Ahu Te Pito Kura
Ahu Te Pito Kura
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- SherylPhoenix, Arizona1,162 contributionsAmong the many fascinating sites on Easter Island, Ahu Te Pito Kura is undoubtedly a place full of mystery and legend Located on the northern shore of the island, close to Ovahe Beach, it is an ancient site that combines Moai Stones with mysterious stones Known for its mysterious Moai statue and symbolic energy stone. Not only does it showcase the unique craftsmanship of the Rapanui culture, but it also inspires the wisdom and power of ancient civilization.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 15, 2025
- Zsuzsa.GuideTargu Secuiesc, Romania969 contributionsAhu Te Pito Kura is the center of the world - at least this is what the locals say about this place. The biggest stone has 1000 kg. You can find it in Perouse harbour. Take care of your phone, can be demagnetized. Like în Machu Picchu...Visited November 2024Traveled with friendsWritten November 12, 2024
- RYC88Centreville, Virginia1,360 contributionsThis was an interesting set of sites, including the Bahia de La Perouse, a little harbor where you could see sea turtles and waves crashing against volcanic rocks. A little farther on is the biggest moai that was ever on a platform, which is amazingly impressive. Then, there is the belly button of the world, while not an incredible site, does have an interesting backstory. It's a nice walk to go from Papa Vaka on a trail to the harbor and then onto the belly button stone.Visited January 2025Traveled as a coupleWritten January 22, 2025
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
379 reviews
Excellent
133
Very good
135
Average
98
Poor
11
Terrible
2
Sachin K
New York City, NY6,533 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Te Pito Kura is located in front of the Bay of La Pérouse. In the center is the Ahu(platform), whose only moai named Paro, remains in the same position it was when it was demolished, making it unique. The Paro Moai represents a milestone from the period when the statues were built, as it is the largest moai statue transported from the Rano Raraku volcano quarry and erected successfully on an ahu or platform. Its dimensions are spectacular: it’s ears measure 2 meters, its height reaches 10 meters and it is estimated that it’s weight must have exceeded 80 tons. Next to the ahu, a few meters away, is a large ovoid shaped stone. The expression Te Pito Kura means “navel of light” and some people relate the name of the place with the special qualities of this rock and with one of the names with which it is known to Easter Island, Te Pito O Te Henua which means “navel of the world”. Certainly would very highly recommend visiting this tourist attraction.
Written November 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katrien S
Ghent, Belgium1,937 contributions
Jan 2020
The site is interesting as it is one of the better preserved villages, where one can see the chicken coups as well as the outline of some houses of which only the foundations were of stone, the rest was wood and other perishable material. The chicken coups are more elaborate, and even the stone made "pots" for plant were more elaborate. However, to understand what is what and why, it is best to visit with a guide.
On the site is also the tallest once erected moai, who had an ahu all for himself. The date when it was thrown over is quite well established, namely in 1838, as whalers used it as a landmark, and noted it being overthrown. According to them, it was overthrown as an act of revenge. The round ball was holy and used to mark a boundary between the 2 halves of the island.
On the site is also the tallest once erected moai, who had an ahu all for himself. The date when it was thrown over is quite well established, namely in 1838, as whalers used it as a landmark, and noted it being overthrown. According to them, it was overthrown as an act of revenge. The round ball was holy and used to mark a boundary between the 2 halves of the island.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill M
Springfield, MO305 contributions
Jan 2020
See the largest mo’ai statue transported from the Rano Raraku volcano quarry and erected successfully on an ahu with is voluminous headdresses carved and transferred from the quarry of Puna Pau from the opposite end of the island.
Its dimensions are spectacular: its ears measure over 6 feet; it is 33 feet tall and is estimated to weigh more than 80 tons. The mo’ai lies face down and its body is split in half as a result of its collapse. In front of its head lies its gigantic pukao, almost 6 feet high and about 10 tons in weight.
A few yards away from the ahu is a large spherical and smooth stone almost 3 feet in diameter surrounded by other stones. This stone warms up more than others because of its high iron content, causing compasses to behave strangely giving rise to the belief of some that is radiates a supernatural energy called mana.
All of this is situated on an inlet from the ocean with crashing waves.
Its dimensions are spectacular: its ears measure over 6 feet; it is 33 feet tall and is estimated to weigh more than 80 tons. The mo’ai lies face down and its body is split in half as a result of its collapse. In front of its head lies its gigantic pukao, almost 6 feet high and about 10 tons in weight.
A few yards away from the ahu is a large spherical and smooth stone almost 3 feet in diameter surrounded by other stones. This stone warms up more than others because of its high iron content, causing compasses to behave strangely giving rise to the belief of some that is radiates a supernatural energy called mana.
All of this is situated on an inlet from the ocean with crashing waves.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stella R.
Brasilia, DF26 contributions
Feb 2020
If you go without a guide, or without some knowledge acquired from reading, you might stay no more than ten minutes. There you'll find the rests of the biggest Moai transported from Rano Raraku, named "Paro Moai", which I honestly didn't find "that" impressive.
There's also a magnetic rock that it's said to have healing powers and was brought by the island's first king, Hotu Matu'a, but we can't touch it anymore. It's near the sea, surrounded by other stones in order to be protected.
Besides, there's a broken ahu which was very useful to understand how the burials and ceremonies worked. Also, we were shown the rocks inside of which meals - the "umu tahu" - were prepared for special occasions.
Interesting, but not unmissable. Excluding the rock and the giant destroyed Moai, all other structures are spread over other sites in the island. Worth a quick stop.
There's also a magnetic rock that it's said to have healing powers and was brought by the island's first king, Hotu Matu'a, but we can't touch it anymore. It's near the sea, surrounded by other stones in order to be protected.
Besides, there's a broken ahu which was very useful to understand how the burials and ceremonies worked. Also, we were shown the rocks inside of which meals - the "umu tahu" - were prepared for special occasions.
Interesting, but not unmissable. Excluding the rock and the giant destroyed Moai, all other structures are spread over other sites in the island. Worth a quick stop.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bukagirl
New Jersey4,269 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
Claims it's the largest statute on the island but is is broken up.
I wouldn't go out of my way for this but if you have time check it out, the perfectly round stones are interesting.
I wouldn't go out of my way for this but if you have time check it out, the perfectly round stones are interesting.
Written December 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deborahk3
Maidstone, UK1,815 contributions
Jul 2019
Ahu Te Pito Kura has the largest statue that was ever successfully erected on Easter Island. It is almost 33 feet high and weighs approximately 70 tonnes. Today, the statue lies face down, with a broken head and separated torso. This moai awaits resurrection by archeologists. Worth a quick stop
Written June 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon G
1,235 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
The main attraction of this place is the smooth rock surrounded by four smaller rocks. As the guide will tell you, this rock is not indigenous to the island and has magnetic properties and you can feel the energy radiating from the stone. The purpose of the smaller rocks is for the people to sit on and then place the hands to get the energy from the central rock.
As with all other attractions you are not allowed to touch any artefacts.
There is also a fallen moai at this site.
As with all other attractions you are not allowed to touch any artefacts.
There is also a fallen moai at this site.
Written December 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wheelchair A
48 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
You cannot reach the site because of a barrier (see picture) halfway through the path. If this entrance was adapted (enlarged), you could reach the site with your wheelchair. The path is unpaved and downhill - Definetely not easy, but somehow manageable. Yet, until the stone barrier is removed, you can see the site only from a big distance (thus, at the moment going there does not make any sense). In any case you would not be able to see the magnetic stone because it lies among rocks.
Written June 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emilie W
Dublin, Ireland117 contributions
Nov 2016
Honestly had I never heard about this stone before I was actually on the day tour, and it is supposed to give out so much energy you can feel it. Now, they have put a fence around it so you cannot go close anymore. However, people apparently travel from around the world to solely see this stone, so if you are interested it might be a cool thing to check out. If not, to me it wasn't a lot more than just a perfectly shaped stone.
Written November 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan H
Cairns, Australia1,797 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Ahu Te Pito Kura is located on the Northeastern side of the island off the road that connects Ahu Tongariki and Ovahe. It's famous as it contains the largest moai ever erected 'Paro' - which is 10m tall with 2m ears and weighs 70 tonnes. Unfortunately like all Moai on the island Paro was toppled in the Rapi Nui civil wars as erect Moai were felt to confer protection to the villages they overlooked. He wasn't one of the lucky 50 that have since been re-erected and presently sits face first in the dirt.
A second peculiar object at this archeological site is a polished oval rock that sits surrounded by a stone wall and four other stones that act as chairs. It's famous for various exotic theories about it having magical powers (ie giving energy to those that touch it, increasing female ferility, etc). In reality it contains a high iron content, resulting in a larger production of heat than those stones around it.
After visiting Rano Raraku and Ahu Tongariki this place feels like a bit of a let down. It would be magnificent if they re-erected Paro. It's still worth visiting but it won't be the highlight of your trip.
Please take the time to rate my review
A second peculiar object at this archeological site is a polished oval rock that sits surrounded by a stone wall and four other stones that act as chairs. It's famous for various exotic theories about it having magical powers (ie giving energy to those that touch it, increasing female ferility, etc). In reality it contains a high iron content, resulting in a larger production of heat than those stones around it.
After visiting Rano Raraku and Ahu Tongariki this place feels like a bit of a let down. It would be magnificent if they re-erected Paro. It's still worth visiting but it won't be the highlight of your trip.
Please take the time to rate my review
Written January 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Please remove the barrier shown in the picture of my review, so that wheelchair users can access the site.
Written June 4, 2017
Bonjour, moi j'y suis allée en 2009 on pouvait la toucher et on a même posé une boussole elle était complètement folle
Written April 23, 2017
Siiii. pero ahora la guia nos dijo que eso no se puede hacer mas.
Written May 24, 2017
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