Tanna Island & Yasur volcano
Note:
This sample itinerary corresponds to the second half of the Volcanoes in the South Sea and is only an indication for the planned program. Changes due to unexpected events, volcanic activity, weather etc. are possible. Customized versions can be offered on request.
Day 1: Arrival on Vanuatu (Port Vila, Efate Island)
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.
Day 2: Flight to Tanna
In the morning, flight to Tanna, then 4WD picks us up and takes across the island to a simple, but charming guesthouse directly at the feet of Mt. Yasur volcano. After lunch, we drive and hike to Yasur volcano to enjoy its spectacular volcanic activity from close, as long as we wish...
Day 3: Day-trip to Port Resolution beach & Yasur volcano
Relaxing beach break
Optional early morning / sunrise trip to Yasur volcano for best light conditions for volcano photography.
After breakfast in our "Jungle Oasis", we drive to Port Resolution Bay, a mythical place where Captain Cook anchored his boat "Resolution" in 1774. There we walk trough this beautiful and picturesque village, relax on a gorgeous white sand beach, swim in the turquoise waters, and perhaps meet an unusual sea turtle. We enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by a skilled cook of the village.
In the afternoon, we return to Yasur volcano for another ascent and watch its activity at sunset. If the situation permits, we may be able to hike around the crater (aprox. 1h) and descent onto the ash plain in the dark. Hike back to our "Jungle Oasis".
Day 4: Custom dances of Imao - John Frum village - Yasur
Optional early morning / sunrise excursion to Yasur volcano and return in the guesthouse for breakfast. In the morning, walking tour to discover the unique custom dances to the traditional village of Imao with an amazing panoramic view on Yasur volcano.
After lunch, transfer to the "village of John Frum" (Lamakara). During the crossing of the Yasur caldera we can make photo stops for the amazing volcanic landscape.
In the village, we meet with the chief of the village where we are probably going to be invited to take the dinner with his family.
Discovery of hot sources of Sulfur Bay, possibly to swim in the hot volcano springs. Return to Lamakara to visit the local museum dedicated to the memory of John Frum.
If the day of our arrival falls on Friday we can attend the traditional ceremony of the John Frum where inhabitants of the village dance all night long. (you can stay in the village if you like).
Optional another visit of Yasur volcano in the evening/night.
Day 5: Flight Tanna - Port Vila, free afternoon
Optional morning visit to Yasur volcano.
Transfer to airport, flight Tanna - Port Vila. Transfer to the hotel, free lunch & afternoon. Farewell dinner at the seafront (not included).
Day 6: End of tour
Transfer to airport or own extension (recommended: 1-day tour on Efate).
Prices for tours at custom dates: on request
Included:
- Domestic flights (return) Efate (Port Vila) - Tanna Island
- All transfers as described in the itinerary
- Accommodation on Tanna island in spartanic bungalows in the rainforest near the volcano
- 2 nights in hotel in Port Vila (1st and last day)
- 1 day trip (return transfer) to Port Resolution transfer
- 1 day trip (return transfer) to John Frum village
- 1 evening return transfer to Yasur volcano
- Full board from arrival on Tanna island to last night in Port Vila, including drinking water
- Half board on Tanna Island
- Entry fees for Yasur volcano (unlimited number of visits)
- Experienced local guide for Tanna Island & Yasur volcano
- Professional volcanologist guide from our team
Not included:
- Travel to and from Vaunatu (see details section)
- Drinks and meals not mentioned as included
- Additional transfers & extra excursions if requested
Discounts:
Returning customers receive 5% (or 8% - if you have been on at least 3 trips with us) discount on the base tour price.
Additional info:
Physical requirements:
Hiking up Yasur Volcano is easy and takes about 1 hour from the accommodation (possibility to shorten even that using 4x4). Longer and more challenging hikes can be done on request.
Arrival info:
The tour starts and ends in the capital Port Vila on Efate Island where international flights arrive (usually from Brisbane or Sydney in Australia or via Aukland New Zealand). Participants normally arrange their own flight tickets, but on request we can help with that.
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).
Larissa & Yulia wearing helmets and gas masks on Ambrym
"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)
"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)
Tim at Benbow volcano (Ambrym, Vanuatu)
"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)
"I can recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see, hear, feel, and smell the furious boiling lava of Vanuatu" (Andrew about the recent Expedition to Vanuatu)
Traditional dances on Ambrym (photo: Andrew McRae)
Explosion at Yasur volcano (photo: Andrew McRae)
"Hello Yashmin, and everyone at Volcano Discovery!
...
Thank you for running the Vanuatu tour, and explaining everything volcanic, and helping to keep us safe on the mountain and healthy in the jungles. None of us went for a lava swim so I guess it's a success?
Also, thanks for putting the flashing parking lights on the hills at Maroum because for a while I was concerned we wouldn't find our way back. But I think our local guides could have walked up and down blindfolded, they were amazing. Thanks for loaning me your jacket when I thought I would freeze to death - it was a privilege to wear that logo for just a few hours. :-D
Also thank you for helping me to understand that cultural immersion is the main value of travel.
I can recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see, hear, feel, and smell the furious boiling lava of Vanuatu. Not to mention the poulet fish is superb! I may even have a taste for camping, Camenbert theory, and cassava that I didn't have before." (Andrew M., 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)
"Hallo Tom,
kurze Naricht nach der Reise: es war SUPER!!!!!
...bien cordialement
Gilles" (Sarregueminnes)
Feuerberge der Südsee - Rückmeldung
Guy watching eruptions at Yasur volcano
"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
Ronny at a freshly ejected lava bomb that is still glowing inside...
"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)
