Vanuatu Expedition: Land Diving Festival
Vanuatu Expedition: Land Diving Festival
5 Days Starting and ending in Port Vila
Visiting: Port Vila, Pentecost , Pentecost - Pango Peninsula - Port Vila
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TESL
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 7
Physical rating:
Medium, Medium
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$2364
$2128 (USD)
Operator discount: -$236
Tour Overview
Uncover raw beauty and vibrant culture on the tiny islands of Vanuatu on this five-day expedition that takes in the legendary land diving ritual of Pentecost island's Indigenous people. Leave behind the resorts of Port Vila and fly to rainforest-rich islands where you can meet locals, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy true adventure travel. Be amazed by the naghol festival, the original bungee jumping, which has been called ‘the most remarkable custom in all of Melanesia’, and get an insight that few visitors receive. This is Vanuatu like never seen before.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Port Vila
Location: Port Vila
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. Your adventure begins today with a welcome meeting at 5 pm at your accommodation. There are no other activities planned for the day. If you arrive with time to spare before the welcome meeting, the heart of the city and the waterfront promenade are just a short walk from the hotel.
Optional Activities:
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Day 2: Pentecost
Location: Pentecost
Accommodation: Village Bungalow
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Start the day early to catch a flight to Lonorore on Pentecost island, where you will have the chance to witness and understand the cultural practices of the land-diving Indigenous people, as well as explore the remote South Pentecost region. Transfer straight to the land diving tower to see the heart-stopping naghol ceremony. You’ll be amazed at what Lonely Planet has described as ‘the most remarkable custom in all of Melanesia’. Watch the jumpers haul themselves off the platforms as part of a ritual that functions as a coming-of-age for young men, a blessing of the earth for upcoming harvests, and a nod to an age-old Pentecost legend. Afterwards, when day trip visitors board their vehicles to head back to the airport, you will make your way to a nearby coastal village for the chance to meet your local hosts and enjoy a traditional lunch. Spend the afternoon exploring the village, when you’ll have the opportunity to meet and talk to some of the men who dived from the tower in the morning. As the sun sets across the ocean, your hosts will prepare a traditional kava ceremony to formally welcome you to the village.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Pentecost
Location: Pentecost
Accommodation: Village Bungalow
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Today you’ll explore the natural beauty of the region through a half-day hike through rainforest and villages or along the beach - another chance to meet and connect with the communities who call this special place home. End the day swimming and relaxing at the beautiful beaches. Your beach bungalow accommodation is the perfect way to soak up the island paradise vibes.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Pentecost - Pango Peninsula - Port Vila
Location: Pentecost - Pango Peninsula - Port Vila
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
This morning your new land diving friends will take you for a paddle in a traditional outrigger canoe, before an early afternoon transfer to the airport for the charter flight back to Port Vila. On arrival, drive 15 minutes to the Pango Peninsula for an easy walk along the coast and bays to a special snorkelling spot, where you can get acquainted with the underwater world and enjoy spectacular coral gardens as your final included activity of the trip.
Enjoy your last Vanuatu sunset over an optional final night dinner tonight.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Port Vila
Location: Port Vila
Meals Included: breaksfast
After an included breakfast, you will head out snorkelling if you were not able to do it yesterday. Your Vanuatu experience then concludes today on return back to Port Vila, after which you are free to depart at any time.
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Transport
Private vehicle, Plane
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Fully Guided
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Pentecost - Naghol (Land Diving) Ceremony
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Pentecost - Traditional kava welcome ceremony
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Pentecost - Half-day island hike
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Pentecost - Traditional outrigger canoe ride
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Pango Peninsula - Snorkelling
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Transport
- FLIGHTS
- Due to frequent flight delays and cancellations on Air Vanuatu, we highly recommend allowing additional days in Port Vila before and after your tour and considering flying Virgin or Fiji Airways.
- Our trips include scheduled flights between islands. In the case of flight cancellations, we will do our best to reschedule and rebook an alternative option if available, however please be prepared that on occasion due to limited aircraft, a charter flight may need to be booked instead, with the additional cost to be covered by the traveller and paid on ground locally.
Accommodation
- Hotel (2 nights), Village Bungalow (2 nights)
Important Information
- 1. This trip starts in Port Vila on Day 1 at 5pm. You must arrive by this time as our flight to Pentecost departs early morning of Day 2.
- 2. This trip finishes in Port Vila on Day 5 by mid afternoon
- 2. A single supplement is available for the nights spent in Port Vila if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. It excludes Days 2-3 where you will be in shared village bungalow accommodation.
- 3. You must provide us with a copy of your passport no later than 30 days before your departure in order for us to book the domestic flights included on this trip. We are unable to book your flights without a passport copy.
- 4. Due to frequent flight delays, we highly recommend allowing additional days in Port Vila before and after your tour and to considering flying Virgin or Fiji Airways for international connections.
- 5. Due to restrictions on our charter flight from Pentecost to Port Vila, we require the weight of all travellers at time of booking.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 15 years old or above
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
This trip will raise your heart rate. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes, Port Vila to Pentecost Pentecost to Port Vila
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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What is the maximum group size?
12 people
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Is this trip right for you
This trip gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in an authentic island community and experience the culture and traditions. It's a fascinating insight into South Pacific culture and a world away from your typical resort holiday.
The people on the Pentecost welcome tourists and are forgiving of inadvertent cultural transgressions. Even so, it is inappropriate for women to wear bikinis or skimpy clothing. Women should wear knee-length dresses or skirts with modest tops when visiting. T-shirts and board shorts make good ‘island-style’ swimwear as an option to bikinis.
Pentecost is a remote island with little infrastructure and very undeveloped villages. Your accommodation on Pentecost is in traditional bamboo bungalows. These have standard beds with mosquito nets and bathroom facilities, but showers are cold water only. Your meals on these islands will be home-cooked with love by the village mamas using fresh, organic produce from the gardens and the sea. -
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Dates & Availability
Friday - Tuesday
May 17, 2024 - May 21, 2024Friday - Tuesday
Jun 14, 2024 - Jun 18, 2024Friday - Tuesday
Apr 25, 2025 - Apr 29, 2025Friday - Tuesday
Jun 13, 2025 - Jun 17, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details. -
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