Explore lost civilizations amid paradisiacal, seldom-seen isles
Sailing in the wake of early Polynesian navigators, this Tahiti expedition strikes to the farthest reaches of Oceania. From remote and enigmatic Easter Island to the historically significant Pitcairn Islands through the “low islands” of the Tuamotu Archipelago to Tahiti, you’ll visit islands that are virtually inaccessible and untouched. The voyage begins in one of the most isolated landfalls of Polynesia: Easter Island. See the legendary moai statues up close and hear the leading theories on what happened to the people who created them from top experts. Walk the length of untouched tropical beaches, meet the descendants of H.M.S. Bounty mutineers, and drift dive or snorkel through an atoll pass.
Dive or snorkel the stunning reefs of Fakarava, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the Pitcairn Islands, identified as one of most unspoiled reef systems in the world by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala
Trace the legend of the ill-fated H.M.S. Bounty from Tahiti to Pitcairn Island, where descendants of its mutineers still live today
Explore the unusual geology and wildlife of Henderson Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and look for endemic bird species
Delve into the intriguing lost culture of Easter Island and examine ancient burial sites and towering moai with an archaeologist
Venture to far-flung coral and white sand fringed atolls to discover reefs teeming with colorful sealife and meet people of paradise. This Tahiti to Easter Island expedition seeks to reveal as many wonders as possible during your weeks with us. Our hallmark is flexibility—allowing us to take advantage of events, like wildlife sightings, as they occur to give you the richest, most dimensional experience. Here is a representation of the activities you’ll engage in as you travel to Tahiti.
Arrive in Tahiti and transfer to the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa (or similar) in the afternoon for check in. Spend the evening at your leisure.
Day 2
Papeete / Embark
This morning enjoy breakfast at your leisure and spend some time exploring the resort while adjusting to island time. Meet your fellow travelers for lunch and then join us for a tour of Tahiti before embarking the ship in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 3
Makatea
An uplifted coral atoll, the island of Makatea is one of the most unique landforms in the Pacific. Spend the day exploring limestone caves and grottos with your expedition team and local guides, or search for endemic fruit doves and myriad seabirds, then snorkel among colorful fish on the nearby reef. (B,L,D)
Day 4-8
At Sea / Tuamotu Archipelago
Today we begin our exploration of the “Dangerous Archipelago,” in Fakarava, one of the largest atolls in French Polynesia and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Explore the protected reefs or ride the current into the lagoon on a world-famous drift snorkel. From here, your Captain and Expedition Leader will determine our next spot for exploration. In true expedition mode, we will visit some of the Tuamotus’ most remote islands, taking the opportunity to explore them by land and by sea. Navigate reefs and islets as we make our way east and explore one of French Polynesia’s many uninhabited atolls such as Tahanea. (B,L,D)
Day 9
Mangareva
Spend a day at sea scanning the horizon with our naturalists or relaxing on deck with a good book. We then arrive at Mangareva, the largest of the Gambier Islands, with its interesting history and beautiful lagoon. Venture underwater to snorkel, meet islanders to learn about their culture and the missionaries who made their home here, or go on a hike with our naturalists. (B,L,D)
Day 10-13
Pitcairn Islands / At Sea
We begin our exploration at the famed Pitcairn Island. Many of the mutineers of the legendary H.M.S. Bounty made their home here in the late 18th century, and 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 Bounty’s anchor, which was salvaged in 1957. We continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Henderson Island, an uplifted atoll that is uninhabited and virtually untouched by humans. 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. (B,L,D)
Day 14-15
At Sea
As we voyage east toward Easter Island, head up to the Bridge to watch for wildlife and observe expert navigation at work as our skilled Captain and officers sail these historic waters. There’ll also be time to enjoy a massage in the wellness center, workout in the gym, and browse in the library. Each day our naturalists offer talks that add depth to your experience. (B,L,D)
Day 16-20
Easter Island, Chile / Disembark / Santiago
Arrive in Easter Island where you will disembark and check into the Nayara Hangaroa (or similar) for two nights. Explore volcanic calderas, jagged lava fields, and sweeping grasslands to discover the colossal moai statues, the astonishing legacy of a long-lost culture. Join archaeologists to examine these statues and discuss their meaning and creation; visit burial sites, quarries, and intricately carved ceremonial altars. Board our flight to Santiago, Chile and check into the Mandarin Oriental Santiago (or similar) for one night. The next day, take a tour of Santiago and transfer to the airport in the evening for flights home. (Days 16-17: B,L,D; Days 18-19: B,L)
Alternative Route
Venture to far-flung coral and white sand fringed atolls to discover reefs teeming with colorful sealife and meet people of paradise. This Tahiti to Easter Island expedition seeks to reveal as many wonders as possible during your weeks with us. Our hallmark is flexibility—allowing us to take advantage of events, like wildlife sightings, as they occur to give you the richest, most dimensional experience. Here is a representation of the activities you’ll engage in as you travel to Tahiti.
Embark
Disembark
Day 1-5
Santiago, Chile / Easter Island / Embark
Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Santiago, Chile. Upon arrival on Day 2, transfer to the Mandarin Oriental Santiago (or similar) located in central Santiago. Then, join us this evening for a welcome reception. Early the next morning, board our flight to Easter Island where you will check into the Nayara Hangaroa (or similar) for two nights. Explore volcanic calderas, jagged lava fields, and sweeping grasslands to discover the colossal moai statues, the astonishing legacy of a long-lost culture. Join archaeologists to examine these statues and discuss their meaning and creation. Visit burial sites, quarries, and intricately carved ceremonial altars. On Day 5, embark National Geographic Orion. (Days 3-5: B,L,D)
Day 6-7
At Sea
Set sail from Easter Island on our journey west. As we voyage, head up to the Bridge to watch for wildlife and observe expert navigation at work as our skilled Captain and officers sail these historic waters. There’ll also be time to enjoy a massage in the wellness center, workout in the gym, and browse in the library. Each day our naturalists offer talks that add depth to your experience. (B,L,D)
Day 8-10
Pitcairn Islands
We begin our exploration at the famed Pitcairn Island. Many of the mutineers of the legendary H.M.S. Bounty made their home here in the late 18th century, and 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 Bounty’s anchor, which was salvaged in 1957. We continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Henderson Island, an uplifted atoll that is uninhabited and virtually untouched by humans. 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. (B,L,D)
Day 11-12
At Sea / Mangareva
Spend a day at sea scanning the horizon with our naturalists or relaxing on deck with a good book. We then arrive at Mangareva, the largest of the Gambier Islands, with its interesting history and beautiful lagoon. Venture underwater to snorkel or dive, meet islanders to learn about their culture and the missionaries who made their home here, or go on a hike with our naturalists. (B,L,D)
Day 13-17
At Sea / Tuamotu Archipelago
A day at sea brings us to the furthest reaches of the “Dangerous Archipelago,” where our Captain and Expedition Leader will determine our next spot for exploration. In true expedition mode, we will visit some of the Tuamotus’ most remote islands, taking the opportunity to explore them by land and by sea. Navigate reefs and islets as we make our way east and explore one of French Polynesia’s many uninhabited atolls, such as Tahanea. Continue to Fakarava, one of the largest atolls in French Polynesia and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Snorkel the protected reefs or ride the current into the lagoon on a world-famous drift dive. (B,L,D)
Day 18
Makatea
An uplifted coral atoll, the island of Makatea is one of the most unique landforms in the Pacific. Spend the day exploring limestone caves and grottos with your expedition team and local guides, or search for endemic fruit doves and myriad seabirds, then snorkel and dive among colorful fish on the nearby reef. (B,L,D)
Day 19-20
Papeete, Tahiti / Disembark / U.S.
Arrive in Papeete and take a tour of Tahiti. Then join us for lunch at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa. Check into a day room to relax before your overnight flight home in the late evening. (Day 19: B,L)
Alternative Route
Venture to far-flung coral and white sand fringed atolls to discover reefs teeming with colorful sealife and meet people of paradise. This Tahiti to Easter Island expedition seeks to reveal as many wonders as possible during your weeks with us. Our hallmark is flexibility—allowing us to take advantage of events, like wildlife sightings, as they occur to give you the richest, most dimensional experience. Here is a representation of the activities you’ll engage in as you travel to Tahiti.
Valid for new bookings only on select 2023 departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
FREE BAR TAB AND CREW TIPS INCLUDED
Special Offers
We will cover your bar tab and all tips for the crew on all National Geographic Resolution,National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Explorer, and National Geographic Orion voyages.
BRINGING THE KIDS
Special Offers
We believe sharing an expedition with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experience. So take $500 off for each child under the age of 18.
BACK-TO-BACK SAVINGS
Special Offers
Save 10% on any consecutive journeys taken on board one of our expedition ships. This savings is applicable on voyage fares only, and are not valid on extensions or airfare.
TRAVELING AS A GROUP
Special Offers
Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more people. Take advantage of these great savings, while enjoying traveling with your friends and family. This savings is applicable to voyage fares only, and is not valid on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from our regular policies.
CELEBRATE LIFE'S MILESTONES
Special Offers
Join us and celebrate your great milestones, including birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, retirements, and more. Beginning in 2023, groups of 8 or more traveling together in celebration receive 5% off and a complimentary group photograph, while the cabin-of-honor receives onboard ship credit, beautiful cake, and more onboard celebrations. Milestone celebration must be communicated at time of booking. Milestone amenity package is one per group, intended for the guest celebrating the Milestone event. Group discount is applicable to cruise portion only, and does not apply towards additional services such as hotels, extensions, airfare, etc. Group cancellation terms also apply. Not combinable with certain offers.
COMBINING OFFERS
Special Offers
Certain offers may be combinable, up to two savings opportunities, except where noted otherwise. For example, travel with a group of 8 or more on back-to-back expeditions, and take advantage of both savings.
On the isle of Moorea, volcanic peaks rise from sapphire seas in an explosion of emerald-green splendor, creating an arresting backdrop for a French Polynesian escape. Settle into your overwater bungalow at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa and enjoy a selection of activities with a complimentary $150 resort credit. Kayak, snorkel, and paddleboard among pristine coral reefs, unwind on white-sand beaches, and explore dense tropical forest where bright hibiscus blooms and rare birds roost.
Today is the day that everyone dreads, the last sea day of the voyage as National Geographic Resolution powers her way towards the island of Rapanui. We experienced so many memories and powerful moments throughout this voyage. The early morning began with an art tour that highlighted the exhibits on the ship. Ably led by cultural specialist Jennifer Kingsley, guests were captivated by her interpretations of the art as she shared about the artists’ visions and ideas. National Geographic photographer Susan Seubert led a workshop on the workflow associated with digital photography. Afterwards, we began preparing for tonight’s slideshow by gathering the photos that will remind us of each day of this voyage. Mid-afternoon, expedition leader Alex Searle, an expert on Rapanui, began to prepare us for what awaits with a presentation about the island. Teatime was a special wine tasting event, and we ended the day with our Captain’s Farewell cocktail party. Captain Heidi Norling gave a heartfelt recap of the entire voyage, and we completed the day with an auction of some very special items. Kenneth Valdueza, a member of our deck team, illustrated a gorgeous chart of the region we have travelled. With fabulous, intricate pencil drawings, he brought the undersea world to life with representations of a blacktip reef shark, a spotted eagle ray, a sea turtle, and various creatures from the reef. Guests were blown away by his artwork, and two of our guests made a generous donation to the crew fund for the opportunity to take this beautiful artwork home with them. Cheers, everyone.
Today we find ourselves in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on a trek east. From Pitcairn Island to Rapanui, it is well over 1,000 nautical miles. On this stint of our journey, it’s a lovely time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the amenities of our beautiful home, National Geographic Resolution … We all participated in a multitude of activities today. After a morning stretch class and breakfast, we had a photo workshop conducted by Certified Photo Instructor Jose Calvo and National Geographic photographer Susan Seubert. Tips and tricks were all well received. After lunch, we enjoyed a very special activity: the ship’s very first art tour, conducted by Jennifer Kingsley, cultural specialist. Art lover or not, it was the talk of the afternoon. Walking down corridors of the ship has a new meaning for many guests, as they now have a newfound appreciation of the pieces that line the interior. One of the pieces was inspired by polar bear hair, and it lives at the head of the main stairway on each floor. That means it spans from deck 3 all the way up to deck 8! Blown and twisted glass sits against a black backdrop, representing the translucent, hollow fur and black skin of a polar bear. We had a special teatime with fresh sushi and sashimi. Following dinner, the crew showcased some of their talent via a crew show. Amazing is an understatement! Singers and dancers got our guests moving, and we carried the party on and on! Text by Michael Desiderio
After our experience on Pitcairn Island yesterday, we sailed ahead with a much better idea of how isolated we are out here in the South Pacific. During the night, we were treated to views of the constellation Maui’s Hook, also known as Scorpio. As the sun rose, we could see nothing but ocean in all directions. We passed the morning at sea with presentations by two of our naturalists. Cristian Moreno talked about coral restoration, and Margrit Ulrich shared stories about protected areas and the role of UNESCO. By lunchtime, we could see the low profile of Ducie Atoll, the southernmost coral atoll in the Pacific and the last one we will see on this voyage. It is very difficult to make a landing here, but the scouting party found a narrow passage between the rocks and the swell. With the help of our shore team—up to their armpits in water—we got everyone ashore who wanted to experience this unusual place. The island is a critical breeding area for Murphy’s petrels. We also saw herald petrels, white terns, red-footed boobies, and red-tailed tropicbirds. This island has no rats or cats, so ground nesters are prolific. The thick tournefortia bushes had many fluffy chicks beneath their branches. The thick brush and vulnerable birds made it impossible to cross the island, so we wandered along the coral beach as birds swooped overhead. The water was so clear that we could see reef fish from the shore. Farther out, we observed a humpback whale come very close to our dive boat. After Ducie Atoll, we won’t see any land until we reach Rapanui three days from now. This voyage is giving us all a sense of how enormous the Pacific Ocean really is.
Early this morning, we got sight of a small, rugged-looking island far off on the horizon. This was almost as exciting to us as it must have been for the HMAV Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions on January 15th, 1790 after their long search for this very same island. The island was reported by Europeans in 1767 and was named Pitcairn’s Island, after the sailor who first sighted it. At the time of discovery, no landing was attempted, and it was incorrectly charted, making it very difficult for the mutineers to find. This isolated volcanic structure rises about 1,100 feet (330 meters) above the ocean’s surface and has a land area of only 1.75 square miles. Pitcairn Island is roughly situated midway between Panama and New Zealand. Archaeological evidence shows that the island was part of an important but restricted Polynesian trade system that also included Henderson Island and Mangareva Island (the French Polynesian island from where we have just come). Pitcairn Island was inhabited for several centuries by Polynesians up until about 1500. From that time, it remained uninhabited until the coming of the Bounty mutineers led by Fletcher Christian in 1790. The new wave of settlers included nine mutineers, twelve Tahitian women, and six Tahitian men, and very soon, children were born. Although the island must have seemed like a virtual paradise upon arrival, the tiny community endured considerable discord and then violence between the British mutineers and the Tahitian men in the ensuing years. By 1800, only one of the original men (mutineer Alexander Smith, a.k.a. John Adams) was still alive. He became the leader of the community that then included nine Tahitian women and numerous children. They remained totally isolated until they were discovered in 1808 by the American sailing ship Topaz under the command of Mayhew Folger. Their descendants today are a unique blend of European and Polynesian cultures, genetics, and languages, and it is very pleasing to hear the local Pitkinese language spoken among residents. Pitcairn Island became a British colony in 1838. By the 1850s, the community was outgrowing the island, so its leaders appealed to the British government. The Pitcairn islanders were offered Norfolk Island, and on May 3, 1856, the entire community of 193 people left for Norfolk. After eighteen months on Norfolk, seventeen of the Pitcairners decided to return home. Five years later, another twenty-seven did as well, and Pitcairn has been continuously inhabited ever since. The population peaked at 233 in 1937, and it has since fallen severely due to emigration, leaving less than fifty people living on Pitcairn today. The islanders converted to the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the 1880s, so tobacco, consumption of liquor, and pork are not allowed on the island. Gardening and fishing are important parts of the residents’ subsistence, and sometimes they produce enough to sell fresh vegetables to the rare passing ship. Pitcairn is governed under the British High Commissioner in New Zealand, who is Governor of Pitcairn and its associated islands, i.e., Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands. Upon arrival, we collected the officials in our Zodiacs for clearance into the United Kingdom. Mayor Melva gave us a wonderful presentation that introduced us to the island. By midmorning, the Zodiacs were ready, and we began what would certainly be one of the highlights of the voyage. Once ashore in the little harbor, we were welcomed by the islanders and made our way up a road known as The Hill of Difficulty to reach Adamstown (named for John Adams). Some of us walked up the hill, while others were given rides on the backs of local quad bikes. It is important to realize our visit was as meaningful to the islanders as it was to us. The island gets very few visitors, and the staff and crew have many friends living here. The Pitcairn islanders are renowned for their artistic abilities, and the handicrafts produced here are valued by collectors around the world. There were market stands along the road and in the Main Square where local artisans sold wooden bowls and carvings made from miro wood or Polynesian rosewood, as well as postcards and other souvenirs. Word was they did very well with us insofar as selling merchandise is concerned, which is helpful to the island’s residents. In the afternoon, we divided into groups to enjoy different activities available here on the island. A few guests opted for a difficult but rewarding hike to the highest point of the island for spectacular views. Several others hiked up to Christian’s Cave, a famous grotto that Fletcher Christian visited to retreat from his compatriots and meditate. Several other guests walked to the easternmost point of the island to visit St. Paul’s Pool, a natural swimming hole that is both filled and emptied by the sea. A few of our people managed a swim in the sheltered waters of the innermost section. Most of our group, however, went on a walking tour of the environs of Adamstown. We saw John Adams’s grave (along with the graves of his wife and daughter), historic homesites, giant banyan trees and other lush vegetation, overlooks, and the historic cemetery. The wonderful museum, with its collection of HMAV Bounty items that have been salvaged from the wreck, was extremely interesting. There was a lot to see and do here, and everyone had plenty of time to experience the island and its amazing history as they saw fit. We returned to the ship tired but satisfied. It had been a remarkable and successful day.
After sailing for quite a number of hours, we found ourselves back in Mangareva. The morning sun broke through the clouds over this mysterious island, which breaks the horizon with its jagged peaks and lush tropical forest. As soon as National Geographic Resolution was ready to get back on track, we set our navigation course to Pitcairn Island. During our navigation, we enjoyed lunch on deck with amazing views of the fringing coral reef and the idyllic, clear turquoise waters that surround little islands covered by coconut palm trees. As we were sailing, the Natural History Staff was out on deck, spotting white terns with their erratic flying patterns and a solo red-footed booby with its torpedo-shaped body. The birds flew much closer to the water to avoid the turbulence and strong winds. Spouts off the bow alerted us to the presence of a humpback whale. A few minutes later, the whale started doing what this species of whale likes most…just playing and having fun. The whale slapped its tale and fluked its pectoral fin like it was waving goodbye. What a beautiful treat. For the rest of the sailing, we enjoyed a great talk by guest speaker Tom Ritchie about “the behind-the-scenes history of Lindblad Expeditions,” and we watched The Bounty , a great introduction to our adventure on Pitcairn Island.
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