Rano Raraku, Hanga Roa

Possibly the best of many highlights of our tour. The quarry has many moai in different stages of development as well as stages of preservation. The hike is relatively easy unless one has significant disability. The cantina nearby is a good lunch stop. As with almost anywhere on the island, the views are amazing. We were told you need a guide to get in.

If you are going to Easter Island, this is one of the two main sites you have to do. This site is amazing. The Moai here are fantastic, really impressive. This is where they were carved and one of the few places you can clearly see the caramel coloured sandstone they are actually carved from. Its worth spending a few hours here and doing all the paths. There are some really impressive Moai higher up. Around the end of the volcano you can also get a really good view of the Moai on the coast. We went just after the fire and you can see where its burned.

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.

Great place to have a leisurely stroll along the mountain side of this volcano which was used as the quarry for many different clans and tribes located all over the island. The rock from this crater has been found everywhere throughout. Many reconstructed moais in many different stages of construction from ones that were about to be chiseled off the rock face, to those that were placed in the hole to allow the moais to stand and backs to be carved. Sadly, no one perfectly knows how the moais were then moved from their temporary resting place to their permanent homes. Fantastic luscious grass views as well as some elevation to allow a view of the overall island.

My favourite spot on Easter Island. Over 400 moais decorate the hills of this valley where they were carved before being taken to their final destination. Most never got there and remain here in a magnificent panorama. A walk round here is the best experience you can have on Easter Island. A photographer's delight. Not to be missed.