"Pitcairn Islands Explorer"

2009:
13th January - 27th January
10th February - 24th February

2010:
19th January - 29th January
16th March - 30th March

After your arrival at the Gambier Islands on Air Tahiti (flight VT951) at midday on Tuesday you will cross to Rikitea village (on Mangareva Island) on the lagoon taxi boat. After meeting the Research Vessel Bounty Bay at the wharf, every passenger will be assigned their own bunk and have their passport stamped for departure. All food will be supplied during the voyage

After two days sea we arrive at Pitcairn Island and you are invited to stay onshore with local families; which family you board with can be arranged in advance, or on arrival, as you wish. The cost for your stay onshore is not included in our pricing and should be budgeted at approximately US$70 per night to be paid direct to your host family. This type of ecotourism has been encouraged in the last few years as a way of boosting the islands economy in a sustainable way.

Sometime during the next week (when the weather is most suitable) we travel overnight to the World Heritage Site of Henderson Island. Many scientists consider Henderson ‘the most pristine tropical island in the world’. At Henderson we will be going ashore for a day trip (weather dependent). This will give you a chance to see the Henderson Dove, Henderson Rail, Henderson Parrot, Henderson Warbler and Henderson Petrel, plus a myriad of other indigenous plants and animals.

Henderson also has excellent snorkeling and diving and some of the most beautiful uninhabited beaches in the world. We provide all snorkeling equipment without additional charge.

On our return voyage to Mangareva we will be sailing via Pitcairn to pick up extra passengers bound for the Gambier Islands.

We aim to arrive in the Gambier Islands on Monday and will anchor at Rikitea to enable visits to this picturesque village. Other things you can organize are a tour around the big island (Mangareva) and a visit to a pearl farm.

Price: Our two-weeks 'Islands Explorer' package is priced at US$2,900 per person.

For a map of the Pitcairn Islands - click here

For further information email us at "info@pacific-expeditions.com"

photos:
header by Sean Davey
right hand side photos by Martin Smith / Dan Burton / Chris Brick
Exercise Bounty Bay - Jan/Feb 2003