DAY 1
It’s just a short 3-hour flight from Australia with Air Vanuatu. Fly non-stop from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo or if you’re travelling from another city you can transfer via Port Vila’s international airport to board your 55-minute flight to Espiritu Santo. Enjoy a short 10 minute transfer and speed boat ride to Aore Island Resort and be greeted with the warmest welcome, tropical cocktail in tow. Settle into the idyllic paradise and the ideal base for your upcoming adventures in Santo. Dinner tonight is at the resort’s large open air Nakamal, where you'll enjoy a truly unique Melanesian dining experience.
DAY 2
Start the day with a delicious breakfast then get into Island life with an array of activities offered at the resort. Try your hand at basket weaving or sand drawing, an artistic and traditional practice of storytelling. You could also walk the plantation with a local or simply choose to lounge by the pool with their cocktail of the day. At sunset, be wowed by a wonderful aquatic symphony performed by the water music ladies as they stand waist-deep in the ocean using their hands to create music in the water. It’s truly a delight to your senses!
DAY 3
Fuel up at breakfast for an adventure-packed day exploring Santo’s most beautiful blue holes. Take the short ferry ride to the mainland and start your journey to Riri Blue Hole. Jump on a dugout canoe for the most spectacular entrance to the lagoon, and be entranced by its crystal-clear waters, it's nothing short of magical! Enjoy a picnic lunch packed by the team at Aore and savour every moment at this serene wonderland. Time to check out neighbouring Matevulu Blue Hole, the largest of Santo’s swimming holes. Climb up the giant banyan tree and take the rope swing for a dive into its refreshing azure waters! On the way home, drive through Santo’s coconut plantations. Spend the afternoon cooling off by the beach before another sumptuous dinner at the Nakamal. On the way home, drive through Santo’s coconut plantations. Spend the afternoon cooling off by the beach before another sumptuous dinner at the Nakamal.
DAY 4
Enjoy a leisurely morning over a tropical breakfast before checking out to start the next phase of your adventure. Visit the Leweton Cultural Village for an authentic insight into Ni-Van customs. Be greeted with a spirited warrior welcome followed by traditional song and dance performances. Watch the mamas as they prepare lunch over coals and enjoy this traditional feast followed by kava tasting in the Men's hut. Transfer to the domestic airport to board your next Air Vanuatu flight to Port Vila. Onwards to Erakor Island Resort, another dreamy home-away-from-home with lush tropical gardens and plenty of activities fit for young and old.
DAY 5
Start the day with more tropical fare at the Erakor Overwater Restaurant before venturing off to the Port Vila markets, a bustling marketplace where you will see all the colours of the rainbow. See the Mamas dressed in their beautiful traditional dress as they proudly show off their fresh produce, there may even be a musician or two playing reggaeton tunes. Sample local foods with lunch prepared at the market and grab a spot by the waterfront and take in some classic people-watching. Return to the Erakor Island Resort and take part in a friendly volleyball game or simply relax by the ocean. Tonight, be enthralled by a Melanesian Feast and Fire Show!
DAY 6
Next up on the Travel Guides itinerary is a scenic Coongoola Day cruise to Tranquillity Island Resort to visit their Turtle Sanctuary and see the incredible work of the Hawksbill Turtle Conservation Program. Here you can sponsor a baby hawksbill turtle and if the timing is right, help release a tagged hawksbill into the sea! Take a break over a delicious barbeque lunch on the beach before returning to the mainland. Then, buckle up for a fun and exciting ride with Off Road Adventures as you drive ATVs through Vanuatu's spectacular jungle. Return to Erakor Island for another fabulous night of cuisine.
DAY 7
This morning over breakfast, reflect on the amazing holiday experiences you encountered remembering that this is a just slice of what Vanuatu has to offer! Transfer to the international airport and start the homeward journey with Air Vanuatu, until next time!
To start planning your own Travel Guides experience, contact your travel agent or visit https://www.vanuatu.travel/au/deal