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Tour type: Expedition: active volcanoes - nature & culture - adventure
Difficulty: Moderate
Group size: 4-8
Duration: 11 days

Dates:

no scheduled dates at present

Price (per person): 3150 € $£¥

Included:

• Experienced geologist guide from the VolcanoDiscovery team
• 2 teams of guides and porters
• 1 porter per person for own gear (in addition to porters for the camp); additional porters can be arranged at extra cost
• Experienced cooks and camp hands
• All accommodation as specified in family-run guesthouses (double occupancy) (4 nights), camp inside the caldera (3 nights) and in a nice hotel on Efate (1 night)
• Camp kitchen equipment
• Activities and excursions as per program
• Full board including drinking water, tea & coffee, fresh juices
• Safety equipment (static rope, ascenders and accessories) for the optional abseiling descend into Benbow crater
• All entry fees and village right fees
• All transfers by land and sea on Ambrym and Efate
• Domestic return flight Port Vila - Ambrym (charter flights available at surcharge)

Tour guide:

The expedition will be accompanied by VolcanoDiscovery team volcanologist Yashmin Chebli. Yashmin is trained geologist with a university Master's degree and member of SGF (Société Géologique de France). He has been working as tour guide and expedition leader to actives volcanoes, volcano photographer and consultant for more than 30 years. His areas of expertise include the active volcanoes in Italy, Vanuatu, the Hawaiian Islands, Guatemala, RD of Congo, Tanzania, Costa Rica and others. Besides his mother tongue French, Yashmin speaks several languages including English, Italian, and Spanish.
Website: www.vanuatu-expedition.com (photos) and Youtube channel!

You will be picked up at the airport, either by us or by our appointed transport.
Transport to Port Vila and check into Hotel Vanuatu Holiday (www.vanuatuholidayhotel.com), a clean hotel close to the city centre, situated in lush tropical garden with swimming pool. Free afternoon, possibility to buy snacks for Ambrym at the supermarkets in Port Vila (5min walk from the hotel, western food choices, like muesli bars, dried fruits…). Meeting at 18.30h at the hotel reception for early dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Morning departure from Efate (Port Vila) to Ambrym (chartered plane) with scenic overfly to Lopevi volcano and the Ambrym caldera.
Meeting with the exceptional family of your guide and transfer to the village with a stop at the hot springs of Sesivi with a refreshment at the ocean shore. Welcome ceremony. Afternoon & evening to discover the village.

In the morning we drive from the village to the starting point of the hike. We climb to the base camp located into the caldera at 700 m altitude. During this hike (which takes 3h30 -4h00), we walk along an old lava flow and through a lush tropical forest to reach the platform of the caldera, where we make the base camp, have a picnic lunch with traditional food and start to hike to discover Marum volcano.
It takes about 2 hours of hiking through the Caldera to reach the foot of the volcano Marum. At that place we discover the beauty of geological sculptures shaped by previous eruptions, f. ex the stigmata of eruptive events of 2018 (new fractures, collapses, pit craters).
After that we ascend along the slopes of the Marum volcano to explore the current activity.
Note! since December 2018, the incandescent activity of the lava lake is no longer permanent but the extraordinary volcanic landscape remains unique!

Today we explore the crater of Benbow. We hike to the west for 1h30 to reach the foot of the volcano. There we discovery multiple canyons and volcanic deposits, then we climb on the flank (aprox 1h) to reach the crater edge.
Descend (abseiling) into its crater is optional, if conditions permit (trained guides assist you with professional equipment). We return to the base camp in the evening.

We spend 2 more days in the Ambrym caldera to discover Marum and Benbow inside the large Ambrym caldera. We have a lot of photo / video opportunities.

With our local Ambrym team, we cross the entire caldera (apox. 4h), then we have a picnic lunch break, and go down (aprox. 2h30) on the other side of the island. We hike through unrivaled natural beauty, which allows us to experience the full splendor of the caldera. We stop at spectacular viewpoints and enjoy the almost surreal multicolored lunar landscape.
You get to the rim of the huge caldera from where we can admire for the last time, the volcanic cones Marum Liglar, Marum, Benbow and the lava fields of the last lava flows of 2018. The hike ends in the charming Endu village on the east coast, where we are greeted with a smile: a total immersion in a new world preserved from tourism awaits you!
A welcome ceremony and a wonderful local dinner are waiting for us.

We spend 2 full days to discover the traditional culture and life of the village Endu. We visit 2 schools in the village, contact with the teachers and the children. We watch a performance of an impressive custom dance in the tropical forest.
We discover the traditions of magic and local medicines, the preparation of the pig for the big ceremonies: the highest (and most delicious) of all local foods.
The women of the village show us how they manufacture mats and traditional clothes and other goods. we learn about the famous tradition - art of sand-drawing, a declared Unesco immaterial heritage. We enjoy rich and tasty buffets for lunch and dinner to the accompaniment of the local music.

Transfer by car for 2 hours from Endu to the Penapo village to discover one of the largest Banyan tree on the island. We explore ancient lava tunnels and have breathtaking views along the coastal volcanic beach of the offshore majestic Lopevi volcano, through Pandanus trees.
Local lunch, then transfer to ULEI airport. Return flight to Port Vila, then check in at your hotel.
During the rest of the afternoon you can relax at the hotel, stroll through the local market full of colors and scents of the islands with an incredible diversity of tropical fruits and vegetables; Or simply unload all the photo or movie files (SIM cards, Compact Flash, etc.) and charge the batteries of your devices.

Transfer to airport or own extension (recommended: 1-day tour on Efate).

Additional info:

Physical requirements:

The climb up to and down to the Ambrym caldera is strenuous and takes about 4 hours in often hot conditions, but the path is relatively easy and not excessively steep. Inside the caldera, the hikes from the base camp to the volcanoes take about 1-2 hours. Camping inside the caldera is adventurous, and will not offer much comfort, but the experience will be rewarding! No special skills are required to descent on the first terrace of Bembow volcano (-180m).

Arrival info:

This adventure starts and ends in Port Vila on Efate Island, Vanuatu's capital. The day of departure is depending on the domestic flight schedule of AirVanuatu (alternatively: charter flights). It is both a perfect stand-alone program if you only have limited time to visit Vanuatu and follow the priciple "less is more", or can be combined with visits to other islands, e.g. Tanna with active Yasur volcano - for example, our program "Yasur Volcano Adventure".

amazing Ambrym expedition

"Hi Tom

It has now been a few weeks since we've returned from our amazing Ambrym expedition.
I just want to let you know how much we enjoyed it. The small group in the expedition was diverse and everyone got on extremely well. While the trek up to base camp was an exhilarating climb, it was a pity that our hike up to Benbow was in complete rain. This nevertheless added to the thrill and it sure made up for the great weather we had for the trek to Benbow the following day.
Yashmin was a great expedition leader, very professional and answered with all my volcanology questions with a smile on his face. The locals guides, cooks and porters all looked after us well.

Cheers
Jesmond"

(Jesmond C. from Australia, on our Volcanoes of Ambrym expedition in September 2016)

AMBRYM WAS EPIC!!!!

"Hi there Tom,

First up - AMBRYM WAS EPIC!!!! Thanks so much for the opportunity Yasmin is a fantastic guide and what can I say about the crater lakes?
Unbelievable! Everyone has been absolutely raving about the photos I bought back-hopefully you'll get some business off the back of it, you guys deserve it."
(Kat S. from Brisbane, about the Vanuatu volcano expedition)

One of the best volcano trips you can ever think to do is this one." Volcanoes in the South Sea

"One of the best volcano trips you can ever think to do is this one. I went with Volcano Discovery in 2012 (http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/). First is the traverse of Ambrym Island and the overlook of the asonishing lava lake on Marum. Then the nightime visits to Tanna Island down south in the archipelago where Yasur volcano has a Strombolian eruption about 40 times an hour - plus shockwaves. And the Vanuatu people are some of the nicest anywhere.
(Richard Henley, Australia, about the Vanuatu Volcano tour)

... the most outstanding holiday of my entire life (Vanuatu Volcano Expedition).

"Hi Tom, ... , I was on the May Vanuatu expedition. I have to say that it was the most outstanding holiday of my entire life."...
"Tom, You're welcome to quote me by name, but I should add a bit more.
I've done several expedition tours with various outfits over the years,
and VolcanoDiscovery is clearly the best that I've encountered."
(Bruce V., Australia, about the Vanuatu Volcano Expedition).

Thank you for the wonderful trip to Vanuatu

"Dear Tom,
Thank you for the wonderful trip to Vanuatu. We enjoyed the challenging trekking and picturesque scenery very much.
Special thanks should go to our professional and charming guide Yashmin."
(Larissa, Russia, about the recent Volcanoes of the South Sea tour on Vanuatu)

the trip was superb and Yashmin did a wonderful job!

"Hello Tom: the trip was superb and Yashmin did a wonderful job! I came back fitter than before and looking forward to the next trip. Yashmin has convinced me to put Guatamala on the list!"
(Richard H., Australia, about the Vanuatu Volcano tour)

Your Vanuatu Volcano tour was a fantastic mix...

"Dear Yashmin and Tom

Thank you for a wonderful, awesome holiday.
Holidaying with volcanoes was Craig's wish holiday and it definitely lived up to his expectations.
...
Your Vanuatu Volcano tour was a fantastic mix of hard core volcanoes and cultural Vanuatu life. I really enjoyed the time we spent in Endu while we both found the volcanoes amazing.

Yashmin thank you for your quiet persistent handling of the Air Vanuatu troubles. I am going to email them some feedback, but this will probably not make much difference.

Thank you again. I am not sure if other volcano tours are in our future, but if they are are we will do them with you.
Shellie"
(Shellie B., Australia, about the recent Volcanoes of the South Sea Vanuatu volcano tour)

"I had a great trip recently to Vanuatu" Vanuatu Expedition

"
Just wanted to let you know I had a great trip recently to Vanuatu on your volcanoes in the south sea tour. After a few hiccups at the beginning Ulla and Basti were able to get things sorted and we set out on our adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, seeing the 2 things that I had always wanted to see......boiling lava and an exploding volcano! If Yasur was in my backyard I would love to watch it every night!
It also made a big difference to share the adventure with friendly, easy going people from around the world. Ulla and Basti were fantastic, very accommodating and nothing was ever too hard. This was my 2nd tour with volcano discovery, Volcanoes of Java being my first last year. I would recommend either of these trips to anyone who is seeking a volcano adventure."
Kristy W (Australia)

a cool trip in a really cool group - Vanuatu expedition

"Back home. It was a cool trip in a really cool group. Thanks to Ulla Lohmann and above all also Basti everything went smooth despite logistic challenges on location.
The experience of both gave us a great insight into the culture and people of Vanuatu. The video from this trip will this time be a professional one, as the SWR film team was with us. In November, you can see an impression from this tour on "Länder, Menschen,Abenteuer". Perhaps you'll see me in there as well."
(Alexander Günther, Hanover, Germany)

...What a genuinely life changing experience!... (Ambrym volcano tour)

"Wow Tom!
What a genuinely life changing experience! I'm speechless!!!
Yashmin and the guides were first class and I am forever grateful for dealing with such experienced people!
I want to go again! Thanking you
Tim J C." (Australia)

"Hi, I liked the Vanuatu trip, I think it was pretty professionally run and I would travel with Volcano Discovery again it's a good company and the people that travel on it are all nice..." (Antony, Australia about the Volcanoes in the South Sea expedition to Vanuatu)

Es war SUPER (Trip to Vanuatu)

"Hallo Tom,
kurze Naricht nach der Reise: es war SUPER!!!!!
...bien cordialement
Gilles" (Sarregueminnes)

Feuerberge der Südsee - Rückmeldung

"So urteilte ein Kunde über die 14 tägige Reise, welche als Expedition ausgewiesen wurde.

Das Reiseprospekt informierte im Voraus hervorragend über die zu erwartende Erlebnisse.
Die Durchführung der im Prospekte angegebenen Ankündigungen war vorbildlich. Alle Fahrzeuge bzw. Flugzeuge, die für die Transfers erforderlich waren bis auf einmal pünktlich, was unter den gegebenen Umstände ( auf Ambrym und Tanna existieren keine asphaltierten Strassen bzw. keine funktionierende Infrastruktur) eine ausgezeichnete Leistung darstellt. Zugleich blieb es jedoch möglich unter bestimmtem Umständen und mit Zustimmung der Reiseteilnehmer, dort wo das gewünscht wurde vom Reiseplan abzuweichen.

Für die Reiseleitung konnte die Fernseh-Moderatorin und Fotojournalistin Ulla Lohmann verpflichtet werden. Aufgrund Ihrer außergewöhnlichen Kenntnisse der Südsee und deren Bewohner konnte Sie nicht nur viel Wissenswertes vermitteln, sondern wegen Ihren vielen früheren Kontakten mit den Insulaner Tabus durchbrechen und der ganzen Gruppe
von neun Personen die Warmherzigkeit dieser Insulaner näher bringen. So waren Besuche bei den verschiedenen Dorfbewohnern einer der Höhepunkte dieser rundum gelungener Reise. Ihre hervorragenden Kenntnisse als Photographin und Hobby Vulkanologin führte zu mehreren sagenhaften Besuchen der Feuerberge mit gigantischen Ausblicken, die von den Besuchern – auch mit ihre Hilfe – auch fotographisch zu absoluten Höhepunkte werden konnten.
Auf den ältesten Expeditionsteilnehmer – immerhin deutlich über 60 Jahre alt – wurde stets Rücksicht genommen ohne das dies zu Einschnitte für die Jüngeren führte. Ich kann diese einmalige Reise jeden Vulkan – bzw. Südsee Liebhaber nur empfehlen."
(G. Franquinet, Teilnehmer der Pilotreise Mai 2009)

Ronny's mail about the expedition

"Hi dear volcano lovers,
... I also wanted to thank everybody for making this tour so great!

Especially our professional and charming Ulla, for guiding us around Vanuatu, and Tom for the initiative/organization.

Hope we'll meet again sometime, miss you all,
Ronny" (Vanuatu expedition)