Rano Kau
A huge crater about 1.6 km across, with reed 'floating islands' on its lake and a gap in its rim carved out by ocean waves. It is spectacular yet serene.
Rano Kau is the largest volcano on the island, located in the southwest corner, about 324 meters above sea level. It formed about 2.5 million years ago. The summit crater is about 1.6 km across and about 200 meters deep, with a freshwater lake at its base. The lake is covered with totora reeds, which form patches of floating green that interlace with the blue water like a giant abstract painting. On one side of the crater's outer rim, Pacific waves have eroded a gap called Kari Kari. From the viewpoint, you can see both the crater lake and the open ocean behind it. The microclimate inside the crater is warm and humid. It was once a natural greenhouse where islanders grew figs, bananas and other crops, and it was the last refuge of the toromiro tree, the only native tree species on Easter Island. The viewpoint is at the end of the road to Orongo, about a 15-minute drive from Hanga Roa. If you prefer hiking, you can climb from the CONAF visitor center at the south end of town, a trail of about 1.5 hours with views over Hanga Roa and the airport runway. The crater rim is windy and the ground is loose, so do not climb over the railings or descend into the crater. It is usually visited together with Orongo.
Opening hours
About 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Orongo
- Ana Kai Tangata
- Ahu Vinapu
- Hanga Roa
- Ahu Huri a Urenga
- Ahu Tahai
- Puna Pau
- Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum