Best things to do in Hanga Roa

Match the intense gaze of the 15 moai monuments staring back at you at Ahu Tongariki. Lined up in a row, as if protecting the coast against invaders, the massive monoliths represent perhaps the most iconic attraction on Easter Island. Despite damage caused by a 1960 tsunami, the restored monoliths remain as intimidating and mysterious as ever. Channel your inner creative and take some amazing photographs, playing with the angles and the light to perfectly capture all 15 monuments in a single frame.

At Anakena, stand in awe of the mighty "ahu" sculptures that have watched over mysterious Easter Island for centuries. Legend has it that the beach was the landing place of Hotu Matu'a, the tribal chief who arrived on the island with a party of two canoes, settling the territory. Examine the striking facial features of these sculptures, which date from between 1250 and 1500 CE. After you've appreciated the staggering history and the powerful monoliths, enjoy the white coral sand and lapis lazuli waters of the beach.

Walk among iconic moai stone heads at Rano Raraku, which provides visitors with a chance to come face-to-face, literally, with impressive centuries-old monoliths. Crane your neck back to appreciate the sheer size of the site's 397 sculptures, the largest of which would stand at 21.6 m (70.9 ft) if it could be lifted upright. Gaze out from the top of the quarry, which still contains many unfinished moai sculptures, to appreciate the nearby Rano Raraku crater lake, striking with its multicolored surrounds.

Perched high on a rim of a giant crater, Orongo served as a ceremonial center for the cult of the "Birdman," a divinity of the Rapa Nui people. The stone village features 53 windowless, round-walled buildings and a series of rocks inscribed with petroglyphs depicting curled-up human figures with birds' heads. See the cliff from which Rapa Nui chiefs jumped off into the ocean following the quest for the egg of the sacred bird that nested on the islet of Motu Nui. The path on the outskirts of the village, which disappears into the lush vegetation, will take you around the crater's edge.

Set on an isolated and scarcely vegetated volcanic island, Rapa Nui Parque Nacional lures visitors with its mysterious history and monumental shrines and stone figures known as moai. Polynesians came to the island in big canoes around 300 CE, bringing many elements of their culture. As a tribute to the important ancestors of each clan, these newcomers created moai, which became taller and more stylized as time went by. Other attractions include two large craters, a pink sand beach, and a restored Orongo village with rock engravings on a mountain cliff. Though you can explore the island by foot, vehicle, or bike, some places, such as its highest peak Maunga Terevaka, can only be reached by horse.

Ascend Rano Kau, an extinct volcano that not only helped create Easter Island but now sustains it. The lake serves as one of the three natural freshwater sources here. Climb to the rim of the caldera and take in a clear, panoramic view of the entire lake, as well as the ecosystem that has developed inside it. Located with a World Heritate-listed park and just off the Orongo path, the volcano is easy to combine with a trip to other sites.

Get a close look at three altars of the Moai when you visit Ahu Tahai. The attraction actually encompasses all three altars of Moai that are close together and near the village of Orongo, all found in a large green field. Take time to sit on the grass and relax after your day on the island. Try to visit at sunset for the best photographic moments of the altars and the sea.

One of the island's only beaches, Ovahe stands out with its soft sands and relative lack of visitors. Head for the secluded spot and kick back on the fine, almost pink-colored sands that blanket the area, surrounded by towering cliffs of black volcanic rock. Look carefully and you'll even be able to spot the caves that dot the cliffs, supposedly once home to some of the island's residents. Keep in mind that though the blue water looks inviting, swimming here can be dangerous due to unpredictable tides and rip currents.

Head to Puna Pau to see the land once quarried for the red scoria rock, used to make the topknot embellishments on the iconic mo'ai statues. A visit to this location teaches tourists about the effort, energy, and skill required to move such weighty slabs from the quarry to the site of the sculptures. The information panels help build a picture of how this was achieved, though the mystery about what the Rapa Nui people actually intended with these sculpture remains largely unsolved. The hill provides an extensive view of the surrounding grassy landscape, and ample walking routes allow visitors to discover different areas of the region's World Heritage-listed national park.

See the sacred Ahu Akivi, a religious site on Easter Island that contains seven moai stone figures carved between the 13th and 17th centuries. The identical human-like statues were discovered in 1955 and restored in 1960 by a team of American and Chilean archaeologists. The statues have an astronomic importance, facing the sunset during the vernal equinox and showing their backs to the sunrise during the autumnal equinox.

Learn the history of the island at Museo Antropologico P. Sebastian Englert, dedicated to preserving the culture and history of Rapa Nui and its people. Named after Bavarian missionary Sebastian Englert, who lived on the island until his death in 1969, the museum houses and displays artifacts from across the island. Situated in a building with a humble, rustic design in keeping with the scenery and culture of the island, the museum boasts a rare female mo'ai figure, an extensive photographic collection, wooden statuettes, and an archive of traditional folk music.