Monday 12th January – Papeete, French Polynesia

Morning

• Group A Members: Arrive at your leisure in Papeete, the stunning capital of French Polynesia on Tahiti, famous for its powdery white sands and turquoise waters.

Afternoon

• Join us at 12:30pm in the hotel lobby for the pre-tour meeting to review the itinerary and meet your fellow travelers and YPT guide. At 1pm, embark on a guided tour of Papeete’s natural and cultural gems, including the ancient Arahurahu Marae, the enchanting Maraa Grotto caves, the lush Water Gardens of Vaipahi, the breathtaking Faarumai Waterfalls, the dramatic Arahoho Blowhole, and the historic Pointe Venus with its black sand beach and lighthouse—plus a memorial to the HMS Bounty, the fascinating history of which we will be exploring across this epic trip!
• After our day tour, we will return to the hotel to freshen up before heading downtown for delicious Polynesian street food at the “Roulottes of Papeete,” featuring favorites like poisson cru, chow mein, and crepes.
• As night falls, Papeete transforms into a lively hotspot! From chic nightclubs and cozy dive bars with local musicians to dazzling drag shows and energetic rock venues, there’s something for everyone. In true YPT style, we will dive into the vibrant nightlife and make the most of this unforgettable evening in Papeete!
• Overnight in Papeete.

Monday 13th January – Papeete 

Morning

• Depart at 5:45 AM for the Papeete Ferry Terminal, where we will catch the 6:30 AM ferry to Moorea, a stunning volcanic island named after the Tahitian word for “Yellow Lizard.” Upon arrival, our local guides will greet us and whisk us away on an unforgettable snorkeling adventure in Moorea’s breathtaking lagoon. Prepare to swim alongside graceful stingrays and blacktip sharks while exploring colorful coral reefs brimming with tropical fish— like a postcard come to life! To cap off this incredible afternoon, our guides will lead a hands-on cooking class where we will learn to prepare Tahiti’s signature dish, Poisson Cru—succulent raw fish marinated in fresh lime juice and creamy coconut milk.

Afternoon

• After our snorkelling excursion, we will take the ferry back to Papeete where we will freshen up before dinner and drinks on our last night in Papeete.

Tuesday 14th January – Papeete – Mangareva 

Morning

• Group A Members: Depart the hotel at 3:30am to catch the 6:00am Air Tahiti to Mangareva, the largest of French Polynesia’s Gambier islands archipelago, arriving at 11:30am.
• Group B Members: Meet your fellow travellers at Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport and join them on the 6:00am flight to Mangareva.
• We will collect our luggage and take the 40 minute ferry to the main island Rikitea, where a French Polynesian Gendarmerie will give exit stamps for passengers heading to Pitcairn.

Afternoon

• Upon arrival in Rikitea, a crew member will help us stock up on provisions (yes, alcohol is allowed!) and then it is ‘anchors away’ at 4pm as we depart on our cargo-passenger ship, which delivers goods to Pitcairn. This will be our home for the next 32 hours (2 nights and 1 day) as we embark on a 480km journey to one of the UK’s most remote dependencies: the Pitcairn Islands. While not a luxury cruise liner, the ship offers comfortable twin-share accommodation with ensuites, a shared dining room with a snack bar, and two passenger lounges equipped with TVs, USB/DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. We will enjoy dinner and a few drinks in the dining room before settling in for our first overnight at sea.
• Overnight aboard our ship.

Wednesday 15th January – Pacific Ocean 

Morning

• Breakfast is served from 7:30am in the dining room. Afterward, we will explore the ship with access to the top deck, weather permitting. While spotting whales or large marine life is unlikely, we can relish the ocean breeze and the breathtaking views of this remote corner of the Pacific.

Afternoon

• Lunch will be served at 11:30am, followed by leisurely activities like card games, sharing travel stories, binge-watching downloaded movies, or catching up on rest if you’ve been traveling with us for the past few weeks. Dinner and drinks will be served at 5:30pm.
• Overnight aboard our ship.

Thursday 16th January – Pitcairn 

Morning

• We will start our day with breakfast on the boat before heading to the top deck to capture stunning photos as we approach and anchor off Pitcairn—the only inhabited island among the four volcanic islands of the Pitcairn group. With fewer than 50 residents, Pitcairn’s close-knit community is made up of the descendants of the infamous mutineers of the HMS Bounty and their Polynesian companions who arrived in 1790.
• Around 8am, we will board longboats and transfer to Bounty Bay, arriving ashore around 9am After clearing customs, we will be warmly welcomed by our homestay hosts, who will escort us to their homes, where you will settle in and get to know your hosts over a welcoming cup of tea or coffee. This is also a great time to discuss any dietary preferences, as your hosts will be providing most of your meals during your stay.

Afternoon

• After settling in, we will regroup and kick off our Pitcairn adventure with a guided walking tour of Adamstown. Our first stop will be the post office to grab some postcards, followed by a visit to the government treasury to exchange currency, and then a quick stop at the general store where you can pick up supplies, including tobacco and alcohol at duty-free prices! We will then stop by Adamstown Church, the world’s most remote Adventist church, and stroll through Pitcairn Islands Cemetery, where nearly eight generations of Bounty descendants are laid to rest, including the grave of mutineer John Adams, who famously seized control of the HMS Bounty from Captain Bligh in 1789 and established Pitcairn’s first settlement the following year.
• After our tour, we will head back to our homestays for a delicious lunch, featuring a variety of quality whole foods, fruit, coffee, tea, and juice. Depending on how you are feeling after the journey, you can either take some time to relax or join the group at the Pitcairn Island Museum. Opened in 2005, the museum showcases fascinating artifacts from the island’s original settlers, along with remains from the HMS Bounty, which was deliberately set ablaze and sunk in 1790 to avoid detection by the Royal Navy and prevent escape from the island.
• Wrap up the day with dinner, drinks, and a comfortable overnight at your homestay, where you can unwind and reflect on the start of your Pitcairn adventure.

Friday 17th January – Pitcairn 

Morning

• After breakfast with your hosts, join the group for an exciting guided walking tour starting in Adamstown, then winding up to the island’s lush, higher plateaus. Along the way, we will pause for breathtaking panoramic views of Bounty Bay before venturing through forest trails that lead to Saint Paul’s Pool—a scenic tidal pool bordered by natural rock formations and featuring volcanic jets that spout ocean water. Weather and ocean conditions permitting, this is the perfect spot to cool off with a refreshing swim after our hike!

Afternoon

• Following a delicious home-cooked lunch with our hosts, we will return to Adamstown for a lively Pitcairn Quiz Happy Hour at the Whale’s Tooth Tavern, hosted by the legendary “Pirate Pawl” Warren in his cozy makeshift pub. Proudly known as the “World’s Most Remote Tavern,” the Whale’s Tooth serves a unique tequila shot in a hollowed whale’s tooth—definitely a must-try! We will spend the afternoon enjoying cold beers, playing pool, throwing darts, and, if we’re lucky, checking out Pawl’s private collection of artifacts from the HMS Bounty.
• Dinner, drinks, and an overnight stay at your homestay, where you can relax and share stories of the day’s activities.

Saturday 18th January – Pitcairn 

Morning

• After breakfast, you will set off on a full Pitcairn island tour aboard an ATV provided by your local host. ATVs are the ride of choice for Pitkerners, perfect for navigating the rugged landscapes and reaching some of the island’s most stunning and hidden spots. Enjoy the ride as you tool through scenic trails and explore the breathtaking beauty of the island like a true local.

Afternoon

• After exploring the island on ATVs, we will board longboats and join the locals for a traditional communal fishing trip—a cherished Pitcairn experience. The island’s community places a strong emphasis on sharing resources, and with waters rich in wahoo, tuna, and marlin, our efforts are sure to be rewarded. Once we return to shore, we will gather at landing to enjoy a delicious community fish fry, savoring our collective catch. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with other members of the local community, exchanging stories and conversations over plates filled with the day’s fresh catch and a variety of side dishes.
• After lunch, we will return to our homestays to freshen up before enjoying a final dinner with our hosts. At sunset, we will regroup with our local guide to experience the breathtaking night skies of Pitcairn. The Pitcairn Islands are uniquely recognized as the only island group—and the first British Overseas Territory—to be designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Named Mata ki te Rangi, or “Eyes to the Skies,” this sanctuary spans all four islands (Pitcairn, Oeno, Henderson, and Ducie), covering a vast area of 520,000 square miles.
• Overnight at your homestay.

Sunday 19th January – Pitcairn – Pacific Ocean 

Morning

• After an early breakfast, we will return Adamstown for a final hike on the eco-trail – known as the “Trail of Tears” by the locals who can no longer remember how the trail got its name – which leads up to the Pawala Valley Ridge, the highest point on Pitcairn with an elevation of 347 meters above sea-level. We will also see Tedside on the island’s west coast, an alternate anchorage for arriving vessels if the ocean is too choppy at Bounty Bay.

Afternoon

• Upon returning to Adamstown, we will stop by the town square for a farewell community lunch and street market. This will be your chance to pick up one-of-a-kind Pitcairn T-shirts, carvings, fridge magnets, as well as Pitcairn’s famous honey, which is considered some of the rarest and best in the world for its unique flavor due to the nectar from Mango, Passionfruit, Guava and other exotic fruit and flowers found on the island. After securing our Pitcairn keepsakes, our hosts will see us off at Bounty Bay as we board our longboats and transfer back on to our cargo-passenger ship for the 2-day return journey to Rikitea.
• Overnight on our ship.

Monday 20th January – Pacific Ocean 

• With meal times and amenities the same as our journey to Pitcairn, we will spend the day relaxing, reflecting and exchanging stories of our trip.

Tuesday 21st January – Rikitea – Mangareva – Papeete 

Morning

• Arrive in Rikitea in the early morning hours, and have a farewell breakfast aboard our ship. At dawn, we will take the ferry back to Mangareva and catch the 12:00pm flight to Papeete where the tour will conclude. YPT are able to arrange post-tour accommodation or extra activities in Papeete if you want to extend your trip.

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