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WALTER BIBIKOW
The tropical archipelago of Vanuatu is a wonderland
of luminous blue waters, erupting volcanoes, and
jewel-green rainforests. Amid these primeval landscapes
are rich Pacific cultures, each with their own unique
“kastom” (or customs). On our adrenalin-filled, multisport
adventure with our Trip Leader Jon Imhoof, we’ll paddle
sit-on-top kayaks to stunning “blue holes,” climb above
the clouds to the crater rim of an active volcano, and
travel by traditional outrigger canoe. We’ll also see
the famed land divers of Pentacost Island, hike and
swim through a two-mile-long cave, and snorkel above
kaleidoscopic reef formations. Along the way, we enjoy
the warm welcome of the Ni-Vanuatu (Melanesian
people), who delight in sharing their heritage, and are
acclaimed to be among the “happiest people on Earth.”
Days 1-2 Espiritu Santo We begin our explorations on
Espiritu Santo, the largest island in the Vanuatu archipelago.
On arrival, we head straight to Million Dollar Point for
our first snorkeling excursion. We paddle by traditional
outrigger canoe to Riri Blue Hole, with its incredibly blue
water, spotting rainbow lorikeets and Vanuatu kingfishers as
we drift beneath the rainforest canopy, and visit fascinating
Kastom villages to learn about Vanuatu’s ancient cultures. We
also enjoy a relaxing float down a river, letting the currents
take us to a spectacular cascading waterfall.
Days 3-5 Champagne Beach / Turtle Island / Millennium
Cave Known for its powdery white sand, Champagne Beach is
a stunning spot for a swim, snorkel, or a stroll. At uninhabited
Turtle Island, the delights of our own private island await,
including snorkeling the reef, beach combing, and a traditional
Melanesian feast. To travel through the massive and spectacular
Millennium Cave, we boulder-hop through a cavern, cross
bamboo bridges, and float down a gorge amid lacy waterfalls
and lush rainforest.
Days 6-7 Land Diving on Pentecost Island / Matavulu
Blue Hole On Pentecost Island, we witness Nanggol—land
diving—a spectacle that is the dramatic focal point of
the yam harvest celebration. Back on Santo, kayaking
along a crystal stream beneath the forest canopy brings
us to the Matavulu Blue Hole, a freshwater spring where
we take a dip.
Days 8-11 Tanna Island / Yasur Volcano / Lemnap Blue
Cave On Tanna Island, we discover unique reef formations
that are sanctuaries for an abundance of marine life, including
dugongs, turtles, moray eels, reef sharks, and blue-spotted
rays, and we also explore swim-throughs, tunnels, and grottos.
We climb Yasur Volcano to watch a spectacular sunset, with
molten lava lighting the sky, and explore the 200-foot-wide
grotto of the amazing Lemnap Blue Cave. Our home on Tanna
is an intimate beachfront oasis with absolutely stunning views
and sensational sunsets. Depart on Day 11.
ADVENTURES IN
THE ISLES OF HAPPINESS
Our intriguing cultural journey brims with sea kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming adventures.
PHOTO: VINCENT PREVOST
HIGHLIGHTS
• Snorkel some of the best reefs in all
Vanuatu, swim in crystal-clear blue holes
• See the famous Pentecost “land divers”
leap from towers in celebration of the
yam harvest
• Enjoy a warm welcome into Vanuatu’s
village life and learn about their unique
cultures
• Relax at our waterfront island hideaways
DETAILS
• 11-day trip begins in Espiritu Santo and
ends in Port Vila
• 10 nights waterfront bungalows
• All meals included
DATES
Apr 15-25, 2018
Jun 10-20
TRIP COST
$5995 (6-8 members)
$6395 (4-5 members)
Single supplement: $950
Internal airfare: $595 (subject to change)
TRIP LEVEL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Snorkeling, hiking, sea kayaking, and reef
walking excursions
MICHAEL RUNKEL