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Outer Cook Islands

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Outer Cook Islands

Mangaia, Mitiaro, Atiu, Aitutaki  plus 3 nights in Rarotonga

This tour is escorted by a Rarotonga resident, passionate about nature, the ocean and showing off hidden gems located in the “Cooks.” This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the local culture and explore four distinct and rarely visited islands of the Cook Islands Southern Group. 

These islands have been pushed up from the sea floor by volcanic activity and are surrounded by ‘Makatea’ that were previously coral beds that now form the cliff faces of the islands.  Conversely, Aitutaki is surrounded by a stunning lagoon, sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. Tours with local guides are included on each island. 

Your travel itinerary

Thursday 22 May

Auckland – Rarotonga

A morning departure on Air New Zealand, cross the dateline to arrive on the previous day.

 

Wednesday 21 May

Rarotonga

Dinner iconDinner

Arrive mid afternoon where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodaton at the Sunset Resort for three nights. Sunset cocktails and a welcome dinner tonight.

Thursday 22 May

Rarotonga

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch

This morning an orientation tour of the island. Balance of the day free to relax/shop/explore. This evening, visit Te Vara Nui Village for a spectaular over-water show and buffet dinner – the most authentic show and experience on the island.

Friday 23 May

Rarotonga

Breakfast iconBreakfast Dinner iconDinner

After a leisurely breakfast, we set off for our glass bottom boat cruise around the lagoon, entertained all the way by crew singing and playing their ukeleles. Plenty of time to snorkel and swim with the tropical fish followed by a delicious fresh fish BBQ lunch. 

Saturday 24 May

Rarotonga – Mangaia

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Mangaia. On arrival, transfer to your guesthouse for the next two nights. Mangaia is the oldest island in the Pacific-18 million years old! It is the most southerly island, far from the beaten track, rising 4760m from the ocean floor.

Sunday 25 May

Mangaia

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Discover the island’s dramatic natural beauty on your island tour.  The outer islands take their religion seriously so you will be invited to church. 

Monday 26 May

Mangaia - Mitiaro

Breakfast iconBreakfast Dinner iconDinner

We fly to Mitiaro today. Harbouring some of the most stunning subterranean limestone caves and pools to be found in the Pacific, Mitiaro is a natural playground featuring white sandy beaches, fossilised coral formations and coconut palms reaching high into a strikingly blue sky.

 

Tuesday 27 May

Mitiaro

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Today enjoy a tour of the island and afterwards enjoy a swim at Vai Nauri, a deep clear lake that is said to have healing powers and is a definite must-do experience.

Wednesday 28 May

Mitiaro - Atiu

Breakfast iconBreakfast Dinner iconDinner

Our flight today takes us to Atiu. On arrival, transfer to your bungalow accommodation and enjoy valley views from your private verandah. Aitu is known for its limestone caves along the coast and rich soils in the centre. 

Thursday 29 May

Aitu

Breakfast iconBreakfast Dinner iconDinner

This morning’s tour includes bird watching and visiting the cave to see tiny Kopeka birds that use sonar to navigate the dark. See where the Aitu coffee is grown and view Tivaevae, the Cook Islands appliqué work.

Friday 30 May

Atiu - Aitutaki

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch

This morning fly to world renowned Aitutaki lagoon. Accommodation is at Aitutaki Village Villas - set a few steps from the sandy lagoon. Later in the day we explore Aitutaki on an island tour.

Saturday 31 May

Aitutaki

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Today is “Lagoon Cruise Day’. Walk across the road to your boat! Cruise the lagoon - visit several motu (islands.) On One Foot Island, stop for lunch of BBQ fish, salads and fruit with time for a swim and snorkel in the warm waters.

Sunday 01 June

Aitutaki - Rarotonga - Auckland

Breakfast iconBreakfast

Farewell the Outer Cooks today with a flight back to Rarotonga and connect to your return Air New Zealand flight home. 

 

Monday 02 June

Arrive Auckland early evening.

Inclusions

• Return air travel * The Works on Air New Zealand Auckland/ Rarotonga

• Three nights accommodation in Rarotonga

• Eight nights accommodation on four islands of the Southern Cook Islands group. Best available - shared facilities

• Breakfast in Rarotonga

• Other meals as specified

• Island tour Rarotonga

• Lagoon cruise

• Flights, transfers and touring on the outer islands

• Travelling with you will be a Rarotonga resident who will escort and coordinate the tour. 

• Group size 10 people maximum 

Cost

Cost Per Person * 

Auckland - Auckland		Twin ShareSingle 
  $ 9,645  $ 8,497
Premium Economy Class Upgrade P.O.A

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

• Items of a personal nature

• Travel Insurance (please ask us for a quote)

• Airline and airport taxes (approx $150)

• Meals not specified

Booking Conditions

• A deposit of $500 per person will secure a place on the tour

• Full payment is due no later than 21 March 2025

Cancellations

• From the date of booking to– loss of deposit

• After 21 March 2025– no refund

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is essential. Please feel free to contact us for a quote.

General Information

Climate

• Temperatures are a very pleasant with a high of 25 and low of 21

• The outer islands will be very similar

Currency

• The New Zealand Dollar – ATMs available

   on Rarotonga. Cash on all other islands. 

Documentation 

• A current passport is required, valid six months beyond date of travel

• No visa is required for NZ passport holders

• All other passport holders please ask 

Health and Mobility

• On this tour it is essential that you have a reasonable level of fitness and you must be able to comfortably walk up to a kilometere at a reasonable pace.

• Passengers or their travelling companion must be able to handle all their own luggage.

• While taking a walking stick is not discouraged Pukekohe Travel must be advised before departure that you intend to travel with one.

• Our escorts are there to co-ordinate and facilitate the daily details which includes any changes that are needed due to unexpected or unusal circumstance, eg  delays, weather, cancellations or illness.

 

The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is a nation in the South Pacific, with political links to New Zealand. Its 15 islands are scattered over a vast area. The largest island, Rarotonga, is home to rugged mountains and Avarua, the national capital. To the north the islands are atolls with a lagoon encircled by coral reefs and small, sandy islets. The country is renowned for its many snorkelling and scuba-diving sites. Most of the southern group are called makatea they have been pushed up from the seabed and their once coral shores are now their cliff faces.

 

Terms and Conditions

For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.


Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change

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