Itinerary
- Day 1
Frankfurt to Papeete
You'll depart Frankfurt on a scheduled flight heading to Paris, then continue onward via Los Angeles before arriving in Papeete, French Polynesia. It's a long travel day with connections, so you'll want to settle in for the journey.
- Day 2
Papeete
After you arrive in Papeete, a transfer takes you to your hotel where you can relax by the pool and take in views of Moorea island across the water. Come evening, you'll head out on a 90-minute sunset boat trip across the Pacific, which gives you a real feel for the South Seas experience.
Included Activities
- 90-minute sunset boat trip on the Pacific
- Hotel pool time
Landmarks/POIs Moorea - Day 3
Papeete to Moorea
An early ferry gets you to Moorea for an off-road vehicle tour through the lush interior. You'll see a pineapple plantation, Magic Mountain, and stop at the Belvedere viewpoint for views over Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay. After a picnic lunch on the beach, there's a 15-minute hike to a waterfall for swimming before you head back to Tahiti.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch on the beach)
Included Activities
- Ferry transfer to Moorea
- Off-road vehicle island tour
- Pineapple plantation visit
- Magic Mountain visit
- Belvedere viewpoint visit
- Picnic lunch on the beach
- Swimming and relaxation on beach
- 15-minute hike to waterfall from Afareaitu
- Waterfall swimming
- Ferry return to Tahiti
Landmarks/POIs Moorea Cook Bay Opunohu Bay Belvedere Viewpoint - Day 4
Papeete
You'll board the Aranui 5 mail boat in Papeete harbor and check into your cabin. Your German-speaking guide briefs you on the ship, and you'll participate in the required safety drill. Around noon, the vessel departs for the Austral Islands.
Included Activities
- Ship check-in and cabin assignment
- Tour guide briefing
- Safety drill
- Aranui 5 departure for Austral Islands
- Day 5
Rurutu
The ship arrives at Rurutu, an upscale atoll with volcanic caves, basalt and limestone cliffs, and tropical jungle. You'll meet local villagers who put on a traditional welcome performance, then explore the village of Moerai. The island is known for its pandanus leaf basketry and other crafts.
Included Activities
- Local welcome performance
- Village exploration in Moerai
- Free time to discover local crafts and basketry
Landmarks/POIs Rurutu - Day 6
Rurutu
Spend the day on Rurutu experiencing Polynesian music and culture. Listen to traditional ukulele, guitar, and drum performances. You can walk along the basalt and limestone cliffs with their caves, wander through the tropical jungle, and enjoy the white sand beaches and bays.
Included Activities
- Polynesian music and cultural performance
- Island exploration
- Cave visits
- Tropical jungle exploration
- Beach time
Landmarks/POIs Rurutu - Day 7
Rimatara
Next you'll visit Rimatara, a small circular volcanic plateau where locals have kept their own dialect and traditions alive. Take part in a purification incense ceremony and explore villages by bus or truck. You'll see the historic cemetery at Amaru overlooking the sea, then finish with a barbecue on Motuaura beach.
- Meals
- Lunch (Barbecue on Motuaura beach)
Included Activities
- Purification incense ceremony
- Village exploration by bus or truck
- Amaru cemetery visit
- Barbecue on Motuaura beach
Landmarks/POIs Rimatara Amaru Cemetery Motuaura Beach - Day 8
Tubuai
Tubuai is the most densely populated Austral Island, and you're welcomed at the town hall with a floral wreath and music. You'll watch art and craft demonstrations like pandanus leaf weaving and shell necklace making. Later, visit the marae of PO TUI TUI, Fort George (where Bounty mutineers hid), and Bloody Bay.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch served on board)
Included Activities
- Welcome ceremony with floral wreath and music
- Art and craft demonstrations
- Pandanus leaf weaving demonstration
- Shell necklace making demonstration
- Marae of PO TUI TUI visit
- Fort George visit
- Bloody Bay visit
Landmarks/POIs Tubuai Fort George Bloody Bay Marae of PO TUI TUI - Day 9
At Sea
The Aranui 5 cruises at 15 knots across the Pacific toward the Marquesas. Onboard you can get a Polynesian massage at the spa, relax by the pool, grab drinks at the bars, or shop at the boutique. An afternoon lecture from your guide covers the history of the Marquesas.
Included Activities
- Lecture on history of the Marquesas
Optional Activities
- Polynesian massage in spa
- Pool relaxation
- Drinks at bars
- On-board boutique shopping
- Day 10
Rapa Iti
You arrive at remote Rapa Iti, a crescent-shaped island with numerous fjords and twelve bays that's culturally significant like Easter Island. Explore former fortified settlements and learn about the island's warrior heritage. A local meal is served ashore, then you'll hike for two and a half hours to Fort Morango Uta. Back on the ship, there's a Polynesian evening celebration.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local meal ashore)
Included Activities
- Local meal ashore
- Two and a half hour hike to Fort Morango Uta
- Fort Morango Uta visit
- Polynesian evening on board
Landmarks/POIs Rapa Iti Fort Morango Uta - Day 11
Rapa Iti
Visit Ahurei, the island's main village, to explore old fortresses and the agricultural production center. You'll meet local inhabitants and see traditional crafts. A wood-fire feast of Ma'a prepared in the village provides an authentic meal experience.
- Meals
- Lunch (Feast of Ma'a prepared over wood fire in the village)
Included Activities
- Ahurei village visit
- Old fortress visits
- Agricultural production center visit
- Local handicraft viewing
- Meeting island inhabitants
- Ma'a feast prepared over wood fire
Landmarks/POIs Ahurei - Day 12
Raivavae
Raivavae is known as the 'Bora Bora of yesterday' and has what many consider the most beautiful lagoon in French Polynesia. A bus tour shows you the Smiling Tiki and marae sites. You'll have a typical Raivavae buffet on Mahanatoa beach, then either walk through the village or snorkel in the pristine lagoon.
- Meals
- Lunch (Typical Raivavae buffet on Mahanatoa beach)
Included Activities
- Island bus tour
- Smiling Tiki visit
- Marae visits around the island
- Raivavae buffet on Mahanatoa beach
- Swimming and snorkeling in lagoon
Optional Activities
- Village walk
- Snorkeling with mask and snorkel
Landmarks/POIs Raivavae Smiling Tiki Mahanatoa Beach - Day 13
At Sea
The Aranui 5 continues cruising across the vast Pacific Ocean. The crew keeps things interesting with entertainment and activities onboard as you head toward your next destination.
Optional Activities
- Onboard entertainment and activities
- Day 14
Raiatea
You'll visit Raiatea, considered the cradle of Polynesian civilization. A bus takes you to the marae of Taputapuatea, a 1,000-year-old open-air temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the religious and spiritual center of all Polynesia. After lunch, explore the waterfront town of Uturoa with its shops and craft workshops.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board)
Included Activities
- Bus transfer to Taputapuatea marae
- Taputapuatea marae visit
- Uturoa town exploration
Optional Activities
- Shop visits in Uturoa
- Craft workshop visits
Landmarks/POIs Raiatea Taputapuatea Uturoa - Days 15 - 19
Bora Bora
After disembarking the Aranui 5, a transfer brings you to the Maitai Polynesia resort near famous Matira Beach on Bora Bora. The island time here is yours to plan. You could go snorkeling, diving, take a sunset sailing trip, do an island tour, or simply spend time on the beautiful beaches. Bora Bora spans 38 square kilometers and is surrounded by turquoise lagoon.
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Sunset sailing tours
- Island interior excursions
- Beach relaxation
Landmarks/POIs Bora Bora Matira Beach - Day 20
Bora Bora to Paris
Check out of your hotel in Bora Bora and transfer to the airport for your flight back to Paris via Los Angeles to complete your journey home.
- Day 21
Frankfurt
You arrive back in Frankfurt, Germany, bringing your French Polynesia adventure to a close.
