Map of Vanuatu Expedition: Land Diving Festival including Vanuatu

Dive into the customs and landscapes of Vanuatu

Uncover raw beauty and vibrant culture on the tiny islands of Vanuatu on this five-day expedition that takes in the legendary land diving ritual of Pentecost island's Indigenous people. Leave behind the resorts of Port Vila and fly to rainforest-rich islands where you can meet locals, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy true adventure travel. Be amazed by the naghol festival, the original bungee jumping, which has been called ‘the most remarkable custom in all of Melanesia’, and get an insight that few visitors receive. This is Vanuatu like never seen before.


Start
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Finish
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Destination
Vanuatu
Style
Original
Theme
Expedition, Festivals and Events
Code
TESL
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Witness naghol, the unique land-diving ceremony of South Pentecost (and the inspiration for the modern sport of bungee jumping).

  • Visit remote villages accompanied by a local leader who will ensure you have an immersive experience of Vanuatu's unique cultural practices.

  • Stay in traditional bamboo bungalows and enjoy meals cooked with love by the village mamas using fresh organic produce from the gardens and the sea.

  • Snorkel and swim in pristine blue waters and relax in the sun on the sandy beaches of the South Pacific.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in an authentic island community and experience the culture and traditions. It's a fascinating insight into South Pacific culture and a world away from your typical resort holiday.

  • The people on the Pentecost welcome tourists and are forgiving of inadvertent cultural transgressions. Even so, it is inappropriate for women to wear bikinis or skimpy clothing. Women should wear knee-length dresses or skirts with modest tops when visiting. T-shirts and board shorts make good ‘island-style’ swimwear as an option to bikinis.

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

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 and the waterfront promenade are just a short walk from the hotel.
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.
Start the day early to catch a flight to Lonorore on Pentecost island, where you will have the chance to witness and understand the cultural practices of the land-diving Indigenous people, as well as explore the remote South Pentecost region. Transfer straight to the land diving tower to see the heart-stopping naghol ceremony. You’ll be amazed at what Lonely Planet has described as ‘the most remarkable custom in all of Melanesia’. Watch the jumpers haul themselves off the platforms as part of a ritual that functions as a coming-of-age for young men, a blessing of the earth for upcoming harvests, and a nod to an age-old Pentecost legend. Afterwards, when day trip visitors board their vehicles to head back to the airport, you will make your way to a nearby coastal village for the chance to meet your local hosts and enjoy a traditional lunch. Spend the afternoon exploring the village, when you’ll have the opportunity to meet and talk to some of the men who dived from the tower in the morning. As the sun sets across the ocean, your hosts will prepare a traditional kava ceremony to formally welcome you to the village.
Accommodation
  • Village Bungalow (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pentecost - Naghol (Land Diving) Ceremony
  • Pentecost - Traditional kava welcome ceremony
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Today you’ll explore the natural beauty of the region through a half day trek through rainforest and villages, which is another chance to meet and connect with the communities who call this special place home. End the day swimming and relaxing at the beautiful sandy beaches. Your beach bungalow accommodation is the perfect way to soak up the island paradise vibes.
Accommodation
  • Village Bungalow (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pentecost - Half day island trek
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
This morning your new land diving friends will take you for a paddle in a traditional outrigger canoe, before a late afternoon transfer to the airport for the Air Vanuatu flight back to Port Vila. Enjoy your last Vanuatu sunset over an optional final night dinner tonight.

Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pentecost - Traditional outrigger canoe ride
  • Pango Peninsula - Snorkelling
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
After an included breakfast, you will take a 15-minute drive to the Pango Peninsula for an easy walk along the coast and bays to a special snorkelling spot, where you can get acquainted with the underwater world and enjoy spectacular coral gardens as your final included activity of the trip. Your Vanuatu experience concludes today on return back to Port Vila early afternoon, after which you are free to depart at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Village bungalow (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Pentecost - Naghol (Land Diving) Ceremony
  • Pentecost - Traditional kava welcome ceremony
  • Pentecost - Half day island trek
  • Pentecost - Traditional outrigger canoe ride
  • Pango Peninsula - Snorkelling

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

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

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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 Days 2-3 where you will be in shared village bungalow 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. The trip concludes early afternoon on Day 5.
5. 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.

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