DISCOVER MANIHIKI AND RAKAHANGA
3 nights in Rarotonga plus 7 or 14 nights in Manihiki.
Flights from Rarotonga to Manihiki normally operate every 2nd Tuesday with extra flights from 19th June to 31st July on the intervening tuesday allowing 7 night packages. Special flights can be arranged anytime for a minimum of 6 passengers.
Scheduled Rarotonga to Manihiki flight dates to 31st July, 2012 as at 30th December, 2011
March. 13, 27April. 10, 24
May. 8, 22
June. 5, 19, 26
July. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
This tour can commence on any of the above dates subject to a minimum of 6 passengers travelling.
Hosted departures link from our escorted 9 Day Rarotonga and Aitutaki departures from Auckland and Sydney 2nd June, 11th August, and 1st September, 2012 and our 11 day escorted tour to Rarotonga, Atiu, Aitutaki departing Auckland 10th August, 2012
(International air fares to and from Rarotonga not included)
PLEASE NOTE
This tour includes the 'off the beaten track' northern islands where very few tourists go. This is a major part of the attraction. It also means that tourist facilities are very limited! Manihiki has 2 simple but pleasant lagoon side overbeach bungalows with shower, toilet and fan (first to reserve gets them!) plus 2 rooms in a shared bungalow. Pukapuka provides local bungalows only. Meals will be relatively simple using local ingredients but will be more than adequate in substance. Normally breakfast and lunch ingredients are provided to make your own and dinner will be provided by the local people. Electricity is available 24 hours a day on Manihiki and lesser hours on Pukapuka. Internet may be accessed locally but cell phone service is not available.
Travel from Rarotonga back to Rarotonga will be by twin engine turbo prop Bandeirante aircraft. This normally carries 13 passengers but for our flight will have a maximum of 7. Baggage will be absolutely restricted to 10 kilos per person and accurate passenger weights will have to be provided on reservation - and checked on check in at Rarotonga!
This tour is for those who can abandon their cell phones, accept erratic email service, and just relax and enjoy the friendly islanders and relaxed pace of life on a remote atoll which normally gets 1 flight every 2 weeks and 1 ship every 2 months. The lagoon in Manihiki is fabulous for swimming, diving, and snorkelling. Fresh fish can be on the menu daily (self caught if you wish)Manihiki is home to the Cook Islands Black Pearl Industry. You will have the opportunity to buy direct from the growers.
| Day 1. Sunday. | ARRIVE RAROTONGA | (D) |
| Arrive Rarotonga today and you will be greeted and transferred to the Rarotongan Beach resort and Spa. Accommodation in Beachfront suites. Dinner at the hotel included tonight. (Recommended connection from Auckland is Air New Zealand B777 service departing Auckland monday morning arriving sunday afternoon. Air fares not included. Alternatively arrive Rarotonga monday morning on Air New Zealand's direct flight from Los Angeles.) | ||
| Day 2. Monday | RAROTONGA | B |
| Free day to enjoy beautiful Rarotonga at your leisure. Relax in the lagoon, explore Avarua, or take an optional 4WD tour of the island. | ||
| Day 3. Tuesday | RAROTONGA - MANIHIKI | (BD) |
| Transfer to Rarotonga airport this morning and a three and a half hour flight will bring you to Manihiki atoll, home of the Cook Islands Pearl industry. Here the lagoons are dotted with small structures perched on coral heads serving as platforms for the seeding of oysters that will, after nearly 2 years, yield a lustrous south seas black pearl. Manihiki's lagoon measures some 44.6 square km enclosed by a reef some 17 km long topped by 30 atolls, 2 of which are inhabited. A total of around 300 people still live here. Main industry is the pearl industry which brings in over $5 million per annum. First 2 couples to reserve get the overbeach bungalows - the rest will stay in local bungalows. | ||
| Day 4. Wednesday | MANIHIKI | (BLD) |
| This morning we travel by boat to a small islet in the lagoon to learn about seeding the pearls, with swimming and snorkelling time around the pearl beds. This afternoon try your hand at the outrigger canoes and fishing, and visit the fish traps and bird sanctuary. Maybe purchase some of the local handicrafts and pearls. | ||
| Day 5. Thursday - Day 9 Monday | MANIHIKI | (BLD) | The rest of your time is yours to chill out and enjoy the hospitality of the local people, lagoon, and villas, on an island where you will probably be the only tourists! During these days you will receive
Two hours by boat north of Manihiki lies the island of Rakahanga. Subject to weather, boat, and a minimum of 4 passengers a day excursion is available one day for an extra $140 per person. The rest of your days are free to unwind, relax, chill out, and enjoy the leisurely pace of island life. If you are in a hurry or need to be entertained this is not the tour for you. Sunday is a day of rest on Manihiki and we ask you to respect the islanders way of life. Swimming in the lagoon is accepted on Manihiki but boat cruises, fishing excursions etc will not be available. Relax and enjoy the day and you are most welcome to attend a local church service. |
| Day 10. Tuesday | MANIHIKI - RAROTONGA | (B) | Cruise back to the airport this morning for your flight back to Rarotonga. Transfer to the Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa on arrival. |
| Day 11. Wednesday | RAROTONGA DEPART | (B) | You will be transferred to the airport for departure. | Tour cost per person 11 Days/10 nights
MANIHIKI AND PUKAPUKA OPTION13 days/12 nights accommodated.3 nights Rarotonga, 7 nights Manihiki, and 2 nights Pukapuka. Commence Rarotonga 10th June, 2012 linking from our Rarotonga and Aitutaki hosted tour. Days 1 - 9 same as for Manihiki only tour above. | ||
| Day 10. Tuesday | MANIHIKI - PUKAPUKA | (BD) | Late morning we cruise back to the airport for our 1 hour 30 minute flight to unique Pukapuka. The airport is located on the southern Motu, about 1 hours cruise across the spectacular lagoon to the main village of Wale. This is a fascinating island and community known about through the writings of Robert Dean Frisbie and others. This afternoon we meet the local people and explore the main village. Accommodation in local bungalows. |
| Day 11. Wednesday | PUKAPUKA | (BLD) | Today we enjoy a full day cruising the lagoon stopping off at remote motu's (islets) on the reef, seeing the main entry passage, and some of the massive bird life including a stopover at one bird sanctuary. A picnic lunch will be provided on an uninhabited Motu. We also visit the local school. We will try our skill at fishing en route for fresh fish for dinner. |
| Day 12. Thursday | PUKA PUKA - RAROTONGA | (BLD) |
Cruise back to the airport for our 4 hour flight back to Rarotonga. In clear weather conditions we will see spectacular views of Tema Reef, Nassau Island, and Suwarrow island where hermit Tom Neale lived his solitary existence (written about in the book "An island to ones self"). Transfer on arrival to the Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa. |
| Day 13. Friday | RAROTONGA DEPART | (B) |
| You will be transferred to the airport for departure. Why not extend your stay in Rarotonga and/or visit some of the Southern group islands such as Aitutaki, Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke. |
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| Tour cost per person 13 days | 2 per room $NZ6,900 | Single room $NZ7,860 |