The Northern Group Atolls Expedition - Turboprop

The Northern Group Atolls Expedition - once in a lifetime Tour

• The Northern group Atolls Expedition operates as a chartered flying Expedition from Monday or Tuesday Morning to Thursday or Friday afternoon departing from and returning to Rarotonga International Airport.

This expedition is rare opportunity to join the few intrepid travellers who visit some of the most remote atolls in the Pacific reachable by air.

Penrhyn, Manihiki and legendary Pukapuka can now be visited on this three night excursion.

Day 1 - Rarotonga to Penrhyn (Tongareva)

Flight duration - 4hrs

It is a four hour flight from Rarotonga to reach the World War 2 airstrip at Tongareva, the northern-most of the Cook Islands. It may be necessary to refuel in Aitutaki.

American serviceman were based on the atoll in the early 1940s and built a large runway to create an Eastern ferry route between Hawaii and the South Pacific, away from the hostilities further West.

At times during the War, a number of large US naval vessels moored in the large deep lagoon. Military aircraft transited almost daily and the remains of a crashed B17 bomber in the undergrowth beside the runway remain as evidence of this bygone era.

A tragic encounter with 'black birders' (South American slave traders) in the early 1800s, the pearl shell trade, and World War 2 have all played a part in shaping Tongareva as it is today.

This remote outpost of civilisation remains home to approximately 160 islanders who spend their days fishing, collecting natural golden Pearls or weaving exquisite hats and fans from rito - dried coconut frond.

You will overnight here staying in a guest house or residential home.

Day 2 - Penrhyn to Manihiki

Flight duration - approx. 1hr

A flight of a little over one hour takes you to Manihiki Atoll, the home of the Cook Islands black pearl industry.

Here, the lagoon is dotted with small structures perched on coral heads serving as platforms for the seeding of oysters, that will, after nearly two years, yield a lustrous south seas black pearl.

You will overnight here, staying at a guest house where you will be fascinated by atoll lifestyle, and the dedication and effort required to produce the queen of gems.

You will overnight here staying in a guest house overlooking the lagoon.

A one and a half hour flight from Manihiki. Pukapuka's airport is located on the southern motu, about one hours boat ride across the spectacular lagoon to the main settlement at Wale.

This is a fascinating island and community, not the least because of the romantic writings of Robert Dean Frisbie.

A strong community organisation and visionary environmental management practices have sustained these people for centuries.

You will overnight here staying in a guest house or residential home.

In clear conditions, passengers are treated to spectacular views en-route of Suwarrow (where hermit Tom Neale lived his solitary existence), Nassau and Tema Reef.

Arrival at Rarotonga International Airport.

Included in this expedition:

meals + accommodation

 

What should you bring ?

• Sun Protection - the Sun can be fierce, please bring adequate protection, sunscreen and bottles larger than 100ml are allowed on our domestic flights
  
  
• lots of space on your camera or portable device for unforgettable memories to keep
  
  

Useful Information

This tour is scheduled normally for one departure per month between April and November and has a maximum capacity of 8 travellers. Additional departures are scheduled based on demand or for committed bookings. Once a tour is commited for a certain number of seats the additional seats usually fill up with locals, doctors etc.

Disclaimer

Flights include long range over water sectors in small turbo-prop aircraft not to be compared with regular airline travel. Because of the logistics of fuel and other operational arrangements in this isolated area, delays to departures and /or routing can occur. These islands are very isolated and with the exception of Manihiki formal accomodation options are non-existent. These incredibly remote islands offer some of the most amazing hospitality known to mankind and your hosts often need to reorganise their own plans to accommodate and feed you.

It is therefore recommended to contact us for this one-of-a-lifetime tour so we can assist you with all the arrangements including accommodation.