Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island
Ahu Tongariki · East coast of Easter Island, Chile
An ancestral altar where 15 moai face inland, watching over their descendants.
Know before you go
- Never touch, climb or lean on the moai or ahu platforms
- drone filming needs a permit in advance
- the unfinished moai at the Rano Raraku quarry are equally sacred.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
For the Rapa Nui, the moai are embodiments of ancestors, and the statues on the ahu platforms face inland to protect their descendants. Tongariki is the island's largest ahu, with 15 moai standing in a row — the high point of Rapa Nui ancestor worship. The tsunami triggered by the great Chilean earthquake of 1960 destroyed it; it was restored with Chilean and Japanese cooperation and became a symbol of the Rapa Nui cultural revival.
Local customs
Every year the Rapa Nui hold the Tapati festival, with canoe races, sliding down hills on banana trunks and other traditional contests. 'Don't touch the moai, don't climb the ahu' is the island's iron rule, and the platforms are still sacred spaces.
Religion & beliefs
- Traditionally the islanders practised ancestor worship and the Birdman cult
- after missionaries arrived most converted to Catholicism. Church services today often include hymns in the Rapa Nui language and traditional dress, and the two traditions coexist.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Chile: no drinking in public places
- Drink in restaurants and bars
- Drinking in streets, squares, seafront promenades and other public places
It is illegal.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Chile travel advice
Chile: no open fires in national parks
- Use fire only at permitted campsites
- Lighting an open fire outside designated campsites in a national park
You can have your tourist permit cancelled, be ordered to leave within 72 hours or be deported; starting a forest fire can also bring criminal charges.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Chile travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Never touch, climb or lean on the moai or ahu platforms
- drone filming needs a permit in advance
- the unfinished moai at the Rano Raraku quarry are equally sacred.
Locals appreciate DO
Islanders are proud of their moai, and for many, watching the silhouettes of the 15 statues at Tongariki at sunrise is a daily ritual.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- It is about a 5-hour direct flight from Santiago, Chile
- book flights and accommodation months ahead and check prices on official websites. Tongariki is the classic sunrise spot, so get up early to claim a place
- you need a ticket for the national park, and a local guide is recommended.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Tuna ceviche
- Tuna empanadas
- Umu earth-oven feast
Tuna ceviche (from island tuna), tuna empanadas, umu tahu (traditional earth-oven feast, group booking required), island produce such as pineapple and sweet potato, Chilean seafood stew paila marina
| Where to eat | Restaurants on the main street of Hanga Roa (the sights are in the east of the island with no food — bring water and food), budget places such as Club Sandwich in town |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Rapa Nui sacred sites: don't touch or climb the ahu platforms; the umu feast is a ritual meal — respect your hosts' arrangements |
| Typical price per person | CLP 18,000–30,000 ≈ CNY 133–222 |
| Tips | Supplies come by sea, so prices are high; guesthouse breakfast plus one main meal in town is enough; if hiring a car for the sights, bring your own lunch. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Victorika · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photos
Photos
Bjørn Christian Tørrissen · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bjørn Christian Tørrissen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ian Sewell · CC BY 2.5
Sources & verification notes
More in Islands & Polar Regions
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