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Escape to a pure and natural island paradise

Enter a country often overlooked in the South Pacific region beyond the resorts, a place full of endemic rainforest, Melanesian culture and truly unforgettable beaches. Welcome to New Caledonia, and on this six-day Intrepid adventure, you’ll have the chance to snorkel through transparent waters over coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, meet local makers and farmers, and experience the longstanding tribal Kanak traditions with an overnight village stay. This well-paced trip takes you from the bustling French-influenced hub of Noumea along the west coast, with excursions to Blue River National Park and Giant Fern Park. With plenty of quality inclusions, time to relax beachside and a knowledgeable local leader available each step of the way, your New Caledonian escape is the perfect mix of rest and play.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Nouméa, New Caledonia
Finish
Nouméa, New Caledonia
Destination
New Caledonia
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
TESN
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 8

Why you'll love this trip

  • With a maximum group size of only 8 people, you'll have the opportunity to truly have a personal experience of this often visited (but seldom truly explored) destination.

  • Visit a remote tribal village in the New Caledonian foothills and experience the day and night living in local Kanak tradition. Learn of the lifestyle and customs of these communities, and spend the night in a traditional faré house.

  • New Caledonian beaches are the stuff of dreams. Go snorkelling and glass-bottom boating on the lagoons of Poe Beach, and walk the Three-Bay Trail to see its spectacular shores from up above.

  • Be welcomed at a farm property just outside of Bourail, and enjoy typical bush cuisine with their farm products. You’ll get a snapshot of regional life, with many customs adopted from American ranchers.

  • Gaze in awe at the diverse landscapes of this island nation, from the mighty Kaori trees in the Blue River National Park to lush rainforest and endemic plant species in the Giant Fern Park near Farino.

  • Your leader has got you front of mind to ensure you get the best out of your stay. Learn about the region's cultures, traditions and way of living as you travel along the coast, and get the low-down from someone who lives and breathes New Caledonia.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Accommodation is in no-frills, simple hotels and bungalows. This trip stays away from big resorts and focuses on local family-owned accommodation so you get to see the true New Caledonia, and travels around the country in a comfortable mini van.

  • As food options are sometimes limited in New Caledonia, many meals are included in this itinerary. Please note that, outside of Noumea, most dinners are eaten at your accommodation. You'll have the chance to try a variety of cuisines, from Indigenous Kanak food during your village stay, farm to plate meals and fine French dining.

TESN - Noumea - New Caledonia Beach Scenic Views
TESN - New Caledonia - Turtle Bay and Nera River - Aerial View
TESN - New Caledonia - Typical Kanak House
Photographer standing on the red earth in Blue River National Park, New Caledonia
Crystal clear waters in Blue River National Park, New Caledonia
Stunning drowned forest, New Caledonia
accommodations in a typical Kayak house, New Caledonia
Tourists standing beneath the ferns in Giant Fern Park, New Caledonia
Stunning clear water at Poe Beach, New Caledonia
Beautiful scenery in Turtle Bay, New Caledonia

Itinerary
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Welcome to the laidback shores of Noumea, New Caledonia. There are no activities planned for today except for an important welcome meeting at 6 pm, so make sure you arrive at your accommodation before then. If you have some spare time, good for you! You can go exploring in New Caledonia’s main city – perhaps visit the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, Museum of World War II or the St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cathedral. If you do happen to be here this morning, the market at Port Moselle is a great place to go people-watching, as well as see all the tropical produce, seafood and souvenirs on offer.
Optional Activities
  • Noumea - Moselle Market - Free
  • Noumea - Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cathedral - Free
  • Noumea - Tjibaou Cultural Centre - XPF500
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

An arrival transfer is not included, but can be arranged for you at an extra cost. Please note that Noumea’s main gateway, La Tontouta International Airport, is situated approximately 1 hours’ drive from our preferred accommodation in Noumea. Speak to your booking agent if you wish to organise a transfer.

After breakfast, join your small group on a 1.5-hour drive into the secluded Blue River National Park. This spectacular slice of nature in New Caledonia’s centre is a sanctuary of local flora, wildlife and biodiversity. Deep red earth contrasts with striking green mountainscapes and shimmering lakes in this provincial park, which is approximately 9,000 hectares of untouched national park. Head deep in the park on foot and in a 4WD, stopping by the panoramic Guepyville and Drowned Forest lookouts, across the wooden Perignon Bridge and along the Cagou Birds Trail, hopefully spotting iconic Caledonian birdlife. Find a scenic spot by the riverside and enjoy an included French-style picnic provided by your guides. Continue into a section of the rainforest to admire the unique Giant Kaori trees dotted through the canopies. There may well even be some cagou birds high above, too! Return back to Noumea for a free evening.
Included Activities
  • Blue River National Park - Guided eco tour & picnic
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today, leave Noumea behind and drive to a Kanak Village (approximately 2 hours) for a memorable day and night spent with local villagers. Nestled deep in the foothills of New Caledonia’s main mountain range, these villages are a haven for nature lovers. You will be welcomed into tribal culture, discovering the customs and traditional Kanak culture. Kanak communities across New Caledonia make up around 44% of the island population, all of which share significant connections to spirituality and the land. Learn about daily life here, and perhaps embark on one of a number of bushwalks to check out the local area. Tonight, you will stay in simple dormitory-style accommodation in a faré, or village house. You may even be treated to a traditional Kanak dish, bougna, prepared by your welcoming hosts.
Included Activities
  • Kanak Village - Cultural experience & traditional lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
It's customary to bring some small gifts or souvenirs from home to present to our village hosts during your stay.

Tonight’s accommodation is in a simple shared dormitory style. The village house (faré) will have bunk beds and basic shared facilities with hot water available. While it may not be luxurious, the experience of spending a night in a local village is something to cherish.

Bid your gracious village hosts farewell as you and your group depart for Bourail on the island’s west coast. Head to the picturesque Poe Beach, UNESCO World Heritage site, and spend part of the day exploring the lagoon by glass-bottom boat. Golden sands, turquoise blue waters and shallow reefs – this is New Caledonia in all its sun-kissed glory. There may also be the chance to take a short hike along a section of the Three-Bay Trail – a nature walk connecting the sands of La Roche Percée with the column pines of Turtle Bay and the pandan trees of Lovers’ Bay. If you’ve got time, stop for a quick swim at one of the coves, and keep your eye out for turtles frolicking in the waters! For lunch, visit a nearby farm with your small group – known locally as a ‘property’. Experience a simple and delicious meal provided by your host of typical bush cuisine such as bougna, venison stew and homemade preserves. A lot of the practices adopted by the so-called ‘bushmen’ come from American ranchers, including the Stetson hats they wear! This evening, spend the night in a simple bungalow in Bourail.
Included Activities
  • Bourail - Poé Lagoon
  • Bourail - Glass bottom boat
  • Bourail - Three Bays walk
  • Bourail - Farm visit & home cooked lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The order of activities today will depend on the tides and sea conditions. Our glass bottom boat operator no longer offers snorkelling, however we have increased the duration of the tour to reach the reef where we can see turtles in the lagoon.

This morning, drive to Farino (approximately 1 hour). Here, you’ll visit the Parc des Grandes Fougères, or Giant Fern Park, for a two-hour guided walk deep in the lush rainforests. Your local guide will take you through parts of this World Heritage-listed site, featuring currently around 13,000 species of fern, 70% of which are endemic. Continue to a local restaurant and stop for lunch, before heading to Boulouparis to visit a boutique where locally produced organic soaps and cosmetic products, including essential oils made from naiouli leaves and other New Caledonian plants are sold. After exploring the shop and perhaps purchasing a memento for home, return to Noumea for the night.
Included Activities
  • Farino - Giant Fern Park guided rainforest tour
  • Boulouparis - Distillerie à Boulouparis Boutique visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

With no activities planned for today, you’re free to leave the group after breakfast this morning. That doesn't mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in Noumea, we'll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Fare (1 night), Bungalow (1 night)

Included activities

  • Blue River National Park - Guided eco tour & picnic
  • Kanak Village - Cultural experience & traditional lunch
  • Bourail - Poé Lagoon
  • Bourail - Glass bottom boat
  • Bourail - Three Bays walk
  • Bourail - Farm visit & home cooked lunch
  • Farino - Giant Fern Park guided rainforest tour
  • Boulouparis - Distillerie à Boulouparis Boutique visit

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our New Caledonia Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 3 and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

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