Wilderness Travel 2018 Catalog of Adventures

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. Vanuatu ADVENTURES IN THE ISLES OF HAPPINESS

WALTER BIBIKOW

MICHAEL RUNKEL

Our intriguing cultural journey brims with sea kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming adventures. PHOTO: VINCENT PREVOST

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

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

FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL PACIFIC@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 99