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Tahiti - Aranui 5 - Dancers

Aranui - Marquesas Islands

12 nights from £8,095pp

Aranui - Marquesas Islands

Known as the ‘Freighter to Paradise’, the Aranui 5 is surely one of the most unique and unforgettable journeys in the world. A cruise unlike any other, the Aranui is a cargo vessel, which carries supplies – and a limited number of passengers – to the most remote group of islands on earth – the wild and mystical Marquesas!

The 12 day round-trip voyage begins and ends in Papeete and makes its first stop in the small atoll of Fakarava in the Tuamotu Islands before continuing on to the far-flung Marquesas. The return journey includes a sojourn in Rangiroa, one of the world's largest atolls. The enchanting Marquesas Islands are so remote that the Aranui is their lifeline to the outside world – the ship visits all six inhabited islands in the archipelago, delivering supplies and picking up copra, dried coconut and noni fruit. Visitors are very rare, but very welcome in this part of the world – you will be warmly greeted by the friendly locals on each island who await the Aranui’s arrival with anticipation.

Time seems to have stood still in the Marquesas, where roads and cars are few and far between. Their beauty lies in the welcoming people, the wild horses which roam freely, the mysterious tiki statues and of course – the awe-inspiring scenery. This is a land where nature runs wild, towering volcanic mountain peaks dominate the landscape, and majestic waterfalls await your discovery.

Whilst supplies are being unloaded, you have plenty of time to explore these spectacular islands. Led by experienced guides, you will be able to explore by 4WD or horseback, hike to ancient archaeological sites, or visit charming villages where Marquesan artists will delight in opening their studios for you. There will also be time for swimming and relaxing on the black sand beaches.

Your Journey

Depart Papeete at midday (board from 7am - 9am) and set sail for the Tuamotu Islands.

Day 2 - Fakarava

Spend time relaxing on a beautiful white sand beach in this small Tuamotu atoll. Explore the village of Rotoava and its church built of coral. Enjoy a delicious picnic and spend time swimming and snorkelling in the crystalline lagoon before continuing the journey to the Marquesas archipelago in the afternoon.

Day 3 - At Sea

Relax on one of the sun decks, swim in the pool or simply gaze out at the vast South Pacific ocean and allow your mind to wander without a care in the world. Spend balmy evenings on deck with new friends, relax in the lounge with a good book, learn about Marquesan culture and archaeology from an on-board expert and soak up the sounds of French Polynesia as the crew sing and dance to Polynesian rhythms.

Day 4 - Nuku Hiva

Sail into Taiohae Bay, a volcanic ampitheatre with towering cliffs streaked with waterfalls. Once ashore, explore Taiohae – the tiny administrative capital of the Marquesas. Visit an archaeological site in the beautiful village of Hatiheu and enjoy lunch at one of the archipelago's best restaurants - the speciality is pig baked in an underground oven!

Day 5 - Ua Pou

Ua Pou provides a dramatic first impression of the Marquesas, with its soaring mountain spires. Meet talented woodcarvers and hike up a hill for a breathtaking view of the distant mountains. Savour the flavours of a Marquesan lunch with breadfruit, curried goat, barbecued rock lobster, poisson cru, taro and sweet red bananas.

Ua Pou provides a dramatic first impression of the Marquesas, with its soaring mountain spires. Meet talented woodcarvers and hike up a hill for a breathtaking view of the distant mountains.

Day 6 - Ua Huka

In the early morning, the Aranui will perform an impressive manoeuvre, a 180 degree turn in the magnificent 'Invisible Bay' of Vaipaee, a skilled sight to behold! Visit the small museum with exquisite replicas of Marquesan art, then explore the island and viewpoints by 4WD. Lunch will be served at a local family restaurant in Hane village. Discover some of the island’s handicrafts, wood carvings and engraved coconut shells. Sail along the coast of Ua Huka for more spellbinding views.

Day 7 - Tahuata and Hiva Oa

Discover Tahuata, only accessible by sea and the site of the first French settlement in the Marquesas in 1842. Visit the large church built by the Vatican, decorated with beautiful Marquesan sculptures and stained-glass windows. Tahuata is famous for its exquisite bone and helmet shell carvings. Sail to Hiva Oa whilst enjoying lunch onboard and take time to explore Atuona, the second largest village in the Marquesas, where artist Paul Gauguin lived and created some of his best work. Travel by 4WD to the largest archaeological site in the Marquesas Islands, 'Tohua Taa’oa', and enjoy the breathtaking views from the cemetery, with the simple tombstone remembering Paul Gauguin. Nearby is the grave of another famous European who also fell in love with Hiva Oa, the Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.

Discover Tahuata, only accessible by sea and the site of the first French settlement in the Marquesas in 1842. Sail to Hiva Oa and explore Atuona, the second largest village in the Marquesas.

Day 8 - Fatu Hiva

The most remote and lush of all the islands - and the centre for Marquesan crafts – Fatu Hiva is home to Hana Vave, a small village only accessible by boat which overlooks the stunning Baie es Vierges (Bay of Virgins). In the village of Omoa, the women will demonstrate how to make tapa by crushing the bark from mulberry, banyan or breadfruit trees. Robust passengers can opt for a 10-mile hike from Omoa to Hana Vave, offering breathtaking views of the high cliffs. A picnic lunch will be served at the mountain top. Non-hikers will sail aboard the Aranui to Hava Vave and the picturesque Bay of Virgins. As the Aranui departs the Marquesas, take part in the farewell ceremony with the lively crew.

Day 9 - At Sea

A day to relax and reflect on your experiences in the Marquesas archipelago. During the crossing to the magnificent Tuamotu Islands, activities and lectures will be offered throughout the day. Before going to bed, set your watch back 30 minutes to Tahiti time.

Day 10 - Rangiroa

Travel through the Tiputa Pass, one of Rangiroa’s passes, and swim and snorkel in the vast turquoise lagoon of the world’s second largest atoll. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach, join a glass-bottom boat tour and plunge beneath the surface on a scuba diving expedition (certified divers only) to discover some of the best diving in the world. After lunch, the Aranui sets sail for the magical island of Bora Bora.

Note: Whilst the majority of sailing schedules visit Rangiroa, a handful replace this vast atoll with the fascinating sheer cliffs of Makatea. Once a prosperous atoll due to phosphate mining until 1964, it has become almost completely deserted, with only a few families left.

Day 11 - Bora Bora

In this perfect island paradise, enjoy a day at the beach with a barbecue on a private Motu surrounded by crystal clear waters, under the watchful eye of majestic Mount Otemanu. Choose from a variety of optional excursions (additional cost) such as scuba diving, lagoon tours, and swimming with sharks and rays! Bora Bora was an American military outpost
during World War II and remnants of the war such as cannons and bunkers can be seen on a 4WD tour. Departure in the evening for Papeete.

In this perfect island paradise, enjoy a day at the beach with a barbecue on a private Motu surrounded by crystal clear waters, under the watchful eye of majestic Mount Otemanu.

What's Included

12 nights from £8,095 per person

• International flights included from the UK

• Includes return airport and in-destination transfers

Package price shown is based on travel in May 2027. Exact pricing dependent on exact departure dates and availability at the time of booking. Please contact our team of experts for further information and your bespoke quote.

Life Onboard the Aranui

The Aranui is not a luxury cruise ship, her magic lies in the islands you will visit on her voyage, most of which simply can not be visited in any other way! The essence of the Aranui journey combines authenticity, spirit of adventure and immersion into Marquesan life. Accommodation is provided for up to 254 passengers in 103 smart and stylish ensuite cabins offering a mix of portholes and balconies. We highly recommend booking early to secure one of the popular suites with their own balcony – ideal for relaxing and enjoying the stunning panoramas!

There is a swimming pool and fitness room on board, as well as two spacious guest lounges, four bars, a shop and massage room. The ship also has two lifts. A programme of talks by onboard lecturers provides a fascinating insight into the rich culture and history of the islands. Meals are served in the restaurant – and in the evenings, the crew will often provide entertainment by singing and playing the ukulele. The dress code is informal, so bring comfortable, island-style clothing. There is a washing machine and dryer onboard.

Best time to travel

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The Aranui cruise in Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands operates throughout much of the year, although some seasons suit certain experiences better. The drier months from May to October bring comfortable temperatures and better conditions for exploring remote islands, while the wetter summer months can offer lush scenery and tropical showers. This unique cruise offers an exceptional way to discover Polynesian culture, dramatic landscapes and remote islands in almost any season.

FAQs

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Why Choose Turquoise?

Family Owned & Run

We are one of the few remaining family owned and run operators of our size. We have direct relationships with every single destination, island, resort and hotel we work with, in order to deliver exceptional and truly personalised service.

Our Passion Runs Deep

We are - and always have been - mad about travel. For almost 25 years we've been scouring the globe for the best places to stay, the newest routes to take, the perfect people to meet. No-one will care more about your holiday.

Definition of Luxury

Luxury means something different to everyone. Whether you are seeking the silence of vast spaces, the isolation of a private island, the buzz of a new city, the adrenaline of a safari or anything in between, we listen, we learn, we advise.

Fun & Refreshing

We endeavour that every Turquoise experience is unique, fun and refreshing. Travel is all about experiences, about serendipitous moments and endless smiles. It is a joy and an honour to plan each and every Turquoise holiday.

What Our Travellers Say

“As enthusiastic retirees with a serious case of wanderlust, my wife and I now travel abroad at least four times a year.We'd been subscribed to The Turquoise Holiday Company mailing list for years, but it wasn't until we spotted a special offer for Thailand in November 2019 that we finally booked our first holiday with them.Interestingly, a few months earlier, while waiting for a flight to the Maldives in June 2019, we noticed another couple travelling with a Turquoise travel bag. At the time, we thought little of it, but looking back, it was perhaps an early sign that we were about to discover a travel company that would become our go-to specialist for luxury holidays.Our first experience with Turquoise was excellent and gave us the confidence to book a Maldives holiday for June 2020. Then, of course, COVID struck and brought the travel industry to a standstill. What impressed us most was the way Turquoise handled an incredibly difficult situation. Rather than leaving us in limbo, they worked tirelessly to rearrange our holiday multiple times, adapting to constantly changing restrictions and circumstances. Eventually, in November 2020, despite flying with a different airline and staying at a different hotel than originally planned, we were able to enjoy a much-needed Maldives escape when many other travel plans around the world had simply been cancelled altogether.That experience cemented our trust in The Turquoise Holiday Company. Since then, we have booked many holidays through them and now use them for the vast majority of our trips abroad.What consistently sets Turquoise apart is the quality of its people. Every member of staff we have dealt with has been knowledgeable, professional, friendly and exceptionally thorough. Their expertise, attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile give us complete confidence that every aspect of our holiday is being carefully managed.In an age where genuine customer service can be hard to find, The Turquoise Holiday Company continues to deliver it in abundance. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone looking for a travel agent that combines expert knowledge, outstanding customer care and absolute professionalism. They have played a major part in some of our most memorable travel experiences, and we look forward to booking many more adventures with them in the years ahead.”
“Right from first contact, Bethany & colleagues were great. Bethany adjusted the holiday offered several times to get it just how we wanted it, & it was everything she said it would be. We went to Coco Bodu Hithi & it was amazing, I thoroughly recommend it. Turquoise have a great app which was really useful & they were there for us all along the way, even sending me updates on flights. I recommend them 100%.”
“Everything was so efficient from our very first contact. We are not seasoned travellers so the support/help/advice we received from Lucy all the way through was so reassuring. Even the daftest question was never too much trouble. Looking forward to booking again for 2028 - we wouldn’t dream of looking forward alternative travel agents. Thank you so much 🥰”
“I am so thankful we used Turquoise Holidays! From start to finish they were exceptional. A shout out to Martha who designed and organised our honeymoon for us - she took the stress out of planning, understood the vision and put together our dream holiday. She was a pleasure to work with and it was beyond anything we could have imagined. I can’t tell you how relieved we were to have all of our transport and transfers sorted the other side. Especially for a trip like ours with lots of flights and travel, using Turquoise Holidays made it so much easier. We also used the concierge services to book activities and they were so helpful and kind. Will definitely use Turquoise again, I can’t wait for our next holiday!”
“Sophie was brilliant from start to finish. From the very first email she was professional but also had that friendly touch. Any amendments I wanted to our honeymoon plans she came back with the updated itinerary. Even after 5 iterations she was still incredible with the responses. I would highly recommend using turquoise travel and we will definitely be using them again”
“Amazing Family Holiday and just what we asked for! We wanted a resort and location that was approriate for small kids but had all the luxuries for adults, and Turquoise holidays provided a great service. Commincation was great and they took all the pain out of the small details and provided an excellent service and the value was outstanding!”
“Just got back from a fantastic Holiday in Mauritius with which I booked the Holiday with Turquoise Holidays. This is my first time I have booked with this company and I will have no hesitation in booking again, from start to finish the correspondence I had with Milly and the rest of the team at Turquoise as been outstanding. Thankyou Neil & Jane”
“Enjoyable trip to Canada.Jonty made excellent recommendations as always, hotels were great in every respect.Highly recommend Turquoise for their advice and insight into places and hotels at a very good price point. We have used many times in the past and will continue do use again in the future.”
“Mrs Stone organised all my flights details and extra help extremely well.”
“This was the best travel agent experience we have ever had. We went on a bespoke 5 week trip to Australia. Our agent, Stuart, designed a trip exactly matching our requirements and really listened to us when we described the brief. What came through strongly during the course of the trip was Turquoise’s ability to not just source the best properties/accommodation, but the best rooms in those properties. Likewise with the tours and activities that they organised — everything felt highly curated and considered. When any queries arose or we wanted to change the bugs, the team was super-responsive through the app. We will definitely use them again have recommended them to many friends.”
“We had a really good time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The blend of activity and adventures in Sri Lanka mixed with the relaxation and tranquility of the Maldives, worked extremely well and the itinerary put together by Turquoise was excellent.Overall we were very impressed with Sri Lanka and whilst hectic at times enjoyed our busy agenda. We found all the accommodation wonderful and food was plentiful and enjoyable. We were pleased to have climbed the two rocks to see the sunset/sunrise albeit a bit daunting when we realised the climbing challenge ahead.Special mention has to go to our driver/guide Mahesh who was excellent and really helped make our trip run smoothly. He was knowledgeable, practical and always prompt.In fact our only hiccup occurred when trying to leave the Notary House to fly to Male. We had booked a 4am alarm call, bags to be picked up at 4.20am and “breakfast to go” ready for 4.30am. Fortunately we had used our own phone alarms as we awoke to a completely silent hotel, no alarm call, no bags collected and no breakfast, and no driver.We did however just about hear a car hooting and on seeing some lights at the end of the long drive to the hotel set off and found Mahesh. However, the gates were padlocked shut and Mahesh was locked out and we were locked in! Fortunately Mahesh had a number for the hotel and after ringing several times, an apologetic staff member appeared and unlocked the gate and off we went. Phew !After making our plane we successfully arrived in Male and took the speedboat to Velassaru. We thought the island was impeccably well kept and had obviously been recently modernised in many areas. Our room - 205 - was perfectly positioned close to the Chill Bar, and ideal for drinking cocktails and watching the sunset, yet only a small walk from all other amenities including the buffet restaurant where we ate all our meals. We found the breakfast plentiful and varied but thought the offerings for dinner were less extensive than on other islands( maybe we were a bit spoilt at Six Senses last year ! ). We were also disappointed that given we were half board had we wished to use any of the other 3 à la carte restaurants for dinner then this was additionally chargeable albeit with a 30% discount.And yes, sadly the view from our villa of Thilafushi was certainly not ideal or romantic but overall we still agreed that Velassaru was a lovely island with everything you would expect from a trip to the Maldives.Overall we were very satisfied and would consider doing a similar trip again and definitely using Turquoise albeit I think we would allow for a longer journey from Male and take the seaplane even if that did eat into a bit more of our holiday time.Thanks again to Anthony for listening to our requirement and tailoring our trip to suit our needs.Steve ( and Cathy )”
“Always so helpful, professional and efficient, thank you once again!”
walkway at soneva jani

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