Kingdom of Tonga and Vanuatu
31 August - 14 September / 13 - 30 September, 2019
Diving with humpback whales, Ha'apai island
Active volcanoes climbing
Active volcanoes climbing
Time to shake dust off you wetsuit – TeamTrip is heading to the Kingdom of Tonga and you're more than welcome to join us for the adventure! This small archipelago hidden in the Pacific Ocean is one of the few tropical corners on the planet that has preserved its identity since the time of the great seafarers. Tonga is world-renowned for humpback whales that travel there all the way from Antarctica to give birth and bring up their calves. Tonga is believed to be one of the best places in the world for snorkeling with whales. The whales there are friendly and curious, so snorkelers have plenty of great opportunities to see them up close. The сalves are playful and often come close to have some fun time with snorkelers.
Before the main program starts you can sign up for the additional Vanuatu program! We'll climb Mount Yasur – one of the most active volcanoes in the world, hike to the active volcanic cones Benbow and Marum at night to see lava splashing against rock and cruise around the local bays in boats in finding dugongs and taking a swim in crystal clear ocean now and then.
If you're in for some more adventure after the main program is over all the adrenaline addicts will get a chance to put their courage to test as we have added an option of no cage Fiji shark diving to the program! Shark species to meet: blacktip reef shark, whitetip reef shark, gray reef shark, nurse shark and the stars of the show - bull sharks!
Join us to make it the experience of a lifetime!
Itinerary
Group 1
Group 1
31 August - 14 September, 2019
Day 1
Arrival to Port Vila (capital of Vanuatu). Transfer. Check in to a hotel. Free time.
Day 2
Air transfer to Tanna island. Check in to a hotel. Free time. Setting of to Mount Yasur in the evening. Watching lava flow, bubble and spit in the crater. Lava is best to be observed at dawn and/or dusk.
Days 3
Air transfer back to Port Vila. Observing dugongs, snorkeling. Free time. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 4
Air transfer to Ambrym island. Guided jeep transfer through the jungle to a local village. Welcoming ceremony, lunch. Exploring the village. Swimming and sunbathing on the beach with black volcanic sand. Overnight stay in lodges and tents.
Days 5
Jeep transfer through the jungle to the starting point of the trek (1 hour). Trekking to the campsite through the jungle observing palms, lianas and giant ferns. Lunch at the campsite. Trekking to the Benbow volcanic cone (1.5 hour), observing lava in the crater both during the daytime and after the sunset. Return to the campsite at night. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 6
Breakfast. Trekking to the Marum volcanic cone (1.5 hour). Observing the area and the crater during the daytime. Return to the campsite for lunch. Trekking back to the Marum cone to watch lava in the dark. Overnight stay at the campsite.
Day 7
Breakfast. Trekking to one of the cones in the morning. Lunch. Transfer to the village. Overnight stay in lodges.
Day 8
Transfer to the airport. Air transfer to Port Vila. Free time, snorkeling. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 9
Transfer to the airport. Air transfer to Port Vila. Free time, snorkeling. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 10
Arrival to the capital of Tonga (Tongatapu). Check in to a hotel (not included in the cost). Free time.
Day 11
Air transfer to Ha'Apai island. Transfer to the port (20 mins). Looking for whale sightings and swimming with them on our way to the island our hotel is located on. Check in to the hotel. Free time after 4pm.
Days 12-14
Early morning yoga sessions in the morning (optional, 7.30am). Early breakfast (8.15am) with grains, fruit, eggs and pancakes. Looking for whale sightings on board of Triumph boat and swimming with them. Lunch (1pm). Candle-lit dinner (7pm).
NOTE: Swimming with whales in groups exceeding 4 people (apart from the guide) is prohibited by local authorities to we'll have to split into smaller groups for the diving.
NOTE: The eco hotel we'll be staying at turns off the internet and electricity during the night, so you'll need to think through when you'll be charging your phones and cameras. You can do it before dinner or leave your equipment to get charged while we're away at the ocean.
NOTE: Swimming with whales in groups exceeding 4 people (apart from the guide) is prohibited by local authorities to we'll have to split into smaller groups for the diving.
NOTE: The eco hotel we'll be staying at turns off the internet and electricity during the night, so you'll need to think through when you'll be charging your phones and cameras. You can do it before dinner or leave your equipment to get charged while we're away at the ocean.
Day 15
Fulfilling the social mission of our trip – teaching local children to swim with masks and fins! Transfer to Tongatapu.
INTERESTING FACT: Despite living so close to the ocean a lot of locals can't swim, so Team Trip figured that it's time to add our tours a bit of social significance, too, by designating one day of the trip for teaching local children to swim!
INTERESTING FACT: Despite living so close to the ocean a lot of locals can't swim, so Team Trip figured that it's time to add our tours a bit of social significance, too, by designating one day of the trip for teaching local children to swim!
Day 16
Departure home OR continuation of the trip with our additional Fiji program.
Itinerary
Group 2
Group 2
13 - 30 September, 2019
Day 1
Arrival to the capital of Tonga (Tongatapu). Check in to a hotel (not included in the cost). Free time.
Day 2
Air transfer to Ha'Apai island. Transfer to the port (20 mins). Looking for whale sightings and swimming with them on our way to the island our hotel is located on. Check in to the hotel. Free time after 4pm.
Day 3
Heading to a catholic church with locals to observe the mass and listen to the singing. Lunch. Walking around the jungle exploring ancient pyramids and munching on coconuts in a bit unusual way.
INTERESTING FACT: Sunday is officially a day off in Tonga and nobody actually works during the day.
INTERESTING FACT: Sunday is officially a day off in Tonga and nobody actually works during the day.
Days 4-7
Early morning yoga sessions in the morning (optional, 7.30am). Early breakfast (8.15am) with grains, fruit, eggs and pancakes. Looking for whale sightings on board of Triumph boat and swimming with them. Lunch (1pm). Candle-lit dinner (7pm).
NOTE: Swimming with whales in groups exceeding 4 people (apart from the guide) is prohibited by local authorities to we'll have to split into smaller groups for the diving.
NOTE: The eco hotel we'll be staying at turns off the internet and electricity during the night, so you'll need to think through when you'll be charging your phones and cameras. You can do it before dinner or leave your equipment to get charged while we're away at the ocean.
NOTE: Swimming with whales in groups exceeding 4 people (apart from the guide) is prohibited by local authorities to we'll have to split into smaller groups for the diving.
NOTE: The eco hotel we'll be staying at turns off the internet and electricity during the night, so you'll need to think through when you'll be charging your phones and cameras. You can do it before dinner or leave your equipment to get charged while we're away at the ocean.
Day 8
Fulfilling the social mission of our trip – teaching local children to swim with masks and fins! Transfer to Tongatapu.
INTERESTING FACT: Despite living so close to the ocean a lot of locals can't swim, so Team Trip figured that it's time to add our tours a bit of social significance, too, by designating one day of the trip for teaching local children to swim!
INTERESTING FACT: Despite living so close to the ocean a lot of locals can't swim, so Team Trip figured that it's time to add our tours a bit of social significance, too, by designating one day of the trip for teaching local children to swim!
Day 9
Arrival to Port Vila (capital of Vanuatu). Transfer. Check in to a hotel. Free time.
Day 10
Air transfer to Tanna island. Check in to a hotel. Free time. Setting of to Mount Yasur in the evening. Watching lava flow, bubble and spit in the crater. Lava is best to be observed at dawn and/or dusk.
Day 11
Air transfer back to Port Vila. Observing dugongs, snorkeling. Free time. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 12
Air transfer to Ambrym island. Guided jeep transfer through the jungle to a local village. Welcoming ceremony, lunch. Exploring the village. Swimming and sunbathing on the beach with black volcanic sand. Overnight stay in lodges and tents.
Day 13
Jeep transfer through the jungle to the starting point of the trek (1 hour). Trekking to the campsite through the jungle observing palms, lianas and giant ferns. Lunch at the campsite. Trekking to the Benbow volcanic cone (1.5 hour), observing lava in the crater both during the daytime and after the sunset. Return to the campsite at night. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 14
Breakfast. Trekking to the Marum volcanic cone (1.5 hour). Observing the area and the crater during the daytime. Return to the campsite for lunch. Trekking back to the Marum cone to watch lava in the dark. Overnight stay at the campsite.
Day 15
Breakfast. Trekking to one of the cones in the morning. Lunch. Transfer to the village. Overnight stay in lodges.
Day 16
Air transfer back to Port Vila. Observing dugongs, snorkeling. Free time. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 17
Air transfer back to Port Vila. Observing dugongs, snorkeling. Free time. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 18
Departure.
Cost:
- Tonga + Vanuatu full - 5600 EUR per person;
- 10 days with whales - 6300 EUR per person (available for both groups);
- Tonga only – from 3200 EUR per person (available for the 1st group only);
Vanuatu only – 2200 EUR per person.
Custom shortened programs are also available upon request.
- Tonga + Vanuatu full - 5600 EUR per person;
- 10 days with whales - 6300 EUR per person (available for both groups);
- Tonga only – from 3200 EUR per person (available for the 1st group only);
Vanuatu only – 2200 EUR per person.
Custom shortened programs are also available upon request.
- Included:
- accommodation on the island (double rooms);
- meals at the hotel (breakfasts, dinners);
- all transfers according to the itinerary;
- lunches while out in the ocean or exploring smaller islands;
- boat rental fees for close approach to the whales;
- freediving and swimming with whales;
- freediving and guiding services;
- yoga classes (optional);
- basic guided tour around the island.
- Not included:
- airfares
- air transfer to Ha'Apai island;
- diving and snorkeling gear (wetsuits, flippers, masks, tubes are available for rent);
- health insurance.
Additional information about country
- The Kingdom Of Tonga
- Air and water temperature about 23C
- Currency: Tongan paʻanga (TOP)
- Wall connectors: type I (photo), 240V
- Vanuatu
- Air and water temperature about 26C
- Currency: Tongan paʻanga (TOP)
- Wall connectors: type I (photo), 240V
- To-pack list
- sun screen;
- hat;
- light trekking boots;
- sleeping bag, mat, small pillow;
- waterproof tent;
- thermal underwear;
- head lamp;
- camera;
- fins, mask, snorkel, wetsuit 3mm or 5mm;
- insect repellent.
Option: Fiji world-class shark diving
- Includedairport transfer; accommodation at The Pearl South Pacific hotel (4 nights, double rooms, garden view); breakfasts; guided shark diving; all taxes; tanks and weights; park fee.
- Dates: September 6-9, 2019Price: 1200 euro per person
- Additional expences
- plane ticket to Fiji;
- equipment rental fees (about 20 euro per day);
- single accommodation (extra 200 euro per person);
- reef diving (optional, 200 euro per day);
- national reserve entrance fee (about euro per day).
Tour Leaders
It's easy to book with us!
The process of booking becomes easy with Whale Watching Russia.
- 1Contact usHowever you like: phone or WhatsApp +79163114469, email info@whale-expeditions.com, using Facebook or fill the application form below
- 2We will call you backOr write a message. We will answer all your questions, explain all the details and discuss your personal wishes
- 3Deposit paymentWhen you are ready to book expedition, we would ask you to pay the deposit, usually it's 50% of the price. You can pay the rest later, the last payment day is 60 days before expedition start.
- 4Done!You got your space on the trip, it's time to buy plane tickets! By the way, we can help you with tickets and visas if needed.
Book expedition!
Contacts
+7 999 721 01 84
info@whale-expeditions.com
info@whale-expeditions.com
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