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Archaeological site · Hanga Roa, Valparaíso
Ahu Akivi
Inland platform with seven identical moai facing the ocean, unlike most. It is aligned with the equinox sunset.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Ahu Akivi
Ahu Akivi is located inland on Rapa Nui, on the southern slope of Maunga Terevaka, the island's highest volcano, at about 140 meters altitude and roughly 2 km from the coast. Around it are open pasture fields. There are seven moai of the same size, lined up on the platform.
Most of the island's moai have their backs to the sea, looking toward the villages. Those at Ahu Akivi are an exception: they face the ocean. The platform follows an east–west line, and the statues face the spring equinox sunset.
The moai were toppled when archaeologists William Mulloy and Gonzalo Figueroa began restoration around 1960; it was the first ahu on the island re-erected scientifically. The site is often included on the same tour as Puna Pau and the caves in the Ana Te Pahu area.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes.
Best time
In the late afternoon the light hits the statues head-on. In March and September, near the equinoxes, the alignment with the sunset is clearer. Rainy days make the dirt path muddy.
How to get there
It is about 10 km from Hanga Roa via an unpaved road that climbs inland, about 20 minutes by car. Visits are conducted with an accredited guide.
Tip
Note that the seven moai look out to sea: compare with Tahai on the same afternoon. Stay outside the fenced area of the platform.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ahu Akivi
Why do the moai of Ahu Akivi face the sea?
It's an exception on the island. The platform is aligned with the equinox, and the statues face the sunset on that date. The exact explanation is still debated.
How many moai are at Ahu Akivi?
There are seven similarly sized moai, side by side, on the same platform.
Is Ahu Akivi far from Hanga Roa?
It's about 10 km along the inland road, roughly a 20-minute drive, and is often visited together with Puna Pau.