from the beach

Pretty much the only beach you'd want to swim in on the island - and it delivers! You do not need to be with a guide to visit this place but it is quite far from Hanga Roa so you'll need your own wheels. There are a few places that sell food and souvenirs but at a premium.

Nice beach, can get windy at times. The cove is marked off with swimming boundaries. Toilets and concessions nearby. Several Moai with great significance at this site.

Amazing beach with Moais, awesome place to chill for the afternoon and sunset

The only beach on the island with sand. At the beginning of December the water temperature was around 21 degree and so good for a nice swim. In the water the area is well marked with buoys where it is safe to swim.

Beautiful beach, clear water, was not crowded when I visited. There are food kiosks at the end of the beach serving ceviche, sandwiches and drinks. Also souvenir kiosks nearby.

This is an fascinating site and a must-see on Easter Island. Rano Kau probably mean “a large or wide volcano with a lot of water”. It is a 324 m (1,063 ft) tall dormant volcano that forms the southwestern headland of Easter Island. It is the largest volcano crater there.

Volcan Ranu Kau: llamado volcán extenso en su lengua, tiene un cráter es de 324 metros de diámetro. En el borde del cráter están las viviendas de Orongo. Su cráter es profundo y ancho, pletórico de vegetación y parches de agua, como en un lago. Hay periodos del año en que se utiliza para celebraciones paganas. La vista es magnifica tanto del mar como del volcán. Llegar caminando hasta alli es una verdadera prueba pero vale la pena. (Translated by Google) Ranu Kau Volcano: called an extensive volcano in its language, it has a crater 324 meters in diameter. On the edge of the crater are the Orongo homes. Its crater is deep and wide, full of vegetation and patches of water, like a lake. There are periods of the year when it is used for pagan celebrations. The view is magnificent of both the sea and the volcano. Walking there is a real test but it is worth it.

Este majestuoso volcán erupciono hace 2.5 millones de años y es una de las postales más hermosas de la isla. El Rano Kau es el volcán más grande de Rapa Nui, un lugar sagrado y uno de los más majestuosos panoramas naturales que se pueden visitar en el parque nacional. Tiene más de un kilómetro de diámetro y es un reservorio de agua dulce, además cuenta con una gran cantidad de especies vegetales endémicas, por lo que su acceso está restringido solo a algunas personas que preservan la cultura nativa. En el se puede observar la forma de una herradura a la que se le llama Kari Kari y junto al volcan se encuentra la aldea ceremonial. Un imperdible en la isla. (Translated by Google) This majestic volcano erupted 2.5 million years ago and is one of the most beautiful postcards on the island. Rano Kau is the largest volcano on Rapa Nui, a sacred place and one of the most majestic natural panoramas that can be visited in the national park. It is more than a kilometer in diameter and is a freshwater reservoir. It also has a large number of endemic plant species, so its access is restricted only to some people who preserve the native culture. In it you can see the shape of a horseshoe which is called Kari Kari and next to the volcano is the ceremonial village. A must see on the island.

It's just such an amazing place. Miracle of nature and human presence here make an unparalleled thing. Just like the Easter Island itself. Awesome

El volcán Rano Kau es uno de los puntos más lindos de la isla. Recomiendo la caminata que demora dos horas ida y vuelta y no es tan compleja. Sin dudas es un lugar maravilloso. (Translated by Google) The Rano Kau volcano is one of the most beautiful spots on the island. I recommend the walk, which takes two hours round trip and is not that complex. Without a doubt it is a wonderful place.

Amazing place and usually very limited number of people visiting here.

Definitely worth a visit if you are on Easter Island.

One of my favorite sites on the island. You can hike around the rim of the volcano to get different views of the crater. Beautiful and unique microclimate inside the crater protects the unique flora.

Llegue hasta este lugar por el sendero Ara Te Ao, es una caminata de unos 4 km, que lo recomiendo. Al llegar a la este volcán es increíble la vista que se tiene, dentro de él hay vegetación!! No se puede bajar.. pero se pueden hacer muy buenas fotos (Translated by Google) Get to this place along the Ara Te Ao trail, it is a walk of about 4 km, which I recommend. Upon reaching this volcano the view is incredible, inside it there is vegetation!! You can't go down... but you can take very good photos

What a beauty the God has put into Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Each spec of land here is oozing with Natural beauty. Rano Kau volcano rose to 324 m (1,063 ft) height and is now extinct. It forms the southwestern headland of Easter Island, a Chilean Territory in the Pacific Ocean. It was formed of basaltic lava flows in the Pleistocene. The youngest rocks being 150,000 to 210,000 years old. The crater Lake of Rano Kau is one among the three natural bodies of fresh water in Rapa Nui Island. The Cliff face drops 300m to the southwest towards sea shore from the Orongo Village ruins.On its northern side, the volcano slopes down to Mataveri International Airport. Visit this beautiful Island to wade through the magnificent Geological past, which created the beautiful present landscape at Orango village and Rano Kau extinct volcano and the whole of Rapa Nui in the Pacific Ocean. Good luck.

Drove up one day and hiked the next day. Such an experience and view.

Huge

El cráter del volcán es precioso, el lugar tiene un silencio que es único!! Tuve la suerte de visitar el lugar sin turistas y fue hermoso, lo mejor es ir con guía pero de todas maneras se puede ingresar sin guía con el obvio cuidado que hay que tener de no acercarse mucho a la orilla ni tampoco lanzar piedras ni nada dentro (Translated by Google) The crater of the volcano is beautiful, the place has a silence that is unique!! I was lucky enough to visit the place without tourists and it was beautiful, it is best to go with a guide but in any case you can enter without a guide with the obvious care that you have to take not to get too close to the shore or throw stones or anything inside.

Beautifully restored village from the ancient festival of the Manutara. The visitor's center is well kept. There are two gender neutral bathrooms, an entire wall of information and pictures and drawings explaining the festivities. The park rangers are very helpful. The sights are amazing and the history is so rich. The absolute best is the crater lake 😍

Archaeological site containing some amazing recreated traditional shelter structures from the native community in the original village. Located next to a massive crater where the traditional egg hunts are held by racing from the top of the cliff to a small island and then back. Contains an immense amount of history combined with a relatively undisturbed and uninhabited geological area.

Such a scenic and emotional place. We should be able to go there twice though, and once without a guide to enjoy the moment and the scene. So 4 stars only.

Lindo sitio y con grandes historias que contar, sin duda un lugar que debes visitar si o si (Translated by Google) Nice place with great stories to tell, without a doubt a place you should visit no matter what.

This is one of the places I lived most on Easter island. The crater, all the surrounding areas are absolutely stunning and listening to the story of the hombre pajaro, the bird man, is fascinating.

A great place to learn more about the culture of Rapa Nui! The site itself is a bit less mind-blowing than seeing the Moai and your experience will largely depend on your guide and how much explanations they'll give you. From here, there are nice views of the surrounding islands and of the crater of the volcano. You'll need a ticket and a guide to visit.

Orongo - centre of the birdman cult, and so much more. Orongo was originally the sacred site of the birdman cult. Here, you have many trails to follow, the volcanic crater and great sea views, including 'birdman island'. Orongo has a drop into the ocean on one side and the deep crater on the other, so care is needed. The birdman cult is well worth reading up. There are the hundreds of petroglyphs carved with birdman images here. Carved into solid basalt, they have resisted ages of harsh weather. The purpose of the annual birdman contest was to obtain the first egg of the season from the offshore islet Motu Nui. Contestants descended the sheer cliffs of Orongo and swam to Motu Nui where they awaited the coming of the birds. Having procured an egg, the contestant swam back and presented it to his sponsor, who then was declared birdman for that year. From one of the high points it is possible to view the remains of the runway across Easter Island, that was built for the NASA shuttle to land there in an emergency. Not a lot of people know that! I spent more time at this site than any other, it was so interesting.

Que lindo lugar... Es el último punto de la isla, estas literalmente al lado del océano y la vista es maravillosa (Translated by Google) What a beautiful place... It is the last point of the island, you are literally next to the ocean and the view is wonderful

Spectacular views and site. The visitor center has a pretty good history of the Bird-Man Cult. The site, besides great views of the motus and crater has slate houses (restored), birthing stones, and petroglyphs.

Replica of village of cult of bird man. It is place where you would be astonished how skillfull and wisdom are predecessors were.

[Guide Required] I was very excited to visit Orongo, home of the Birdman cult’s annual ceremony, but left a little disappointed. This was the most controlled and “touristy” place on the island. On top of that, it can be very windy, which makes it hard to enjoy and hear your guide. You can only visit once, so try to go on a day with nice weather. It has beautiful views. Listen to episode 6 of the Fall of Civilizations Podcast to give you context on the Birdman Cult (and the entire Rapa Nui history)

The Orongo vollage is a must see when you are on the Island. It gives you an understanding of the kater period of Raoa Nui civilization - birdman cult. The volcano is impressive too! An afternoon is preferred as mornings in the island tend to have clouds that are blown away by the increasing wind in the afternoon. You will get better shots in good sunlight.

Orongo is a stone village and ceremonial center at the southwestern tip of Rapa Nui. It consists of a collection of low, sod-covered, windowless, round-walled buildings with even lower doors positioned on the high south-westerly tip of the large volcanic caldera called Rano Kau. Orongo holds a pivotal role in the history of the Rapa Nui people, serving as the center for the annual Birdman competition, a ceremonial event that determined leadership on the island.

The views are stunning but be careful to have a ticket and a guide in advance. If you don't have them than you'll see what we've seen - an old volcano and panoramic view over the island. Everything else is hidden on the other side of the museum.

Orongo is a great place to visit. You can see how the people on the island used to live. Really interesting houses and some fantastic views. Its worth having a guide to go here as they will tell you about the place. We had a fantastic guide.

Wonderful location here. Park entrance requires a local guide. The history here -post Moai- is interesting. Learning about the Birdman cult (Tangata Manu) and competition. Orango consists of a number of stone houses with earth rooves where competitors stayed in preparation of the event of that involved climbing, swimming, retrieving an egg at nearby small island, then swimming back, climbing a cliff and presenting the egg to the current "Royal" leader.