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Pacific Islands16 daysMax 8 travellersSolo-friendlyGuaranteed departures

Pacific Islands Explorer – From Lost Cities to Living Cultures (Part 1)

Explore the lost city of Nan Madol in Micronesia, the reclusive island republic of Nauru, WWII battlefields on Tarawa, Samoan living culture, and ancient Tongan heritage — all in one 16-day smallgroup Pacific Islands tour limited to just 8 travellers.

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As Featured In

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About this journey

What to expect on this trip

This unique journey through the heart of the Pacific showcases some of the region’s most remote and little-visited nations. From the mysterious ruins of Nan Madol in Micronesia and the phosphate pinnacles of Nauru, to the wartime history of Tarawa in Kiribati, the tour combines cultural encounters with poignant history. In Samoa, explore Robert Louis Stevenson’s former home, vibrant markets, and spectacular natural landscapes, before discovering the unspoiled beaches and ancient traditions of Tonga. The adventure concludes in Fiji, where time is set aside to relax and reflect on an extraordinary voyage through the islands of the South Pacific.

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The journey

Pacific Islands Explorer – From Lost Cities to Living Cultures (Part 1)

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
map

The highlights

  • Lost Cities & Ancient Civilisations

    The haunting ruins of Nan Madol — a ceremonial city of basalt stone built across 92 man-made islets on a tidal lagoon — stand as one of the Pacific's greatest archaeological mysteries. Dating to the Saudeleur Dynasty, this UNESCO-listed site remains largely unvisited, offering an extraordinarily intimate encounter with a vanished world.

  • Forgotten Island Nations

    Nauru and Kiribati rank among the least-visited countries on Earth, and this tour ventures into both. From Nauru's boom-and-bust phosphate story, Coral Pinnacles, and Buada Lagoon to Tarawa's sobering WWII battlefield relics and traditional North Tarawa eco-lodge, these are encounters with places most travellers will never see.

  • Living Samoan Culture

    Samoa offers a vivid window into one of Polynesia's most proudly maintained living cultures. Across Upolu and Savai'i you will visit Robert Louis Stevenson's museum, observe siapo and tapa cloth-making, watch traditional dancing, snorkel the Giant Clams Sanctuary, and stand beside the dramatic Taga Blowholes — all in the company of a small, like-minded group of eight.

  • Kingdom of Tonga — History, Heritage & Island Life

    The ancient Kingdom of Tonga reveals itself through hands-on cultural immersion and a wealth of historical sites. Prepare and eat traditional Lu cooked in a volcanic Umu, taste ceremonial kava, learn mat-making, visit ancient archaeological monuments, and spend a sun-drenched day on the white sands of Pagaimotu Island — a perfect blend of culture, history, and relaxation.

Trip highlights for Pacific Islands Explorer – From Lost Cities to Living Cultures (Part 1)

Full itinerary · 16 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £2,690 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

Our departures are guaranteed to run. We never cancel a confirmed tour.

  • Departure
    14 Jul 2027 → 29 Jul 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £13,450 pp
    Single supp. +£1,500
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Pacific Islands journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

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What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • All accommodation
  • Transport throughout
  • Services of local English-speaking guides (please note that the group will travel unaccompanied between each island state. A local guide will be allocated in each island state for all sightseeing and excursions)<em>|</em>All regional flights – as referred to in the itinerary
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visas, if required
  • Drinks
  • Tips (discretionary)
  • Covid-19 test/s and related procedures, if required
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Pacific Islands Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of the Pacific Islands that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from ninety-plus small-group adventures worldwide, written by the people who took them.

“Whole tour was well organised and contingencies were always in place for the unforseen. Thank you.”
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Cameron Teague, UK

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”
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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“When asked by other travellers why I book with Undiscovered Destinations, it's because of the chance to visit places few, if any, other tour operators go to. ”
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Oliver Grumitt, UK

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”
Read full review

Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“Given the countries involved, I thought the accommodation was better than I expected. Our guide was knowledgeable. He was kind and provided snacks and stories to while away the very long driving days. ”
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Traveller from the UK

“An excellent trip. We saw all that we expected to and more. Very good guide, helpful and considerate. Tour met and exceeded my expectations ”
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Martin Robathan, UK

“Quite the best guide and driver we have encountered in 45 years of travel.”
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John Davies, UK

“You have a good choice of more adventurous options. Standards are good. Prices competitive”
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Stewart Mitchell, UK

“This was our first trip with Undiscovered Destinations and we were very impressed. You have some very interesting itineraries so we hope we will travel with you again and we will certainly be recommending Romania to our friends”
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Anne Walton, UK

“The initial version of our 17-night tailor made itinerary was virtually spot on, covering all the interests. All we did was put in a few extra days for a more relaxed experience. The turnaround was quick and emails were responded to promptly. The process was quick and simple and we received all our final documentation in good time. All the information received was very helpful. ”
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Helen Jackson, UK

Want to customise this tour?

Make Pacific Islands Explorer – From Lost Cities to Living Cultures (Part 1) your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

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This journey across the South Pacific offers a rare opportunity to explore some of the region’s most captivating islands, each with its own distinct character and traditions. From the relaxed shores of Tonga and the cultural encounters of the Solomon Islands to the dramatic landscapes of Vanuatu and the tribal heartlands of Papua New Guinea, this is a voyage through remote and remarkable destinations. Highlights include a traditional Tongan feast, meeting village communities in the Solomon Islands, standing on the rim of Vanuatu’s fiery Mount Yasur, and discovering the unique tribal cultures of Mount Hagen. Combining natural beauty, ancient traditions, and vibrant local life, this itinerary provides an in-depth introduction to one of the world’s most diverse and fascinating regions.

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Start planning your Pacific Islands adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Pacific Islands specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

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Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 8 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes, solo travellers are welcome on every small-group tour. A private single room is offered on every trip, with the single-room supplement listed alongside the departure price. If you’d rather share, you can opt for a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. Around 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you’ll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 14 July 2027. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • Will my departure definitely run?

    Yes. Departures marked Guaranteed on this page run whether one traveller books or twelve. We never cancel a confirmed tour for lack of numbers, so you can book flights and time off around it with confidence.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; All accommodation; Transport throughout; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Pacific Islands. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

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