French Polynesia Tour - Wine Detours

– French Polynesia –

Tour Details

The tour is focused on five very different islands of French Polynesia: Moorea, Raiatea, Taha’a, Rangiroa, Tahiti, and will take you on a paradisiac journey through the South Pacific.

Join Isabelle Corneaux as your tour director and Ludwig Blanc, our local guide on a Wine Detours trip of mythical destinations. Tahiti calls to mind visions of an idyllic French Polynesia island paradise. The Islands of Tahiti are one place in the world where you can feel truly peaceful and at home away from home. Some might call it heaven or paradise!

Here, in the islands of Tahiti, you will find the freedom and remoteness to reconnect with a pristine natural world. Whether you come for relaxation or to explore, you will feel the life force flow through everything, we call it Mana. From colorful reefs to dramatic mountains, secluded beaches, and welcoming culture, you will find what you need to revive your senses and rediscover your spirit of adventure.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

4 Airplane transfers: Moorea-Raiatea, Raiatea-Papeete, Papeete-Rangiroa, and Rangiroa-Papeete
Ferry transfer: Papeete-Moorea
Transportation to scheduled sites in chauffeured mini-vans and boats
6 full-day excursions
14 hotel nights in Moorea, Raiatea, Rangiroa and Papeete. 13 breakfasts included
8 dinners
6 lunches

Moorea lagoon discovery + snorkeling in Moorea pass + swimming with rays + lunch on a private islet.
Moorea full day 4WD island discovery. Picnic included.
Taha’a ful day boat tour + lunch on an private islet.
Taha’a Pearl farm visit.
Taha’a Vanilla plantation visit.
Taha’a Rhum Distillery visit.
Snorkeling at the Coral Garden in Taha’a.
Raiatea full island Tour by mini van.
Blue Lagoon full day excursion in Rangiroa.
Rangiroa vineyard visit + wine and rhum tasting.
Green Lagoon excursion + lunch in Rangiroa.
Papeete’s farmers’ market visit.
Local guides and access to scheduled sites.
Isabelle Corneaux as your full-time tour director.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

International flights to Papeete, French Polynesia (must be booked with French Bee Airlines)
Travel insurance is not included and must be booked and paid separately
All meals and activities not mentioned on the tour

Cost: $8400

Limited to a maximum of 8 people
Subject to exchange rate

* Price per person with double occupancy

* Single supplement

* Overwater bungalow optional in Rangiroa. Supplement

Dates

Date: March 6-22, 2024

Where will you be staying?

4 locations: In Moorea, we’ll be staying 4 nights in a boutique hotel at “Moorea Beach Lodge” in bungalows on the beach with air conditioning. In Raiatea, we’ll be staying 4 nights at “Raiatea Lodge”, a beautiful colonial hotel in rooms with views on the lagoon. In Rangiroa, we’ll be staying 4 nights at “Kia Ora Resort & Spa”, in bungalows on the beach with jacuzzis. (Overwater Bungalows optional with an extra cost). In Papeete, we’ll be staying 2 nights at Hotel Tahiti Nui.

Activity level: Relaxing

ITINERARY:

Day 0: San Francisco to Papeete

Depart on an overnight flight from San Francisco with French Bee Airline.

Day 1: Arrive in Papeete

Welcome to paradise! You’ll land in Papeete at 5:15 am, transfer to the city center in chauffeured mini vans and then board the Aremiti Ferry to get to Moorea at 7:35 am. Check in to Moorea Beach Lodge hotel for 4 relaxing nights in bungalows by the Lagoon with breakfast included. Settle in and take the rest of the day to relax on the beach and soak in the tropical sunshine.

Day 2: Moorea

Let’s go exploring! An unforgettable 6 hour experience awaits. We’ll head out into the picturesque lagoon in an outrigger canoe, swim with rays, snorkel in the Moorea Pass with green sea turtles, multi-colored fish and black finned sharks! Then, cap it off with a traditional lunch on a private islet.

Day 3: Moorea

Beach day! This is what being in paradise is all about. Apply your sunscreen, pull out your favorite book and unwind in the tropical sunshine.

Day 4: Moorea

Pile into a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a full-day exploration and discovery tour of Moorea. Lunch, drinks and snacks are all included.

Day 5: Moorea to Raiatea

Enjoy the last morning in Moorea before checking out of the hotel. We’ll then take a short flight from Moorea to Raiatea and arrive in the early afternoon. Transfer in chauffeured mini vans to the Raiatea Lodge hotel. Check into your bungalow by the lagoon for 4 nights. Breakfasts and dinners included.

Day 6: Raiatea

Hop into a chauffeured minivan for a full-day exploration and discovery tour of Raiatea. We’ll learn about local culture, visit the Raiatea Botanical Gardens, and explore Marae Taputapuātea, the largest temple in French Polynesia and the ancestral homeland of Polynesian culture. Lunch, drinks and snacks are all included.

Day 7: Taha’a

Today we’ll visit the island of Taha’a. We’ll start by visiting the Love Her Pearl Farm and discover how black pearls are produced. Then, we’ll visit the local rum distillery and sample a variety of incredible rums from Polynesia. Our next stop is the amazingly beautiful coral garden! Snorkel this gorgeous underwater habitat at your leisure before jumping back into the boat to enjoy a picnic on a “motu” (very small island). After lunch, we’ll have time to rest, explore the islet and take photos before we wrap up the day with a visit to the famous French Vanilla Farm.

Day 8: Raiatea

Beach day! Grab a kayak and discover Motu Miri Miri and its beautiful translucent water just 15 minutes away. Or, lay back and soak up the sun in paradise.

Day 9: Raiatea to Rangiroa

Check out of the hotel in the morning. We’ll take the boat back to the airport and fly from Raiatea to Papeete and then Papeete to Rangiroa. We’ll arrive mid-afternoon and check in to the Kia Ora hotel for 4 nights in bungalows with jacuzzis by the lagoon. Breakfast and dinner included. The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the view of the lagoon, snorkel, or take a bicycle and discover the village and atoll.

Day 10: Rangiroa

Today we’re on the water with a Blue Lagoon boat excursion. A traditional lunch is included. Be ready to see turquoise clouds and amazing shades of blue. The epitome of paradise!

Day 11: Rangiroa

Free day! Allow yourself to get lost in island life. Options include: Scuba diving in the famous Avatoru pass, snorkeling in the pass, have a spa day, dolphin watching, or relaxing on the beach. The perfect way to discover the local Polynesian lifestyle.

Day 12: Rangiroa

Time for wine! We’ll visit the famous Rangiroa Vineyard which Bruno Corneaux developed from 1999 to 2002. Hop on a boat to explore Rangiroa Vineyard on the other side of the pass, then relax at the heavenly Green Lagoon. Traditional lunch included. Then we’ll go back to the village, visit the cellar and enjoy a wine tasting in paradise.

Day 13: Rangiroa to Papeete

Take a moment to reflect and enjoy your last morning in paradise. Choose to visit a local pearl farm and honey producer, or simply relax in the warm air of the atoll. We’ll check out of the hotel in the early afternoon, head to the airport and take our flight to Papeete. Check in to the Tahiti Nui hotel for the night and have dinner at one of the famous Roulottes. It’s a must when in Papeete!

Day 14: Papeete

After breakfast, we’ll visit the famous farmers market full of exotic flowers, fresh fish and local crafts a mere 5 minute walk from the hotel. You’ll then have some free time to explore the city, indulge in some shopping, visit the museum of black pearls or simply relax by the hotel pool or treat yourself to a spa session before boarding the plane the next morning for an early flight.