Join archaeologists and photographers to examine these statues and discuss their meaning and creation.
visit burial sites, quarries, and intricately carved ceremonial altars.
then off to tahiti!
visit burial sites, quarries, and intricately carved ceremonial altars.
then off to tahiti!
EXPEDITION OVERVIEW
Visit Easter Island and delve into an intriguing lost culture, examining ancient burial sites and towering moai.
Snorkel the pristine reefs of Fakarava, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and identified as one of the healthiest reef systems in the world by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala.
Trace the legend of the ill-fated H.M.S. Bounty on Pitcairn Island, where descendants of its mutineers still live today.
Explore the unusual geology of Henderson Island with our naturalists, and seek out the isle’s four endemic bird species.
Visit Easter Island and delve into an intriguing lost culture, examining ancient burial sites and towering moai.
Snorkel the pristine reefs of Fakarava, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and identified as one of the healthiest reef systems in the world by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala.
Trace the legend of the ill-fated H.M.S. Bounty on Pitcairn Island, where descendants of its mutineers still live today.
Explore the unusual geology of Henderson Island with our naturalists, and seek out the isle’s four endemic bird species.
ITINERARY
The vast stretch of sea from Easter Island to French Polynesia has seen the passage of missionaries and mutineers, intrepid explorers and enigmatic cultures. Explore spectacular lagoons and rare, uplifted atolls, and snorkel pristine reef systems in the “low islands” known as the Tuamotu Archipelago. Soak up the joyous rhythms of traditional music and dancing, meet the descendants of the H.M.S. Bounty mutineers on the Pitcairn Islands, and delve into the mysterious lost culture of Easter Island.
DAYS 1-4: U.S./PAPEETE, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA/MAKATEA
Depart the U.S. and arrive in Papeete late in the evening. Check into our hotel and enjoy a leisurely morning the next day. Meet your fellow travelers for lunch and a tour of the island before boarding the ship and setting sail on the South Pacific. Our first stop is the unusual island of Makatea, an uplifted coral atoll edged with vertical cliffs and grottos. Explore the coast with our naturalists, on the lookout for endemic fruit doves and other seabirds; then suit up for a snorkeling outing on a nearby reef.
Meals Included:Days 2-4 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Daily
AccommodationsDay 1 Intercontinental Tahiti; National Geographic Orion until Day 16
DAYS 5-8: TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO/AT SEA
Arrive in Fakarava, one of the largest atolls in French Polynesia and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Learn about the island’s pearl industry, and walk its pristine beaches. We’ll follow nature’s cues to navigate the remote Tuamotus, landing on uninhabited islands and atolls such as Tahanea, and exploring by Zodiac or kayak, by foot, and by snorkel. Sail southeast to the Gambier Islands during a day at sea, watching for marine life on deck and enjoying talks by our expedition team.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 9-15: MANGAREVA/PITCAIRN ISLANDS/AT SEA
Arrive at Mangareva, the largest of the Gambier Islands, famous for its black pearls. Venture underwater to snorkel, meet islanders to learn about their culture and the missionaries who made their home here, and go on a hike with our naturalists.
Continue to Pitcairn Island, where many of the mutineers of the legendary __ H.M.S. Bounty made their home in the late 18th century. About 50 of their descendants still live here today. Meet the residents and hear a few words of the unusual Pitkern dialect—a combination of English “sailor speak” and Polynesian phrases. Visit the gravesite of the last surviving Bounty mutineer, John Adams, and see the ship’s anchor, which was salvaged in 1957.
Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Henderson Island, an uplifted atoll uninhabited by humans. On walks and Zodiac excursions, discover the island’s four endemic bird species, rich flora and fauna, and fascinating geology.
At Ducie Atoll, spend time spotting frigatebirds and boobies or snorkeling among spectacular reefs. Diving is available for guests on the National Geographic Orion. Enjoy two relaxing days at sea as we make our way toward Easter Island. Read a book in the shade on deck, listen to a variety of talks, or opt for a massage in the wellness center.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 16-20: EASTER ISLAND, CHILE/SANTIAGO/U.S.
Disembark on legendary Easter Island and transfer to our hotel, your home for the next two nights. Explore volcanic calderas, jagged lava fields, and sweeping grasslands, and discover the island’s colossal moai statues—the astonishing legacy of a long-lost culture. Join archaeologists to examine these statues and discuss their meaning and creation; and visit burial sites, quarries, and intricately carved ceremonial altars. Board our flight to Santiago, Chile and check into the Hotel Santiago by Mandarin (or similar) for one night. The next day, take a tour of Santiago and transfer to the airport in the evening for flights home.
Meals Included:Days 16-17: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Daily; Days 18-19: Breakfast, Lunch Daily
Accommodations:Hanga Roa Eco-Resort and Hotel Santiago by Mandarin (or similar)
The vast stretch of sea from Easter Island to French Polynesia has seen the passage of missionaries and mutineers, intrepid explorers and enigmatic cultures. Explore spectacular lagoons and rare, uplifted atolls, and snorkel pristine reef systems in the “low islands” known as the Tuamotu Archipelago. Soak up the joyous rhythms of traditional music and dancing, meet the descendants of the H.M.S. Bounty mutineers on the Pitcairn Islands, and delve into the mysterious lost culture of Easter Island.
DAYS 1-4: U.S./PAPEETE, TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA/MAKATEA
Depart the U.S. and arrive in Papeete late in the evening. Check into our hotel and enjoy a leisurely morning the next day. Meet your fellow travelers for lunch and a tour of the island before boarding the ship and setting sail on the South Pacific. Our first stop is the unusual island of Makatea, an uplifted coral atoll edged with vertical cliffs and grottos. Explore the coast with our naturalists, on the lookout for endemic fruit doves and other seabirds; then suit up for a snorkeling outing on a nearby reef.
Meals Included:Days 2-4 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Daily
AccommodationsDay 1 Intercontinental Tahiti; National Geographic Orion until Day 16
DAYS 5-8: TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO/AT SEA
Arrive in Fakarava, one of the largest atolls in French Polynesia and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Learn about the island’s pearl industry, and walk its pristine beaches. We’ll follow nature’s cues to navigate the remote Tuamotus, landing on uninhabited islands and atolls such as Tahanea, and exploring by Zodiac or kayak, by foot, and by snorkel. Sail southeast to the Gambier Islands during a day at sea, watching for marine life on deck and enjoying talks by our expedition team.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 9-15: MANGAREVA/PITCAIRN ISLANDS/AT SEA
Arrive at Mangareva, the largest of the Gambier Islands, famous for its black pearls. Venture underwater to snorkel, meet islanders to learn about their culture and the missionaries who made their home here, and go on a hike with our naturalists.
Continue to Pitcairn Island, where many of the mutineers of the legendary __ H.M.S. Bounty made their home in the late 18th century. About 50 of their descendants still live here today. Meet the residents and hear a few words of the unusual Pitkern dialect—a combination of English “sailor speak” and Polynesian phrases. Visit the gravesite of the last surviving Bounty mutineer, John Adams, and see the ship’s anchor, which was salvaged in 1957.
Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Henderson Island, an uplifted atoll uninhabited by humans. On walks and Zodiac excursions, discover the island’s four endemic bird species, rich flora and fauna, and fascinating geology.
At Ducie Atoll, spend time spotting frigatebirds and boobies or snorkeling among spectacular reefs. Diving is available for guests on the National Geographic Orion. Enjoy two relaxing days at sea as we make our way toward Easter Island. Read a book in the shade on deck, listen to a variety of talks, or opt for a massage in the wellness center.
Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 16-20: EASTER ISLAND, CHILE/SANTIAGO/U.S.
Disembark on legendary Easter Island and transfer to our hotel, your home for the next two nights. Explore volcanic calderas, jagged lava fields, and sweeping grasslands, and discover the island’s colossal moai statues—the astonishing legacy of a long-lost culture. Join archaeologists to examine these statues and discuss their meaning and creation; and visit burial sites, quarries, and intricately carved ceremonial altars. Board our flight to Santiago, Chile and check into the Hotel Santiago by Mandarin (or similar) for one night. The next day, take a tour of Santiago and transfer to the airport in the evening for flights home.
Meals Included:Days 16-17: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Daily; Days 18-19: Breakfast, Lunch Daily
Accommodations:Hanga Roa Eco-Resort and Hotel Santiago by Mandarin (or similar)