VANUATU

Dates: May 1 – 12, 2025

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Number of participants: 9 - 12

Cost per person:
– 6 250 USD subject to 11 – 12 participants, or
– 6 390 USD subject to 9 – 10 participants.

10% early booking discount (in case you book before January 1, 2025)

Everything is included (also 2 charter flights, 3 regular domestic flights), except for:
– international flight to Port Vila roundtrip,
– international medical insurance,
– visa of Vanuatu (not required for Russian citizens),
– some lunches and dinners.

Estimated cost of flight Hong Kong – Port Vila – Hong Kong: 1400 – 1700 USD (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Estimated cost of flight Singapore – Port Vila – Singapore: 1000 – 1200 USD (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Estimated cost of flight Moscow – Hong Kong – Moscow: 550 – 700 USD (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Estimated cost of flight Moscow – Singapore – Moscow: 700 – 800 USD (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).

Single supplement: 1060 USD (single accommodation is provided for all nights).


TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO Vanuatu
Day 1. May 1, 2025 (Thursday). NADI (FIJI) – PORT VILLA (VANUATU)

Early morning arrival in Nadi (Fiji) from Hong Kong or Tokyo (or with any other flight from Australia, New Zealand, which however involves the requirement to get visa of the above countries).
Direct connection with flight of Fiji Airways to Port Vila (Vanuatu) departing at 14:30 in the afternoon.

Arrive in Port Vila respectively at 16:05. Transfer by private coach to Grand Hotel Port Vila.
Walk in the city and dinner at Waterfront Bar&Grill restaurant.
Overnight at Grand Hotel Port Vila.

Accommodation included: Grand Hotel Port Vila
Meals included: dinner

Recommended flight to Port Vila (Vanuatu):
– from Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific and Fiji Airways with 3 hours 10 minutes stopover in Tokyo and 9 hours 55 minutes stopover in Nadi (Fiji), departure from Hong Kong at 7:50 on April 30, departure from Tokyo at 16:30 on April 30, departure from Nadi at 14:30 on May 1, arrival in Port Vila at 16:05 on May 1,
– from Hong Kong with Fiji Airways with 7 hours 25 minutes stopover in Nadi (Fiji), departure from Hong Kong at 16:55 on April 28, departure from Nadi at 14:30 on April 29, arrival in Port Vila at 16:05 on April 29 (2 extra nights needed in Port Vila),
– any other flight from any city arriving in Port Vila (Vanuatu) any time on May 1 (there are also many flights from Australia and New Zealand, but visa would be needed).


Day 2. May 2, 2025 (Friday). PORT VILLA – ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND

At 6 am, after breakfast, check out from the rooms. Private coach transfer to airport to catch flight to Espiritu Santo, departing at 8:00 am.

At 8:50 am arrive in the largest island in the state of Vanuatu – Espiritu Santo (from the Spanish "espritu santo" - Holy Spirit). Private hotel transfer to Turtle Bay Lodge.

After check in at the hotel, freshen up and relaxation with cool drinks on the magnificent ocean. Alternatively, we can take a snorkel exploring the local underwater flora and fauna of one of the nearby reefs.

After lunch at noon, we drive on hotel shuttle to Luganville town.
This morning we visit one of the most famous places in Vanuatu – especially valuable to diving enthusiasts. Because Espiritu Santo is considered a kind of mecca for divers and if you are really fond of diving, you probably heard about Million Dollar Point! This is an underwater graveyard of World War II-era equipment. Tanks, jeeps, and other machinery left behind by American forces rest on the seabed here. As a result, all these "gifts" were grown into coral, mineralized, overgrown with all kinds of underwater vegetation and became home for fish and crabs. And now Million-Dollar-Point is a real "mecca" for scuba divers, since there is no other such underwater burial in the world. The wreck of the American ship President Coolidge and the destroyer Tucker are also nearby.
Here we have chance for scuba diving at Million Dollar point (at extra cost) or snorkeling (included into the cost, gear supplied by Pacific Dive). After a couple of hours snorkeling at Million Dollar Point, we change clothes and drive back to the hotel.

We relax and enjoy life; tomorrow will be a very busy day.
Dinner and overnight at Turtle Bay Lodge with the ocean view.

Accommodation included: Turtle Bay Lodge
Meals included: breakfast


Day 3. May 3, 2025 (Saturday). ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND: MILLENIUM CAVE CANYONING

Today we have a big adventure, we will spend the whole day exploring the local Millennium Cave. After breakfast at the hotel, at 7:00 am, we take lunch boxes, swimming suits, T-shirts, and a spare set of dry clothes to change after the trekking and go to the heart of Santo Island.

Millennium Cave is Vanuatu's largest cave. It is located about an hour drive from our hotel. We are dropped off in a 15-minute walk from the entrance, and then we spend there all day. There will be lunch during the tour. Trekking is very active and not simple, but extremely beautiful. We have to climb a lot on rocks and stairs, sometimes taking muddy paths, swim along rivers and canyons, bath in waterfalls and cave lakes. Some parks look risky and we have to be focused on the way. This canyoning will be a real highlight of our expedition and probably the best adventure you have ever participated.

In the afternoon, very tired, dirty, wet and happy, we return to the resort (at 17:00 or so).
Dinner at hotel and overnight at Turtle Bay Lodge.

Accommodation included: Turtle Bay Lodge
Meals included: breakfast, lunch


Day 4. May 4, 2025 (Sunday). ESPIRITU SANTO: BLUE HOLE AND CHAMPAGNE BEACH

Today after breakfast at the hotel, at 7:00 am, we start our day. We offer you to explore the most famous beach of the island, for the sake of which travelers and tourists from all over the world come here. First, however, we will explore Santo's famous Blue Holes, famous among travelers. On the island of Espiritu Santo, we will visit the Nando Blue Hole, also called Jackies.
The blue hole is a natural pool formed by the release of groundwater through layers of limestone. In these "holes" there is the bluest water in the world. Blue holes got their name due to the impressive contrast of deep dark blue water and lighter water around. Water temperature is +25 C. It is fresh and perfect for bathing in the heat. And we will do it.

Then we drive to Champagne Beach. It is considered one of the 10 best beaches on Earth! Champagne Beach is a half-moon shaped beach made of sand nearby a crystal-clear lagoon surrounded by corals. Where did such an unusual name come from? This interesting phenomenon was observed by the first European travelers who visited the best beach in Vanuatu – in the shallow water of the lagoon at low tide the water bubbles and hisses like champagne. This amazing phenomenon is the result of gas emission from volcanic rock formations lying on the bottom of the lagoon. Champagne Beach is the main tourist attraction on the east coast of Espiritu Santo, the largest island of Vanuatu.

We have previously ordered lunch boxes to have it at another beautiful beach – Port Orly beach.

At 17:00 we return to the hotel. Dinner at hotel and overnight Turtle Bay Lodge.

Accommodation included: Turtle Bay Lodge
Meals included: breakfast, lunch


Day 5. May 5, 2025 (Monday). ESPIRITU SANTO – TANNA ISLAND: YAKEL KASTOM VILLAGE

After breakfast, at 8:00 am, transfer to the airport.

At 9:30 am scheduled flight from Espiritu Santo to Tanna Island via Port Vila. Departure from Santo at 9:30, arrival in Port Vila at 10:20, with subsequent departure for Tanna at 11:00 am.
Arrive in Tanna airport at 11:40 am and transfer on hotel shuttle. Settle in to rooms Whitegrass Ocean Resort. Lunch at hotel.
At 13:30 depart hotel by private coach to Yakel Custom Village, which is home to representatives of the Yakel tribe. Among all traditional villages, it is one of the most interesting in the sense that all residents observe customs unchanged for many centuries.
Most of the locals communicate only in their native language. Residents of the village of Louinio belong to the Yakel tribe. Their traditions and customs are very interesting and diverse, and we will be able to get acquainted with some of them personally.
Houses, life, dancing – everything is like in all tribes but, it is somewhat different from others. The world’s famous movie Tanna was filmed in this village and we still can find a couple of people who played the roles. We will be able to get acquainted with some of them personally.

Traditional dances will be arranged specially for us in this authentic settings. Everyone can take part in this fun event. Together with Yakel people, we will also explore the waterfall nearby the village (some 20 minutes walk).

Back to the Whitegrass Ocean Resort, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation included: Whitegrass Ocean Resort
Meals included: breakfast


Day 6. May 6, 2025 (Tuesday). TANNA ISLAND: PORT RESOLUTION, JOHN FRUM CARGO CULT, IMAYO KASTOM VILLAGE AND YASUR ACTIVE VOLCANO

After breakfast, at 8:00 am, we leave for the whole day, we take with us: boxed lunch, swimwear, masks, fins and set off for new incredible experiences.

We drive to the east coast, crossing the island with some mountainous passes and finally moon-like foothill of the Yasur active volcano. Our path lies through slag fields and the former Siwi lake, which completely run-off in 2000 to the Yasur volcano.
After taking amazing pictures of smoking Yasur from the distance, we continue up to the cost, where we explore Ipikel village. Here we will be met and greeted by locals who practice the cargo cult of John Frum which is spread in Vanuatu since WW II. Catholic church converts local beliefs step by step, but it is still very curious to get known with this religion.

Not far from the village we will bath in the hot springs and move to the Imayo kastom village with smashing view onto erupting Yasur volcano.
After a mandatory acquaintance with the chief and residents of the village, they will tell us about the culture, customs and basic taboos, as well as offer traditional dish called lap lap. There are many options for this dish, but usually it is made of bananas, cassava, spinach and coconut, baked in banana leaf. After degustation, there will be traditional dances in our honor, they will show how the village is arranged and life is established. Those who want can buy souvenirs, and the most courageous ones can even feed a pig.

Then we will go to the part of the island called Port Resolution. There is a very beautiful large bay and the beach of the same name. It was this bay that James Cook arrived, who discovered the island in 1774 and called it Tanna. Having landed on the island, Cook asked the locals what the island is called, while raising a handful of soil, to which one islander replied: "Tanna" (translated from the Nufai language – "soil"). The traditional name of the island is "Parei". The voyager also tried to climb the Yasur volcano, however, he was prevented by the locals because they worshiped the volcano and considered it as a shrine. Cook's ship was called "Resolution" during that voyage, therefore this bay was also named in his honor. We will stay in this paradise for a while, swim, sunbathe, and snorkel, as here are very beautiful underwater landscapes. Here we have lunch with the boxes brought with us.

After lunch, we come back to the top of Yasur Volcano. Mount Yasur is one of the most accessible and spectacular active volcanoes in the world. Its height is only 361 meters above sea level, and the dimensions of the crater are 300 meters wide and 100 meters deep. Nevertheless, a visit to this ancient volcano will give an unforgettable experience. Even at the approaches, we will hear deep inner moans and rumble, we will see a rock explosion and ashes thrown high into the sky, we will feel how the earth trembles under our feet. An active volcano is an incredible thing that you will remember for a lifetime.

Having admired the prehistoric show, we will set off on the return trip.
During late dinner in the hotel, we will exchange impressions.
Overnight at Whitegrass Ocean Resort.

Accommodation included: Whitegrass Ocean Resort
Meals included: breakfast, lunch


Day 7. May 7, 2025 (Wednesday). TANNA ISLAND: LENAKEL MARKET AND GIANT BANYAN TREE – PORT VILA: RARRU CASCADES

Very early in the morning, if time permits, we can visit amazing underwater garden in front of our hotel or at the Tanna Blue Hole 2 (optional reef for snorkeling) which is only 7 minutes walk.

After breakfast, at 7:30 am or so, depart hotel by private transport to visit vivid Lenakel market and Giant Banyan Tree which is more than 100 meters wide!

Back to the hotel to pick-up our luggage and transfer to the airport. At 12:20 pm regular flight to Port Vila.
At 13:00 we come back to Efate island and by private coach are transferred to Grand Hotel Port Vila.
Quick lunch and check-in.

At 14:00 we depart for depart for Rarru Cascades and Waterfall tour. After pick-up from the hotel, enjoy a scenic 25-minute drive into the rainforest, and then a short walk to the cascades, via our lookout for sweeping coastal views. We will relax in the sparkling waters and swim in the pools.

Back to the Grand Hotel Port Vila for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation included: Grand Hotel Port Vila
Meals included: breakfast


Day 8. May 8, 2025 (Thursday). PORT VILA – PENTECOST ISLAND

In the morning, after breakfast, guided walking tour to Vanuatu National Museum.
The museum is located in the beautiful building of the Vanuatu Cultural Center, specially built on a hill in the capital of Port Vila and opened in 1995. The museum presents the largest collection of 3500 monuments of national culture and art from all over the country. It shows exhibits related to the history and culture of a group of islands located in the South Pacific. The museum's permanent expositions contain most of the traditional artifacts: masks, ceremonial hats, slit gong drums (tamtam), weapons, animals and birds, fossils and ceramics, pottery, baskets and mats, large-scale models of canoes, a collection of unique drawings on the sand and even traditional kava drink.

Transfer to airport and charter flight to Lonorore, Pentecost Island. We fly with Twin Otter airplane or 2 airplanes of Vanuatu Air Taxi BNI Islander.

Upon arrival in Lonorore and transfer by pickup truck to the village.
Traditional welcome at Waterfall village, settle into Noda Lodge guesthouse and take orientation walk around the village.
We will swim in the waterfall or in the sea and get acquaintance with traditional cava drink.

Traditional welcome dinner at Waterfall village. Overnight at Noda Lodge guesthouse.

Accommodation included: Noda Lodge guesthouse
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 9. May 9, 2025 (Friday). PENTECOST ISLAND: PANGI VILLAGE – WARBOT RIVER

After breakfast, we have Pentecost tribal culture and scenic tour in the village, which includes gardening and cooking demonstrations, cava traditional consumption.

After that we will visit beautiful waterfall to immerse ourselves in the fresh waters. We will arrange the photo session and the waterfall and in the sea with the traditional outrigger canoe with local person.

Here we go for another goal of our expedition to Vanuatu – the rite of Nagol! We will be briefed on tribal initiation practices and Nagol land diving preparations. We will visit the place for tomorrow land diving to have an idea what a fantastic day is gonna be tomorrow!

After local style lunch, we have time for swimming in the sea and relaxing in the beach.
We can also have a hike to the jungle to see the bat cave.

In the evening dinner at village and overnight at Noda Lodge guesthouse.

Accommodation included: Noda Lodge guesthouse
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 10. May 10, 2025, 2024 (Saturday). NAGOL LAND DIVING FESTIVAL AT PENTECOST ISLAND

After breakfast, at 8:00 am, we picked up by truck to Nagol land diving venue and observe setup and procedure of land diving event with its traditional rituals (lunch at venue).

It is believed that the idea of the popular today bungee jumping originated in Europe or New Zealand, but in fact it's wrong. Real jumpers live on the island of Pentecost in the Republic of Vanuatu, located in the South Pacific. Nagol, an aboriginal initiation rite, is held annually among the locals. Boys tied to their feet with lianas need to jump from a wooden tower, the height of which reaches from 20 to 30 meters!

According to legend, the first extreme jumper was a woman. During a family quarrel, escaping from a tyrant husband named Tamale, she climbed a tall tree and hid. When her husband managed to find her, she fearlessly jumped down from a great height. The beauty managed to survive, because she previously tied flexible liana to her ankles, which did not allow her to break, but her husband who rushed after her, died. Since then, the tradition of Nagol was born, but now only men jump, proving their bravery.
It takes about a month to prepare for Nagol: the elder of the tribe, together with the men who decided to jump, build the ritual tower with special care, linking trunks and tree branches with lianas. The tower is crowned by a wooden platform with which brave guys make their dizzying flights. The Feast of Naked is held in the spring: from April 15 to the second decade of June. The reason is simple – during this period a certain variety of vines is poured with juice and becomes elastic like rubber, so that Melanesians can use it for jumping.

The rite of initiation is a prerequisite for marriage, a rite of passage, so the whole tribe is going to look at the action. Girls come in beautiful outfits, since a successful bridegroom on that day can marry one this day. Those who could not overpower themselves are doomed to disrespect, although they can postpone the jump until next year.
The highest skill is considered a jump when a young man touches the earth with shoulders slightly, this is connected with the cult of fertility: a man thus fertilizes the earth, asking the gods for mercy and a good harvest. The first jump is always made by a married man, setting an example, and then anyone over 10 years old can go through the rite. However, do not forget that not all jumps are successful: several people die every year during this action.
Even the Queen of Great Britain herself flew here to see this unique event.

Accommodation included: Noda Lodge guesthouse
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 11. May 11, 2025 (Sunday). PENTECOST ISLAND – PORT VILA

After breakfast, morning farewell with our lovely hosts and transfer by pickup truck to Lonorore airport.
One hour charter flight (by Twin Otter airplane or 2 airplanes of Vanuatu Air Taxi BNI Islander) to Port Vila.

Upon arrival transfer to Grand Hotel Port Vila.
Lunch and time for shopping.

Dinner and overnight at Grand Hotel Port Vila.

Accommodation included: Grand Hotel Port Vila
Meals included: breakfast


Day 12. May 12, 2025 (Monday). PORT VILA – RETURN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

Breakfast. Transfer to Port Vila airport.
Morning or afternoon international flight to Hong Kong or Singapore via Nadi (Fiji) with Fiji Airways or Numea (New Caledonia) via Aircalin. You can have lunch or dinner on board.

Accommodation included: no
Meals included: breakfast

Recommended flight from Port Vila (Vanuatu):
– to Singapore with Aircalin with 5 hours 55 minutes stopover in Numea (New Caledonia), departure from Port Vila at 17:30 on May 12, departure from Numea at 0:55 am on May 13, arrival in Singapore at 7:15 am on May 13,
– to Singapore with Fiji Airways with 3 days/2 nights layover in Nadi (Fiji), departure from Port Vila at 9:25 am on May 12, arrival in Nadi (Fiji) at 12:40 pm on May 12. Then departure from Nadi at 22:50 on May 14, arrival in Singapore at 5:20 am on May 15 (you can spend 3 days / 2 nights on Fiji Islands on your own),
– to Hong Kong with Fiji Airways with 3 days/3 nights layover in Nadi (Fiji), departure from Port Vila at 9:25 on May 12, arrival in Nadi (Fiji) at 12:40 pm on May 12. Then departure from Nadi at 8:20 am on May 15, arrival in Hong Kong at 14:50 on May 15 (you can spend 3 days on Fiji Islands on your own),
– any other flight to any other city, departing from Port Vila (Vanuatu) any time on May 12 (there are also many flights to Australia and New Zealand, but visa would be needed).


* Operator is not financially liable in case of changes in flight schedule that might be introduced by airlines. In case some of regular flights are canceled (or rescheduled) and cannot be replaced with other regular flights, the participants equally share the cost of charter flight that is not planned in the program but might be needed in order to support the itinerary. Otherwise, the program might be respectively changed.

** The order of visits and excursions can be modified according to local conditions, i.e. flight schedule, security situation etc. If some visits and/or tours could not be done due to external conditions, they will be replaced when possible.

*** The participant of expedition to Vanuatu must be motivated to be respectful to the culture of local tribes and cultures, be aware of the objectives of the trip and possible program changes depending on flight schedule, weather conditions, security conditions and any other reasons, be in a good shape, as well as be able to adapt to the new environment and culture.