Day 01 Arrival In Honiara, Solomon Islands                        D
Arrive Honiara the capital of the Solomon Islands meet and assist at the airport and transfer to Hotel.

Just 9 degrees south of the equator, the Solomon Islands are comprised of 992 islands, of which 147 are inhabited. These island stretch 900 miles in a southeasterly direction from the Shortland Islands, on the border with Papua New Guinea, to the Santa Cruz Islands, which borders with Vanuatu. The archipelago covers an area of 461,000 sq km — made up of deeply forested mountainous islands and low-lying coral atolls.

As part of the Melanesian group of islands that also includes Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Fiji, hunters and gatherers from Southeast Asia first settled the Solomon Islands. Seafarers followed later, and it is believed that early Papuan speaking settlers began arriving in the Solomon Islands around 30,000 BC. Austronesian speakers arrived in 4000 BC. Archaeological and linguistic evidence shows that people from Southeast Asia permanently settled the
Solomon Islands at this time.

Today, between 70 to 80 percent of the population live a subsistence way of life in their small villages, settlements and islands away from the main urban centers. The number of local languages listed for Solomon Islands is greater than 75. Communal, clan and family ties remain strong in these islands with the existence of the Wantok system. A key part of the Melanesian culture, Wantok means people from the same language groups who are blood relatives and part of the extended family support and assist one another. Traditional practices are still being followed, especially by those living in the interior of the country’s larger islands. Off the beaten path, village life remains much as it has been for centuries.

After arrival we will commence with an orientation tour of Honiara. This will allow us to discover many points of scenic, cultural and historic interest about Honiara and Solomon Islands. The Honiara Central market is busy, colourful, and presents local produce and crafts. We will have a guided tour of the Parliament House, built for the people of Solomon Islands. With a commanding position, the US Peace War Memorial was constructed in 1992 for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal. It provides an excellent view of Iron Bottom Sound and the surrounding mountainous regions of Honiara and Guadalcanal. The small National Museum accommodates the diverse cultural artifacts of the Solomon Islands.

Overnight in Honiara.

Day 02 Solomon Islands: West Guadalcanal                     B-D
After breakfast tour of Guadalcanal.
Over our two full days on Guadalcanal, we will see and experience its many highlights and attractions. Stepping out from the usual path into the islands of the Solomons is a totally unique and richly rewarding experience. Without doubt, this is one of the few remaining, truly un-spoilt tourist destinations of the world. The following day description (and that of Day 10), should be seen as a guide only, as your Tour Leader and local guide/s will tailor your experience and possibly re-order the activites outlined below as conditions/variables dictate.

This is an island group of rainforests and volcanoes. There are over 900 volcanic islands in the Solomon Islands, and here we will discover the palms, ferns and truly exotic orchids spread across the islands. Certain regions in the Solomon Islands served as battlegrounds during the Second World War. Guadalcanal is known for its many WWII sites, and we will visit several during our day.

The islands are also home to many botanical gardens displaying a wide variety of plants, and we will be sure to visit one of these. A village tour will give us firsthand experience of an ideal Solomon Islands village setting as well as a look into the traditional daily living of Solomon Islanders. Here we will gain an appreciation of the unique cultures of the islands as we learn about traditional customs and practices.

Overnight in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Day 03: Solomon Islands / Tulagi Island Excursion                    B-D
Today we will enjoy a full day excursion to Tulagi Island in the Florida Islands group (also known as the Nggela Islands). This island group of the Solomon’s sits immediately north of Honiara across the renowned Iron Bottom Sound. This will be a full day of discovery as we cruise through one of the few truly untouched areas of the South Pacific. Our boat trip takes us to Tulagi Island, the old capital of the Solomons.

The Florida group are made up of four large islands: Big Gela (or Nggela Sule), Small Gela (or Nggela Pile), Buena Vista Island, Sandfly Island as well as approximately 50 other surrounding smaller islands. The Japanese garrisoned Nggela Sule in April of 1942 in connection with their efforts to establish a seaplane base on neighboring Gavutu. Florida Island never became as famous as Guadalcanal, although it did serve as a small, very secondary base of operations for the US and Australian and New Zealand war effort in the Pacific. Following the Allied liberation of the island from the Japanese, it became the site of a US seaplane base. Tulagi (also known as Tulaghi), was the capital of the Solomon Islands Protectorate from 1896 to 1942, and is today the capital of the Central Province.

A visit here is a must visit for the true traveller, and all of our sightseeing is done on foot. This original capital of the Solomon Islands was severely ravaged during the Second World War, and Honiara became the new capital after the war. Tulagi is in the center and entrance to the Florida Islands. Here one finds small provincial government offices, the police station, post office, main port, market and a few restaurants. Our stop at this colonial capital will include a walking tour, where we experience the true pace of life on an undeveloped island.

In travel terms, these islands are still very much virgin territory, and our adventure today is an experience not to be missed.

Overnight in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Day 04: Solomon Islands: East Guadalcanal                       B-D
After breakfast our sightseeing activities in the Solomons will be somewhat free-form; we will likely explore East Guadalcanal today and possibly accomplish any sightseeing left

Overnight in Honiara.

Day 05: Solomon Islands – Vanuatu: Island Touring         B-D
After breakfast transfer to Airport to catch the flight to Vanuatu. Arrive Vanuatu meet and assist and transfer to hotel.

With a population of approximately 221,000, Vanuatu boasts 113 distinct languages and innumerable dialects. This makes Vanuatu one of the most culturally-diverse countries on earth. This amazing diversity is a result of thousands of years of sporadic immigration from many Pacific countries.

Over the millennia, natural boundaries; large open stretches of water, dense jungle and mountainous terrain, isolated many groups, even from the same ethnic origins, from each other. And isolation bred not just warfare, but quite different, sophisticated societies and political systems.

Overnight in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Day 06: Vanuatu: Island Touring                    B-D
After breakfast tour of Port Vila the capital and largest town of Vanuatu. We will see the Parliament House, the Cultural Centre (Museum), Hospital, Schools, French and British jailhouses etc. We will explore some of the most picturesque spots in town. Learn about the colonial years of French and British rule, and visit local handicraft and vegetable markets.

Most species of plants and animals native to the South Pacific originated in Southeast Asia and worked their way eastward across the Pacific, by natural distribution or in the company of humans. The number of native species diminishes the farther east one goes. Very few local plants or animals came from the Americas, the one notable exception being the sweet potato, which may have been brought back from South America by voyaging Polynesians.

We’ll stop at the Secret Garden; the beautiful botanic gardens here help bring some of Vanuatu’s island flora and its cultural uses to life. We will also visit the small Tanna Coffee factory. The Tanna Coffee Development Company was first established in 1982 in order to assist in the development of the newly independent South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. Though the coffee is grown on nearby Tanna Island, it is transported here for roasting and packaging.

We then will enjoy a pleasant walk through lush tropical rainforest to see the Cascade waterfalls. Here you may want to step under the falls or take a dip in the clear rock pools for a refreshing swim. Or, maybe just sit under the cool shade and enjoy the lush green setting. You will be able to enjoy the scenery from our lookout view on the way back from the waterfalls.

Overnight in Port Vila.

Day 07: Vanuatu: ‘Round Island Tour            B-L-D
After breakfast full-day tour begins with a stop at Pepeyo Village for an amazing cultural experience. Visit and experience traditional practices and skills, and be mesmerised by custom dancing and an amazing fire-walking display.

Next is the Blue Lagoon and Eton village. The water is slightly salty and so blue perhaps from the limestone fresh water springs and the tidal sea water. Try the rope swings into the water. Refreshments included, local organic fruits in season and juices. We also see the huge ancient banyan trees in Pangpang and learn the difference between the male and female trees and their traditional use. We enjoy a buffet lunch.

As we go we’ll also learn about WWII in the region and possibly view some relics. We make a stop at Gideon’s Landing and visit Vanuatu Survivor Beach and and enjoy afternoon coffee/tea.

Overnight in Port Vila.

Day 08: Depart Port Vila Vanuatu                 B
After breakfast departure transfer to airport to catch the flight for onwardjourney.