Hiva Oa’s jungles hold secrets, including ancient, massive stone tiki carvings and petroglyphs whose true meaning has never definitively been explained. If you enjoy exploring, this is the place.
Discover the ancient tribes of the Taaoa Valley during an unforgettable off-road expedition on the Atuona to Taaoa excursion. Te island’s rich history plays out before you as you visit beautifully preserved dwellings, ceremonial sites, and sacred archaeological ruins. You will come face to face with enormous tiki, sacrificial altar stones, and thousand-year- old relics, among the most significant in the Marquesas.
Tahuata Te name means “sunrise” in Marquesan, so it’s no wonder this tiny, 19-square-mile island presents a lovely vision of untouched South Pacific beauty. And what could be friendlier than that? Tahuata is the smallest of the inhabited islands on the Marquesas archipelago, and because it has only 600 residents, you’ll immediately feel welcomed by the locals (and quite possibly by a pod of dolphins, who love to play in the area).
You’ll arrive via the quaint village of Hapatoni, where an open-air market presents a wealth of locally made handicrafts. No self-respecting South Seas traveler returns home without a carved tiki or a few pieces of hand-crafted jewelry. You’ll find beautiful specimens here.
It is believed that Tahuata was inhabited by Polynesians as early as 200 A.D. Te island is rich with archaeological sites to be explored— and the ancient royal walkway with its floral- scented air is an enchanting setting for a stroll.
Discover the charm of the Hapatoni wilderness accompanied by Te Gauguin’s onboard anthropology and archaeology expert on the Hapatoni Discovery excursion. Your all-terrain vehicle trek takes you to the villages of Hapatoni and Vaitahu, where you will learn about the lifestyle and culture of the island. You’ll also visit the ancient church en route to a spectacular scenic lookout encompassing regal mountain peaks piercing the brilliant blue sky.
Nuku Hiva Be prepared to have your breath taken away. It will be promptly returned after that initial gasp at the beauty of Nuku Hiva.
Te largest of the Marquesas Islands, Nuku Hiva is renowned for its wild terrain. Rugged cliffs nose-dive into the ocean. A carpet of green jungle creeps from the water’s edge, reaching upward. Shadows dance on the shoreline, and knifelike peaks disappear behind a scrim of clouds. Te island’s bay is ideal for sailing and deep-sea fishing. On land, Nuku Hiva’s spectacular beauty is yours to discover during the off-road excursion Visit of Taipivai Valley, which will lead you through hidden valleys to truly stunning bay views. No one will ever accuse you of having no sense of adventure.
At Sea Next up: two blissful days at sea as you approach the stunning final leg of this journey. You hardly need to be reminded, but don’t forget this is all about you. You’re on vacation, which means indulgence is mandatory. Whether that means a spa appointment, ordering two (or who’s counting? Go for three!) desserts, or simply lounging the day away, you’re allowed.
Huahine Any way you look at it— from the air, from the sea, above or below the water—Huahine is a stunner. On today’s menu: lavish jungle, stately palms, warm sands, and a lagoon with a surface like glass.
To visit this island is to step back in time. Walk among French Polynesia’s largest and best-preserved and restored archaeological sites, including more than 200 centuries-old dwellings, sacred relics, and ancient artifacts. Te pace on Huahine is relaxed. Life is uncomplicated, and smiles come easily.
You’ll have plenty of time to experience the island and stir up a little adventure, or kick your shoes off, get some sand between your toes, and take in the calm.
Bora Bora As long as you live, wherever you go, nothing will compare with awakening aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin as Bora Bora approaches in all its magnificence. Breakfast on your balcony or on deck is a must. Tis has to be one of the South Pacific’s most decadent views. Join your fellow passengers on deck and start snapping some pictures to post, tagged #nofilter. Be ready for responses like, “Yeah, right.” For the uninitiated, this level of beauty just cannot be real—but it is.
Taha’a [Motu Mahana] Forget your troubles, deadlines, and responsibilities on this gentle little island that will steal your heart and tingle your senses. Taha’a’s sweet, vanilla-scented air will stay with you like your first kiss, and its beauty will be forever imprinted in your mind.
If you made it your quest on this voyage to find your perfect beach, you may discover it here at Motu Mahana. Pack your snorkel gear for some lagoon exploration, choose your favorite chaise lounge, and spend the day in your own private slice of paradise.
Moorea It seems like you could walk for miles in Moorea’s waist-deep lagoon, with the soft sand beneath your feet, the kiss of the sun on your shoulders. Like the finest uncut lead crystal, the warm water has such clarity, it’s almost as if it isn’t there. Take a spin in a glass-bottom boat, snorkel, swim, or just float—and you will have the sensation of weightlessness. Looking landward, this magical lagoon is met by a carpet of jungle, which surrenders to the fractured shell of a once-mighty volcano. Everywhere you look is exceedingly beautiful.
Papeete, Tahiti And so you reach the conclusion of this chapter of your epic autobiography. Certainly, another chapter further on will begin with the words, “When we returned to The Gauguin for another voyage, we were welcomed like old friends, as if we had never been away.”
Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands
Roundtrip Papeete, Tahiti 14 NIGHTS
from $6,460-$26,550* per person *See page 59 for Terms & Conditions Paul Gauguin Cruises |
pgcruises.com 37
2022 SAILING DATES:
April 9; May 21; July 30; November 19; December 3 2023 SAILING DATES:
April 1; August 12; September 30; November 18; December 16, 30
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