Holiday in the Cook Islands: Rarotonga and Aitutaki

Welcome to the Cook Islands! You will be greeted upon arrival with fresh flowers and bottled water. You'll spend the following 5 nights in Rarotonga in your selected hotel.

First you'll enjoy an island discovery tour, exploring Rarotonga travelling by air-conditioned coach. Your local guide will take you on a fascinating 3 hour sightseeing tour, the perfect introduction to the island’s rich culture, legends and history.  Pick up from your accommodation and overview of the island in English. You will travel along the ancient Ara Metua or “Road of Toi” built in 1050 AD as an all-weather paved road and visit ancient maraes (ceremonial sites).   

Enjoy a refreshment stop where you will have the opportunity to purchase locally crafted gifts and souvenirs. Your sightseeing tour continues on to a number of historical sites including one of the first limestone churches built on the island, the Garden of the Seven Canoes at Avana Passage and Black Rock, a volcanic boulder on the edge of the lagoon. Along the way you'll get a glimpse of the Needle Lookout, a volcanic outcrop marking the center of the island.

In the following days, enjoy a trip to the Highland Paradise Cultural Centre, sometimes known as “the lost village”, a real cultural feast of Cook Islands entertainment and spiritual experiences. Take the Tapu’ae day tour on the authentic historical site in this mountain village refuge that lay forgotten for 150 years.  Watch re-enactments of the ancestors way of life, and visit the restored marae and the faithfully rebuilt traditional buildings.

This 200 acre site was a fortified tribal village which has recently been rediscovered after 150 years under jungle growth. Your guides are experts in tribal lore. End this incredible day with a spectacular island night show and dinner.

Fly from Rarotonga to Aitutaki, where you'll be transferred to your selected hotel, where you'll spend the upcoming 5 nights. During this period you'll enjoy a marvellous lagoon cruise with lunch. It's one of the best ways to experience the beautiful lagoon of Aitutaki and spend time on one of the most talked about places in the world, charming One Foot Island.

Aitutaki’s lagoon is one of most beautiful in the world, shaped like an arrow head and fringed by islets. Bishops Lagoon Cruises offers all day cruises and private lagoon excursions with snorkelling, fish feeding, lunch and endless opportunities to explore deserted beaches on your own.   

Visit world famous Honeymoon Island, a long white sand stretch with young coconut trees. Join the captain as he hand-feeds banded damsels and butterfly fish, or see giant clams in their natural habitat and learn about the clam propagation program that the Marine Department is implementing  in the lagoon. 

Then it's on to One Foot Island, where you will be served a picnic lunch of fresh BBQ fish with local salads. After you amazing 5-day experience you'll fly back to Rarotonga and then you'll be off home or to your onward destination.