2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Our journey is richly cultural as well as active, with sea kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming adventures. KARSTEN WROBEL ERIC LAFFORGUE ANDREW PEACOCK

Vanuatu ADVENTURES IN THE ISLES OF HAPPINESS

A natural playground of brilliant coral reefs, erupting volcanoes, and lush rainforests, Vanuatu is a tropical explorer’s paradise. Entwined throughout the landscapes are ancient

that is the dramatic focal point of Vanuatu’s yam harvest celebration. On Espiritu Santo, kayaking along a stream brings us to the Matevulu Blue Hole, a freshwater spring with crystal-clear water. A jump into this incredibly blue pool is a must (and the adventurous can brave the rope swing!). Days 5-7 Million Dollar Point / Kastom Villages / Champagne Beach We head to Million Dollar Point to snorkel among reef fish and some of the most fascinating underwater World War II relics in the Pacific. After visiting Kastom villages to learn about Vanuatu’s ancient cultures, we head to powdery white Champagne Beach, a stunning spot for a swim, snorkel, or stroll. We boat to uninhabited Ais Island to spend the day snorkeling in some of the most pristine coral gardens in Vanuatu, topped off by a Melanesian feast on the beach with traditional Kastom dances and music. formations are sanctuaries for an abundance of marine life, including dugongs, turtles, moray eels, reef sharks, and blue-spotted rays. Here we snorkel and explore swim-throughs, tunnels, and grottos. We climb Yasur Volcano to watch the sunset, with molten lava lighting the sky, and explore the 200-foot-wide grotto of Lemnap Blue Cave. Our intimate beachfront lodge on this island has stunning views and gorgeous sunsets. Depart on Day 11 via Port Vila. Days 8-11 Tanna Island / Yasur Volcano / Lemnap Blue Cave Tanna Island’s reef

“I loved the mix of cultural activities— that land diving!— and nature-based adventures, from snorkeling to climbing the volcano.” Inge K., Concord MA

Pacific cultures with their own unique “kastoms.” We’ll paddle sit-on-top kayaks to “blue holes,” climb above the clouds to the crater rim of an active volcano, and snorkel above kaleidoscopic coral reef

HIGHLIGHTS • Snorkel some of the best reefs in all Vanuatu, swim in crystal-clear blue holes • See the famous Pentecost land divers leap from towers in celebration of the yam harvest • Visit Kastom villages where locals share their knowledge of traditional medicine, crafts, cooking styles, and dancing • Relax at our waterfront island hideaways with wonderful access to ocean activities DETAILS • 11-day trip begins and ends in Port Vila • 10 nights waterfront hotels and bungalows • All meals included

formations. We’ll also see the famed land divers of Pentecost Island, with their spectacular dives from forest platforms. Along the way, we enjoy the warm welcome of the Ni-Vanuatu, who delight in sharing their heritage and are acclaimed to be among the “happiest people on Earth.” Days 1-2 Port Vila In Port Vila, Vanuatu’s harborside capital, we explore the tropical coastline by catamaran, sailing island to island in the bay and gliding over magnificent coral reefs. Days 3-4 Land Diving on Pentecost Island / Matevulu Blue Hole On Pentecost Island, we’ll watch nanggol (land diving), a famous spectacle

DATES Jun 4-14, 2020 Jun 14-24

TRIP COST $6795 (7-10 members) $7195 (4-6 members) Single supplement: $1225 Internal airfare: $695 (subject to change) TRIP LEVEL 1 2 + 3 4 5 6 Snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, and reef walking excursions

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR PACIFIC TRIPS, VISIT WWW.WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/PACIFIC 105