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Islands Adventures
Mangareva
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You are in the Gambier Islands, the most remote archipelago of Polynesia, situated about 2000 kilometers south-east of Polynesia. Because of a cooler climate than in the other archipelagos, pine trees and coconut palms may be seen growing together and they are surrounded by a vast lagoon with multiple shades of blue. A veritable splendor of nature, this archipelago contains 18 motus and 10 high islands offering a great diversity of landscapes. Mangareva, the main island, offers some of the most beautiful religious buildings in Polynesia (churches, convents) that it owes to Father Honoré Laval who installed a veritable theocracy there between 1834 and 1871; he practiced tabula rasa on the ancient civilization, thereby sinking it into oblivion. St. Michael’s Cathedral is, without contest, a monument which is worth the detour; its altar is sculpted with mother-of-pearl and adorned with pearls. The trip up Mount Duff allows one to gaze at superb panoramas and the tour by outrigger canoe is an excursion not to be missed under any circumstances. Mangarevans are fishermen, farmers and cattle breeders. Pearl farming is strongly developed there providing an activity for numerous islanders who pride themselves in the beauty of their pearls and claim to produce no others like them. The airport is built on Motu Totegegie northeast of the lagoon, accessible by the commune’s shuttle boat. Rikitea, the main village, is a peaceful place where the houses embellished by flowering gardens border a single street. For a tour of a fascinating place full of beauty and history at the end of the world …the Gambier Archipelago deserves to be visited for its multiple possibilities of visits and excursions.
Photo gallery
Districts :
Rikitea (main village), Taku, Apeakava, Kirimiro.Population :
872 inhabitants.Surface area :
27 sq km.Do not miss :
- Saint Gabriel Church
- The ghost village of Agokono
- The hexagonal lookout tower
- Notre dame de la paix church
- Saint Michel cathedral
- The pearl farms
- Aukena beach.
Things to do :
- Marine activities and excursions : boat tours, fishing, picnic on the motus.
- Land based activities : circle island tour.
- Others : guided visit to the other main islands (Akamaru, Taravai, Aukena) ; pearl farms visit, craft center.
Practical information :
- Banks : yes.
- Post Office : yes.
- Call box : yes.
- Shops : yes. Several grocery stores around the island.
- Restaurants : Apart from a few snack bars,there is no restaurants on the island, so we recommend to book half board at your family lodge.
- Medical care : yes.
Flight schedule :
AIR TAHITI time-table and fares
Our accommodations in Mangareva :
Our suggested single island packages
Package 7 night(s) from 964 Euros per person *
Including flights Tahiti/Mangareva/Tahiti, transfers airport/village/airport by boat, transfer from the landing stage to the pension, 7 nights in sea side bungalow with half board and VAT.
Valid from January, 1st 2010 to December, 31 2010
Rates per person, based on a double occupancy (2 persons per room). Packages and list of accommodation subject to change without notice. VAT and RPT taxes are included. Stay taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to the lodges and hotels. All our packages and island combos can be modified to suit individual needs and personal interests, as well as budget and schedule.(provided the domestic flight schedule as well as aircraft availability and accommodations allow it). Rates available only for Internet sales, for passengers located outside French Polynesia.
