Easter Island moai tour: Rano Raraku quarry and Ahu Tongariki

Walk among 398 moai frozen mid-carving in the quarry where they were born.

A full-day guided tour of Easter Island's major moai sites, starting at Rano Raraku's ancient quarry and moving through Ahu Tongariki's ceremonial platform and Anakena Beach. The tour covers six to seven hours with private transportation, a live guide in English, Spanish or Italian, and trekking equipment included. You'll need a separate ticket to Rapa Nui National Park.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ahu Tongariki30m · entry included
2. Rano Raraku1h · entry included
3. Anakena Beach1h · entry included

Explore Easter Island's Moai sites

• Visit Ahu Tongariki platform
• Explore Rano Raraku moai quarry
• Relax at Anakena Beach
• See Moai Paro at Te Pito Kura
• Discover Ahu Akahanga site
• Explore Vaihu archaeological site

The experience

At Rano Raraku, the quarry where almost all of Easter Island's moai were carved, you'll see roughly 398 statues in different stages of completion: some still attached to the rock face, others abandoned mid-work. The scale of the site makes the labor and ambition of the ancient carvers tangible in a way no photograph captures. From there the tour moves to Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial platform in the Pacific, where 15 moai stand lined up facing the sea, their restored forms marking the power of Rapa Nui's ancestors.

The third major stop is Anakena Beach on the north coast, where white sand and calm water meet moai on the shore. Local tradition holds this as the landing place of the island's first inhabitants, arriving by canoe. The tour also includes Te Pito Kura, home to the largest moai on the island, Moai Paro; Ahu Akahanga, an archaeological site with fallen moai and ties to the first king; and Vaihu, a quieter site with its own ceremonial platform and fallen statues. Private transportation moves you between stops, and trekking equipment is provided for the walking portions.

A live guide narrates in English, Spanish or Italian throughout the day. Hotel pickup is included, and children from age one are welcome. The tour runs six to seven hours total. You'll need to purchase your own ticket to Rapa Nui National Park before the tour begins.

What’s included

• Private transportation between all sites.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Italian.
• trekking equipment for the walking portions.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 90 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 22 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Pukao Moai Tours Rapa Nui

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish or Italian, so you can follow the commentary in whichever language suits you. The six to seven hour pace works for travelers with moderate fitness. The tour is not recommended for those with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

What exactly is Rano Raraku and why are there so many moai there?

Rano Raraku is the quarry where nearly all of Easter Island's moai were carved from volcanic rock. About 398 statues remain at the site in different stages of completion, some still attached to the bedrock and others left abandoned, offering a rare glimpse into the carving process and the scale of production across centuries.

How many moai will I see at Ahu Tongariki?

Ahu Tongariki holds 15 moai lined up on the largest ceremonial platform in the Pacific, all facing the sea. The restored statues stand as a symbol of the island's ancestral power and offer one of the most recognizable views on Easter Island.

Is Anakena Beach just a beach, or is there history there too?

Anakena is both a natural beach with white sand and calm water and a culturally significant site. Oral tradition identifies it as the landing place of the island's first inhabitants, and several moai stand on the shore, combining natural beauty with archaeological importance.

Do I need to buy a park ticket separately?

Yes, you'll need to purchase a ticket to Rapa Nui National Park on your own before the tour begins. It is not included in the tour price.