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- Ahu Tongariki: The largest ahu on the island, with 15 restored moai standing in a row on a stone platform facing inland, their backs to the Pacific. A tsunami in 1960 scattered them across the grass, and a Japanese-funded restoration in the 1990s stood them up again. Come for sunrise, when the sky behind them goes from black to orange, and bring a headlamp for the walk from the parking area.
- Rano Raraku: The volcanic quarry where almost every moai was carved from compacted ash, called tuff. Nearly 400 statues lie in various states here, some upright and buried to the shoulders, others half-cut from the slope. The unfinished giant, El Gigante, is about 21 meters long and still attached to the rock. It is the one place where you see how the statues were made, so give it a full morning.
- Ahu Tahai:
- Ahu Tongariki: The largest ahu on the island, with 15 restored moai standing in a row on a stone platform facing inland, their backs to the Pacific. A tsunami in 1960 scattered them across the grass, and a Japanese-funded restoration in the 1990s stood them up again. Come for sunrise, when the sky behind them goes from black to orange, and bring a headlamp for the walk from the parking area.
- Rano Raraku: The volcanic quarry where almost every moai was carved from compacted ash, called tuff. Nearly 400 statues lie in various states here, some upright and buried to the shoulders, others half-cut from the slope. The unfinished giant, El Gigante, is about 21 meters long and still attached to the rock. It is the one place where you see how the statues were made, so give it a full morning.
- Ahu Tahai: A short walk from Hanga Roa, this complex has three platforms, including Ahu Vai Uri and the lone, eyed moai of Ahu Ko Te Riku, topped with its reddish topknot. It faces the sea, so sunset here is the classic photograph, and entry is free to wander at the edges.
- Anakena Beach: A white-sand cove with palms, the only real beach swim of the island. Ahu Nau Nau stands behind it, and its moai are among the best preserved, with carved details still visible on their backs. Tradition links the beach to the landing of Hotu Matu’a, the founding chief. Good for a swim after a day of stone.
- Ahu Akivi: Seven moai that stand inland and, unusually, look toward the sea. They are linked to the seven explorers sent ahead by Hotu Matu’a, and the platform is aligned with the equinox sunsets. Quiet, with few tour buses lingering.
- Orongo Ceremonial Village: Perched on the rim of the Rano Kau crater, with stone houses where the Birdman cult gathered. Petroglyphs of Make-make and bird figures cover the rocks, and the crater lake below is ringed with floating reed islands. The view over the tiny islets of Motu Nui is the reason to climb up here.
- Puna Pau: The small crater that produced the red scoria used for the moai’s pukao topknots. Several unused topknots still lie around the slopes. It adds context to the statues you see elsewhere, and the ticket is part of the national park pass.
- Rapa Nui National Park ticket and Rano Raraku moai on the slope: A single ticket, around US$80 for foreigners, covers the main sites and is valid for several days, though Orongo and Rano Raraku can each be entered only once.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.