Rano Raraku Moai Quarry Trail
Explore the volcanic nursery where nearly all 900 moai were carved — a haunting landscape of half-finished statues embedded in the hillside.
- 1
Rano Raraku Entrance
The extinct volcanic cone of Rano Raraku contains the quarry where Rapa Nui carvers created 95% of all moai over five centuries of continuous work.
- 2
Outer Slope Moai Field
Dozens of moai stand half-buried up to their necks on the outer slopes — statues in transit, planted upright while their backs were finished.
- 3
Carving Face of the Cliff
The quarry face shows moai at every stage of completion — some still attached to the rock by a narrow spine of tuff, awaiting the final separation.
- 4
El Gigante — Largest Moai
The largest moai ever carved lies unfinished in the quarry, measuring 21.6 metres long — had it been completed, it would have weighed 270 tonnes.
- 5
Crater Lake Interior
A trail climbs inside the crater to a serene reed-fringed lake, where additional moai stand on the inner slopes in various states of completion.
- 6
Moai Removal Ramp
The stone ramp at the base of the quarry is where completed moai were lowered and then walked upright to their platforms across the island.