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Dream Come True: World Volcano Tour
- 26-days round-the-world trip to Hawai'i - Vanuatu - New Zealand - Indonesia -
In short
Tour code: RTW_DCT
Tour type: Volcano tour: adventure - photography - active volcanoes
Difficulty: Easy
Tour character: Mix of easy to medium excursions by land and sea, mostly short hikes, expert guiding by a volcanologist, confortable transfers in minibus and 4x4, good to excellent accommodation, adventurous camping on Krakatau, delicious local food.
Best travel period: March - October
Duration: 26 days
Dates:
Custom and scheduled dates   27 March - 21 April 2010  4-29 Sep 10 Price (p.p.): from 8680 EUR
(5-10 participants / prices for smaller or larger groups on request.)
Included: | all international and domestic flights (round the world, Economy Class) to and from your home airport
| | local departure taxes
| | all transfers (private AC minibus, 4x4, ferry, boats) as in program
| | accommodation in shared room (tents on Krakatau)
| | most meals as stated in program with B,L,D (-> all except 1xdinner, 13x lunch)
| | drinking water, juices, coffees and tea (within limits)
| | all park entry fees
| | excursion to White Island by boat incl walk on the island
| | all excursions as described
| | speed boat hire for Krakatau
| | camping equipment
| | gas masks
| | local guides, camp hands, drivers etc.
| | accompanying volcanologist
| | detailed accompanying information material |
Arrival info:As a round-the-world flight ticket is included, you can start this tour from almost any major airport in Europe and North America. The meeting and start of the tour will be in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
              
Who has not dreamt of travelling around the world? Volcano Discovery makes this dream come true. You'll follow a knowledgeable, enthusiastic volcanologist on an "ever westward journey" to explore some of the most exciting volcanoes of the planet.
The program includes Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes on Hawaii, Yasur on Vanuatu, White Island, Roturua, Ruhapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro in New Zealand, and in Indonesia Bromo volcano, the huge Tengger caldera, Semeru and Ijen volcano, crowned by a visit to a visit to Bali and an adventure to Krakatau, the volcano that changed the world.
Prepare to embrace an exciting mix of colors and tastes as well as cultures and customs as different as can be. You'll see active volcanoes and have a close-up look at hot lava; wander through the most spectacular of all known lava tubes; hike through desert and moonscapes to hellish sulphur lakes, geysers, fumaroles and bizarre geologic formations; and be treated to Yasur's nightly fireworks. By contrast, you'll also enjoy the sound and smells of rainforests, gentle coral beaches, the tropical breeze beneath coconut palms on Waikiki beach, as surfers head out to seek the perfect wave. Round-The-World (26 days)
Note:
Due to the modular character of the itinerary, you can opt to take part in only certain sections of the itinerary: Hawaii - Vanuatu - New Zealand - Java& Bali - Krakatau.
Important note: the itinerary could have to be modified due to changes in flight schedules and unpredictable weather and other conditions and should be regarded as a guideline only. Any change if necessary will be towards your interest and in order to optimize the tour.
Day 1: |
Flight Europe / America -> Hawaii, Waikiki Beach (Sa 27 March 2010)
The first leg around the world brings you straight to Honolulu, Hawai'i where you are greeted at the airport and transferred to our first night's hotel on legendary Waikiki beach. Group dinner in a beach restaurant.
Acc.: Beach hotel**** at Waikiki beach (B, L, D)
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Day 2: |
Honolulu - Hilo (Big Island) - Kilauea volcano
Morning flight to Hilo - lunch & first encouters with active Kilauea volcano. Lava viewing and introduction to Hawai'i's volcanism.
Acc.: good BB in Vulcano village at the caldera of Kilauea volcano (B, D)
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Day 3-4: |
Another 2 full days to explore Kilauea volcano
Lava viewing, the Rift Zones and active craters of Kilauea volcano, the world's largest lava tube, an option to take a boat tour to see lava flowing into the sea from a boat are only some of the highlights during our expedition to Kilauea.
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Day 5-6: |
Kona beaches - overnight flight to Auckland (New Zealand) (Wed, 31 March)
Today, we'll circle half of Big Island along a scenic route, passing the rift zone of Mauna Loa volcano and visit a gorgeous black sand beach where giant Green Sea Turtles are resting. We'll have the afternoon free to visit the sacred Hawai'ian sanctuary Pu'ukohola Heiau or / and one or two of Hawai'is most beautiful beaches on the dry and sunny Kona side. In the evening, after a dinner on the sea front of Kona, we go to the airport and fly to New Zealand via Honolulu. (arrival two days later as we cross the date line).
Acc.: in flight (B, D)
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Day 7: |
Auckland (free day to relax)
Early arrival in Auckland, transfer to town. Free day in Auckland or optional excursion in the area.
Acc.: hotel in downtowm Auckland (B, D)
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Day 8: |
Flight to Vanuatu (Sat, 3 April)
Acc.: hotel at the beachfront in Port Vila (B, D)
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Day 9: |
Flight to Tanna - Transfer to Yasur volcano
In the morning, we fly to Tanna island. A 4WD pick-up brings us accross the island to a simple, but charming guesthouse directly at the feet of Mt. Yasur volcano. After lunch, we drive and hike to Yasur volcano to enjoy its spectacular volcanic activity from close, as long as we wish...
Acc.: guesthouse on Tanna (B, L, D)
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Day 10: |
Day-trip to Port Resolution & Shark Bay & Yasur volcano
Day-trip to Port Resolution to see Shark Bay, combined with a magificient sea-food-lobster lunch on one of the world's most beautiful beaches... Visit of Yasur volcano in the evening/night.
Acc.: as before (Jungle Oasis) (B, L, D)
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Day 11: |
Yasur volcano & John Frum kastom village (spare day)
This day is an extra day we can dedicate to the extraordinary volcano of Yasur. During the day, we could take a short excursion to the "kastom" village of John Frum at the feet of the volcano. Traditional ways of living and customs are still alive and the inhabitants follow a particular religious belief centered around the half-mythical John Frum (probably = "John from America")...
Acc.: as before (Jungle Oasis) (B, L, D)
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Day 12: |
Flight back to New Zealand (Wed, 7 April)
In the morning, we fly back to Port Vila where we probably have time for a relaxed lunch at the waterfront. In the afternoon, we fly back to Auckland, where we will stay overnight in the same hotel in downtown where as before. Opportunity to explore Auckland's nightlife...
Acc.: hotel in downtown Auckland (B, D)
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Day 13: |
Rotorua and its geothermal sites
Transfer to Roturoa and full day exploration of its phantastic colorful geysers and hydrothermal areas.
Acc.: hotel in Roturoa (B, D)
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Day 14: |
White Island by boat + walk on the volcano
Boat trip to White Island Volcano and walk on the active volcanic island. Opportunity to view dolphins and whales as well as spectacular bird life.
Acc.: as before (Roturoa) (B, L, D)
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Day 15: |
Departure to Ohakune via Taupo, Huka Falls
We leave Roturoa and drive to the immense Taupo caldera. Excursion to the spectacular Huka waterfalls.
Acc.: hotel in Ohakune (B, D)
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Day 16: |
Tongariro crossing (optional) / day for other activities in the area
For those who like a challenging hike, the Tongariro Crossing is one of the best hikes in the world! We will organize permits and the required specialised tour guide on request. Otherwise, the area is full of volcanic and natural attractions and alternative options include scenic charter overflights over the area with its volcanoes (Ruhapehu, White Island, etc).
trek)
Acc.: as before (Ohakune) (B, D)
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Day 17: |
Ruhapehu volcano - evening transfer to Auckland and overnight flight to Jakarta (Mo, 12 April)
Additional excursions to the Taupo caldera (e.g. to a viewpoint of Ruhapehu volcano) and transfer in the afternoon to Auckland. After dinner, transfer to the airport and overnight flight to Jakarta.
Acc.: in flight (B, D)
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Day 18: |
Arrival in Jakarta - flight to Surabaya - Bromo caldera
Arrival in Jakarta and connecting flight to Surabaya. Transfer to the spectacular Tengger caldera with Bromo volcano.
Acc.: bungalows at the Bromo caldera (B, L, D)
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Day 19: |
Bromo volcano & Tengger caldera
Relaxed day to explore Bromo volcano and the Tengger caldera. Visit of the local volcano observatory and introduction to monitoring techniques of the volcano.
Acc.: as before (Bromo) (B)
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Day 20: |
Sunrise over the Tengger Kaldera - Transfer to Ijen volcano
Jeep (or hike) to sunrise viewpoint - transfer to Ijen Plateau, coffee plantations, hot bath in nearby natural hot volcanic springs.
Acc.: guesthouse at coffee plantation near Ijen (B, L, D)
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Day 21: |
Kawah Ijen volcano - transfer to Bali
Climb and visit of Ijen's crater, descend to the sulphur mining area and the turquoise acid crater lake. In the afternoon transfer to Bali.
Acc.: beach hotel on Bali (B, D)
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Day 22: |
Flight to Jakarta - transfer to Krakatau volcano (Sat, 17 April)
We take an early flight to Jakarta, where a minibus picks us up and brings us straight to the West Coast. After a lunch, we embark on a motor boat that brings us to the famous island group of Krakatau, where we will set camp for two nights on a paradise beach facing the often active Anak Krakatau volcano.
Acc.: camp on the beach of Krakatau (B, L, D)
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Day 23-24: |
Another 2 full days for Krakatau volcano
We spend another two full days & nights at and around Krakatau to observe the activity, relax, swim, snorkel in coral reefs, and explore the immense caldera with young Anak Krakatau island in the middle, the outer islands forming the caldera rim with their spectacular geologic formations including the huge 1883 pumice deposit.
Acc.: as before (camp on Krakatau) (B, L, D)
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Day 25: |
Return to West Coast - transfer to Jakarta - flight back to Europe (& America)
In the morning, we break camp and return to the west coast. After lunch we return to Jakarta in time for the flight back home (arrival in Europe next morning) (connection to America or stopover in Europe).
Acc.: in flight (B, L, D)
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Day 26: |
Arrival in Europe / N America, connecting flight back home (Wed, 21 April)
Acc.: none (B)
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