WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Round trip airfare from Los Angeles or Vancouver via Los Angeles
- Airfare taxes & fees
- Round trip airport to hotel transfers
- 12 nights’ accommodations with continental breakfast
- 3 excursions with a chance to interact with locals
15 Day Cook Islands Live like a Local W/Airfare
Indulge in the white-sand beaches and turquoise waters or sink into the rhythms of the island and connect with the amazing people that call the Cook Islands home. This relaxed beach escape offers the opportunity to live like a local with a perfect balance of free time and guided experiences.
Spend 12-nights in the idyllic Cook Islands during this tropical vacation includes round-trip airfare! During this vacation you choose how to spend your time, from lounging on white sand beaches, guided tours, dinner with the locals, learn about the culture and history of the island and so much more!
On a Live Like a Local tour, you’ll be free to do whatever you want on your vacation. Indulge in the white-sand beaches and turquoise waters or sink into the rhythms of the islands and connect to the amazing people that call the islands home. The price of this island stay includes international airfare.
The Cook Islands remain some of the best-kept secrets in the South Pacific. They’re a series of 15 islands northeast of New Zealand, halfway to Hawaii. The Cook Islands present plenty of opportunities for the kind of beach resort getaways you fantasize about, but they also offer a chance to embed yourself in island culture and live like a local in paradise. Cook Islanders are extremely friendly people, and are more than happy to welcome you to their island and help you adjust to “island time.” It’s key to relax while visiting the Cook Islands. There’s no sense of urgency here. There aren’t even traffic lights! Cook Islanders take their time and enjoy every moment of the day. If you want to experience the authentic Cook Islands, slow down and take in everything these wonderful islands have to offer.
On arrival in the Cook Islands, you will be taken to one of our recommended self-contained accommodations for a 12-night stay. If you want to blend into the local rhythms, stay on Rarotonga, the largest of the islands. Most Cook Islanders get around by scooter or bicycle, so rent one to travel around the island. If you spot a particularly gorgeous lagoon off the coast, or one of the island’s many white coral and limestone churches, stop and take a photo. Talk to the local groundskeeper to learn about the church’s history or stroll along the beach to see what else the water reveals to you. Traveling by cycle or scooter lets you move at your own pace and experience the Kia Orana spirit.
Your time in the Cook Islands can be taken at your leisure in the gorgeous waters of the Pacific or around the colourful island interiors. Your stay also comes with a guided tour of the Highland Paradise Cultural Centre, to educate you on island customs and history, as well as a trek across the island with a colourful local character called Pa who will regale you with stories about native myths and legends and introduce you to the indigenous flora and fauna. You’ll also enjoy a hosted dinner at three different local family homes.
Day 1 Depart North America Depart from North America on your flight to Rarotonga Meal Plan Dinner Day 2 Arrive Cook Islands On arrival in Rarotonga, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your chosen self-contained accommodation. Meal Plan Breakfast Day 3 Progressive Dinner Your day is free to relax. This evening enjoy a hosted 3-course dinner (appetizier, main and desert) served at 3 different homes around the island. Dine with your local hosts as you are treated to a delicious meal. Meal Plan Breakfast and Dinner Days 4 – 10 Cook Islands at leisure Your days are free to enjoy your Cook Islands vacation, Embark on day excursions around the island, go snorkelling and swimming or relax with a book an cocktail on the beach. On Day 8 (Sunday), we recommend you experience a Sunday morning church service. The locals will warmly welcome you and you can expect to hear beautiful singing and there are often refreshments after the service. Meal Plan Breakfast Day 11 Cross Island Trek Today enjoy a leisurely trek across the island of Rarotonga and explore the rugged interior. You will be guided by Pa, a delightful and colorful local Cook Islander. Pa will explain the flora and fauna and its use in Cook Island culture (such as in cooking and in medicine). You will see an ancient ceremonial stone, pictographs on the face of the Needle and hear legends from Pa of the ancient Polynesians. Meal Plan Breakfast Day 12 Cook Islands at leisure Your day is free at leisure. Why not consider adding a full day tour to the beautiful island of Aitutaki, or embark on a storyteller’s eco-cycle tour – a great way to experience local life aboard a bicycle. Meal Plan Breakfast Day 13 Highland Paradise Cultural Centre Guided Tour Today embark on an interactive cultural experience at the Highland Paradise Cultural Centre. Visit Pre-history worshipping places, chiefly house sites, ancient sacrificial sites and reconstructed tribal buildings. You will learn to cook and sample an umu (underground oven), plus learn to weave drum and dance. Meal Plan Breakfast Day 14 Depart Cook Islands You will be met by a Representative for your transfer to the airport. Depart Rarotonga for your return flight back to North America or onwards to New Zealand or Australia. Meal Plan Breakfast Day 15 Arrive North America Arrive back into North America VIEW ITINERARY
Pricing & Departures
Saturdays: 1 May, 2020 – 31 Oct 2020
Hotels |
Depart:
|
Depart:
|
Depart: New York
|
| Lagoon Breeze Villas 3 star |
$1,899 | $2,279 | $2,299 |
| Palm Grove 3 star |
$2,249 | $2,629 | $2,699 |
| Sunset Resort Rarotonga 3.5 star |
$2,599 | $2,979 | $3,999 |
| Sea Change Villas 4 star |
$3,559 | $3,939 | $3,969 |
Hotels |
Depart:
|
Depart:
|
| Lagoon Breeze Villas 3 star |
$2,599 | $2,889 |
| Palm Grove 3 star |
$2,879 | $3,159 |
| Sunset Resort Rarotonga 3.5 star |
$3,059 | $3,339 |
| Sea Change Villas 4 star |
$4,449 | $4,729 |
Additional departure dates & cities are available, ask a Travel Team Agent for details.
Or, call 1.800.788.0829 to speak with one of our travel experts.
Notes:
- International Airfare from North America included
- All airline taxes & fees included
- Prices in US dollars unless otherwise noted
- We have limited space on this package and it is subject to availability and prior sale
- All package prices are per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted
- Prices reflect cash discount
- Due to constantly changing policies to baggage restrictions, please check with your airline directly for latest updates and restrictions
- Information, including prices are subject to change without notice
- Restrictions and change and/or cancel penalties apply
- UBI-600-307-872-WA
