Nature & Culture of the Marquesas

Nuku Hiva & Hiva Oa - 7 Days / 6 Nights Program

Package includes:

* 3 Nights at Hotel Nuku Hiva Keikahanui Pearl Lodge, in Bayview Bungalow with Half Board.
* 3 Nights at Hotel Hiva Oa Hanakee Pearl Lodge, in Ocean View Bungalow with Half Board.

+ All excursions by 4-wheel drive vehicule as per program
+ Atuona Museum & Puamau entrance fees
+ All transfers by 4-wheel drive vehicule

Day 01: Papeete / Nuku Hiva

Arrival in Nuku Hiva at the Nuku Ataha airport (transfer duration: about 01h30). Transfer to Hotel Keikahanui Nuku Hiva Pearl Lodge by 4 wheel drive vehicle. You will have the chance to enjoy the views on the valley of Tapueahu (the “Marquesan Grand Canyon”) and then on Toovi plateau.

Lunch on your own (not included)

Afternoon : Visit of the village of Taiohae including :
• Tohua Temehea: ceremonial site hosting recent stone carvings, inspired by local legends…

• Notre Dame Cathedral, built in 1973, on the site of an ancient “tohua” (ceremonial platform). The church shelters numerous religious wooden works by local artists.

• A gentle hike towards and around the archaeological site of Koueva. Restored for the 2000 Marquesan Art Festival, this site is a testimony of the Marquesan nature & culture.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 02: Nuku Hiva
Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day excursion by 4-wheel drive vehicle to visit the Muake Pass and the valley of Hatiheu located on the north coast.

On the way, while the vehicle climbs up the hill, enjoy the magnificent view over the bay of Taiohae. You will then drive through the valley of Taipivai, the largest coconut grove of Polynesia, made famous by the writer Melville in his novel “Typee”. Meeting with Marquesan craftsmen in the village of Taipivai and visit the Paeke and Kamuihei archeological sites before arriving in the valley of Hatiheu.

Lunch will be served at the unique Restaurant “Chez Yvonne”: comfortably seated, you will never forget this special moment sampling local delicacies…

On the way back to the hotel, visit the restored archaeological of Hikokua: while listening to your guide, you will travel back in time, picturing the grand ceremonies which took place in these sacred sites.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 03: Nuku Hiva
Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning : Half day excursion by boat to discover the bay of Hakatea located on the southern coast of the island. You might take a walk on the sheltered golden white sandy beach and enjoy a swim if the water allows it.

Lunch on your own (not included).

Afternoon : at leisure.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 04: Nuku Hiva / Hiva Oa
Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning : at leisure.
Transfer to the airport by 4-wheel drive vehicle (duration: around 01h30)
Flight Nuku Hiva/Hiva Oa (duration: around 35 minutes).

Arrival at Hiva Oa, transfer by 4-wheel drive vehicle to Hotel Hanakee Hiva Oa Pearl Lodge (transfer duration: around 20 minutes).

Lunch on your own (not included).

Afternoon : visit the pleasant village of Atuona, made famous by the artists Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel, including :
• The “Espace Culturel”, with painter Paul Gauguin’s museum (showing copies of his art), “la Maison du Jouir” (replicate of his previous house), his well, Marquesan handicraft.
• The Stele and the “Espace Jacques Brel”, the famous Belgian singer, presenting his plane & different photographs of his life.
• The cemetery where Gauguin’s and Jacques Brel’s are buried almost next to each other.
Please note that your guide will not walk you in the museums.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 05: Hiva Oa
Breakfast at the hotel.

Full day excursion by 4-wheel drive vehicle to Puamau, on the north-eastern tip of the island.
Breathtaking drive along the winding coastline, through several valleys, until reaching the picturesque village of Puamau.
Visit Te Iipona, an archeological site which became famous thanks to “Takai”, the tallest stone Tiki in Polynesia (2,43 m); and the very exceptional “Makaii Taua Pepe”,  unique tiki represented horizontally.

Lunch will be enjoyed at Marie-Antoinette’s home: you will have the opportunity to taste home-made Marquesan dishes: marvellous indeed!!

Afternoon at leisure to relax, then return to Atuona.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 06: Hiva Oa
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning : enjoy an excursion by 4-wheel drive (about 01h30) towards the unique smiling tiki hidden deep in the tropical forest down the hotel…. It is a very surprising piece of art.
Then your guide will take you to the Tehueto Petroglyphs. It is the unique place in French Polynesia where engraved “fishmen” can be seen.

Lunch on your own (not included).

Afternoon : at leisure.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 07: Hiva Oa / Papeete
Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning : at leisure.

Morning transfer by 4-wheel drive vehicle to airport for your return flight to Papeete.
(If the departure flight is scheduled in the afternoon, lunch will be on your own).

Remarks:

1) Rates are valid from January 01st until December 31st, 2011. Rates are subject to change without prior notice.

2) Cancellation Policy :
If cancellation occurs:
- 45 days or less prior to the beginning of the package: 80 Euro fee per booking
- within 15 days prior to the beginning of the package: 50% of the total amount of the package
- within 7 days prior to the beginning of the package:  100% of the total amount of the package.

3) Restaurant “Chez Yvonne” in Nuku Hiva is closed on Sunday and Public Holidays. If the full day tour to Hatiheu cannot be scheduled on another day, a cold picnic lunch will be provided.

4) Transfers & Excursions are in seat-in-car vehicule. For packages including private car transfers and tours, please contact our services for quotation.

5) The hotels have accepted to operate this program based on a MINIMUM of 2 pax travelling together. However, a special net rate for single pax when travelling alone is available. Please contact us for quotation.
The hotels reserve the right to have other clients joining the party on the excursions.

The excursions require healthy conditions. Follow your guide instructions. They are not recommended for children under 2.

The excursions & hikes duration may vary depending on external factors & the level of hikers.

Vehicles used have been built for this type of excursions; however, comfort depends on the roads used.

6) A local Communal Tax is to be paid directly by the client at the hotel Keikahanui Pearl Lodge : 100cfp per person and per night (Fixed exchange rate : 1€ = 119.332 cfp Pacific Franc). 

7) Opening hours of the Gauguin & Brel museums:
- Monday to Thursday : 08h00am - 11h00am & 02h00pm - 05h00pm
 - Friday : 07h30am - 02h30pm
 - Saturday : 08h00am - 11h00am
 - Sunday : closed

The hotel will do its best to organize the visit of these museums according with the flight schedules of your clients.
Should this not be possible, the hotel will arrange another excursion instead.

8) Additional nights. If additional nights are requested, the regular rates are applicable for those additional nights.

9) During Christmas and New Year Season, Special Conditions and Compulsory Meals may apply. Rates and Conditions to be advised.

10) This itinerary may be altered without previous notice, depending on airline schedule, weather conditions or ground transportation availabilities. Rates would be amended accordingly.