Polynesia: Instructions for Use (2009 revision) - Sample Itineraries

SAMPLE ITINERARIES

15 days between the Society Islands and the Tuamotu

In most cases you'll arrive in Tahiti late in the evening. My advice is to spend the first night at the Airport Motel, which is 300 m from the airport, and the next morning take the first flight to your island destination. I would save the visit to Tahiti for the last day, or two before the international departure.

First day: International flight

Second day: Morning flight to Maupiti, a little corner of paradise where you can be reconciled with the world and begin to savour the sweetness of the South Seas; it's no coincidence that this island is called the little Bora, but without the hotels. I'd stay here at least 3 days. Flights from Tahiti are not daily, and if you can't fit this island in, you can replace it with Tahaa, the wild or vanilla island. This too is a corner of paradise, little visited by tourists. Fifth day: Flight to Bora Bora, where personally I'd choose an excellent family guesthouse, but if you want to indulge in an overwater stay, well, this could be the right occasion. Here too I'd stay at least 3 days. Eighth day: Flight from Bora to Rangiroa to start experiencing the atolls.

Here too 3 or 4 days Eleventh day: Flight from Rangiroa to Fakarava, in my view the most beautiful atoll of the Tuamotu and, not by chance, a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage. Connections to Fakarava are not daily, so if you can't find a connection you can opt for Tikeau. In any case I'd stay here at least 3 days too before returning to Tahiti for the international flight. If you like the idea, you can opt for a 6-day cruise in the Society Islands: Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora.

21 days between the Society Islands, the Tuamotu and the Austral Islands

The same itinerary as the previous one (15 days), but adding at the end, or after the stay on Bora, the flight to Rurutu, in the Austral Archipelago. The best period for this trip is between June and September, as the Austral Islands are the whales' favourite destination. They come up from the cold waters of the South, passing through Polynesia for the mating season and to give birth to their calves. On Rurutu there is a dive centre that organises excursions to observe the whales, and there's no need to be a diver, since the excursions are done snorkelling, so a mask and fins are enough. It's an unforgettable experience within an equally unforgettable journey.

30 days: Society Islands and Marquesas

In most cases you'll arrive in Tahiti late in the evening. My advice is to spend the first night at the Airport Motel, which is 300 m from the airport, and the next morning take the first flight to your island destination. I would save the visit to Tahiti for the last day, or two before the international departure.

First day: International flight

Second day: Morning flight to Maupiti, a little corner of paradise where you can be reconciled with the world and begin to savour the sweetness of the South Seas; it's no coincidence that this island is called the little Bora, but without the hotels. I'd stay here at least 3 days. Flights from Tahiti are not daily, and if you can't fit this island in, you can replace it with Tahaa, the wild or vanilla island. This too is a corner of paradise, little visited by tourists. Fifth day: Flight to Bora Bora, where personally I'd choose an excellent family guesthouse, but if you want to indulge in an overwater stay, well, this could be the right occasion. Here too I'd stay at least 3 days. Alternatively you can opt for Tahaa or Huahine.

The best way to visit the Marquesas archipelago is from the sea; by plane you would be limited to visiting only Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa. A ship leaves from Tahiti, the ARANUI, which is a mixed cargo ship, but the new ship Aranui3 favours the cruise aspect more than the cargo one. The itinerary and information for the cruise at:

ports of call: Papeete, Fakarava, Sailing, Ua Pou, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Fatu Hiva, Hiva Oa, Tahuata, Ua Huka, Nuku Hiva, Sailing, Rangiroa, Papeete

Departures: 28 February / 21 March / 11 April / 23 May / 13 June / 4 July / 25 July / 15 August / 5 September / 26 September / 17 October / 7 November / 28 November / 19 December

The cruise lasts 14 days, departing from and returning to Papeete. The cost for a sea-view cabin is around 3,400 €, but there is also the opportunity to board at Nuku Hiva, cruise the Marquesas Islands and then disembark again at Nuku Hiva. This cruise lasts 7 days.

It will be a journey within a journey, a chance to experience "the other Polynesia".

Chile, Rapanui (Easter Island), Polynesia

This too is a splendid itinerary and an opportunity to visit places "on the other side of the world". It is a flexible travel programme depending on the time available. In any case I suggest never going below 20 days. This itinerary departs from Madrid, generally with Iberia or with Lan Chile; departure is normally in the afternoon from Madrid and arrival is early in the morning in Santiago, Chile. You can choose to spend your stay in Chile on the way out or on the way back, as well as the stay on Rapanui (Easter Island). To get an idea of how to plan this part of the trip, I suggest you visit. For the part of the itinerary covering Polynesia, you can choose from the previous trip options.

If you have any doubts, write to me: michele.gulliver@gmail.com Michele