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14 Days Stone statues and Volcanic Islands Tour Package Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights Price From: $4,641 (All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses) Dates: Nov, Feb, Nov  We set down on the largest, most heavily populated and most developed island in French Polynesia; Tahiti and begin our two-week adventure in the South Pacific. Europeans first reached these shores in the second half of the 18th century and found a tropical paradise with picture-perfect mountain peaks, blue-green lagoons and white-sand, palm-studded beaches. Much has changed since the times of the first explorers from Europe, but the islands haven't lost their almost-mystical natural beauty and overwhelming sense of allure. We learn about aboriginal and contemporary cultures with visits to museums and exploration of historic centres in the capital city on Tahiti and head to the neighbouring island of Moorea to find perhaps the most idyllic landscapes in Polynesia. Here, we have the chance to embark on spectacular hiking excursions through pineapple plantations, past translucent green lagoons and alongside volcanic peaks before we reach Bora Bora, yet another island of mind-boggling natural splendour. A special expedition to Easter Island brings us face to face with aboriginal cultures, ancient monuments and mysterious sites of old. This tour lies beyond the bounds of the imagination. Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrival in Tahiti Today we arrive in Papeete, Tahiti, the heart of French Polynesia, and one of the most distant departments of France. As most flights tend to arrive in the morning, this afternoon we will have a leisurely tour of the historic port city of Papeete and its vibrant waterfront. If you arrive later, we'll see you at dinner. NOTE: The hotels listed in this itinerary are our preferred properties. On occasion, due to availability problems, periodic closures for maintenance, or other circumstances beyond our control, we may have to substitute hotels of similar standard. Overnight near Papeete. Royal Tahitien (or similar). Dinner if required. Day 2 Papeete - Island Tour - Papeete Today we discover Tahiti on a coach tour around the island. We stop at points of interest both scenic and historic. We begin with the east coast of the island, stopping at Point Venus, the landing site for European discoverers and evangelists. In Tiara we will see the Arahoho Blowhole where the sea is pressed into an old lava tube, then explodes in a sudden noisy spray. We will then cross the isthmus of Taravao where the big island is joined to its peninsula, and arrive at the Paul Gauguin Museum. The museum is a remarkable memorial to the late French artist, an open book on this great artist's life and works. We visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands, set in a lagoonside coconut grove with a gorgeous view of Moorea. We can have lunch at the Gauguin Museum Restaurant (not included) before or after visiting the museum and garden. We continue to the West Coast with a stop at the Maraa Grotto where overhead springs drip through a ceiling of ferns into a cool, romantic cave formed by the sea. Giant elephant ear plants and 'taro' grace the entrance. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight near Papeete. Royal Tahitien (or similar). Breakfast and dinner. Day 3 Papeete - Moorea: Island Tour This morning we travel to Moorea by ferry (less than one hour). Upon arrival to Moorea Island (pronounced MOE-oh-ray-ah) in the heart of French Polynesia, you will immediately be awestruck by it's natural beauty. Its jagged peaks, cloaked in lush greenery and encircled by the deep blue of the ocean and sky are everyone's dream of Polynesia. Located a mere 19 km (12 mi) west of the island of Tahiti, Moorea is a triangular shaped island encircled by a lagoon of translucent green, fringed by an azure blue sea. This afternoon we have a circle island tour of Moorea. We will explore the natural and human sides of this French and Polynesian island; emerald green pastures with the volcanic mountains of Mouaputa and Rotui as their backdrop. Just between Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay (which are two great photo ops), we stop at "The Jus de Fruits de Moorea" (Fruit Juices of Moorea) factory and taste the intoxicating or non-alcoholic juices that they have to offer. You may purchase vanilla beans, pineapples, tee shirts, mango tea and other various souvenirs. We drive up to the Belvedere for a breathtaking view of the twin bays of Opunohu and Paopao. Overnight on Moorea. Hotel Hibiscus (or similar). Breakfast and dinner. Day 4 Moorea: Lagoon Trip A covered boat ride takes us into beautiful Moorea Lagoon where we can swim, snorkel and relax in the splendour of this tropical setting. The intoxicating beauty of the Moorea lagoon's underworld will inspire you! We return to the hotel for dinner (lunch also included today). Overnight on Moorea. Hotel Hibiscus (or similar). All meals. Day 5 Moorea Today is free to enjoy this beautiful place. Moorea offers some spectacular hiking. Two short hikes lead to the Afareaitu waterfalls. You can get there by car followed by a 30-minute walk. A 2-hour hike, starts in Vaiare, brings you to the crest between Mount Tearai and Mount Mouaputa, then goes down the valley to reach Paopao in Cook's Bay. Beautiful view points are found along this trail, especially to Tahiti and pineapples plantations. Another, but very tiring hike is the Three Coconut Trees Trail opening on breath-taking panoramic views on the 2 bays separated by Mount Rotui and on a clear day, all the way to Tetiaroa. Your Tour Leader and / or hotel staff can help you plan your day. Overnight on Moorea. Hotel Hibiscus (or similar). Breakfast and dinner. Day 6 Moorea - Bora Bora After a short mid-morning flight to the storied island of Bora Bora we check into our resort. In the afternoon you can explore this mountainous island setting on your own. Two towering peaks of sheer black rock dominate the center of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue waters that will dazzle the eyes. Overnight on Bora Bora. Novotel Bora Bora (or similar). Breakfast and dinner. Day 7 Bora Bora: LandRover Tour This morning we make an excursion up Otemanu Mountain and to all the wild spots of Bora Bora aboard a specially equipped 4x4 jeep. We discover the interior mountains by LandRover on unexpected trails through luscious vegetation to spectacular panoramic views. We visit historic sites left by the American military during World War II and learn traditional Polynesian life. Bora Bora is located 240 km (150 mi) from Tahiti and accessible by plane or ship. Bora Bora consists of a main island, two smaller volcanic isles (Toopua and Toopuaiti) and numerous flat coral islets (also known as motus) that fashion a semi-circular wreath around half of the main island. Overlooking the main island of Bora Bora is the volcanic peak Otemanu. Measuring 718 m (2,300 feet), it is sometimes crowned with a gentle wreath of clouds. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight on Bora Bora. Novotel Bora Bora (or similar). Breakfast and dinner. Day 8 Bora Bora Today is free. You may want to take an optional glass-bottom boat tour. You can discover the beauty of Bora Bora waters, including exotic fish, colourful coral and the dazzling vista of flora and fauna that make this one of the most stunning islands in the Pacific (2.5 hours). Other optional tours are available during our time on Bora Bora, including snorkelling excursions, diving opportunities, helicopter tours, horseback riding or hiking trips, etc (payable locally, subject to availability). Overnight on Bora Bora. Novotel Bora Bora (or similar). Breakfast and dinner. Day 9 Bora Bora - Papeete, French Polynesia - Easter Island, Chile After a free morning to explore and relax in exotic Bora Bora, we fly to Papeete. Informal afternoon in Papeete to relax by the pool or explore the town and island on your own. We have a chance to rest up in our day rooms before our late evening departure to the airport. Late this evening we transfer to the airport for our flight to Easter Island (just after midnight, non-stop, approx 6 hours). Overnight flight to Easter Island. Breakfast (dinner on your own). Day 10 Arrival on Easter Island This morning (approx 11:40 am) we arrive on Easter Island, Chile's most distant outpost. We transfer to our hotel in Hanga Roa where the island's entire population of about 2,500 lives.Typically South Pacific in appearance, the pace in the village is slow, as is the traffic (a speed limit of 15 kph is strictly enforced!). Easter Island is over 3,200 km from the nearest population center, (Tahiti and Chile), making it one of the most isolated places on Earth, a triangle of volcanic rock in the South Pacific best known for the giant stone monoliths, known as Moai, that dot the coastline. The early settlers called the island "Te Pito O Te Henua" (Navel of The World). Admiral Roggeveen, who came upon the island on Easter Day in 1722, named it Easter Island. Today the land, people and language are all referred to locally as Rapa Nui. Overnight on Easter Island. Breakfast and dinner. Day 11 Easter Island We will start our morning tour with a visit to Ahu Vinapu with its incredible stone walls similar to those built by the ancient Incas; the architecture of these walls is sometimes used as an argument to support the theory that the early islanders came from South America. Afterwards we drive to the southernmost volcano of the island, Rano Kau. From here we will have an opportunity to see most of the island as well as its reed-covered lake. On the west side of the slopes you have an impressive view of the islets Motu Wui, Motu Iti and Motu Kao-Kao. The main feature on Rano Kau is its rebuilt ancient ceremonial village of Orongo. In primitive times it was used for the traditional egg-ceremony, taking place year after year to choose the religious head of the island. The site is full of petroglyphs representing Tangata Manu (birdman) and the god Make-Make. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight on Easter Island. Breakfast and dinner. Day 12 Easter Island After breakfast we will start a full day tour with a visit to Vaihu, an ancient site in ruins. We then continue towards Ahu Akahanga, a large ahu (platform) with four big fallen statues. According to legends, the tomb of the first king of the island is in this area. From here we will visit the Rano Raraku quarry, classic symbol of the island and original factory of the moais. The gigantic statues cover the inner and outer slopes of the volcano; they can be admired in the different stages of production, from carving in the rock to upright position and lying face down on their intended road to their platforms. We will then be driven to Ahu Tongariki, formerly the biggest platform on the island, destroyed by a tidal wave in 1960, now reconstructed. Finally we will drive along the north coast to visit Ahu Te Pito Kura (the world's navel). We pass by La Perouse Bay to the beautiful archaeological zone of Anakena where we can spend time on the beautiful white sandy, coconut-palm lined beach that is decidedly Polynesian. Overnight on Easter Island. Breakfast and dinner. Day 13 Easter Island, Chile - Papeete, French Polynesia Most of today is free to explore on your own, or return to a beach or ancient site. Dinner will be served at the hotel before our check out and late departure for our evening flight back to Papeete (departure at approx 22:00). We arrive in Tahiti at approx 23:20, same day, and transfer to our hotel in Papeete. Overnight in Papeete. Breakfast and dinner (on Easter Island). Day 14 Departure Departure from Papeete. Breakfast. Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Tahiti Adventure vacation specialist. Contact: Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 11/09 |
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