Vanuatu Expedition

Intrepid Travel · 8 days

4.4

8 Reviews

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Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

On this eight-day expedition, encounter raw beauty and culture on the tiny islands of Vanuatu. Leave the resorts of Port Vila behind and fly to rainforest-rich islands where you can meet locals, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy true adventure travel.

Highlights

Meet with the traditional communities of Tanna and learn how these Indigenous villages have incorporated WWII iconography into their religious rituals.
Hike to the rim of Mt Yasur, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and in the evening, watch the smoke and lava billowing create a natural fireworks display (from a safe distance, of course).
Snorkel in the clear waters around Pele and see the remarkable coral reef that's protected as part of a marine reserve.
Go beyond the walled-off resorts and discover the beauty and cultures of Vanuatu. Hike, paddle, swim and snorkel in some of the most beautiful places in the tropics.
Walk through the towering rainforest to find a banyan tree that is said to be the largest in the world, with hundreds of prop roots that support it.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private vehicle,Boat,Plane

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Finishes

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Port Vila

Halo! Welcome to Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. Your adventure begins today with a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your accommodation tonight. If you arrive with time to spare before the welcome meeting, maybe head to the heart of the city for Port Vila's produce market and the waterfront promenade, just a short walk away. There's also the option of hiring a sea kayak from the hotel and taking to the ocean for a true taste of the Pacific.

Optional Activities:

Port Vila - Produce market - Free
Port Vila - Handicraft market - Free

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Rentapao River / Port Vila

Today, you'll discover some of Efate’s best spots. A 25-minute scenic drive will take you to the exclusive kayak base on the Rentapao River. Experience Vanuatu’s rainforest and village life as you paddle its safe waters for 3 hours. After a French-style lunch at the river’s edge, transfer upstream to the river cascades, a great place to swim, relax and shake off any jet lag. You'll be back at your hotel by mid-afternoon, allowing ample time to discover more of Port Vila and choose a place for your optional dinner tonight.

Included Activities:

Efate - River Kayaking
Efate - Rarru Cascades

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Tanna Island

It is an early morning start today for your Air Vanuatu flight to the legendary southern island of Tanna. From there, it's a short transfer to your beachside bungalow, your home for the night. After an included local lunch, begin the first of your amazing Tanna hikes. The world's largest banyan tree is high on a ridge overlooking the coast. Your path there will loop back through scattered villages, food gardens and rainforests – a great opportunity to meet ‘the happiest people in the world’ going about their daily lives. On the way back to your bungalow, stop at a kava bar for some refreshments. Watch the sunset with your group tonight, keeping an eye out for the whales that cruise along the coast (from July). You'll have dinner as a group and a chance to swap stories by the campfire.

Included Activities:

Tanna - Rainforest hike
Tanna - World's largest banyan tree
Tanna - Kava Bar visit
Tanna - Village & community visits

Accommodation:

Beachside Bungalow (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Mt Yasur / Tanna Island

Get ready for a big day today! Start with a drive across the spine of the island to your new accommodation and a John Frum village hidden in the rainforest at the foot of a smouldering volcano. Road conditions permitting, you'll have a short dip in the Sulphur Bay hot springs before travelling to Port Resolution, named after one of Captain Cook’s ships. After lunch, return to the foot of the volcano and hike along a rutted road to the rim of the volcano (a driving option to the crater carpark is also available for those who would prefer). Throughout the hike, you'll feel the ground shaking and hear the volcano rumbling, and finally, as you arrive at the crater rim in the late afternoon, you'll be amazed at the firework show that awaits. Return from the volcano in the evening for a late dinner at your beachside bungalow.

Included Activities:

Tanna - Mt Yasur volcano crater hike
Tanna - Sulphur Bay Hot Springs
Tanna - Port Resolution village visit

Accommodation:

Bungalow (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Tanna Island / Port Vila

This morning you have the option to visit the volcano a second time if you like, this time for sunrise. After breakfast, you'll head into the jungle-clad hills to a ‘kastom’ village. The community here has long rejected modern life and conserves many aspects of traditional lifestyle. Learn about traditional rites of passage along with their proud links to Prince Phillip as your leader guides you around the village. While life around them is definitely changing fast, it's an interesting insight into a community at the cusp of making decisions about the future and how tourism can help conserve long-held practices. Have lunch at a local cafe in town and a stop at a coffee shop brewing local beans before returning to the airport for an afternoon flight back to Port Vila.

Included Activities:

Tanna - Village & community visits

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Pele Island

After Tanna's spectacular culture and rainforests, today you'll head to a pristine tropical island renowned for its marine conservation area. It's a scenic drive to Emua wharf and you'll stop at a coffee roasterery along the way. Take a short boat ride to Pele, where you'll sit down for a local lunch on the beach. Then, go snorkelling in the lagoon (weather permitting) or in the marine conservation area. Expect lots of fish, the occasional turtle and plenty of hard corals and small canyons to explore. This afternoon, you'll have the option to take a boat over to Nguna for a challenging 3-hour volcano walk. Alternatively, you can go for a few easier walks around Pele's villages. Your accommodation for the night is at beachside bungalows on Pele hosted by the village women.

Included Activities:

Pele - Snorkelling
Efate - Coffee roaster visit

Optional Activities:

Nguna Island - Extinct volcano hike - Free

Accommodation:

Beachside Bungalow (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Nguna Island / Port Vila

This morning, take an easy walk into Nguna’s main village to visit the historic church and community sites, before heading back to Efate for lunch at a locally-owned restaurant. Here, there are more great snorkelling options available for those missing the water. Take in the lovely views across the islands, then drive back to Port Vila, this time along the east coast road, meaning you also get to do a round-Efate tour. There are lots of roadside markets to explore and plenty of photo opportunities. Stop for a swim at the sublime Blue Lagoon or one of the local coves around Eton village. Make a final stop at a new distillery, for a delicious tasting of local liquers. Arrive back at your Port Vila accommodation for your final night together in the late early evening. Finish the trip with an optional farewell dinner, a fantastic way to finish your Vanuatu adventure.

Included Activities:

Efate - Rum & gin distillery visit
Nguna - Village walk

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Port Vila

Your Vanuatu adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you are staying longer, ask your tour leader about the optional Discovery Bushwalk tour to visit more villages and communities nearby.

Optional Activities:

Port Vila - Port Vila Town Tour (3200 VUV)
Port Vila - Discovery Bushwalk (5200 VUV)
Port Vila - National Museum (1000 VUV)

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $4,870

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 02 May 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

4.0

Ruth

Traveled, September 2023

10/14/2023

This was a great trip. It’s quite short so I would recommend booking a few extra days to do your own exploring too.

4.5

Tara

Traveled, September 2023

11/08/2023

Vanuatu is a spectacular destination, with amazing sights, activities and culture. This trip is truly special as we visited places that were personal to our local leaders and explored with a real sense of adventure. The experiences were all so memorable, from village visits, to climbing the volcano, home-cooked meals and island explorations, we did so much in a short time and came away with so many cultural insights. Thank you to the Intrepid team in Vanuatu for such an amazing holiday!

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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