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Peregrine Travel Centre

Vanuatu Expedition

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Vanuatu Expedition

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Description

On this eight-day expedition, encounter raw beauty and culture on the tiny islands of Vanuatu. Leave the resorts of Port Vila behind and head to rainforest-rich islands where you meet locals, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy true adventure travel. Meet communities where kastom – traditional culture and law – still guides the way of life, including the legendary John Frum villages. Snorkel among the protected coral reefs, trek through lush greenery and learn about what it’s like to live among an active volcano and tropical wilderness. Embrace a side of Vanuatu that few tourists seek, but one that those who do will never forget.

Trip Name
Vanuatu Expedition
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Meet with the traditional communities of Tanna Island and learn how these Indigenous villages have incorporated WWII iconography into their religious rituals.
  • Hike to the rim of Mt Yasur, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. In the evening, watch the smoke and lava create a natural fireworks display
  • Snorkel in the clear waters around Pele Island. Spot colourful fish and see the remarkable coral reef that's protected as part of a marine reserve.
  • Go beyond the resorts and venture off the beaten track to discover the beauty and cultures of Vanuatu. Hike, paddle, swim and snorkel in some of the most beautiful places in the tropics.
  • Walk through the towering rainforest to find a banyan tree that’s said to be the largest in the world, with hundreds of prop roots supporting it.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Port Vila
Halo! Welcome to Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your accommodation tonight. If you arrive with time to spare before the welcome meeting, maybe head to the heart of the city for Port Vila's produce market and the waterfront promenade, just a short walk away.
Day 2 - Rentapao River to Port Vila
Today, you'll discover some of Efate’s best spots. A scenic drive will take you to the exclusive kayak base on the Rentapao River. Immerse yourself in Vanuatu’s rainforest and get a glimpse of village life as you paddle. After a French-style lunch at the river’s edge, transfer upstream to the river cascades, a great place to swim, relax and shake off any jet lag. You'll be back at your hotel by mid-afternoon, giving you some time to discover more of Port Vila and choose a place for your optional dinner tonight.
Day 3 - Tanna
It’s an early morning start today for your Air Vanuatu flight to the island of Tanna. After an included local lunch, set out on the first of your Tanna hikes. Hike to the world's largest banyan tree, perched high on a ridge overlooking the coast. Your path there will loop back through scattered villages, gardens and rainforests – a great opportunity to meet some of the local people going about their daily lives. Next is a scenic drive across the spine of the island to your bungalow accommodation, located at the foot of the active volcano. This afternoon drive along a rutted road to the rim of the volcano (the option to walk to the crater carpark is also available for those who would prefer it). You'll feel the ground shaking and hear the volcano rumbling as you approach. Finally, as you arrive at the crater rim in time for sunset, you'll witness the incredible show of Strombolian eruptions that await as it gets dark. Return from the volcano for a late dinner at your bungalow.
Day 4 - Mt Yasur
This morning, you have the option to visit the volcano a second time, for sunrise. After breakfast, start today with a visit to a John Frum village ('cargo cult village') hidden in the rainforest at the foot of the smouldering volcano. Road conditions permitting, you'll have a short dip in the Sulphur Bay hot springs and visit Port Resolution, named after one of Captain Cook’s ships, to explore this remote village. Enjoy lunch back at the bungalows before returning to the other side of the island to our new accommodation for tonight at Whitegrass. Tonight visit a nakamal (kava bar) for a shell of kava. Watch the sunset with your group, keeping an eye out for the whales that cruise along the coast (from July to September).
Day 5 - Port Vila
After breakfast, you'll head into the jungle-clad hills to a kastom village. The community here has long rejected modern life and conserves many aspects of a traditional lifestyle. Learn about traditional rites of passage and the local Prince Phillip movement as your leader guides you around the village. As you explore, you’ll gain insight into a community at the cusp of making decisions about the future and how tourism can help conserve long-held practices. Stop for lunch at a local cafe in town, then it's time to say goodbye to Tanna and head to the airport for an afternoon flight back to Port Vila.
Day 6 - Pele to Nguna
Today, you’ll travel from Port Vila to Pele Island, a tropical island renowned for its marine conservation area. Take a scenic drive along Efate's west coast to Emua Wharf, stopping at a coffee roastery along the way. Then it’s a short boat ride to Pele Island. When you arrive, sit down for a local lunch on the beach. Take another short boat ride to Taloa Village on neighbouring Nguna Island to visit the historic church and community sites on a village walk. Later this afternoon, go snorkelling in the lagoon (weather permitting) or in the marine conservation area. Expect lots of tropical fish, the occasional turtle (if you’re lucky) and plenty of hard corals and small canyons to explore. Your accommodation for the night is at bungalows on Pele hosted by the village women.
Day 7 - Port Vila
This afternoon, you'll have the option to take a boat over to Nguna for a challenging volcano walk. Alternatively, you can go for a few easier walks around Pele's villages for a chance to learn about the community’s conservation efforts through the Nguna-Pele Conservation Network. Then it's time to back to Efate for lunch at a locally owned restaurant. Take in the lovely views across the islands, then drive back to Port Vila, this time along the east coast road, with a stop for a swim at one of the beaches or coves around Eton village. There are lots of roadside markets to explore and plenty of photo opportunities. Make one final stop at a distillery, for a delicious tasting of local liqueurs. Arrive back at your Port Vila accommodation in the evening. Celebrate a trip well-travelled with an optional farewell dinner with your group.
Day 8 - Port Vila
Your Vanuatu adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-07-202611-07-2026AUD $ 4,368-
01-08-202608-08-2026AUD $ 4,072-
05-09-202612-09-2026AUD $ 3,968-
03-10-202610-10-2026AUD $ 4,048-

Accommodation

Resort (5 nights), Bungalows (with shared facilities) (2 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat, Plane

Map

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