100% customisable travel idea

Australes, Tuamotu, Marquesas A deep dive into Polynesian culture

Polynesia - Australes - Tuamotu - Marquesas

Another side of Polynesia

From $6000 to $8800 per person for 17 days Price depends on departure city, season, accomodation types and selected activities

Itinerary highlights

  • Leave the crowds behind and choose a more cultural Polynesia, across three archipelagos
  • Carefully selected places to stay: family-run guesthouses or lagoon-edge lodges
  • A walk in the footsteps of Gauguin and Brel is included; hikes, sculpture workshops and archaeological sites add depth to your days
  • Transfers, Wi-Fi everywhere you go and on-site concierge service: the extra Voyageurs touch
By combining the Australes, the Tuamotu and the Marquesas, this journey takes you far beyond the usual clichés. Whether under the gentle winter sun or at the height of summer, you discover a Polynesia for insiders, away from the classic tourist routes, where cultural immersion meets dreamlike lagoons. The journey opens in Tahiti, a chance to touch down after a long flight. A fleeting visit, almost like a promise, and a first immersion among the stalls of Papeete market. You then head south to the Australes archipelago, the southernmost in French Polynesia. Its very name evokes remoteness and distant lands - far from shipping lanes and fiercely independent for a long time. Next, you set course towards the Tuamotu Archipelago to discover a picture-perfect atoll that rivals Bora Bora in every way. Finally, exploration of the two main islands of the Marquesas - Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa - adds a rich cultural dimension to the journey. Transport-wise, inter-island flights carry you smoothly from one paradise to the next - the fastest way to travel between islands. And once there, you can rely on the responsiveness of our concierge service, available at any time to handle last-minute requests or sudden inspirations.

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.
Havaiki-te-araro - Atoll de Fakarava - Archipel des Tuamotu - Polynésie © Véronique Durruty
Havaiki-te-araro - Atoll de Fakarava - Archipel des Tuamotu - Polynésie © Véronique Durruty
Polynésie © izanbar/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Polynésie © izanbar/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Polynésie © Damien Gobron/stock.adobe.com
Polynésie © Damien Gobron/stock.adobe.com
Nuku Hiva - Iles marquises - Polynésie © Dietmar Denger/Laif-REA
Nuku Hiva - Iles marquises - Polynésie © Dietmar Denger/Laif-REA
Papeete - Polynésie © Amazing Aerial/ZUMA/REA
Papeete - Polynésie © Amazing Aerial/ZUMA/REA
Papeete - Polynésie © Pascale Gueret/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Papeete - Polynésie © Pascale Gueret/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Palmier © James Leighton / Gallery Stock
Palmier © James Leighton / Gallery Stock
Fakarava - Polynésie © Chris M Rogers / Gallery Stock
Fakarava - Polynésie © Chris M Rogers / Gallery Stock
Polynésie © Alexander Shalamov/BlueOrange Studio/stock.adobe.com
Polynésie © Alexander Shalamov/BlueOrange Studio/stock.adobe.com
Raivavae - Polynésie © All rights reserved
Raivavae - Polynésie © All rights reserved
Fakarava - Polynésie © M lenny/E+
Fakarava - Polynésie © M lenny/E+
Fakarava - Polynésie © Jessica Couineau
Fakarava - Polynésie © Jessica Couineau
Pearl Havaiki Fakarava Lodge - Fakarava - Polynésie © Pearl Havaiki Fakarava Lodge
Pearl Havaiki Fakarava Lodge - Fakarava - Polynésie © Pearl Havaiki Fakarava Lodge
Nuku Hiva - Marquises - Polynésie © Véronique Durruty
Nuku Hiva - Marquises - Polynésie © Véronique Durruty
Rangiroa - Polynésie © Véronique Durruty
Rangiroa - Polynésie © Véronique Durruty
Polynésie © Jessica Sample
Polynésie © Jessica Sample
Hiva Oa - Iles marquises - Polynésie © Dietmar Denger/Laif-REA
Hiva Oa - Iles marquises - Polynésie © Dietmar Denger/Laif-REA

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

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.

Why visit French Polynesia with Voyageurs du monde?

Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)

Let us create your trip

A few of the advantages of travelling with us to French Polynesia

  • Globally unique concierge service
  • Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
  • CO2 absorption

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Estimated budget

Price depends on departure city, season, accomodation types and selected activities

The estimated budget for this trip is $6,000 to $8,800 per person.

A fixed price is rarely applicable to a bespoke journey. The final cost depends on various factors, such as the level of service, travel dates, and booking lead times. The only definitive price will be the one provided in your personalized proposal.

The average price for this trip is $7,500 per person

Included in this suggestion

  • International flight to Tahiti on a scheduled airline
  • Inter-island flights
  • Airport taxes and fuel surcharges
  • Carbon absorption contribution for your trip's CO2 emissions through reforestation projects (via our Philippe Romero Insolite Bâtisseur Foundation)
  • Airport lounge access
  • Scheduled transfers included in the itinerary
  • One night in Tahiti, double room with breakfast
  • Three nights in Rurutu, double room with half board
  • Two nights in Raivavae, double bungalow with half board
  • Three nights in Fakarava, double bungalow with half board
  • Three nights in Nuku Hiva, double bungalow with breakfast
  • Two nights in Hiva Oa, double bungalow with breakfast
  • Visit in the footsteps of Brel and Gauguin on Hiva Oa
  • Our on-site Concierge service
  • Wi-Fi access throughout your trip: a mini international router or eSIM allowing you to connect your various devices (mobiles, tablets, laptops)
  • A travel booklet bringing together a wealth of useful information (your day-by-day itinerary, hotel details, a selection of personalised and geolocated recommendations, and more), also available as a mobile app
  • Our recommendations and reservations at selected restaurants
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