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VANUATU VOLCANO DISCOVERY
& ADVENTURE TOURS
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MOUNT YASUR, TANNA ISLAND, VANUATU
Tanna Island,
to the South of Efate (the main island of Vanuatu) is sometimes
referred to as the “Island of Fire”, so called for its most
awesome feature – Mt Yasur – the most
accessible, active volcano in the world. This ancient volcano
is conspicuously located in one of the most pristine, unspoilt
corners of the globe. The Island of Tanna is itself a beautiful,
natural paradise with so much to see and do. As such, Tanna
is a favourite destination for volcanologists, adventure
travellers and tourists the world over.
In the local native dialect, Yasur means 'Old Man'. The
volcano is 361 meters above sea level. The crater itself
is 300 meters wide and 100 meters deep. You can be driven
to within 150 meters of the craters edge and even walk around
the entire perimeter. Evening tours enable you to see the
volcano during daylight and then the magnificent displays
of molten magma in darkness.
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Visiting
Mount Yasur is a 'once in a lifetime' experience. This is
your opportunity to watch nature at work. Enjoy the magnificent
fireworks display as you listen to the deep groans and roars
coming from within. See and hear explosions of rock and
ash thrown high into the sky and then thud back into the
crater. Feel the earth tremble beneath your feet.
Take an evening tour
to Mt Yasur departing
mid-afternoon and returning around 8.30pm, in time for dinner.
This way you can get to see the volcano during daylight
and then the magnificent displays of molten magma in darkness.
The actual volcano trip
is a 1.5 hour trip to the volcano by 4WD, a short climb
(10 - 15 minutes) to the crater and another 1.5 hour 4WD
trip back.
More Photos and Frequently Asked Questions
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What
To Bring
 A
good pair of walking shoes / sandals A
good torchAn
item of warm clothing Insect
repellent
The climb to the summit
of Mount Yasur is quite steep and the ground uneven.
While the weather is likely
to be warm in the daytime, after sunset it can become
quite cool at the top of the volcano, especially during
April through to November.
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| How
To Get To Vanuatu
There are regular flights from
Brisbane and Sydney, Australia as well as from Fiji, New Zealand
and New caledonia. If you do not live in one of these countries,
then you will need to travel there first before catching a
connecting flight to Port Vila, Vanuatu.
.....unless of course, you have
your own private jet - then you can pretty much do as you
please!
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| Mount
Yasur Volcano Tours
DAY
TOURS
OV'NIGHT
Unity
Airlines offers Tanna Volcano Day Tours
departing Port Vila airport at 8.30a.m. and arriving
back in Port Vila at 4.30p.m. This scenic one-hour flight
to Tanna includes an interactive commentary as you take in
the spectacular views of Port Vila Harbour, South Efate, Erromango
and its beautiful coastline. Arrival time in Tanna is 9.30a.m.
On the approach to Whitegrass airport, you will have a great
view of the magnificent landscape of Tanna Island.
You
will be met by friendly 4WD Safari Staff and taken to a local
resort for refreshments. At 10.00a.m. the Volcano Tour begins.
You will travel in a 4WD across the
island, passing local custom villages, dense native bush,
stunning views and passing over volcanic ash plains as you
approach Yasur Volcano.
At approximately 11.30 am you will reaching the top of the
summit. From the
parking area you will have a short 10 minute uphill walk to
the rim of the crater, where you will experience the awesome
power of one of the World's most accessible, active volcanoes.
Mt. Yasur also boast the world's only Volcano Post - so take
some post cards with you for sending with the unique postmark
of Yasur Volcano.
Don't forget to take your camera with you!
Cost:
36,900 Vatu per person
Note: If paying
by credit card, there is an additional 5.5% surcharge.
Price
includes return airfare, lunch, the volcano tour, airport
transfers, government
tax as well as pick-up and re-delivery to your resort/hotel
in Port Vila.
(1,000
vatu is worth about $12.00 AUD or thereabouts, depending on
the exchange rate)
For
bookings or further Information, please email us
at enquiries@volcanicearth.com
Unity
Airlines also offer Yasur Volcano By Night
Tours - There are no night flights from Tanna
and this is why an overnight stay is necessary to see the
volcano by night. This tour involves an overnight stay at
Lenakel Cove Resort (see below). The flight
departs Port Vila airport at 12.00p.m. Upon arrival at 1.00p.m.
you will be taken by 4WD to Lenakel Cove for refreshments
and relaxation before the evening Volcano Safari, which starts
at 3.30p.m. On the way to the volcano, You will have the opportunity
to visit a custom village and experience first-hand, some
of the Ni-Vanuatu traditions and way of life.
By
5.10p.m. you should be standing at the rim of the crater!
You will have plenty of time to take in the natural fireworks
display and take those once-in-a-lifetime photos before heading
off to Lenakel Cove Resort to freshen up before dinner. After
a good night's sleep, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast at
7.30a.m. before heading out to the airport. Leaving Tanna
at 8.15a.m., you will arrive back in Port Vila at 9.15a.m.
and be returned to your hotel/resort.
Cost:
42,900 Vatu per person
Note: If paying
by credit card, there is an additional 5.5% surcharge.
Price includes
return airfare, accommodation, meals, the volcano tour, airport
transfers and government tax. It also
includes pick-up and re-delivery to your resort/hotel in Port
Vila.
(Note:
1,000 vatu is worth about $12.00 AUD or thereabouts, depending
on the exchange rate)
For
bookings or further Information, please email us
at enquiries@volcanicearth.com
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Lenakel Cove Resort
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Lenakel
Cove Resort is about as back to nature as you can get. Budget-style
bungalows are set in lush, tropical garden surroundings. Locally
grown produce, freshly caught fish and local beef & chicken
are served in the restaurant by their friendly staff.
The
resort is only a 5 minute walk to one of Tanna's main townships,
Lenakel, where you can enjoy the local markets, shops, wood-fired
bakeries, sand beaches and Lenakel Wharf. |
6 Island style
bungalows with own ensuites. |
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Alternative
Overnight Option # 1
This
option is for those of you who would prefer to fly to Tanna
with Unity Airlines BUT stay overnight at White Grass
Ocean Resort, rather than stay at Lenakel Cove Resort.
If you are looking for something more up-market, White Grass
Ocean Resort is the way to go. It is, without doubt, the best
resort on Tanna.
Cost:
59,900 Vatu per person
Note: If paying
by credit card, there is an additional 5.5% surcharge.
Price includes
return airfare, accommodation, meals, the volcano tour, airport
transfers and government tax. It also
includes pick-up and re-delivery to your resort/hotel in Port
Vila.
(Note:
1,000 vatu is worth about $12.00 AUD or thereabouts, depending
on the exchange rate)
For
bookings or further Information, please email us
at enquiries@volcanicearth.com
While
the above rates include a continental breakfast and government
taxes, it does mean that your Unity Airlines Yasur
Volcano By Night Tour will cost you a little
more. However, given the substantial difference in the quality
of this resort, it may be well worth it!
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White Grass Ocean Resort
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White Grass Ocean Resort is a delightful haven for travellers
offering excellent 3 star accommodation in romantic island-style
bures. It is the perfect
place to base your stay on Tanna Island. From here you can
laze away the day beneath a swaying palm or take part in one
of a number of safari 4WD tours, horse riding, sea kayaking,
mountain bike riding, trekking and much more. Whether you
yearn for a lazy getaway or a soft-adventure, White Grass
Ocean Resort is awaiting. |
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Ensuite hot water 24hr lighting
quality linen
( cot available)
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It has a 300m stretch of private
white sand beach with large rock pools to explore and swim
in. There are 3 other beautiful beaches within a few minutes
walk including the “Blue Hole” - a favourite snorkelling
spot.
Dining is
in an ocean front restaurant which adjoins a cosy guest
lounge. The restaurant serves the freshest of lobster and
other seafood.
The Managers,
Robyn & Ted Metcalf, will make you feel like family!
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Take advantage of the amazing
ocean views
& sunsets.
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Alternative Overnight Option # 2 - VIA AIR VANUATU
White Grass
Ocean Beach Resort offers its own Volcano Safari Tour at
a cost of 8,800 Vatu per adult and 4,400 Vatu per child
(under 12 years of age). Consequently, you can fly to Tanna
via Air Vanuatu (Vanuatu’s
domestic airline) and
be picked up from the airport by Whitegrass staff and go
on their Evening Volcano Tour, stay at the resort, take
in another tour and then fly back to Port Vila via Air Vanuatu.
Air
Vanuatu has at least one return flight everyday,
from Port Vila to Tanna and reservations can be made in
advance. The current cost of a return flight (as at 1st
August 2006) is 24,440 Vatu per person (inclusive of all
taxes). Holders of International return tickets may also
qualify for a discount on the cost of their domestic flight
from Port Vila to Tanna, so be sure to check with them when
booking your flight.
There is much
to see and experience on Tanna (see below). If you plan
on going for a couple of days or more, the
convenience of daily return flights by Air Vanuatu
(or Vanair as it used to be called) means
that you can stay longer, enjoy the mouth-watering, fresh
seafood and take in all that Tanna Island has to offer,
at your leasure!
Apart from their own Volcano Safari Tour, White Grass Ocean
Beach Resort has many different tours to choose from including
a Custom Village Tour (extremely popular), Mountain Hike
Hire, Sea Kayak Safaris, Fishing Tours, Snorkelling &
the Underwater Cave Tour (another popular one!).
| Example
1 |
2
adults staying 1 night in a Twin Share Ocean View
Bungalow
= 10,500 x 2 =
PLUS
Volcano Tour =
8,800 x 2 = |
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Air Fares of 24,440 x 2 = |
48,880 Vatu |
| TOTAL
COST = |
87,480
Vatu |
(LESS: Any
discount offered by Air Vanuatu)
| Example
2 |
2
adults staying 2 nights in a Twin Share Ocean View
Bungalow
= 10,500 x 2 x 2 =
PLUS
Volcano Tour =
8,800 x 2 = |
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| PLUS
Air Fares of 24,440 x 2 = |
48,880 Vatu |
| TOTAL
COST = |
108,480
Vatu |
(LESS: Any
discount offered by Air Vanuatu)
For bookings or further Information, please
email us at enquiries@volcanicearth.com
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Other
Attractions On Tanna
The Jon Frum Village
The Jon Frum village
is home to the followers of this strange cargo cult, and worshippers
of the mythical Jon Frum. They believe that one day he will
return to them, bringing with him everything they need.
During the Second
World War a man known as Jon Frum visited some elders, promising
to return with supplies. Since that day the Cult has been formed
and they are awaiting his return. Jon Frum Day is celebrated
on 15th February every year.
Every Friday evening
the followers of Jon Frum come from surrounding areas to celebrate
with song and dance to encourage the ‘messiah’ to return, bringing
all the cargo he promised. Visiotrs who attend the celebration
service are asked to make a small donation towards the cost
of kerosene lighting. The service starts at 8pm on a Friday
night and finishes at sunrise.
Hot Springs of Sulphur
Bay
Located about
30 minutes walk from the Jon Frum village, the water here is
thermally heated by Mount Yasur Volcano, and is used by the
villagers for washing and cooking. Visitors can bathe in the
hot springs.
Custom Villages and Dancing
Visit a traditional
village and experience the age old customs and ceremonies of
the native Vanuatu people. The villagers will ask for a small
donation or fee but it is well worth it. You'll get to see their
homes, gardens and how they live on a daily basis - you may
even get to enjoy traditional custom dancing. Locally made authentic
handicrafts available to purchase.
Various custom
ceremonies take place throughout the year. Two of the most spectacular
ceremonies are Circumcision Festivals and Weddings. Every other
year the magnificent Toka Festival takes place. This is a celebration
which lasts for three days and involves thousands of people.
Port Resolution
In August 1774,
whilst on board his ship "Resolution" Commander James
Cook was attracted to the island of Tanna by the 'glow' from
Mount Yasur. He anchored his ship in a bay, which he then named
Port Resolution after his ship. This
is a beautiful bay with sandy beaches, ideal for swimming. A
place to spend a relaxing day with a picnic.
Port Resolution
Turtles
During the summer
months of January and February, Turtles, some 1.5 metres long,
come ashore to lay their eggs. This normally takes place at
night, and is a wonderful sight. Approximately six months after
laying her eggs, the female turtle returns to the beach at Friendly
Bungalows and slaps the water, calling the hatchlings to the
sea.
Louniel Waterfall & The Lamkail Rainforest
Explore the ancient Lamkail Rainforest and the magnificent Louniel
Waterfall, found deep in the forest. Check out the nature's
majestic Banyan Tree, Coconut Crab habitat and view trees filled
with sleeping flying Foxes.Learn about traditional hunting traps
and fishing outriggers. Wander the beach, have a swim, buy some
local handicrafts and/or mingle with the Lamkail people.
Louniel Waterfall
Mountain Cycles
Tanna is a very
popular place for mountain cyclists, with a variety of terrains
and road surfaces (coral, cement, tarmac, dirt, ash and lava).
Air Vanuatu is normally happy to transport cycles, especially
if they are given some advance notice. Depending on passenger
numbers and loading, you may find that you are not charged any
additional baggage, but their excess baggage rate are very reasonable
in any event.
Tankyu tumas
PO Box 1540 Port Villa. Vanuatu
Tel: 678 46112 Email: enquiries@volcanicearth.com
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