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Australes, Tuamotu, Marquesas A deep dive into Polynesian culture
Polynesia - Australes - Tuamotu - Marquesas
Another side of Polynesia
On your itinerary…
The Australes - After a brief stop in Papeete, it's time to experience a more discreet Polynesia, far from it all. For your nights, enjoy the warmth and authenticity of family-run guesthouses in Rurutu and Raivavae. Here, the climate favours agriculture, and local craftsmanship centres on pandanus weaving. Your first stop reveals striking geological formations, where, in season, you can spot whales calving not far from the shore. The second evokes the very first morning of the world, with its dirt tracks and crystal-clear lagoon watched over by Mount Hiro. The Tuamotu - Staying on the atoll of Fakarava, you find yourself at the heart of a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve. A dream lagoon borders your charming lodge, its waters among the most pristine and fish-rich in the entire archipelago. Diving enthusiasts will immediately recognise the exceptional quality of its seabed.
The Marquesas - Wild lands, dramatic relief, deep valleys… Meanwhile, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa are graced with landscapes of truly exceptional beauty. Just as striking, however, is the kindness of their people and the importance of craftsmanship. Each day reveals a new facet of the archipelago: nature, archaeology, community life. One particularly moving moment is a walk in the footsteps of Gauguin and Brel, two artists also captivated by the atmosphere of the Marquesas, where they lived and now lie at rest.
Itinerary
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Upon arrival, you have a private transfer to your hotel in the centre of Papeete. Built on several levels, it offers rooms and apartments that blend fashion with retro design. Its location lets you enjoy a traditional breakfast at the local market and soak up Polynesian culture straight away.
Transfer to the airport and fly to the Austral Islands. Settle in on the island of Rurutu for three nights, in a charming guesthouse nestled in the middle of a coconut grove. The food is divine, the beach is just a short walk away, and your hosts are especially attentive. It’s easy to feel at home here.
The island is one of the best whale-watching spots, as whales give birth in its waters during the southern hemisphere’s winter. Rurutu is also unique for its cave geology. Cliffs and caves - Ana A’eo, Ana Apiti, Hina, and Mo’o - are the focus of beautiful hikes
Optional extra: A boat trip to watch whales or a horseback ride on the island.
Transfer to the airport, then a short flight to Raivavae, still within the Austral Islands. Stay for two nights in a family guesthouse where simplicity and kindness set the tone. Meals are a chance to discuss with your host, who is happy to share the story of their island. Then enjoy a moment of relaxation beside the water, at the edge of an idyllic lagoon.
Raivavae is one of the wildest islands in the Austral archipelago, a jewel of the South Seas. Around thirty motus dot the coral reef - some still planted with sandalwood. The emerald lagoon rivals the splendours of Bora Bora. Fine white sand stretching as far as the eye can see, scattered islets where seabirds nest, forests of tree ferns: nature here remains raw and untouched. From the summit of Mount Hiro, at the foot of the island’s last tiki, listen to the legend of the curse of Stevens Higgins, who in 1933 bought the two great tikis Moana and Heiata and died, like all those involved in the sale, a few months later.
Optional extra: Excursion to the Motu Piscine for a picnic on the water.
Transfer to the airport and flight to Fakarava, in the Tuamotu archipelago. Settle in for three nights on the edge of the lagoon, in a charming family-run guesthouse. The few bungalows that make up the property are decorated with charming local decor: driftwood and pebble walls. The main advantage of this accommodation, however, lies in the adjoining pearl farm - the oldest on the atoll. Don't forego a visit!
Fakarava will delight those who love secluded beaches, the feeling of being at the edge of the world, and wide-open spaces. Classified as a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2006, and only recently opened to tourism, this atoll is home to especially rich flora and fauna. The Garuae and Tumakoha Passes are among the most beautiful dive sites in Polynesia. A visit to the old village of Tetamanu and its Catholic church, built from coral in 1874, should be included in your itinerary.
Transfer to the airport, then fly to Nuku Hiva. Stay for three nights in a charming lodge, nestled on the hillside, with breathtaking views of the bay and the village of Taioha'e. Its bungalows, built in traditional Marquesan style, are scattered throughout the tropical landscape and each has a panoramic terrace. You are welcomed in the traditional way to the sound of the pahu (local drum).
Nuku Hiva, the highest island in the archipelago, owes its geology to successive volcanic eruptions. Deserts, high plateaus, pastures, fields, forests and cliffs come together to create an exceptional landscape. On the north coast of the island, bordered by a bay dominated by impressive basalt peaks, the Hatihe'u valley is home to remarkable archaeological treasures. In the heart of a dense forest, you discover paepae (stone structures), tohua (ceremonial sites), and petroglyphs that tell the story of life for the first Polynesians.
Optional extra: Woodcarving class with a tupuna; guided hike to the Hakaui waterfalls.
Transfer to the airport, then fly to your destination, Hiva Oa. Stay for two nights overlooking the Bay of Traitors. Your lodge offers a beautiful view of Mount Temetiu and welcomes you in a typically Marquesan setting.
The landscape of Hiva Oa blends sharp ridges, peaks, and valleys scattered with archaeological sites.
In your itinerary - A walk in the footsteps of Gauguin and Brel that begins at Calvary Cemetery, facing Ta'a'Oa Bay, where they are buried. You then trace the life stories of the two artists, passing through the reconstruction of the House of Pleasure and the small museum dedicated to the painter.
Optional extra: Discover Puama'u and the archaeological site of Lipona.
Transfer to the airport, then fly to Papeete. Assistance with departure formalities and international return flight. Arrival is two days later.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
A woodcarving workshop with a tupuna
Their prestigious role in society has endured to this day, as has their expertise, passed down through generations. From objects linked to war, games, the sacred and everyday life, the tupuna can do it all, working in harmony with the local deities with whom they share a special connection.Guided hike to Hakaui waterfalls
On the north coast of Nuku Hiva, bordered by a bay dominated by impressive basalt pinnacles, the Hatiheu Valley is cloaked in dense forest. At the heart of this wild landscape lie unique archaeological sites that reveal how the Ancients once lived, their places of worship and burial, before the trail reaches the Hakaui waterfalls, plunging some 1,150 feet (350 metres).Puamau and the Lipona archaeological site
In Marquesan creation myths, Hiva Oa is the central beam of the gods’ “great house”. Nestled at the far end of the vast Ta‘a‘oa Bay, the island stretches out in sweeping expanses of untamed nature. Along the way, you pass through valleys and villages before reaching the Lipona archaeological site, home to gigantic tiki statues over 6.5 feet (2 metres) tall and the remarkable “Makai‘i Taua Pepe”, the only tiki depicted horizontally. Since October 2016, wooden shelters have been installed to protect these tiki from the elements. A traditional lunch and free time by the sea round of this memorable day.
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