DISCOVER THE MARQUESAS. 13 day cruises aboard the "Aranui 5".
Depart Papeete: (Departure 29 June will be hosted subject to 15 travelling)
2024: April 13, May 04, 18, June 15, 29, August 17, 31, September 14, October 05, 19, November 16, 30, December 16.
Itinerary- DISCOVER THE MARQUESAS:
Day 1. Saturday. PAPEETE DEPART.
Embark aboard "Aranui 5" and sail from Papeete late afternoon.
Day 2. Sunday. FAKARAVA or KAUEHI
Fakarava, 488 km from Papeete, is a huge atoll and part of a UNESCO "biosphere reserve" with an abundance of rare flora and fauna. 40 km north-east of Fakarava is Kauehi, uninhabited until recently. Pearl farming and copra collecting have been developed. Usually the ship will call at just one of these islands for a relaxing time swimming and meeting the local people.
Day 3. Monday. AT SEA.
A day to relax on board as you cruise further from 'civilisation'. The crew will help you immerse in Polynesian culture playing a ukelele, wrapping a pareu, attend a lecture, work out in the gym, or relax in the pool.
Day 4. Tuesday. NUKU HIVA.
Nuku Hiva is the administrative centre of the Marquesas. Visit the villages, handicraft centre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the archaeological site of Tohua Kamiuihei where festivities once took place. See the paepae immense stone platforms, and huge boulders with petroglyphs. Enjoy a cultural performance under a giant Banyan tree.
Day 5. Wednesday. UA POU. (Hakahau)
Cruise into spectacular Ua Pou harbour this morning under 13 basalt summits up to 1100 metres high. The fit can hike up the mountain for a spectacular view over the valleys and villages below. The Artisans centre is a short walk away in the town.
Day 6. Thursday. UA HUKA. (Vaipaeee - Hane - Hokatu)
This island, the least inhabited of the Marquesas, is largely arid and is home to many wild horses, goats and pigs. It is also the refuge for 2 endemic birds: the pati'oti'o and the pihiti which are only found here. In the early morning the "Aranui" will execute a 180 degree turn in the narrow mouth of Vaipaeee's invisible Bay. Travel from the dock to the village of Hane by 4WD stopping to explore the botanical garden, and the cultural centre and petroglyph museum and woodcarvers studios in the fishing village of Hokatu. A Marquesan lunch will be provided in the village of Hane and visit the marine museum. This afternoon hike to view red tuff tikis overlooking the bay.
Day 7. Friday. TAHUATA (Vaitahu) - HIVA OA (Atuona)
Visit the impressive church of Tahuata built by the Vatican and decorated with beautiful carvings. This is the smallest of the inhabited Marquesas islands but is historically one of the richest. It was the first island in the archipelago discovered by the Spanish in 1595, saw the arrival of missionaries in 1797 and became the first French settlement in the Marquesas in 1842. The islanders are known for their exquisite carvings, and the main village of Atuona is home to the cemetary where Paul Gauguin is buried, and the Gauguin Museum
Day 8. Saturday. FATU HIVA (Omoa - Hanavave).
Fatu Hiva is the most lush and and remote island in the Marquesas and is home many crafts. The local crafts people will demonstrate the making of Tapa and other crafts, including Pareo. Optional 16 km hike to the village Hanavave or sail and explore the village on arrival.
Day 9. Sunday. AT SEA
A day at sea to relax by the pool or participate in one of the lectures by the guides.
Day 10. Monday. RANGIROA
Rangiroa is famous for its majestic Manta Rays and stunning pearls. Optional glass bottom boat tour or swimming, snorkelling, or visit a Pearl farm. Rangiroa was a major supplier of phosphate and is now home to less than 100 people.
Day 11. Tuesday. BORA BORA.
Bora Bora is one of the most famous and beautiful islands in the world. Explore the island and lagoon today before departing for Papeete.
Day 12. Wednesday. PAPEETE ARRIVE
Arrive Papeete this morning and disembark after breakfast
Indicative cruise cost per person in New Zealand dollars. Costs vary from cruise to cruise depending on season and availability. We will get a firm cost on request. Standard cruise costs for 2024 as at 11 September, 2023. (Air fares and Tahiti pre and post cruise accommodation not included).
4 bed dormitory - only available for groups of 3-4 reserving together. Contains 2 sets of bunks with bathroom and shower. $3,100 with 4 sharing, $4,118 with 3 sharing.
Standard single cabin: $8,587
Standard Cabin obstructed view twin share: $4,500. Single $9,005
Standard cabin twin share: $5,284. Single $10,568
De Luxe 13 sq metre cabin with private balcony twin share $5,696. Single $11,391
Superior De Luxe 15 sq metre cabin with private balcony.
Suite Premium 19 metre with private balcony share twin $6,474. Single $12,948
Royal Suite 22 metre with private balcony share twin $8,516. Single $17,033
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Flights are not included as air fares are "dynamic". The earlier you book the better the fares! Timetable as at 22 August 2023.
AIR NEW ZEALAND depart Auckland every Monday and Friday at 6.40pm crossing the dateline and arriving Papeete at 1.35am monday or friday. Air New Zealand depart Papeete 3.15am Mondays and Fridays recrossing the dateline and arriving Auckland 7am Tuesdays and Saturdays. For schedules and fares check www.airnewzealand.co.nz
AIR TAHITI NUI depart Auckland Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays but not every week departing Auckland 4.30pm and crossing the dateline arriving Papeete previous day at 10.15pm. Depart Papeete Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 8.25am arriving Auckland 12.55pm next day. For schedules and fares check www.airtahitinui.com
Accommodation - There are two de luxe resorts - Intercontinental and Hilton - costs range from NZD 500 to NZD 700 per room per night for 1 or 2 people. The Royal Tahitien offers comfortable 3 star accommodation, swimming pool, restaurant and beach and is a 10 minute taxi from downtown. The Kon Tiki offers a variety of 3 star accommodation in the centre of town opposite the Windstar cruises berth but is heavily booked. Check Booking.com for availability and prices..
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PITCAIRN AND GAMBIER - in the footsteps of the Bounty Mutineers.
11 days / 10 nights. February 17 - 27, 2024.
Saturday 17 February, 2024. DEPART PAPEETE
Embark aboard Aranui 5 this morning and sail at midday.
Sunday 18 February. ANAA, Tuamotu
A small atoll with less than 500 inhabitants Anaa is home to the Tahitian Pomare royal family. Most of the population are involved in fishing and copra making. Explore the village, swim in the lagoon, or try your hand at javelin throwing or fly fishing.
Monday 19 February. AMANU - Tuamotu
Amanuk is another picture postcard atoll with palm fringed lagoon. Visit Ikitake. see and purchase local handcrafts and explore the village's old lighthouse, church, and 10th century walls and be entertained during a local lunch.
Tuesday 20 February. AT SEA
A day to relax at sea, relax in the pool, and/or join in a seminar or activities organised by your crew.
Wednesday 21 February. MANGAREVA - Gambier.
Mangareva is the largest island and Rikitia is the main village in the Gambier group. It is famous for black pearls and was the mother of catholicism in Polynesia.
Thursday 22 February. PITCAIRN ISLAND.
More than 200 years after the Bounty arrived Aranui 5 we will make a rare call at Pitcairn. After Fletcher Christian cast Captain Bligh adrift the ship returned to Tahiti then on to Pitcairn Island seeking refuge on an uninhabited island, accompanied by 6 Polynesian men and 12 women arriving January 17, 1790. The island was inaccessible and uninhabited but was fertile and warm. They removed their possessions and anything they could carry up the 'hill of difficulty', established a village on the lower plateau, and burned the "Bounty" Fletcher Christian is still regarded as the founder of the Pitcairn community.
Friday 23 February. PITCAIRN ISLAND.
The arrival of a ship is a big event for the approximately 50 people who live on Pitcairn Island, one of the most isolated islands in the world. Go ashore in the long boats and you have the day to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the island. Walk oin the footsteps of the Bounty settlers from Bounty Bay to Adamstown, meet the descendants of the mutineers at the Curio market, visit the grave of the last surviving mutineer, John Adams, and the museum and learn of an earlier Polynesian civilisation.
Saturday 24 February. MANGAREVA - Gambier.
Another day at Mangareva with a dance group to welcome us and on foot or 'truck' explore the island. Optional 1.5 hour hike to the kings tomb and lookout. Lunch on board and swim on the beach this afternoon if you wish.
Sunday. 25 February. AT SEA
A day at sea to relax, catch up on some reading, or whatever you wish.
Monday. 26 February. HIKUERU. Tuamotu
This was one of the main pearl producing islands prior to a cyclone and now relies on copra production. Explore the island and the village this morning by foot, truck, or hire a bicycle, and discover the islands legends.
Tuesday. 27 February. PAPEETE ARRIVE
Disembark after breakfast and a memorable experience of the remote pacific and an infamous part of its history.
Why not continue to follow the Bounty Mutineers on our 8 day tour to Norfolk Island departing Auckland 21 March, 2024!
back to French Polynesia 
