Explore the stunning French Polynesian islands on a luxury cruise worth $53,000 by entering our competition
SponsoredAn American visitor hit the nail on the head: “Stand by for a full-scale assault on your senses”.
We are pulling out of Papeete, Tahiti, and the azure waters of French Polynesia are a masterpiece of differing shades and alluring shallows. A dolphin pod is just off the port bow.
You’ll be mesmerised by shapely Tahitian dancers gracefully swaying their hips; fit, burly Polynesian men shaking their legs to the flamboyant and joyous beat of drums and the ukulele on your visit to this idyllic and relatively undiscovered group of islands.
These are two of the lasting memories you will take home when you embark on an adventurous expedition into the heart of French Polynesia.
There are many more. You’ll immerse yourself in spectacular sea life where you can kiss giant sting rays while harmless sharks gracefully glide by in pristine waters so clear and warm, it’s like swimming in your own bathtub.
Abercrombie & Kent is giving readers the chance to win an amazing $53,000 prize for a 14-day Luxury Expedition Cruise including economy class flights worth $6540 for two people to bucket list destination Tahiti to Easter Island.
All you have to do is enter your name and email address to have a chance to win this fabulous prize.
Your cruise on the chartered boutique, luxury ship, the 199-guest Le Boreal will be led by Abercrombie & Kent’s experienced, expedition team where your home will be a verandah suite with your own butler who will be at your beck and call to pour that chilled glass of champagne, unpack your bags and book your shore excursions.
This holiday cruise of a lifetime will take you from Papeete, Fakarava Atoll, the legendary Pitcairn Island home to the infamous mutineers of HMS Bounty to Rapa Nui National Park on Easter Island.
You will explore Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia’s most remarkable islands and the largest chain of atolls in the world. Step back in time and you will discover the fascinating story of the infamous mutineers of HMS Bounty when it landed on Pitcairn Island. And you will spend countless days discovering the ruins, volcanoes, extraordinary culture, and spectacular lagoons brimming with colourful fish, manta rays, sting rays, and other marine life. This is heaven on a stick for divers, snorkellers, and swimmers.
Your adventure kicks off when you arrive at Papeete, the lively capital city of Tahiti on 27 October where you will board your luxury expedition ship Le Boreal.
Your first port of call is Fakarava Atoll, about 230 nautical miles east of Tahiti, part of the oldest and arguably dreamiest islands of the Tuamotuan chain of atolls in French Polynesia. Fakarava is inhabited by 700 people and you will be taken by Zodiacs to a welcome ceremony at Rotoava. You can then explore the village’s quaint streets, churches, and picturesque landscape.
The next day you will visit the tiny Marokau, home to only 90 inhabitants and once a primary place to collect pearls in the Tuamotus’ lagoons. You can choose to go birdwatching, snorkelling, or simply beach combing.
After a day at sea where you will cruise the southern seas of the Tuamotu Archipelago, your next stop is Mangareva Island, the star of the Gambier Islands. Dubbed the “Floating Mountain” by locals, Mangareva has a village, a cathedral, and amazing terrain. Your A&K expedition leader will take you to a pearl shell carving school, take a hike to Mt Duff, and guided walks in search of birds.
For those who remember the handsome Marlon Brando as 1st Lt Fletcher Christian and Trevor Howard as Captain William Bligh in the 1962 film Mutiny on the Bounty, you will step back in time and relive the life of the mutineers who took refuge on Pitcairn Island in 1790.
Today’s inhabitants are descendants of the mutineers. Make sure you take your passport with you as you can get in stamped “From the Middle of Nowhere” at the museum and post office.
The next day you will visit the wild and untouched treasure, Henderson Island, a World Heritage site with its gloriously desolate beaches, sheer limestone cliffs, and colourful Henderson lorikeet.
At Ducie Island, also part of the Pitcairn Group, you will be blown away by the tens of thousands of seabirds including masked boobies, petrels and frigate birds. The remote island is rarely visited as you walk on rarely-touched sand and snorkel on Ducie’s outer reef.
As Le Boreal sails into Easter Island, you will be accompanied by Abercrombie & Kent Expedition team to visit the protected wildlife area of Rapa Nui National Park, visit the ruins of the sacred city of Orongo, and enjoy a cocktail at the archaeological complex of Ahu Tahai while the sun sets.
The next day at sunrise you will experience Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial ground on the island, followed by a visit to the Rano Raraku Volcano and then to Anakena Beach for a Polynesian BBQ lunch.
The next day you will disembark and bid farewell to Abercrombie & Kent Expedition team.
All you have to do is to enter your name, and your email address and you will have a chance to win this fabulous $53,000 prize for two people including flights for a 14-day Abercrombie & Kent cruise to French Polynesia.
