From CAD $3,593 Was CAD $4,790
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(8 reviews)
Experience Overview
On this eight-day expedition, encounter raw beauty and culture on the tiny islands of Vanuatu. Leave the resorts of Port Vila behind and head to rainforest-rich islands where you meet locals, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy true adventure travel. Meet communities where kastom – traditional culture and law – still guides the way of life, including the legendary John Frum villages. Snorkel among the protected coral reefs, trek through lush greenery and learn about what it’s like to live among an active volcano and tropical wilderness. Embrace a side of Vanuatu that few tourists seek, but one that those who do will never forget.
Highlights
- Meet with the traditional communities of Tanna Island and learn how these Indigenous villages have incorporated WWII iconography into their religious rituals.
- Hike to the rim of Mt Yasur, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. In the evening, watch the smoke and lava create a natural fireworks display
- Snorkel in the clear waters around Pele Island. Spot colourful fish and see the remarkable coral reef that's protected as part of a marine reserve.
- Go beyond the resorts and venture off the beaten track to discover the beauty and cultures of Vanuatu. Hike, paddle, swim and snorkel in some of the most beautiful places in the tropics.
- Walk through the towering rainforest to find a banyan tree that’s said to be the largest in the world, with hundreds of prop roots supporting it.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2668
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Private vehicle, Boat, Plane
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Supplier Code: TESV
Starts: Port Vila, Vanuatu
Finishes: Port Vila, Vanuatu
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (5), Dinner (2)Accommodation: Resort (5 nights), Bungalows (with shared facilities) (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3593 (CAD $449 /day)
Itinerary
Halo! Welcome to Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your accommodation tonight. If you arrive with time to spare before the welcome meeting, maybe head to the heart of the city for Port Vila's produce market and the waterfront promenade, just a short walk away.
Optional Activities:
- Port Vila - Produce market - Free
- Port Vila - Handicraft market - Free
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you'll discover some of Efate’s best spots. A scenic drive will take you to the exclusive kayak base on the Rentapao River. Immerse yourself in Vanuatu’s rainforest and get a glimpse of village life as you paddle. After a French-style lunch at the river’s edge, transfer upstream to the river cascades, a great place to swim, relax and shake off any jet lag. You'll be back at your hotel by mid-afternoon, giving you some time to discover more of Port Vila and choose a place for your optional dinner tonight.
Included Activities:
- Efate - River Kayaking
- Efate - Rarru Cascades
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
It’s an early morning start today for your Air Vanuatu flight to the island of Tanna. After an included local lunch, set out on the first of your Tanna hikes. Hike to the world's largest banyan tree, perched high on a ridge overlooking the coast. Your path there will loop back through scattered villages, gardens and rainforests – a great opportunity to meet some of the local people going about their daily lives. Next is a scenic drive across the spine of the island to your bungalow accommodation, located at the foot of the active volcano. This afternoon drive along a rutted road to the rim of the volcano (the option to walk to the crater carpark is also available for those who would prefer it). You'll feel the ground shaking and hear the volcano rumbling as you approach. Finally, as you arrive at the crater rim in time for sunset, you'll witness the incredible show of Strombolian eruptions that await as it gets dark. Return from the volcano for a late dinner at your bungalow.
Included Activities:
- Tanna - Rainforest hike
- Tanna - World's largest banyan tree
- Tanna - Village & community visits
- Tanna - Mt Yasur Volcano Crater Hike
Accommodation:
- Bungalow (shared facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you have the option to visit the volcano a second time, for sunrise. After breakfast, start today with a visit to a John Frum village ('cargo cult village') hidden in the rainforest at the foot of the smouldering volcano. Road conditions permitting, you'll have a short dip in the Sulphur Bay hot springs and visit Port Resolution, named after one of Captain Cook’s ships, to explore this remote village. Enjoy lunch back at the bungalows before returning to the other side of the island to our new accommodation for tonight at Whitegrass. Tonight visit a nakamal (kava bar) for a shell of kava. Watch the sunset with your group, keeping an eye out for the whales that cruise along the coast (from July to September).
Included Activities:
- Tanna - Sulphur Bay Hot Springs
- Tanna - Port Resolution village visit
- Tanna - Kava Bar visit
- Tanna - John Frum Village visit
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, you'll head into the jungle-clad hills to a kastom village. The community here has long rejected modern life and conserves many aspects of a traditional lifestyle. Learn about traditional rites of passage and the local Prince Phillip movement as your leader guides you around the village. As you explore, you’ll gain insight into a community at the cusp of making decisions about the future and how tourism can help conserve long-held practices. Stop for lunch at a local cafe in town, then it's time to say goodbye to Tanna and head to the airport for an afternoon flight back to Port Vila.
Included Activities:
- Tanna - Kastom Village visit
Optional Activities:
- Tanna - Mt Yasur Volcano Crater (second visit) - FROM (6500 VUV)
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you’ll travel from Port Vila to Pele Island, a tropical island renowned for its marine conservation area. Take a scenic drive along Efate's west coast to Emua Wharf, stopping at a coffee roastery along the way. Then it’s a short boat ride to Pele Island. When you arrive, sit down for a local lunch on the beach. Take another short boat ride to Taloa Village on neighbouring Nguna Island to visit the historic church and community sites on a village walk. Later this afternoon, go snorkelling in the lagoon (weather permitting) or in the marine conservation area. Expect lots of tropical fish, the occasional turtle (if you’re lucky) and plenty of hard corals and small canyons to explore. Your accommodation for the night is at bungalows on Pele hosted by the village women.
Included Activities:
- Pele Island - Snorkelling
- Efate - Coffee roaster visit
- Nguna Island - Taloa Village walk
Accommodation:
- Beach Bungalow (shared facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
This afternoon, you'll have the option to take a boat over to Nguna for a challenging volcano walk. Alternatively, you can go for a few easier walks around Pele's villages for a chance to learn about the community’s conservation efforts through the Nguna-Pele Conservation Network. Then it's time to back to Efate for lunch at a locally owned restaurant. Take in the lovely views across the islands, then drive back to Port Vila, this time along the east coast road, with a stop for a swim at one of the beaches or coves around Eton village. There are lots of roadside markets to explore and plenty of photo opportunities. Make one final stop at a distillery, for a delicious tasting of local liqueurs. Arrive back at your Port Vila accommodation in the evening. Celebrate a trip well-travelled with an optional farewell dinner with your group.
Included Activities:
- Efate - Rum & Gin Distillery Visit
Optional Activities:
- Nguna Island - Extinct volcano hike - Free
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
Your Vanuatu adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning.
Optional Activities:
- Port Vila - Port Vila Town Tour (3200 VUV)
- Port Vila - Discovery Bushwalk (5200 VUV)
- Port Vila - National Museum (1000 VUV)
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Ruth - Traveled, September 2023
This was a great trip. It’s quite short so I would recommend booking a few extra days to do your own exploring too.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2023
Tara - Traveled, September 2023
Vanuatu is a spectacular destination, with amazing sights, activities and culture. This trip is truly special as we visited places that were personal to our local leaders and explored with a real sense of adventure. The experiences were all so memorable, from village visits, to climbing the volcano, home-cooked meals and island explorations, we did so much in a short time and came away with so many cultural insights. Thank you to the Intrepid team in Vanuatu for such an amazing holiday!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/08/2023
Nadia - Traveled, September 2023
What a fantastic trip! Allan and all of the local guides were fantastic and so generous in sharing their knowledge and passion for Vanuatu. Activities were great and every village made us feel welcome. Accommodation was basic but comfortable - be aware that some places haven’t got running water and only provide buckets for showing. Also ensure you have a small bag to pack for 1-2 nights on the islands, as luggage space on planes/boats is limited! Highly recommend this tour!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/22/2023
Douglas - Traveled, June 2023
The local guide made a good itinerary fantastic. Story time with Alan was one of the days highlights. Accomodation and meals are basic but acceptable. More time on Tanna island would be great.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/26/2023
Haochen - Traveled, December 2022
A good trip with a lot of excellent travel activities (cultural and natural).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2022
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour. The group we were a part of was just exceptional and we loved our time with them. Our guide was knowledgeable, amusing and bent over backward to make our time with him fulfilling, educational and comfortable. Our time wasn't without adversity, as a major road closure altered our itinerary significantly on one day. The alternate agenda turned out to be a fantastic experience. The only downside was that while the overnight accommodations were adequate, a couple were severely cramped for space. This may just be par for the course in New Zealand though and we adjusted accordingly. It was still a 5 of 5 adventure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/05/2024
Suzanne - Traveled, October 2024
Our guide, Robert with Intrepid Travel was the most outstanding tour guide we’ve ever had. He was so enthusiastic, knowledgeable, caring and informative. He set a very high bar for any future guides.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/31/2024
Heti-Maria - Traveled, October 2024
The Kangaroo Island Short Break Adventure was the most amazing tour I've been on in my time in Australia! The tour guide was from Italy and had been living on the island for a few years, so he knew all the best places to bring us. Since I was part of a smaller group, he allowed us to have all the quality time we needed in each location. Every destination we went to was simply breathtaking! I went in Spring (beginning of Oct) which was the perfect weather for this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2024
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