Ahu Tongariki
Ahu Tongariki
5
Ancient RuinsPoints of Interest & Landmarks
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
15 Of The Island's Famous Moai Statues Stand Here In A Military Lineup Upon A Flat Rock Platform.
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  • Ali921
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom1,507 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Site for a sunrise
    You need a park ticket (USD $80) paid by credit card only. You can only visit with a guide but can visit as often as you like. Don't expect to have the place to yourself at sunrise. Ahu Tongariki is the largest ahu on Easter Island. Its 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 moai, including one that weighs eighty-six tonnes, the heaviest ever erected on the island.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 January 2024
  • Ron S
    New York City, New York5,928 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Ahu Tongariki
    You can visit Ahu Tongariki in the company of a local guide only. New regulations after covid to create extra employment for the locals. The ticket must be bought online and printed out as they stamp it at the entrance. The cost is $90, it covers all sites on the island, and it's good for 10 days, although some sites can be visited only once.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 May 2024
  • midway42
    Georgia3,426 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Postcard-Picture-Perfect.
    On May 22, 1960 the largest earthquake in the 20th Century struck off the coast of Chile, sending a tsunami westward that caused damage as far away as Japan and the Phillipines. It also hit the eastern coast of Rapa Nuiat at Tongariki, scattering a group of mo’ai statues hundreds of yards inland from their toppled location on a picturesque beachhead ahu. In the 1990’s a team from the University of Chile worked with a private Japanese crane company (Tadano) to restore the statues to their original place on the platform, where they stand inland guard and provide visitors with arguably the most renowned image on the island. I visited in the middle of the first day while circumnavigating the island. The area is uncluttered with two main features: a separate mo’ai at the entrance and the ahu with fifteen statues down below. After pausing to admire and learn about the traveling mo’ai (loaned to Japan for a “tour” of Tokyo and Osaka), we headed down the path to admire the main group of statues from as many different angles as possible. I walked around the site twice with my guide, who provided expert commentary on the main attraction and surrounding area including some broken topknots and broken remains of discarded mo’ai at the back of the ahu. We spent over an hour in the area. In summary, this was one of the top tier sites on the island and shouldn’t be missed by even a single-day traveler. While Orongo and Rano Raraku are a little more didactic and overall more satisfying, this area presents the finished (or in this case restored) mo’ai product in an original location that has as many photo opportunities as your imagination will allow. It was also an interesting learning about the international cooperation between Japan and Chile, especially given all of the global conflicts these days. Although I wasn’t able to make a sunrise visit, intrepid tourists may want to add that on to their itinerary as well. Definitely recommended
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 8 June 2024
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles2,021 reviews
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deborahk3
Maidstone, UK1,820 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2019
Ahu Tongariki is the largest stone platform (ahu) on the island. The moais were toppled during the islands civil wars and in more recent times, the ahu was swept inland by a tsunami. It has since been restored and has 15 moai, including one that weighs in excess of eighty tonnes; the heaviest on Easter Island. All of the moai here face sunset during the summer solstice and they really are a sight to behold. This really is a most spectacular sight and a must on any visit to this beautiful and intriguing island.
Written 22 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ruthandvern
Wilton, CA15,980 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
18 Mar 2020 pre-evacuation: We were mesmerized by the magnitude of this site. As everyone notes, 15 Huge Moai figures facing West. The location has ample space and artifacts to keep you actively interested for an hour or more.
Written 10 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bill M
Springfield, MO305 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
You’ve seen brochures and travel shows showing this ahu. But they don’t do justice to seeing them in person. The location, grand size and sheer wonder of how they were constructed gives one chills even on a rainy blustery day.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

adrian m
Harrogate, UK140 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Ahu Tongariki a platform and stand of 15 Moai is one of those images in books that defy comprehension. In real life they are mind-blowing. Trying to appreciate how these massive stone statues could carved and then moved around the island is nothing short of amazing. You have to see them to appreciate just what was achieved by the natives - All the photos seen over the years do not do them justice.
Written 25 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sachin K
New York City, NY6,556 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Family
Ahu Tongariki is located at the Northeastern part of Rapa Nui(Easter Island). It is the largest platform on Rapa Nui. It’s Moais(large statues) were toppled during the island's civil wars, and in the twentieth century the platform 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. It is a great place to watch the sunrise. Photos do not do any justice to the magnanimity of the place. Certainly a must visit place for any tourist when in Rapa Nui.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

midway42
Georgia3,426 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Solo
On May 22, 1960 the largest earthquake in the 20th Century struck off the coast of Chile, sending a tsunami westward that caused damage as far away as Japan and the Phillipines. It also hit the eastern coast of Rapa Nuiat at Tongariki, scattering a group of mo’ai statues hundreds of yards inland from their toppled location on a picturesque beachhead ahu. In the 1990’s a team from the University of Chile worked with a private Japanese crane company (Tadano) to restore the statues to their original place on the platform, where they stand inland guard and provide visitors with arguably the most renowned image on the island.

I visited in the middle of the first day while circumnavigating the island. The area is uncluttered with two main features: a separate mo’ai at the entrance and the ahu with fifteen statues down below. After pausing to admire and learn about the traveling mo’ai (loaned to Japan for a “tour” of Tokyo and Osaka), we headed down the path to admire the main group of statues from as many different angles as possible. I walked around the site twice with my guide, who provided expert commentary on the main attraction and surrounding area including some broken topknots and broken remains of discarded mo’ai at the back of the ahu. We spent over an hour in the area.

In summary, this was one of the top tier sites on the island and shouldn’t be missed by even a single-day traveler. While Orongo and Rano Raraku are a little more didactic and overall more satisfying, this area presents the finished (or in this case restored) mo’ai product in an original location that has as many photo opportunities as your imagination will allow. It was also an interesting learning about the international cooperation between Japan and Chile, especially given all of the global conflicts these days. Although I wasn’t able to make a sunrise visit, intrepid tourists may want to add that on to their itinerary as well.

Definitely recommended
Written 8 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WImom
Fond du Lac, WI2,275 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Don't miss this gem! This is the iconic site of Easter Island that is often shown in photos. It depicts how the ancient people were part of a megalithic culture. It is the largest reconstructed site on the island and also the largest reconstructed temple in all of Polynesia. This site has 15 moai that were restored in the 1980s after a huge tsunami came ashore in 1960 and tossed 80 ton moai as far as 1500 feet inland. This site is near the Rano Raraku Volcano. Best lighting is sunrise or mid/ate afternoon.
Written 14 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dirk W
Antwerp, Belgium214 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
The Tongariki site is the place on Easter Island that everyone has seen on a photo before, because here are no fewer than 15 gigantic Moai statues neatly lined up. Very impressive and extremely photogenic. Top location!
Written 22 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stella R.
Brasilia, DF26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
No picture does justice to this place. I'm still emotional remembering the feelings I had when I first saw the Moais when I arrived for the sunrise! This is definitely a must see. I've been there twice during my trip to Rapa Nui, and would have gone for a third one if it wasn't for the rain that surprised me and my friend in our last day in the Island - the one we reserved to "say goodbye" to this so special place. Just go and see, specially in the sunrise - arrive there by 8AM and enjoy a peaceful, beautiful and unforgetful moment!
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BlueEngineer
Washington DC, DC54 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
Ended up going to Ahu Tongarika twice. Once during the day, and once for sunrise. The place was empty around 11:30am, but was much busier for sunrise. The attraction has no space limitations, but probably only room in the parking lot for comfortably 50 cars. People then parked on the road after the lot filled up. Park rangers were not there checking tickets for sunrise, but did for the other time we stopped.
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island

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