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Pacific Islands28 daysMax 8 travellersSolo-friendly

Pacific Islands Explorer

Explore ancient ruins in Micronesia, stand on the rim of Mount Yasur in Vanuatu, discover the tribal highlands of Papua New Guinea, and journey through Nauru, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga and the Solomon Islands — all in a small group of just 8.

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About this journey

What to expect on this trip

This remarkable journey through the South Pacific and beyond offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience some of the world’s most remote and culturally diverse destinations. Beginning in Brisbane, this Pacific Islands guided tour explores Micronesia’s ancient ruins at Nan Madol, the phosphate landscapes of Nauru, and the wartime history of Kiribati. Continue to Samoa for vibrant cultural traditions and volcanic scenery, before discovering Tonga’s island heritage and the Solomon Islands’ blend of natural beauty and poignant wartime history. In Vanuatu, marvel at traditional kastom villages and witness the raw spectacle of Yasur, one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes. The adventure concludes in Papua New Guinea, where visitors encounter tribal communities in the Wahgi Valley, rich with birdlife, orchids, and ancient customs. This is a rare voyage across scattered island nations and untouched cultures, offering a truly once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

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The journey

Pacific Islands Explorer

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 and Ancient Civilisations

    The tour opens in Pohnpei with a visit to Nan Madol, the hauntingly beautiful stone city built on artificial islands that served as the ceremonial and political centre of the Saudeleur Dynasty. Tonga adds further archaeological depth with tours of ancient historical sites and the location of Abel Tasman's famous Pacific landing.

  • World War II History in the Pacific

    Two of the Pacific's most significant WWII theatres are visited in depth. On Tarawa in Kiribati, you explore the landing sites, battlefield relics and memorials of the Battle of Tarawa — one of the bloodiest engagements of the Pacific War. In Honiara, the US Peace War Memorial and views over Iron Bottom Sound bring the Battle of Guadalcanal to vivid life.

  • Volcanic Landscapes and Natural Wonders

    The tour's most dramatic natural experience is the twilight and night ascent of Mount Yasur on Tanna Island, Vanuatu — one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes — where you stand at the crater rim and witness eruptions at close range. Tanna also offers the world's largest Banyan tree, black sand hot water beaches at Port Resolution, and the dramatic Taga Blowholes of Samoa.

  • Tribal and Traditional Pacific Cultures

    Cultural immersion deepens at every stage of the journey, from a kava ceremony and traditional Lu cooking in Tonga, to siapo cloth and tapa making in Samoa, and a visit to the fiercely traditional Yakel Kastom Village on Tanna. The tour reaches its cultural peak across three days in Papua New Guinea's Wahgi Valley, meeting the Melpa, Huli and Mulpa tribal peoples living traditional highland lifestyles.

  • Remote Island Escapes and Beach Days

    Between the cultural encounters, the tour weaves in moments of genuine island relaxation. A 15-minute boat ride from Tongatapu delivers you to the white sands of Pagaimotu Island for a day of kayaking, snorkelling and swimming, whilst a scenic boat trip to Rodrick Bay in the Solomon Islands includes a beachside BBQ and a village visit on a sheltered, crystal-clear cove.

Trip highlights for Pacific Islands Explorer

Full itinerary · 28 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £4,990 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 → 10 Aug 2027
    Available
    From
    £24,950 pp
    Single supp. +£2,850
    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.

Tailor my trip
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 for all sightseeing and excursions)
  • All regional flights – as referred to in the itineary
  • 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 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.

Customise this tour
More to explore

More tours in Pacific Islands

Pacific Islands Explorer – Pacific Shores to Tribal Heartlands (Part 2)
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Pacific Islands Explorer – Pacific Shores to Tribal Heartlands (Part 2)

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.

From

£16,950

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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.

Start planning your trip+44 (0)191 2316005

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.

  • 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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