HIKE VOLCANOS IN VANUATU
This active and immersive expedition is ideal for travellers looking to go beyond the resorts and discover the real Vanuatu, a place of smouldering volcanoes, vibrant coral reefs, dense rainforests, and deeply rooted Indigenous culture. You’ll visit remote islands, snorkel in protected marine reserves, hike through banyan-covered jungle, and witness kastom culture in some of the South Pacific’s most unique communities.
Trip Duration: 8 days
Start/End: Port Vila, Vanuatu
Group Size: 1–12 people
Ages: 15+
Accommodation: 4 nights in hotels, 3 in locally hosted bungalows
Transport: Private vehicle, boat, and small planes
Meals Included: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners
Photo by Old Youth
itinerary Breakdown
Day 1 – Port Vila
Arrive in the capital of Vanuatu. Explore local markets or take a sea kayak out on the ocean. Evening welcome meeting.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: None
Day 2 – Efate: Rentapao River & Waterfalls
Paddle the Rentapao River by kayak, enjoy lunch by the water, and then relax at the Rarru Cascades.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities: River kayaking, waterfall swim
Day 3 – Tanna Island: Rainforest & Banyan Tree Hike
Fly to remote Tanna Island. After a local lunch, hike through the rainforest to see the world’s largest banyan tree and meet locals in nearby villages. Visit a traditional kava bar.
Accommodation: Beachside bungalow
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Banyan tree hike, village visits, kava bar
Photo by Sebastian Luo
Day 4 – Tanna: Mt Yasur Volcano
Visit Sulphur Bay hot springs, explore Port Resolution, and then hike to the crater of Mt Yasur to witness volcanic eruptions at sunset.
Accommodation: Bungalow
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Hot springs, Port Resolution, volcano hike
Day 5 – Tanna to Port Vila
Visit a traditional kastom village for an insight into local customs and Prince Philip worship. Return flight to Port Vila.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities: Kastom village tour, coffee tasting
Day 6 – Pele & Nguna Islands: Reef & Volcano
Boat ride to Pele Island for a beach lunch and snorkelling in a marine reserve. Optional volcano hike on Nguna Island. Overnight in beach bungalows hosted by village women.
Accommodation: Beachside bungalow
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activities: Snorkelling, village visit
Optional: 3-hour extinct volcano hike on Nguna
Day 7 – Nguna to Port Vila
Morning walk to Nguna’s village and historic church. Return to Efate for lunch and a coastal drive back to Port Vila, with a swim at Blue Lagoon and a distillery tasting along the way.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activities: Village walk, distillery tasting, scenic stops
Day 8 – Departure
The trip ends after breakfast. Optional activities include a bushwalk or city tour if you’re staying on.
Meals: Breakfast
Good to Know
Accommodation on Tanna and Pele is basic, with limited electricity, cold showers, and bucket toilets.
Internal flights are weather-dependent; charter flights may be required at additional cost.
Alcohol is discouraged in villages out of respect for local customs.
Hiking involves uneven terrain; good fitness and sturdy footwear are recommended.
This is not a polished resort holiday, it’s an off-the-beaten-track expedition that offers rich rewards to those willing to rough it a little. You’ll come away with unforgettable memories, a deeper cultural understanding, and stories of lava, laughter, and lush landscapes.