Aranui 5 Cruise

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Departure from Papeete (TAHITI) on Saturday or Thursday.

  

  Departure is scheduled for 10:00 in the morning, heading towards the Tuamotu Islands.

• day 2

  FAKARAVA (ROTOAVA)

  

  Fakarava, the second largest atoll in the Tuamotu, is located 500 km from Tahiti. The ARANUI enters the lagoon of Fakarava. Passengers go to the beach. The lagoon, with its crystal-clear waters, multicolored fish, and coral reefs, invites you to dive or explore with a snorkel... Diving is only possible for those who are certified. 8:00 am: Disembarkation at the Rotoava dock. Handicrafts on the dock, optional paid activities such as bike rental, E-bike, quad, internet, certified diving. 12:00 pm: Return on board for lunch. Recommendations: As the sun's rays are particularly intense on the Tuamotu islands, we recommend protecting yourself with sunscreen (SPF 40 minimum), sunglasses, a hat, and light clothing. Bath sandals are recommended.

• day 3

  AT SEA

  

  THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS "Land, land!" - NUKU HIVA is the first island of the Marquesas on our cruise. Upon our arrival in the waters of the Marquesas, we will need to set our watches forward by half an hour. Remember that you are on board a mixed cargo ship during our visit to the Marquesas Islands. The captain may have to change the schedule depending on the tides, the weather, or unusual loading or unloading times for the cargo.

• day 4

  NUKU HIVA (TAIOHAE)

  

  The ARANUI is in the bay of Taiohae. 8:00 am: Disembarkation of passengers at the Taiohae dock. Walk along the beach to the village where you will find a bank, post office, internet café, handicrafts, and various shops. 9:00 am: Meet at the center of the village to take the 4x4s (in front of the craft center). Visit to the Taiohae cathedral. 11:00 am: Departure for Hatiheu to visit the Mea’e Kamuihei site, with its giant banyan trees and petroglyphs. On the way, stop for panoramic photos and for the breathtaking view over the Taipivai valley. 12:00 pm: Lunch at Yvonne's (Hatiheu). The opening of the traditional earth oven ("Umu") is performed at the restaurant "Chez Yvonne". Local music accompanies the meal. In the village, possibility to visit the small museum which gathers copies of the petroglyphs still present in the unexplored valleys. Return to Taiohae: Several options are available to you in the village: - You go down by 4x4 to the village of Taiohae with a visit to the cathedral. - Take the opportunity to visit the craft center and local products with its market. - Bank, shops, internet. Possibility to walk back from the village to the boat. 7:00 pm: Polynesian evening. Buffet dinner around the pool, Marquesan show. Recommendations: Taipivai is the valley where Herman Melville lived in 1842 as a prisoner and which he describes in his novel "Typee".

• day 5

  Ua Pou (Hakaha'u)

  

  8:00 am: The ARANUI docks at the Hakahau quay. You have the option to walk to a viewpoint (no shade, uneven path). There is a post office, shops, and a church (beautiful carved wooden pulpit) in the village. A walk up to the cross above the village is offered (difficulty 6/10). Visit to the town hall where antiques and old dance costumes used for the Arts Festivals are gathered. Local crafts and agricultural products at the Craft and Cultural Center, next to the town hall. 10:30 am: Tasting of local products at the Craft and Cultural Center, followed by a show of Marquesan dances and songs. 12:00 pm: A Marquesan meal will be served to you "Chez Tata Rosalie". Return on board after lunch or free time in the village until 4:00 pm. 4:00 pm: Return on board. Departure for the island of Hiva Oa. Recommendations: Remember to wear waterproof and non-slip shoes. Always bring something to protect yourself from the sun and rain, as well as enough mineral water.

• day 6

  Hiva Oa (Atuona) - Tahuata (Koku'u)

  

  7:00 am. Arrival at the Atuona quay. 8:00 am. Start of disembarkation for the village of Atuona. Transport for the visit to the communal cemetery where the graves of Jacques BREL and Paul GAUGUIN are located. Only a few meters separate their graves in the cemetery. Possibility to visit the Gauguin museum and the Jacques BREL center (optional and paid, respectively 600 CFP and 500 CFP). Optional paid activities on Hiva Oa or Thuata: diving or introductory dive. 11:30 am. Return on board and lunch. 1:15 pm. The Aranui sets sail for KOKUU beach. 2:30 pm. Barges to Koku'u beach with swimming, mask and snorkel. 4:45 pm. Last barge to the Aranui. Possibility to visit the Gauguin museum and the Jacques BREL center (optional and paid, respectively 600 CFP and 500 CFP). For the centenary of Paul Gauguin's death in 2003, the commune created a museum. You can see reproductions of his works in the "Maison de jouir". The museum dedicated to Jacques Brel also contains a significant exhibition. In Atuona, you will find many shops, a bank, and a post office.

• day 7

  FATUHIVA (OMOA - HANAVAVE)

  

  Impressive description of their quest for a "return to nature" on this remote island by Thor Heyerdahl and his wife in his book "Fatu Hiva". For those who have the desire and strength, a 17 km walk around the island allows you to discover it (for experienced or even advanced hikers). 8:30 am: The boats take you ashore in Omoa Bay. This place remains the only one in the Marquesas where the inhabitants still make traditional "tapa" from bark. You will watch the making of "tapa" and the fragrant flower bouquet "Umu Hei" at a large craft market. Artisans sell painted tapas, wood carvings, and colorful pareos. Near the market is the Grellet family museum, dedicated to Marquesan art objects and craft utensils. The museum visit is optional and costs 300 xpf. Another optional and paid excursion: crossing the village of Omoa to Hanavave by 4x4. 10:00 am: The hikers head towards Hanavave. The others enjoy free time in the village. 11:00 am: Return on board and late lunch. A picnic is planned for the hikers along the way. After unloading and loading the cargo, the ARANUI continues its journey to Hanavave. 2:00 pm: Disembarkation by boats and free time in the village. A craft market awaits you in Hanavave with wood carvings. The women of the village will offer you homemade cakes. Together with the hikers who will have joined us, we will attend dances. The women of the village will show us how to make the traditional Marquesan oil, "monoï", with musical entertainment and the possibility to learn how to make your own flower crowns. 4:00 pm: Return on board. 5:30 pm: Happy Hour at sunset in the magnificent Bay of Virgins. 7:00 pm: Plancha evening at the pool followed by a dance party. Recommendations: The 17 km walk around the island takes about 4 hours (two hours uphill, two hours downhill). The path is almost unshaded. Remember to bring water-resistant sun protection, a raincoat, a spare t-shirt, mineral water, and hiking shoes. (Difficulty 9/10) DAY 8 - SATURDAY - HIVA OA (Puamau) - TAHUATA (Vaitahu) The ARANUI is anchored in Puamau Bay. 7:00 am: First barge landing for the Puamau site where the largest tiki in the Marquesas, I’ipona, is located. 11:00 am: Return to the boat for lunch. 2:00 pm: Disembarkation on the island of Tahuata, visit to the village of Vaitahu, craft sale (bone carving, etc.), visit to the Vatican church. 4:00 pm: Return on board.

• day 8

  Hiva Oa (Puamau) - Tahuata (Vaitahu)

  

  The ARANUI is anchored in the bay of Puamau. 7:00 am. First barge landing for the site of Puamau, where the largest tiki of the Marquesas, I’ipona, is located. 11:00 am. Return to the ship for lunch. 2:00 pm. Disembarkation on the island of Tahuata, visit to the village of Vaitahu, handicraft sale (bone carving, etc.), visit to the Vatican church. 4:00 pm. Return on board.

• day 9

  Ua Huka (Vaipaee)

  

  Early in the morning, the ARANUI docks at a rock in the bay of Vaipaee. The cargo ship pivots on itself in the narrow bay: a maneuver you absolutely must witness. We visit the three inhabited valleys of Ua Huka. 8:30 am: Disembarkation by canoe at Vaipaee. Stop at the arboretum to admire the unique variety of species and the large citrus plantation. Visit to the communal museum of Ua Huka and its unique collection of Marquesan art and craft objects, located on the site TE TUMU, where the Marquesas Festival took place. We continue the road to Hane and Hokatu, with their well-stocked craft markets, specializing in carved wood. 12:00 pm: Lunch at the restaurant "Chez Fournier" in Hane. 2:00 pm: After lunch, return to Vaipaee where the Aranui awaits us for its next destination: the island of Rangiroa, Tuamotu.

• day 10

  AT SEA

  

  Sailing day to the Tuamotu Islands.

• day 11

  RANGIROA

  

  Swimming at the beach and visit to the pearl farm. Optional paid activities: glass-bottom boat, diving. Return on board. Departure for Bora Bora. Windward Islands.

• day 12

  Bora Bora

  

  The Aranui will anchor on the mythical lagoon of Bora Bora, near Vaitape. Passengers disembark on the private beach of Motu Tapu to swim and for the picnic. Optional excursions, not included in the cruise price, are offered: tour of the island and lagoon by motorized outrigger canoe, swimming with rays and sharks, island tour by truck, diving. 16:00: Return on board.

• day 13

  TAHITI (PAPEETE)

  

  Arrival around 9:00 am in the morning. Indicative program, subject to change without notice.