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Pacific Islands/Cook Islands/French Polynesia

Oceanic Treasures: The Cook Islands and French Polynesia

Program No. 25485RJ
Delve into the Cook Islands and French Polynesia’s rich culture and gain a better understanding of past and present ecology, politics and traditional practices.
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Small GroupNature & EnvironmentNew
Length
17 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
11,199
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
17 days
16 nights
What's Included
35 meals ( 14B, 10L, 11D )
12 expert-led lectures
16 expert-led field trips
6 flights during the program
2 hands-on experiences
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
14 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel rooms reserved from 3:00 pm to guarantee early arrival tomorrow morning. Participants arriving to program early may check in this afternoon.
Activity Note
Disembarking from the airplane requires passengers to use a flight of stairs. Passengers are required to handle their own carry-on luggage on the stairs. After an early morning arrival, collect and transfer luggage to hotel, driving approximately 30 minutes on coach. There will be rest time in the morning, and easy walking around the grassy hotel grounds in the afternoon, approximately 1 miles.
Breakfast:
Check in to your home for the next four nights, then take the rest of the morning to enjoy a hot breakfast, rest in your rooms, or explore the property.
Lunch:
At the hotel. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will gather for our program orientation: the group leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “free time” and “at leisure” offer opportunities for you to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/ conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. After a brief break, we will hold Introduction to French Polynesia lecture that will serve as the foundation for your future educational experiences. Following the lecture, stroll around the hotel property to learn about many of the diverse tropical plants that inspire houseplant aficionados everywhere hold particular cultural significance for Oceanic Peoples.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant. We’ll enjoy live music by a local band during dinner.
Evening:
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
The museum visit will include 1-2 hours of standing and walking indoors. The afternoon introductory snorkel involves walking on uneven sandy/rocky surfaces from the beach into the ocean, then swimming for approximately 1 hour; non-snorkelers may choose to observe from the shore. The selection of sites for each field trip are subject to change and will be based on weather, tide, and other local conditions at the time.
Breakfast:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Pack your daypack with a towel and swimsuit for an afternoon introductory snorkel. In the morning we will board a bus to the Musée de Tahiti et ses Iles. This recently renovated museum is a fascinating exhibit of all that makes up French Polynesia – the geographic and oceanographic explanation of the islands – life in the sea and on land – progressive stages of its history – pre-European artifacts – a collection of memorabilia of political, cultural and social leaders.
Lunch:
Enjoy a simple French-Tahitian picnic lunch by the seaside near the museum
Afternoon:
After lunch, attend a lecture introducing the Tahitian marine environment followed by basic snorkeling instructional demo. Then walk down the beach into the sea and enjoy snorkeling offshore.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
Remainder of evening at leisure.
Activity Note
Reaching the archaeological sites in the deep valley involves a bumpy but leisurely 1.5 hour drive each way through winding, unpaved, dirt and gravel mountain roads in a 4x4 vehicle. The group will be split into multiple vehicles. In the valley, you will walk on unpaved gravel and grass paths, approximately 1 - 2 miles over a few hours.
Breakfast:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Hop aboard your 4x4 and drive along the northern coast of Tahiti Nui, visiting historic sites of scientific discovery like Matavai Bay and Point Venus, where Captains Wallis, Cook and Bligh anchored. The name, Point Venus, came from Cook’s attempts to record the transit of Venus in 1769. Located here is a memorial to the arrival of the first Christian missionaries in 1797 and a lighthouse constructed in 1868. Then, turning southward, we will trace the Papeno'o river through lush forest and streaming waterfalls to the ancient seat of Tahitian ariki chieftains nestled between the mountains.
Lunch:
Enjoy a picnic lunch during our excursion.
Afternoon:
After lunch, discover the archaeological site of Fare Hape, an open-air museum that nurtures ancient traditional culture, boasting the foundations of extensive village grounds and sacred marae ritual sites as well as housing an artisanal craft house, medicinal garden, and other living culture to perpetuate traditional knowledge for future generations. Late afternoon, return to the hotel. Time to short rest or walk on the beach before dinner.
Dinner:
Dinner will be on your own this evening.
Evening:
Remainder of the evening at leisure.
Activity Note
The ferry to and from Mo'orea will take approximately 30 minutes each way. Those who experience seasickness should take precautions. Weather and ocean conditions may impact the ferry ride and travel time. On Mo'orea, walking approximately 1.5 miles indoors and outdoors on grassy and unpaved paths.
Breakfast:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Eating lightly and avoiding coffee and orange juice may help prevent seasickness aboard the ferry.
Morning:
Board the bus for your Mo'orea day trip. At the Port of Papeete, you will board a 30-minute ferry to the nearby island of Mo'orea, whose the stunning mountains and beaches have inspired many depictions of Pacific islands. Open seating with panoramic views of Tahiti and Mo'orea is available on the top of the boat, but for those who wish to avoid seasickness, the best seats will be toward the bottom and back of the ferry. Upon arrival, board a bus to visit Belvedere Viewpoint with beautiful vistas of the island, stop at a well preserved and rebuilt historical Marae, and view a farming valley inland of Cook’s Bay before reaching our main destinations: the University of California Berkeley's Richard B. Gump South Pacific Research Station & the Atitia Cultural Centre.
Lunch:
At the Atitia Cultural Center.
Afternoon:
Continue exploring the Gump South Pacific Research Station & the Atitia Cultural Center. In the late afternoon, hop on the bus to return to Mo'orea Harbor, where you will board the ferry to return to Tahiti Nui.
Dinner:
Dinner will be on your own this evening. Upon arrival at the harbor we will have some time to explore town. A bus will be available to take participants back to the hotel. Those who would like to stay in town and enjoy dinner at a local eaterie may arrange their own taxi back to the hotel.
Evening:
Free evening. Explore Papeete and return to the hotel on your own. Your group leader would be happy to provide advice as needed.
Activity Note
Embarking and disembarking from the airplane requires passengers to use a flight of stairs. Passengers are required to handle their own carry-on luggage on the stairs.
Breakfast:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Morning at leisure. We highly recommend returning to Papeete to explore the famous Mapuru a Paraita, the Papeete Open Market, to see everything on offer including native foods –– fruits, vegetables, seafood, meats –– flowers, and crafts of Tahiti. The vast market hall covers more than 75,000 square feet over two floors. You may want to purchase a snack to eat later for lunch. Return to the hotel to check out for a two-day getaway to the beautiful, quiet island of Huahine. Huahine is actually composed of two islands: Huahine Nui (“Big” Huahine) and Huahine Iti (“Little” Huahine). Surrounded by a deep lagoon encircled by a fringe of coral, this is perhaps one of the most traditional and undiscovered islands in French Polynesia.
Lunch:
On own at Faa'a International Airport. The airport cafe offers classic casual French fare such as casse-croute sandwiches and viennoiserie, which can be enjoyed as you wait for the flight.
Afternoon:
Arrive at the quaint Huahine Airport and take a short bus ride to our accommodations. After checking in and a brief rest, meet in the lobby for a class and walk through the hotel's miniature museum to learn about the archaeological research conducted on property.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure to relax in your new surroundings.
Activity Note
Morning walk across grass and gravel paths, approximately 1 mile. The lagoon excursion will require getting in and out of a small, 8-seater boat to tender multiple times.
Breakfast:
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we will explore modern and ancient agricultural products of Huahine from melon fields to coconut plantations; view ancient fish traps; and visit Fare Potée cultural museum and its surrounding marae sacred sites. Afterwards, we will discover the creative enterprises taking advantage of Huahine's natural features. Climb aboard a small boat to an overwater bungalow at the center of the lagoon for an introduction to pearl farming and unique shop and workshop, and browse a pottery workshop that draws its unique pigment from the depths of the lagoon.
Lunch:
Enjoy lunch on your own in Fare, the quaint, bustling pierside main street of Huahine. Settle down in a cafe or order crudite or Tahitian poisson cru from a roulotte food truck and dine on the pier next to shining turquoise waters.
Afternoon:
During this afternoon at leisure, continue to explore Fare and Huahine, or take a short stroll along the beach or main road to return to the hotel. Relax in the pool or snorkel from shore near the hotel. Snorkel and mask are not provided by the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
Evening at leisure.
Activity Note
Embarking and disembarking from the airplane requires passengers to use a flight of stairs. Passengers are required to handle their own carry-on luggage on the stairs.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at leisure at the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, gather together for a class about Tahitian arts. Then, gather your bags and check out before an early lunch.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will depart for the Huahine Airport and a 40-minute flight back to Papeete, Tahiti. Check back in to Tahiti accommodations. In the late afternoon we will gather to debrief the French Polynesian portion of the program with a class on contemporary Tahitian society and culture.
Dinner:
Group dinner at the hotel restaurant. We’ll enjoy live music by a local band during dinner.
Evening:
Free evening. Prepare for early morning flight to the to the Cook Islands tomorrow morning.
Activity Note
Embarking and disembarking from the airplane requires passengers to use a flight of stairs. Passengers are required to handle their own carry-on luggage on the stairs. Your afternoon field trip involves getting on and off a bus multiple times at selected stops along the way; driving for about 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Check out of the hotel early morning and transfer by bus to the Faa'a Airport. Enjoy a French-Tahitian breakfast on your own at the Faa'a Airport as we wait for our morning flight to Rarotonga.
Morning:
Today we will take a morning flight from Tahiti to Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook Islands. Formerly a protectorate of New Zealand, the Cook Islands maintains close ties with the country, which is reflected in its currency, government, and cuisine.
Lunch:
Upon arrival at Rarotonga International Airport we will board a bus and depart for Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands, where we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, board the bus for a guided half-day drive around Rarotonga's coast, making stops along the ring-shaped road that circles the island and learning about its history and culture along the way. In the late afternoon, arrive at your Rarotonga accommodation and check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel restaurant.
Evening:
Free Evening
Activity Note
At the Night Market, there is optional amount of walking and plenty of picnic tables. The ground is unpaved, mostly gravel.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at leisure at the hotel.
Morning:
Morning at leisure. Consider attending a local church service and experience Rarotongan language, music, spirituality, and culture. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle. Church is a formal occasion on the islands, so please wear clothing that covers the shoulders. For women, a long skirt or dress is expected. For men, trousers are typical. Many people will wear white or hats. Churches sometimes invite visitors to join them for tea or a small luncheon after service.
Lunch:
Lunch will be on your own. Please note that alcohol is not served in the Cook Islands on Sundays.
Afternoon:
Return to the hotel for an afternoon of lectures, including a deeper look into Cook Islands history, culture, and society and an introduction to traditional uses and cultural practices related to the lagoon and ocean.
Dinner:
Hop on a bus to explore the famous Muri Night Market, a bustling open-air market located adjacent to Muri Beach with vendors serving traditional and modern specialty foods, from fresh local seafood pasta to rukau stewed taro leaves and root. Dinner will be on your own to choose from the options available at the market.
Evening:
Evening at leisure.
Activity Note
This active morning includes hands-on learning. Weather and other conditions permitting, you may have the opportunity to enter a wetland taro patch (requires a large step down into the terraces, knee-height mud). There will be uneven ground. Please note that plans may change based on local weather conditions.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at leisure at the hotel.
Morning:
Set out for a visit to a not-for-profit organization supporting cultural education of Rarotonga's youth. Get muddy in a taro patch, learning hands on about this staple food of the Pacific, or observe from the sides. Later, rinse off and put the knowledge gained from the previous afternoon's class into practice on a field experience at the lagoon. Jump in to a hands-on learning about traditional fishing or coral reef conservation efforts. Please note that plans may change based on local weather conditions.
Lunch:
Picnic style bagged during the field trip.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon, we will sit down for a class on Cook Islands artisanal crafts. Led by local cultural practitioners, this workshop aims to give participants deeper knowledge of one of many living cultural arts of the Cook Islands.
Dinner:
Dinner will be on your own this evening.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
The day includes a two-hour walk over uneven surfaces in the lush Takitumu Conservation Area, and after lunch break, another 1.5 hour walk over lawn exploring archaeological remains of ancient Rarotonga. There is an option to do a short, 15-minute hike up a quite steep hill to view additional archaeological sites, and a educational center where those who choose not to hike can sit.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Depart on the bus for a 20-minute drive to the Takitumu Conservation Area. Explore the lush green valley and learn about the Cook Islands' native plants and animals, including the Kakerori, an endemic bird species that has been successfully brought back from endangerment.
Lunch:
Picnic lunch during our field trip.
Afternoon:
Walk around this large historic inland village site abounding with cultural artifacts including a marae, an ancient compass stone, the remains of the village, a cultural museum, and more, as local cultural guide presents on the ancient Ariki chiefly system of governance. This is mostly flat, but there is an option to take a short, steep hike to see the ancient compass stone.
Dinner:
Dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
Wrap up the day with a class on the contemporary issues communities face in the Cook Islands.
Activity Note
Embarking and disembarking from the airplane requires passengers to use a flight of stairs. Passengers are required to handle their own carry-on luggage on the stairs. Visitors may need to get on and off the boat multiple times during the lagoon tour. There may also be opportunities to snorkel, either from shore or the boat, which would require the strength to lift yourself out of the water using a short ladder.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Take your overnight bag and depart on the bus for a five minute drive to the Rarotonga Airport. Board a 50-minute flight to the island-atoll of Aitutaki and board a boat for a full day cruise over turquoise lagoon waters, landing briefly to tour motu islets that dot the perimeter of the lagoon, and jumping into the water if you wish.
Lunch:
Enjoy lunch on board or on one of the many motu islets circling the lagoon.
Afternoon:
Late afternoon, disembark from the lagoon vessel and hop on the bus for a short transfer to your Aitutaki accommodations where you can check in, freshen up from the day, explore the area on bicycle or enjoy sunset before dinner.
Dinner:
Enjoy a classic Aitutaki Island Night. Start with a traditional dinner, then experience Cook Islands music, dance, fire dancing and more. Cocktails are available for purchase.
Evening:
Evening at leisure. Stargaze from the beach or retire early to maximize your morning.
Activity Note
Embarking and disembarking from the airplane requires passengers to use a flight of stairs. Passengers are required to handle their own carry-on luggage on the stairs. The afternoon's field trip takes us into an agricultural valley, an hour walking over uneven surfaces. Preparation for the traditional underground oven umu dinner may involve repeatedly bending over to harvest vegetables or place food in the oven.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
The morning is at leisure to enjoy Aitutaki before departure. Consider kayaking or snorkeling in the lagoon, relaxing in the spa, or biking the nearby area. Late morning we will check out of the hotel and head to the airport for the flight back to Rarotonga.
Lunch:
After landing in Rarotonga we will have a lite picnic style lunch.
Afternoon:
Discover the history and lifestyles of the Rarotongan valley uplands with a local non-profit. An short mountain hike takes participants through agricultural sites with terraced wetland taro, banana groves, and other crucial plants. Try your hand at rangaranga coconut leaf weaving and gather ingredients for a traditional umu underground oven-cooked dinner.
Dinner:
Celebrate the fruits of your labor with a modest umukai dinner party.
Evening:
After dinner, return to the hotel. Remainder of the evening at leisure.
Activity Note
Interacting with children during school visit may involve bending down. Prolonged standing in one place during Voyaging Class.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Depart on bus for to visit a local school. Learn about the education system, how schools incorporate language and culture into curriculum, and the challenges of running a school and raising youth in the middle of the Pacific. We will return to the hotel before lunch.
Lunch:
Enjoy lunch on your own at the hotelor a number of restaurants within walking distance.
Afternoon:
Late afternoon, we will have a class with the Cook Islands Voyaging Society, where you will learn about traditional navigation, canoe building, and oceanic voyaging. Before dinner, reflect on all we have learned in the Cook Islands and French Polynesia with a Program Wrap Up class.
Dinner:
At the hotel retaurant.
Evening:
Enjoy the evening at leisure. Pack your bags and prepare for a transit day back to Tahiti, and then the US tomorrow.
Activity Note
Embarking and disembarking from the airplane requires passengers to use a flight of stairs. Passengers are required to handle their own carry-on luggage on the stairs.
Breakfast:
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning:
Check out of your rooms and board the bus to Punanga Nui Market, where you'll have one last change to pick up souvenirs and grab lunch (please note that liquids will be subject to airport security regulations). After the market, board the bus again to the Faa'a Airport to check in for the flight to Tahiti. Enjoy your lunch and repack your souvenirs as needed as you wait.
Lunch:
Lunch is on own. Enjoy something you picked up from the market at the airport or on your flight.
Afternoon:
Arrive at Faa'a Airport in Tahiti in the late afternoon. Board a bus to a restaurant for farewell dinner.
Dinner:
Early farewell dinner at a local restaurant before heading to the airport.
Evening:
Check in at the Faa'a Airport for your evening flight back to the US.
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