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French Polynesia cruise on the Aranui 5
Preferred
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Visit a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and French Polynesia's second largest atoll.
- Snorkel French Polynesia's largest atoll.
- Meet local wood carvers and artists.
- Explore Taipivai Valley and its sacred ritual sites.
- Relax on the beautiful Vahine Island.
Short Description
Translucent lagoons, volcanic peaks, and long streaks of beach are the key ingredients of French Polynesia, an enigmatic collection of archipelagos within an archipelago adrift in the South Pacific. Our specialists have journeyed across these islands, which cover an area larger than Europe, exploring the main sights as well as seeking out lesser-known corners. They’ll carefully plan a French Polynesia vacation to suit your interests, whether you’re after a tranquil getaway or a more adventurous experience.
Destinations
N/AAttractions & Cities Visited
N/AItinerary
Day 1 Tahiti
Tahiti
Fly with Air New Zealand to Los Angeles in Economy Class. On arrival transit to your onward flight to Tahiti with Air Tahiti Nui on an Air New Zealand code share.
Day 2 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
You will arrive early this morning and so a room has been pre-booked for you in Tahiti, so that you can check straight in and relax. You then have a full day at leisure in Tahiti to relax in the lagoon or by the pool. You might also like to take a trip to the Museum of Polynesia and the Isles which is a good introduction to Polynesian history and culture before you head to your cruise.
Day 3 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the port where you will board the Aranui 5 and set sail on your cruise to explore the beautiful Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands.
Day 4 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Enjoy your first day in the Tuamotu Archipelago and the islands of Takapoto. You will enjoy a short walk to a magnificent white sandy beach where we will have a picnic and you can swim and snorkel in the translucent lagoon and take in the mesmerising tropical lagoon fish.
Day 5 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Hiva Oa , Tahiti
Time at sea sailing to the Marquesas. Relax on board the sun decks, take a dip in the pool, or learn about the Marquesan culture and history from your knowledgeable crew and the onboard library.
Day 6 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Nuku Hiva , Tahiti
Explore Hiva Oa, the second largest of the islands in the Marquesas. Your tour this morning takes in Puamau which is close to the world-famous tiki statue sites. After lunch on board you will set sail for Tahuata and spend the afternoon in the village of Vaitahu. The French Catholic church in the village is particularly impressive.
Day 7 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Explore Nuku Hiva, Marquesas. Your next stop is Taiohae Bay, where you can explore Taiohae, the tiny administrative capital of the Marquesas, the valley of Hatiheu and the valley of Taipivai. You will enjoy lunch at Yvonne's Restaurant, who also happens to be the local mayor! Afterwards you will have the chance to walk to an archaeological site; which is above a coconut plantation. The path to the site is steep and often slippery when raining.
Aranui 5
Day 8 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Explore Ua Pou Island, Marquesas. As the crew unload their supplies you can explore the tiny town of Hakahau, home to talented wood carvers and breath-taking views that are well worth the walk up the hill! You'll enjoy lunch in a local restaurant here.
Day 9 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Explore Hiva Oa, the second largest of the islands in the Marquesas. Enjoy a leisurely day exploring Atuona, the home of impressionist, Paul Gauguin. You will enjoy a Marquesan lunch and have the chance to visit the graves of the two most famous international residents: Paul Gauguin and Jaques Brel.
Day 10 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Explore Fatu Hiva, Marquesas. This lush and remote island is a hub for Marquesan arts and crafts, so you will meet local people producing and designing tapa cloth, hand-painted pareo (sarongs) and monoi oil and watch skilled wood-carvers in action.
Day 11 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Today, on Ua Huka, you will visit a museum with exquisite replicas of Marquesan art. You can choose to explore the island by four-wheel drive or ride the famed Marquesan horses to explore the mountain landscape, and views of the Pacific. You'll enjoy lunch at local restaurant and have plenty of time to visit studios of wood carvers before visiting the arboretum and the garden of fruits and flowers.
Day 12 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Rangiroa , Tahiti
You cruise back to the Tuamotu archipelago today relaxing on board, discussing your adventures with fellow passengers or reading about the unique Polynesian culture which you have just been introduced to.
Aranui 5
Day 13 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Bora Bora , Tahiti
The cruise sails on to Rangiroa today, the largest atoll in the world where you can swim and snorkel in a translucent lagoon. Snorkeling and scuba diving are available too and you will also have the opportunity to purchase black pearls from local black pearl farmers.
Aranui 5
Day 14 Vahine Island
Tahiti , Raiatea , Vahine Island
Today you will enjoy the blue lagoon of Bora Bora where you can spend the day at the white sand beach. Optional excursions such as island tours, swimming with rays and small sharks, and helicopter tours are available at an extra cost.
Day 15 Vahine Island
Vahine Island
Sail back to Tahiti where you will arrive this morning. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the airport for your Air Tahiti flight to Raiatea where a boat transfer will take you across the lagoon to your small luxury hotel, Vahine Island Resort. Dinner, bed and breakfast is included in your stay.
Day 16 Vahine Island
Vahine Island
A full day at leisure on Vahine Island at your resort which enjoys a very relaxing location on the outer reef with fine views of the lagoon and islands. Take the time to talk to your hosts today as they are experts in the best ways to explore the lagoon and the islands of Taha'a and Raiatea which both occupy the same reef system.
Day 17 Vahine Island
Vahine Island
A full day at leisure at Vahine. The lagoon has some wonderful coral gardens for swimming and snorkeling. Look out for the turtles which live in the lagoon and are very inquisitive.
Day 18 Return home
Raiatea , Tahiti
Enjoy your last full day at leisure on Vahine. You may wish to arrange a visit to a vanilla plantation, take in a 'coconut show' or use the hotel's spa facilities for some last minute pampering.
Day 1 Tahiti
Tahiti
Fly with Air New Zealand to Los Angeles in Economy Class. On arrival transit to your onward flight to Tahiti with Air Tahiti Nui on an Air New Zealand code share.
Day 2 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
You will arrive early this morning and so a room has been pre-booked for you in Tahiti, so that you can check straight in and relax. You then have a full day at leisure in Tahiti to relax in the lagoon or by the pool. You might also like to take a trip to the Museum of Polynesia and the Isles which is a good introduction to Polynesian history and culture before you head to your cruise.
Day 3 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the port where you will board the Aranui 5 and set sail on your cruise to explore the beautiful Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands.
Day 4 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Enjoy your first day in the Tuamotu Archipelago and the islands of Takapoto. You will enjoy a short walk to a magnificent white sandy beach where we will have a picnic and you can swim and snorkel in the translucent lagoon and take in the mesmerising tropical lagoon fish.
Day 5 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Hiva Oa , Tahiti
Time at sea sailing to the Marquesas. Relax on board the sun decks, take a dip in the pool, or learn about the Marquesan culture and history from your knowledgeable crew and the onboard library.
Day 6 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Nuku Hiva , Tahiti
Explore Hiva Oa, the second largest of the islands in the Marquesas. Your tour this morning takes in Puamau which is close to the world-famous tiki statue sites. After lunch on board you will set sail for Tahuata and spend the afternoon in the village of Vaitahu. The French Catholic church in the village is particularly impressive.
Day 7 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Explore Nuku Hiva, Marquesas. Your next stop is Taiohae Bay, where you can explore Taiohae, the tiny administrative capital of the Marquesas, the valley of Hatiheu and the valley of Taipivai. You will enjoy lunch at Yvonne's Restaurant, who also happens to be the local mayor! Afterwards you will have the chance to walk to an archaeological site; which is above a coconut plantation. The path to the site is steep and often slippery when raining.
Aranui 5
Day 8 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Explore Ua Pou Island, Marquesas. As the crew unload their supplies you can explore the tiny town of Hakahau, home to talented wood carvers and breath-taking views that are well worth the walk up the hill! You'll enjoy lunch in a local restaurant here.
Day 9 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Explore Hiva Oa, the second largest of the islands in the Marquesas. Enjoy a leisurely day exploring Atuona, the home of impressionist, Paul Gauguin. You will enjoy a Marquesan lunch and have the chance to visit the graves of the two most famous international residents: Paul Gauguin and Jaques Brel.
Day 10 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Explore Fatu Hiva, Marquesas. This lush and remote island is a hub for Marquesan arts and crafts, so you will meet local people producing and designing tapa cloth, hand-painted pareo (sarongs) and monoi oil and watch skilled wood-carvers in action.
Day 11 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Tahiti
Today, on Ua Huka, you will visit a museum with exquisite replicas of Marquesan art. You can choose to explore the island by four-wheel drive or ride the famed Marquesan horses to explore the mountain landscape, and views of the Pacific. You'll enjoy lunch at local restaurant and have plenty of time to visit studios of wood carvers before visiting the arboretum and the garden of fruits and flowers.
Day 12 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Rangiroa , Tahiti
You cruise back to the Tuamotu archipelago today relaxing on board, discussing your adventures with fellow passengers or reading about the unique Polynesian culture which you have just been introduced to.
Aranui 5
Day 13 On-board ship (Tahiti)
Bora Bora , Tahiti
The cruise sails on to Rangiroa today, the largest atoll in the world where you can swim and snorkel in a translucent lagoon. Snorkeling and scuba diving are available too and you will also have the opportunity to purchase black pearls from local black pearl farmers.
Aranui 5
Day 14 Vahine Island
Tahiti , Raiatea , Vahine Island
Today you will enjoy the blue lagoon of Bora Bora where you can spend the day at the white sand beach. Optional excursions such as island tours, swimming with rays and small sharks, and helicopter tours are available at an extra cost.
Day 15 Vahine Island
Vahine Island
Sail back to Tahiti where you will arrive this morning. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the airport for your Air Tahiti flight to Raiatea where a boat transfer will take you across the lagoon to your small luxury hotel, Vahine Island Resort. Dinner, bed and breakfast is included in your stay.
Day 16 Vahine Island
Vahine Island
A full day at leisure on Vahine Island at your resort which enjoys a very relaxing location on the outer reef with fine views of the lagoon and islands. Take the time to talk to your hosts today as they are experts in the best ways to explore the lagoon and the islands of Taha'a and Raiatea which both occupy the same reef system.
Day 17 Vahine Island
Vahine Island
A full day at leisure at Vahine. The lagoon has some wonderful coral gardens for swimming and snorkeling. Look out for the turtles which live in the lagoon and are very inquisitive.
Day 18 Return home
Raiatea , Tahiti
Enjoy your last full day at leisure on Vahine. You may wish to arrange a visit to a vanilla plantation, take in a 'coconut show' or use the hotel's spa facilities for some last minute pampering.
Availability
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Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click
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3,322 Audley Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings
French Polynesia cruise on the Aranui 5
Company Reviews
I’ll use Audley for all my travel moving forward
The locations were perfect and the activities made the experience extra special.
I would definitely recommend Audley and especially Ewan to anyone looking for a more bespoke experience.
Unresponsive
I contacted Audley as they came recommended by Wilderness Travel, the company we traveled with previously.
I left multiple messages for their regional specialist Adam -- voice messages through his co-workers (Alec and Jacky), email, website inquiry -- he didn't reply. I finally spoke to another specialist at the office (Lydia) and pressed her to not take yet another message for Adam, but tell me honestly if they are interested in working on our itinerary or we should move on. She then told me that they are busy. Well, wish they had some integrity to tell me on the first call, so I didn't have to loose time on trying to contact their "specialist".
p.s. They sent their automated marketing message with ALL their trips listed in response to my website inquiry. In this message they included: "When you are ready...". I replied that, indeed, we are ready, as I explained in my inquiry -- ready, know where and when we want to travel and are inquiring if you are interested in creating a private journey for us. No reply! Instead, they sent another marketing message the next day (and after Lydia already told us that they are very busy and won't be able to make reservations.) The second marketing message had no option to "unsubscribe". Again, I replied to that message and asked them to stop spamming me with marketing materials.
UPDATE: Audley's Client Experience Executive reached out to me in response to this review. She apologized profusely and wanted me to know that my "feedback is being heard". She said that she spoke with the employees' manager to "ensure mistakes like this don’t happen again and provide additional training to support their growth." She also promised to ask the marketing to delete my name from their marketing list. I took her at her word.
I don't know if this interaction with the client experience executive convinced me to seek Audley's services in the future, but I promised her to include in my review this "status update".
There are much better travel companies than Audley
I’m booking for South Africa and they simply can’t accept that another company can provide a better itinerary at a lower price - even to the point of asking for the other quote and saying this is usual practice in the industry!! ( rubbish) . Totally unprofessional behaviour. Furthermore , sending me emails knocking my choice of hotel and safari park while at the same time promoting hotels that clearly have issues as evidenced by poor ratings on the major sites
I use another well known travel provider that actually provide high quality at a decent price
Audley are simply interested in selling the highest price hotels etc that give them the maximum profit rather than what is right for you
They love themselves and keep on saying nonsense such as “ I’m really pleased with what I’ve come up with and hope you are too “
They need to get real
I won’t reveal the name of the agent dealing with me as that’s probably unfair
Amazing Trip of a life time
Christmas in Thailand
Mark Hotham at Audley Travel helped us to put together the holiday of a lifetime. He helped us through the complexity of different start dates, advised on a suitable hotel and arranged a terrific trip to the Elephant Hills camp in the jungle.
The arrangements worked splendidly, the hotel in Khao Lak was first class and the Elephant Hills trip was magical.
Nothing was ever too much trouble for Mark and every effort was made to deliver the holiday we were looking for.
We have already recommended Audley travel to our friends and they will be our first choice of travel agency from now on.
Our California Trip
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport
Group Size
Private - your group only
Trip ID#:
FrePoAud
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