Map of Vanuatu Adventure including Vanuatu

Snorkel coral reefs, hike an active volcano and encounter cargo cults

Encounter raw beauty and vibrant culture on the tiny islands of Vanuatu on this eight-day expedition. Leave the resorts of Port Vila behind and fly to rainforest-rich islands where you can meet locals, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy true adventure travel. Encounter communities where kastom – traditional culture and law – still rules, including the legendary John Frum 'cargo cult' villages. Snorkel among the gorgeous coral reef that is protected by law. Trek through towering greenery and learn about living among active volcanoes and tropical wilderness. Embrace a side of Vanuatu that few tourists seek out, but one that those who do will never forget.


Start
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Finish
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Destination
Vanuatu
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
TESV
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Encounter the cargo cult communities of Tanna and see for yourself how these indigenous villages have incorporated WWII iconography into their religious traditions.

  • Hike to the rim of Mt Yasur, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and watch the smoke and lava billowing (from a safe distance, of course).

  • Snorkel in the clear waters around Nguna & Pele and see the remarkable coral reef that is protected as part of a marine reserve.

  • Go beyond the walled-off resorts and 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 is said to be the largest in the world, with hundreds of prop roots that support it.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Your accommodation on Tanna and Pele is in traditional bamboo bungalows. These have standard beds with mosquito nets and bathroom facilities, but showers are cold water only. Your meals on these islands will be home-cooked with love by the village mamas using fresh, organic produce from the gardens and the sea.

  • Part of travelling with Intrepid is respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. In Vanuatu, female travellers can be respectful by wearing clothing that covers from shoulder to knee when outside the hotel pool area. An old t-shirt and a pair of board shorts are a good alternative to bikinis for island snorkelling adventures! 

Itinerary

Welcome to Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu! Your adventure begins today with a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your accommodation. There are no other activities planned for the day. If you arrive with time to spare before the welcome meeting, the heart of the city, Port Vila's produce market and the waterfront promenade are just a short walk away. There's also the option of hiring a sea kayak from our hotel and taking to the ocean for a true taste of the Pacific.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
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 checking insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let an Intrepid representative or your travel agent know.
Today you will discover some of Efate’s best spots. A 25-minute scenic drive will take you to our exclusive kayak base on the Rentapao River. Experience Vanuatu’s rainforest and village life as you paddle and swim its safe waters. 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 will be back at your hotel by mid-afternoon, allowing ample time to discover more of Port Vila and choose a place for your optional dinner tonight.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Rentapao River - Kayak tour
  • Rentapao River - Rentapao Cascades
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
We fly Air Vanuatu to and from Tanna. On occasion, smaller planes are used for this route with luggage restrictions. Your leader will advise if luggage restrictions apply on your departure, in which case you can leave your larger luggage at the Port Vila hotel and pack a smaller bag for the 2 nights on Tanna.
It is an early morning start today for our Air Vanuatu flight to the legendary southern island of Tanna. On arrival, it's a short transfer to your beachside bungalow, your home for the next two nights. After an included lunch, begin the first of your amazing Tanna treks. High on a ridge overlooking the coast is the world’s largest banyan tree. Your path there and loops back through scattered villages, food gardens, and rainforest – a great opportunity to meet ‘the happiest people in the world’ going about their daily lives. Trekking time may be from 1.5 to 3 hours total depending on the route taken. Arriving back at your bungalow, enjoy the sunset and maybe a cool drink, and keep an eye out for whales that cruise along the coast from July onwards.
Accommodation
  • Beachside Bungalow (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tanna - Rainforest trek
  • Tanna - World's largest banyan tree
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
An airport tax of 200 VUV per person will be payable in cash at the airport today.

Our bungalow accommodation in this destination has shared bathroom & toilet facilities. As we are staying in a local community, consumption of alcohol is discouraged. Drinking water is provided, and soft drinks may be available for purchase.
Get ready for a big day today! Start with an hour's drive across the spine of the island to a John Frum ("cargo cult") village hidden in the rainforest at the foot of a smouldering volcano. Road conditions permitting, you will have a short dip in the Sulphur Bay hot springs, before travelling down to Port Resolution, named after one of Captain Cook’s ships, to discover the black sand beach and natural hot springs. Enjoy a buffet lunch in the heart of the village. Returning to the foot of the volcano, don your walking shoes again for the second of your Tanna treks, along a rutted road to the rim of the volcano (a driving option to the crater carpark is also available). Throughout the trek, you will feel the ground shaking and hear the volcano rumbling, and finally, as you arrive at the crater rim in the late afternoon, you will be amazed at the firework show that awaits. Return from the volcano in the evening for a late dinner at your beachside bungalow.
Accommodation
  • Beachside Bungalow (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tanna - Mt Yasur volcano crater trek
  • Tanna - John Frum cargo cult villages community visit
  • Tanna - Hot Springs
  • Tanna - Port Resolution
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
For those who don't wish to trek to the volcano rim, there is the option of taking transport to the crater carpark.
This morning you'll head into the jungle-clad hills to find a ‘kastom’ village. The community here has rejected modern life and are proud to conserve and maintain their traditional lifestyle. Your village hosts will prepare some traditional foods from the garden and share their culture with you, before the scenic drive back to the airport for an afternoon flight to Port Vila. 
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tanna - Kastom village community visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
An airport tax of 200 VUV per person will be payable in cash at the airport today.
After the spectacular culture, rainforest, and volcano on Tanna, today you head to a pristine tropical island, renowned for its marine conservation area. It is a one-hour scenic drive via Efate’s west coast to the boat landing, followed by a half-hour boat ride to Pele island, arriving by mid morning. You may choose to spend the full day snorkelling in the marine conservation area. Expect lots of fish, maybe the occasional turtle, and plenty of hard corals and small canyons and crevasses to explore. If you are keen on walking, there is the option of a three-hour walk to a community conservation area at neighbouring Nguna’s smallest village – a mixture of historical relics, forest, and windswept cliffs. You will also have a chance to assist the community’s reforestation project through tree-planting. Accommodation is at a beachside bungalow on Pele hosted by the village women.
Accommodation
  • Beachside Bungalow (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Nguna Island - Community conservation area walk
  • Nguna Island - Tree planting activity
  • Pele Island - Lagoon or Marine Conservation Area snorkelling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Our bungalow accommodation in this destination has shared bathroom & toilet facilities. As we are staying in a local community, consumption of alcohol is discouraged. Drinking water is provided, and soft drinks may be available for purchase.
This morning you'll take an easy walk into one of the main villages of either Nguna or Pele, or choose to just relax or enjoy one last snorkel before heading back to Efate for lunch at a locally-owned restaurant. Savour your memories as you take in the lovely views across to the islands! You then drive back to Port Vila, but this time along the east coast road, meaning you also get to do a round-Efate tour. There are lots of roadside markets to explore and plenty of photo opportunities. Plus you will stop for a swim at one of the beaches or coves around Eton village. Arrive back at your Port Vila accommodation for your final night together in the late afternoon or early evening. Tonight there is an optional farewell dinner and fire show at Mele Beach Bar, a fantastic way to finish your Vanuatu adventure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Your Vanuatu adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you are staying longer, ask your tour leader about the optional Discovery Bushwalk tour to visit more villages and communities nearby. If you are travelling from April to June, this trip can be combined with our 5-day Vanuatu Expedition: Land Diving Festival trip - search code TESL on our website and continue your exploration of Vanuatu for a little while longer!

Optional Activities
  • Port Vila - Discovery Bushwalk tour - VUV4750
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights), Beachside bungalow (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Rentapao River - Kayak tour
  • Rentapao River - Rentapao Cascades
  • Tanna - Rainforest trek
  • Tanna - World's largest banyan tree
  • Tanna - Mt Yasur volcano crater trek
  • Tanna - John Frum cargo cult villages community visit
  • Tanna - Hot Springs
  • Tanna - Port Resolution
  • Tanna - Kastom village community visit
  • Nguna Island - Community conservation area walk
  • Nguna Island - Tree planting activity
  • Pele Island - Lagoon or Marine Conservation Area snorkelling

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

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

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

1. The Group Meeting is at 5 pm on Day 1.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 3 to 6 where you will be in shared accommodation, includes accommodation in Port Vila only, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. You must provide us with a copy of your passport no later than 30 days before your departure in order for us to book the domestic flights included on this trip. We are unable to book your flights without a passport copy.
4. Due to frequent flight delays, we highly recommend allowing additional days in Port Vila before and after your tour and considering flying Virgin or Fiji Airways.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews