Top Things to do in Easter Island
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The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Easter Island, Easter Island
Located in the South Pacific more than 2,000 miles off the Chilean coast, Easter Island’s not the easiest place to reach. (If you’re interested, the easiest access is by air from Santiago or Tahiti.) But isolation has helped preserve the 1,500-year-old mysterious congregation of volcanic rock sculptures (maoi) that’s the island’s biggest claim to fame. After exploring the unique landscape, relax on an uncrowded beach and ponder one of the most mysterious places on Earth.
Restaurants in Easter Island
1. Rano Raraku
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,073 reviews
The island's famous moai statues were carved from the volcanic rock of this mountain and are scattered across its slopes in various stages of completion.
Reviewed By DERtravels - Upland, United States
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. We could also see Tongariki from this vantage point.
2. Ahu Tongariki
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,999 reviews
15 Of The Island's Famous Moai Statues Stand Here In A Military Lineup Upon A Flat Rock Platform.
Reviewed By carolmL5814HA - Almancil, Portugal
Ahu Tongariki is amazing! The sheer size of the statues is mind blowing and as to how they got there well that’s a mystery! This is one of the ‘must see’ sights on Easter Island.
3. Orongo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,459 reviews
This lake-filled crater is filled with remnants of the Birdman cult practiced until 1867.
Reviewed By JrnyJunkie - Cleveland, United States
Most interesting history about the Birdman cult where you can view the islands where the swimmers went to acquire the bird eggs and see the structures that the islanders lived in on the island.
4. Hanga Te Tenga
5. Ahu Vinapu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 294 reviews
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
Ahu Vinapu is an interesting archeological site in Easter Island. It has a ceremonial center, which includes one of the larger ahu(platform) on Rapa Nui. The ahu exhibits extraordinary stonemasonry consisting of large, carefully fitted slabs of basalt. This site was investigated by an American archaeologist, William Mulloy, in 1958. Certainly worth visiting for seeing the artwork from yesteryears, while in Easter Island.
6. Maunga Terevaka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Reviewed By thaisfuncia - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Its a great hike mainly having the opportunity to see the island from a 360 perspective and realized that you are in the middle of the pacifi so so far away!
7. Ahu Tahai
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 837 reviews
Reviewed By stellarcs - Brasilia, Brazil
This place is very special! Very peaceful and with a stunning view of the sea, with Moais fixed in front ot it. This sum - Moais + sea - turns the Mirador Tahai an unique place to see the stunning sunset. I was really glad to be lodged near this site, and would definitely repeat the experience in another visit to the Island. Have a beer at Puka Puka restaurant before going down to the sunset spot and enjoy an unforgetful moment!
8. Ahu Huri a Urenga
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By MO782 - London, United Kingdom
A must visit is the Ahu Huri a Urenga in the Rapa Nui National Park. There is a US$80 per person fee to enter the park for ten days with a ONCE only visit to most of the Moai. If one rents a car, a rental car is much cheaper than the VERY expensive tours and one can drive around the entire island and see ALL the Moai's..
9. Ahu Akivi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 549 reviews
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
This Ahu(platform) is the only one facing the Pacific ocean. It is a particularly sacred place which has seven moais, all of more or less equal shapes and sizes, and is also known as a celestial observatory that was set up around the 16th century. The site is located inland, rather than along the coast. Moai statues were considered by the early people of Easter Island as their ancestors that were believed to be the reincarnation of important kings or leaders of their clans. The Moais were erected to protect and bring prosperity to their clan and village. The reason for these Moais to face the ocean is believed to offer direct views for the farmers doing farming in the fields between the Ahu and the ocean, during those times. Certainly would very highly recommend visiting this place to any traveler.
10. Ahu Akahanga
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 551 reviews
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
This attraction is an interesting one and different from other attractions. One can see an ahu(platform) in ruins with all of its moai fallen face down or on their backs, most likely toppled after the clan wars. At the entrance to this site one will see some well-preserved ruins of an ancient village with a number of earth ovens (umu pae), the boat-houses (hare vaka) as well as some paved areas which will show you a little of how the people of Rapa Nui used to live. Very close to here you will also find a small cave that was used as shelter for those who did not have a boat house. Behind the main ahu, one will find another moai that has been toppled as well as an unusually small moais that would have been one of the first ones to be built. Certainly would very highly recommend visiting this attraction to any traveler and especially those who are eager to have an off beat experience on Easter Island.
