Best of Cook Islands Cycling & Island Hopping 10D9N

Arrive at Rarotonga Airport, where a private chauffeur will meet and transfer you to Manuia Beach Resort. Here, you’ll be welcomed with a fresh flower lei and a souvenir aluminium refillable water bottle with fresh chilled water.

Spend the rest of the day settling into your accommodation. Laze by the swimming pool or venture down to beach for a refreshing saltwater swim. If you’re feeling peckish, dine with the sand between your toes at Manuia’s On The Beach (OTB) Restaurant. Watch the waves on the reef and follow the antics of local children and fishermen in the lagoon while you enjoy fresh island produce.

Explore Rarotonga from the comfort of a private air-conditioned car or van, with a knowledgeable and experienced guide. This tour is a must do as soon as you arrive on the island – it’s the perfect introduction to the island’s rich culture, legends and history. 

Your tour begins the moment you are picked up from your hotel. You’ll be given an overview of the island and the many points of interest you will see along the way. As you travel along the ancient ‘Ara Metua’ or ‘Road of Toi’ – built in 1050AD as an all-weather paved road – you will pass ancient maraes (ceremonial sites) and local plantations.

Highlights of the tour include the Maire Nui Tropical Gardens, the first limestone church built on the island in the 1800s, and Black Rock – a volcanic boulder, traditionally believed to be the departure point of the spirits to the Avaiki (the afterlife). You’ll also visit Muri Lagoon and the Te Ara Museum, home to the fascinating Vaka Migration Map. Souvenir stops include Takerau Jim’s mother-of-pearl shell carving and jewellery store, and the Rito Factory, a boutique cold-pressed coconut processing facility that specialises in beauty and health products made with cold pressed virgin olive oil.

Lunch is included at The Mooring Fish Café, the original fresh fish sandwich shop in Rarotonga. 

Delve deeper into Rarotonga on 2 wheels on a guided bicycle tour. You will cycle along inland roads and tracks and spend a little more time on the Ara Metua or ‘Road of Toi’. There is plenty to see and learn as you cycle at a leisurely pace, stopping regularly to explore the beautiful surrounds, take photos, taste fruit and so on. Your guide will cater to the different interests of the group, with the ever-present focus on stories relating to everyone’s interests. You’ll finish up at a picturesque beach – the perfect spot for a picnic lunch and swim!

You’ll cover around 12 – 16-kilometres (7.5-10mi) over 4 hours. There is a combination of road and track riding, suiting average fitness levels and riding experience. Children can also be catered for on this tour. Note:  the tour is only operated on Mon, Wed and Fri. If your travel date is outside the tour dates, we will offer customised itinerary.

In the evening, venture up to the hilltop village of Arorangi to the 600-year-old village site that was once the home of High Chief Tinomana Ariki. The site was abandoned in the early 1800s after the arrival of Christianity – to date, around 25-acres of the ancient village has been discovered and developed to share with you.

The multi award-winning ‘Ka’ara Island Night’ offers you the chance to experience and learn about the traditional and spiritual past and present, through village cultural immersion, marae (ceremonial site) visits, a tapu lifting, and a warrior welcome in the dining hall. Then, as the sun begins to set, take your seat at the dinner table. You’ll enjoy the many local delicacies prepared for you in a traditional underground oven (umu).

While you enjoy your meal, the E Matike dance group will entertain, showcasing their traditional costumes and dances. All the dancers, musicians, chefs, barmen and guides are descendants of the village high chief and are proud to be part of the extended family, which brings this mountainous village back to life.

Take a scenic 50-minute flight to Aitutaki, home to approximately 1,800 people and the world’s most beautiful lagoon. Secluded and romantic, Aitutaki holds a compelling allure for honeymooners – you can look forward to languid, leisurely days simply revelling in each other’s company and the jaw-dropping surroundings.

You’ll stay the next 3-nights at Tamanu Beach Resort. Located on Aitutaki’s western coast, this family operated resort offers 4 bungalow accommodation options nestled among lush tropical gardens or perched on the water’s edge. The Tamanu Restaurant & Bar offers a wonderful Pacific Island dining experience – delicious cuisine, a beachfront view with amazing sunsets and friendly hospitality.

Cruise the tempting turquoise waters of Aitutaki Lagoon on a shared boat.

Teariki Reva George – owner, captain and tour guide of Teking Lagoon Cruise – is the self-proclaimed ‘King of the Lagoon’. His name (Teariki) means ‘The King’ and is one he takes proudly.

Teking has 3 boats in total, ranging from small to large, all of which come fully equipped with top safety equipment and are operated by trained and professional staff. The great thing about these boats is that they are small, which means they can access many parts of the lagoon that larger boats cannot.

During your tour, you are promised to snorkel in some of the best locations, with the chance to see giant fish and clams in their natural habitat. You will also learn a little about these fascinating creatures from the friendly team of guides.

Lunch is served on the breathtaking Maina Island and consists of barbecued fish, chicken, eggplant and pumpkin as well as a variety of salads including local breadfruit salad, garden salad, coleslaw and fresh fruit.

Delve deeper into Aitutaki on a self guided cycling tour. You could ride along white sandy beaches and tour the lush interior of the island along little used tracks where the scenery is breathtaking. Visit Maunga Pu hill, the highest point on the island, and a WWII bunker built by American GIs, who were once stationed on the island. You’ll also visit the colourful wharf area, where locals and visitors can purchase fresh produce and other goods. The Aitutaki Game Fishing Club next to the wharf is a great place to unwind and watch a splendid sunset.

Take a short flight to Atiu, known as the ‘land of birds’. This island is a true eco-escape with a couple of cafes with precious little traffic. Over eight million years old and the third largest island in the group. This island is an ecologist’s dream – and a magnet for the adventurer. A volcanic mass which has over the centuries risen up out of the sea to be surrounded by a raised coral limestone reef named makatea.

Self cycling on Atiu Island to enjoy its utter peace and harmony with nature.

In the evening, experience Atiu Tumunu with the locals. The Tumunu is a 2-century-old tradition where local men gather to enjoy a fruit based alcoholic local brew. Locally grown Atiu coffee is another great, non-alcoholic feature of the island.

You’ll stay the next 3-nights at Atiu Villas, a small, peaceful and intimate property built entirely out of local trees and materials. There are 6 self-contained villas surrounded by lush, tropical gardens. Onsite, you will also find a tennis court, swimming pool and vehicle rentals. 

Delve deeper into Atiu on the Island Eco Tour with the famous Birdman on the island - a man with a vast wealth of knowledge of the Atiuan ecosystem. This Island Eco Tour gives you a great foundation at the beginning of your stay. Discover hidden tracks & spectacular white sand beaches. Dramatic variations in bush and coastal scenery. Rich sea & bird life. Learn of the people of Enuamanu their history customs and the conservation pro- grammes. At the end of the day enjoy a wonderful tropical picnic with the Birdman.

You'll have more opportunity to do self guided cycling today and discovery the island's natural beauty. You could ride along white sandy beaches and tour the lush interior of the island, stopping at local attractions including coffee plantations, limestone caves, artesian water pools and, of course, the local bakery, which sells delicious fresh-cooked donuts. As you ride, keep an eye out for local farm animals as well as rare bird species including the endangered Rarotongan Flycatcher (Kakeroi).

Venture into the Anatakitaki (Kopeka) Cave, home to the endangered Kopeka bird also known as the Atiu Swiftlet found only on Atiu.

This guided tour offers a unique opportunity to visit one of the 2 habitats of the indigenous Kopeka bird. Weighing around 7 grams, the Kopeka is a tiny swift-like bird that lives in the dark interior of the cave, only coming out to feed on flying insects like mosquitoes during the day. While in the pitch darkness of the cave, the Kopeka cannot see so it navigates its way around and finds its nest using echolocation.

The trek to the cave entrance is exciting and can be a little challenging. You will walk approximately 30 minutes over rugged coral and limestone terrain before you come to the entrance of the cave. The path is lined with interesting coral formations and many fossilised shells embedded in the limestone structures. Some fossils along the track date back to over 120,000 years.

In addition to witnessing these rare birds fly around you inside the cave, you’ll also have the chance to descend into an underground water cavern. With lit candles strategically placed around the cave, this dark underground environment suddenly comes alive with glistening limestone crystals and eerie shadows. Take a dip in the refreshing cool water to reenergise ahead of your trek back to your starting point.

Cap off your holiday with one last delicious breakfast before transferring to Rarotonga Airport to commence your onward journey.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.