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Vanuatu - Islands of Fire & Magic. 14 days by sea & by land Vanuatu, formerly known as the New Hebrides, is a group of 83 islands scattered between the Solomon Islands & New Caledonia in the South Pacific. Each island is culturally diverse with at least 109 distinct languages being spoken - the density of languages per capita is the highest of any nation in the world! Most of the islands are of volcanic origin & several are still active, including the impressive Mt Yasur on Tanna. The islands were first discovered by the Portuguese navigator Quirós in 1606, and visited by Captain James Cook in 1774. You’ll get more than a taste of Vanuatu, you’ll enjoy an absolute feast of ‘Tales of the South Pacific’ scenery, castaway beaches, authentic culture and amazing true stories. Our ship, Island Escape, cruises the eastern coast of Santo, then crosses the Straits to Maewo and Ambae. Underlying your experience is the knowledge that you’re voyaging where few travellers have gone before. After your cruise, continue your journey through the islands, flying first to the untamed island of Malekula, home to the enigmatic big & small Namba tribes. Experience their culture before flying south to the volcanic island of Tanna, dominated by spectacular Mt Yasur, perhaps the world’s most accessible active volcano. Experience Nature’s unforgettable pyrotechnic display at sunset. The last days of the tour are spent at the Iririki Island Resort at Port Vila, with time for sightseeing & shopping before your flight home. Tour Itinerary: Day 1 arrive Luganville Airport on Espiritu Santo & join your luxury cruise boat Island Escape at Aore Island & late afternoon depart along the coast of Santo; Day 2 Explore the coast of Santo as the boat heads north. Time to snorkel over gardens of coral inhabitied by a myriad of colourful tropical fishes. Venture up the Riririri River by dugout to the amazing 'blue hole,, a deep clear freshwater spring that bubbles up into the river.The ship continues to Hog Harbour whre there is time to fish for species such as tuna, wahoo & mahimahi Day 3 Visit Champagne Beach, with its blue waters, white sands & green rainfiorest, said to be the most beautiful beach in the world. Time to relax, snorkel, sunbathe. Evening Captain's dinner as we cross the Straits to the islands of Maewo & Ambae. Day 4 We’re welcomed into the village of Asanvari, which is situated above a beautiful lagoon at the southern end of Maewo. This intriguing settlement has a charismatic leader known simply as ‘Chief Nelson’. We’ll say no more about the chief, in case it spoils the surprise! In Asanvarai you’ll get a look at the ni-Vanuatu way of life. You’ll also get to know their sense of humour, because smiling and laughing are major pastimes here. You can watch a custom dance, chat with the locals, learn how to cook lap-lap, walk to the village gardens, visit a beautiful waterfall or snorkel in the protected lagoon. And make sure you check out the Asanvari Yacht Club. When you arrive back on board, it’s time for the Captain’s Cocktail Party. Day 5 After the extensive tropical banquet that we call breakfast, the ship makes her way to Devil’s Rock off the island of Ambae. This island was the ‘Bali Hai’ of James Michener’s tales, where women and children were kept safe during the Battle for the Pacific. At the centre of the island is Manaro - a large, active volcano. The anchorage at Devil’s Rock is spectacular – vertical volcanic cliffs and deep emerald-green water. You’ll enjoy a day of kayaking, swimming and deckchair-lazing before we move to our final anchorage. Dinner is served under the stars while you swap stories of the day’s adventures. We visit Pentecost on selected trips during the short land- diving season, so that guests can view this extraordinary spectacle. Land-diving on Pentecost. Pentecost Island is faous for an ages-old ritual called the naghol or land-diving which inspire the modern extreme activity of bungy-jumping. Between April & June each year, men in the southern part of Pentecost Island leap from tall towers (20-30 metres high) with vines tied around their feet. The stretchy vines bring their leap to a sudden stop, just inches form the ground. The ritual has two purposes - to ensure a good yam harvest & to mark the passage of boys to manhood. Land-diving was first given international exposure when David Attenborough & a BBC crew filmed the ritual during the 1950s. Island Escape visits Pentecost on selected trips during the land-diving season. Day 6 Having cruised through the night, we arrive at sunrise at our Aore Island anchorage. The idyllic plantation island is a beautiful place for your final swim or snorkel. At Aore Island you will meet your tour leader for the remainder of your stay in Vanuatu. This afternoon you transfer to Luganville airport for the short flight to Norsup on the large island of Malekula. On arrival we transfer to Lakatoro, the former British administration centre for Malekula. Although 2nd largest of the islands of Vanuatu, Malekula is one of the least developed & our accommodation is basic but comfortable. Day 7 Today we visit the villages of both the Small & the Big Nambas, so called after the size of the ‘namba’, or penis sheath that the males wear. These tribes on Malekula were some of the last people in Vanuatu to come into contact with Europeans and it wasn’t that long ago that they were cannibals. Today we will experience the dances of both these tribal peoples handed down over generations. Day 8 This morning we transfer back to Norsup for the short flight back to Luganville. Transfer to the Deco Stop Hotel, overlooking the town. This afternoon we take a World War II History Tour which visits many of the remnants left behind by the 100,000 American military personnel who were stationed on Santo during the War. Highlights include Million Dollar Point where the Americans dumped tones of surplus supplies at the end of the War, plus the house site of James Michener who was based here. Day 9 This morning we transfer back to Santo airport for the flight to Port Vila where we transfer to a later flight to the southern island of Tanna. On arrival we are transferred to Tanna Lodge, where we stay the next 3 nights. Time to relax this afternoon. Day 10 A free morning & early afternoon with an option to visit a local ‘Kastom’ village (not included). It was on Tanna that the enigmatic John Frum Cargo Cult evolved after the Second World War & there are still many adherents, including one group who venerate Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. There is also free time today for personal exploration, to walk to the main centre of Lenakel, or perhaps visit a coffee plantation on the island. Tanna grows excellent coffee, first planted by the French in the 1860s, but now becoming a successful export crop. Late this afternoon we take an excursion to Mt Yasur, Tanna’s famous active volcano. We arrive on the crater rim just before sunset & marvel at Nature's spectacular pyrotechnic display put on by what is commonly regarded as the world’s most accessible volcano. You can, perhaps, send a postcard home from the world’s first volcano post office!! Day 11 This morning we take a tour to North Tanna & the Blue Water Cave with time to swim & snorkel in the crystal clear waters of this hidden cave. A relaxing day with time to reflect over your experiences in these amazing islands. Day 12 Morning flight from Tanna to Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu. On arrival we transfer to Iririki Island, just a 5 minute free ferry transfer from the centre of Port Vila. This island is an ideal place to relax, swim, snorkel, yet being within easy access of the duty free shops of the town & the colourful fruit & vegetable market. Free time this afternoon to explore. Day 13 This morning we go on a tour to Lelepa Island, a pristine place of white beaches, clear waters, historical caves & a traditional village. BBQ lunch included. Lelepa Island is part of Vanuatu’s only World Heritage site, listed in 2008 by UNESCO. Time to wander, swim & snorkel before returning to Port Vila. Dinner tonight will be at your own expense in one of the many waterfront restaurants, or on Iririki Island. Day 14 tour ends in Port Vila. Tour Dates 2010 ex-Santo: Sunday 6 Jun – end Port Vila Sat 19 Jun 2010
Sunday 13 Jun – end Port Vila Sat 26 Jun 2010
Sunday 20 Jun – end Port Vila Sat 3 Jul 2010
Sunday 11 Jul - end Port Vila Sat 24 Jul 2010
Sunday 18 Jul - end Port Vila Sat 31 Jul 2010
Sunday 25 Jul - end Port Vila Sat 7 Aug 2010
Sunday 1 Aug – end Port Vila Sat 14 Aug 2010
Sunday 8 Aug - end Port Vila Sat 21 Aug 2010
Sunday 15 Aug – end Port Vila Sat 28 Aug 2010
Sunday 22 Aug – end Port Vila Sat 4 Sep 2010
Sunday 29 Aug - end Port Vila Sat 11 Sep 2010
Sunday 5 Sep – end Port Vila Sat 18 Sep 2010
Sunday 19 Sep - end Port Vila Sat 2 Oct 2010
Sunday 26 Sep - end Port Vila Sat 9 Oct 2010
Tour cost: Price on Application. contact us
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