PACKAGES

MARQUESAS ISLANDS PACKAGES - 6D / 5N

Soft Trekking in the Marquesas Islands

Day 01: Papeete / Nuku Hiva

Flight Papeete/Nuku Hiva in the morning (flight duration: around 03hr00).

Arrival at Nuku Ataha Airport . Transfer to Hotel Keikahanui Nuku Hiva Pearl Lodge by 4 wheel drive vehicle (transfer duration: around 02hr30). You will then have the chance to enjoy the views on the valley of Tapueahu (the “marquesan Grand Canyon ”) and then on Toovi plateau.

Lunch on your own (not included)

In the afternoon, enjoy a little hike to visit the village of Taiohae with a guide. Your itinerary includes:
•  Tohua Temehea: ceremonial site hosting recent stone carvings, inspired by local legends…
•  Notre Dame Cathedral, built in 1973, on the site of an ancient “ tohua ” (ceremonial platform). The church shelters numerous religious wooden works by local artists

Then, a nice gentle hike towards and around the archaeological site of Koueva. Restored for the 2000 Marquesan Art Festival, this site is a testimony of the Marquesan Nature & Culture.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 02: Nuku Hiva

Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day excursion by boat to the magnificent valley of Hakaui .
From the beach, start on a marvellous hike (level of difficulty : moderate) along the river, through native bush, until the waterfall. Enjoy and relax in the natural pool at the base of the waterfall. (one way hike duration: beach/waterfall: around 02hr00. Return the same way)
Picnic lunch can be enjoyed at the waterfall or at the neighbouring valley of Hakatea .

Afternoon at leisure for swimming.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 03: Nuku Hiva / Hiva Oa

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure.
Transfer to the airport by 4-wheel drive vehicle (duration: around 02hr30)
Flight Nuku Hiva/Hiva Oa (duration: around 35 minutes).
Arrival at Hiva Oa , transfer by 4-wheel drive vehicle to Hotel Hanakee Hiva Oa Pearl Lodge (transfer duration: around 20 minutes)

Lunch on your own (not included)

In the afternoon, your guide will take you, with a 4 wheel drive vehicle, to the Tehueto Petroglyphs. It is the unique place in French Polynesia where engraved “fishmen” can be seen.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 04: Hiva Oa

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, visit the pleasant village of Atuona , made famous by the artists Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel , including :
•  The “espace culturel”, with painter Paul Gauguin's museum (showing copies of his art), “la maison du jouir” (replicate of his previous house), his well, marquesan handicraft.
•  The stele and the “espace Jacques Brel”, the famous belgian singer, presenting his plane & different photographs of his life.
•  The cemetery where Gauguin's and Jacques Brel's are buried almost next to each other.

Please note that your guide will not walk you in the museums.

Lunch at the hotel.

In the afternoon, visit of Taaoa valley, where several tribes used to live. Discover up & downhill some of the archaeological remains which were restored for the 2003 Festival of Marquesan Art.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 05: Hiva Oa

Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day excursion by 4-wheel drive vehicle to Puamau, on the north-eastern tip of the island.
Breathtaking drive along the winding coastline, through several valleys, until reaching the picturesque village of Puamau .
Visit Te Iipona, an archeological site which became famous thanks to “Takai”, the tallest stone Tiki in Polynesia (2,43 m); and the very exceptional “Makaii Taua Pepe”, unique tiki represented horizontally.

Lunch will be enjoyed at Marie-Antoinette's home: you will have the opportunity to taste real home-made marquesan dishes: marvellous indeed!!

Afternoon at leisure to relax, and return to Atuona.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 06: Hiva Oa / Papeete

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, optional hike towards the very cute Punaei Bay (non guided excursion).

Transfer by 4-wheel drive vehicle to airport for your return flight to Papeete . (flight duration: around 03hr00).

Lunch on your own (not included)

2007 Quotation:

2 nights Hotel Nuku Hiva Keikahanui Pearl Lodge, in Garden Bungalow, with meals as per program
+ 3 nights Hotel Hiva Oa Hanakee Pearl Lodge, in Mountain View Bungalow, with meals as per program
+ all excursions as per program
+ Atuona museum & Puamau entrance fees
+ round trip transfers in Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa as per program
+ airfare Papeete/Nuku Hiva/Hiva Oa/Papeete