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Volcanoes of Ambrym - the Grand Traverse - 8-days volcano expedition to Ambrym - individual departures & group tours -  
       
Tour code: VAN_NCT
Difficulty: Duration: 8-9 days Dates:Custom and group dates7-14 Aug 12 Price (p.p.): from 980 EURShow in other currencies
[close] Included:
Tour guide:The group is accompanied by very experienced cooks and porters guided by a competent and specialized guide from Ambrym who knows the island better than anyone else. On demand, an accompanying volcanologist from our team can join your expedition.   
Immerse yourself into a world unknown to most - a tropical world of fire, coconut palms, exotic dances, magic traditions and stories: This expedition is an in depth experience of what is the most dramatic of Vanuatu's active volcanoes: mysterious Ambrym.
About this tour:Accompanied by experienced guides, cooks and porters, you'll spend several days inside and cross the desert-like lunar landscape of the Ambrym caldera, the heart of the island. You have plenty of time to explore its several active craters, some of which have active lava lakes most of the time. Abseiling into the spectacular Benbow crater to approach one of its lava lakes is an option, which - conditions permitting - can be done safely, with the support from our trained guides and with professional safety equipment.
Itinerary - 8 days AmbrymNote:
For an expedition like this, any program presented must be considered indicative: unexpected changes in flight schedules, volcanic and weather conditions etc. could make modifications in the actual itinerary necessary. In particular, it could result in that the return to Port Vila must be anticipated by one day. In this (unlikely) case, the additional day on Efate would be dedicated to a scenic round trip around Efate. On request, modifications are possible as well - e.g. to spend one more day inside the caldera and one day less in Toak (although we highly recommend the presented itinerary).
Day 1:
EFATE - AMBRYM
Departure from Efate (Port Vila) to Ambrym (domestic flight). Meeting with the exceptional family of your guide and transfer to their village at the ocean shore. Afternoon & evening to discover the village. Acc.: : simple village guesthouse (B,L,D)
Day 2:
Ascend into the caldera - Marum volcano
Hike and ascent into the caldera. Installation of the base camp, picnic lunch with traditional food and hike to discover Marum volcano. Acc.: : base camp inside the caldera in spacious dome tents (B,L,D)
Day 3:
Benbow volcano
Expedition to the crater of Benbow with its usually active lava lakes. Descend (abseiling) into its crater optional, conditions permitting (trained guided assist you with professional equipment). Return to the base camp in the evening. Acc.: : as before (camp) (B,L,D)
Day 4:
Marum & Benbow - spare day in the caldera
Spare day to discover Marum and Benbow inside the large Ambrym caldera. Acc.: : as before (camp) (B,L,D)
Day 5:
Crossing of the caldera - descend to Endu
Thanks to our two crews on Ambrym, it is possible to cross the entire caldera - the local boundary - and descend on a different side of the island, a hike through unrivalled natural beauty, and allowing you to fully experience the grandeur of the caldera, stop at spectacular viewpoints and enjoy the lunar, almost surreal multicolored landscape. You pass on the rim of the pit crater Liwelèbih with its tropical vegetation, the old volcanic cone Marum Liglar, Marum and Benbow. The hike ends in the charming village of Endu on the east coast, where you'll be welcomed with lots of smiles: a total immersion into a new world unspoiled by tourism waits for you! Acc.: : simple, but charming family-run guesthouse (B,L,D)
Day 6:
Culture & Traditions of Endu
A full day to discover the traditional culture and life of Endu: dances, magic, kava ceremonies, traditional cuisine ... Acc.: : as before (guesthouse) (B,L,D)
Day 7:
Endu – Toak and view of Lopevi volcano
Transfer to Toak, located at the coast facing the spectacular cone of Lopevi stratovolcano. Acc.: : simple family-run guesthouse (B,L,D)
Day 8:
Toak - return to Port Vila
Discover the famous tradition of sand-drawing of Toak, a declared Unesco immaterial heritage. After a refreshment, depart from Ulei airport and return to Port Vila, transfer to your hotel, dinner. Acc.: : Hotel in Port Vila (B, L, D)
Note: We recommend to add at least one day for a comfortable, but very interesting guided round tour on Efate. This suggested extension will round out the trip and result in the following 9-days version of the Ambrym expedition. 9 days itinerary (with extension on Efate)
Day 1-8:
same as days 1-8 in 8-days itinerary
Day 9:
Wonders of Efate Island - day-trip around the island
Morning departure with your driver-guide: visit the most beautiful spots of Efate, its turquoise lagoons, swim at paradise beaches - some of which rate among the nicest in the South Sea - and watch a custom dance performance. Return to the hotel in the afternoon, free evening & dinner. Acc.: : none (B, L) (accommodation can be included on request)
Extension: 4 days on Espiritu Santo Island
Day 1:
Arrival on Espiritu Santo Island
Flight to Espirito Santo and transfer to one of the most beautiful coasts of the island, where you spend the next 2 nights in a luxury bungalow on you own small private island. Options to explore a magnificient coral reef, rainforest and beaches. Acc.: : Night in delux bungalow (B)
Day 2:
Plage - Plongée sur le Lagon et le Trou Bleu
Day to explore the fantastic underwater world around: dive on President Collidge WW2 shipwreck, lunch at the resort, options for snorkeling, kayak, explore the rainforest, or simply relax on the beach Acc.: : as before (B)
Day 3:
Option for second dive
Second dive (optional), transfer to Migotty Hotel on the mainland Acc.: : Migotty Hotel (B)
Day 4:
Retour sur Efate
Transfert vers l'aéroport de Bougainville. Vol Santo - Efate. (fin de l'extension) Acc.: : aucun
Arrival info:This adventure starts and ends in Port Vila on Efate Island, Vanuatu's capital. The day of departure is depending on the domestic flight schedule of AirVanuatu (alternatively: charter flights). It is both a perfect stand-alone program if you only have limited time to visit Vanuatu and follow the priciple "less is more", or can be combined with visits to other islands, e.g. Tanna with active Yasur volcano - for example, our program "Yasur Volcano Adventure". Accommodation: Room of a family-run guest house on Ambrym Accommodation on this trip is mixed:
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