Kia Orana – welcome to the Cook Islands! Rarotonga might be the beating heart of the Cook Islands, but it moves at a very tropical pace. You're on island time now, so sit back and relax! All that’s planned for you today is a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your group leader and fellow travellers. Until then, spend your afternoon chilling out on the beach or swimming in the lagoon. There are kayaks and snorkels available from your accommodation if needed.  An excellent place for an introduction to Cook Islands culture and art is the Museum of Cultural Enterprise. If you're keen to head out and explore, jump on the public bus that runs along the main road, taking around 50 minutes to circle all of Rarotonga with a stop right outside the hotel.

Set the tropical tone straight away with a visit to the local market. The Punanga Nui Market runs every Saturday with free entertainment, fresh food, produce stalls, organic coffee and handicrafts. Browse the local offerings, then head back to your accommodation for some free time. In the afternoon, join your leader and our local friends for a tour around Vaimaanga village. Gain further insight into local life and traditions with an exploration of the village’s trails, views, plantations and orchards, where you can meet villagers and maybe even take a dip in a waterfall. After the tour, you’ll return to your accommodation for an evening at leisure.

Start your day with a service at one of the Cook Islands’ Christian Churches dotted around the island. These white, coral and limestone churches are filled with soaring songs of worship and parishioners ready to welcome you with open arms. It’ll be an incredible experience, no matter your beliefs. The afternoon is as clear as the islands’ blue skies. You might like to visit the Maire Nui Garden, which has over seven acres of tropical plants, flowers and trees and is located very close to our accommodation. In the evening, maybe head to the Muri Night Market to share some Polynesian street food with your fellow travellers.

After breakfast, say farewell to Rarotonga as you transfer to the airport for a short flight to Atiu. Check into your accommodation, enjoy some downtime and then spend the afternoon taking a cultural tour of the island. Your guide will share some of the traditional practices of the island and its people, including preparing (and tasting!) food made using an umu (an underground oven). You’ll also learn about weaving techniques and the importance of Tapa cloth to the local culture, which is used for ceremonies and special occasions. After the tour, the evening is free to relax in the grounds.

Where yesterday was spent understanding Atiu’s rich cultural heritage, today is about appreciating the island’s natural beauty and unique wildlife. This morning, you’ll be picked up for an interactive tour that provides knowledge of Atiu’s flora, birds and topography. Get immersed in lush forests along hidden trails – keeping an eye out for the endangered Kakerori (Rarotongan Flycatcher) – then finish with lunch on a secluded white sand beach. Enjoy a free afternoon, perhaps enjoying the swimming pool or hiring a bike. Visit a tumunu this evening. These local bars hidden in the Atiu forest serve up freshly brewed bush beer made in a coconut tree trunk (which is also called a tumunu). A typical tumunu session starts with a few rounds from a small coconut shell before a prayer and a lecture are given. It’ll be quite the way to share stories with locals, hear the songs of Atiu and form some strong bonds.

Spend a free morning savouring your final moments at Atiu before taking a flight back to Rarotonga. Your trip ends on arrival at the airport, but transfers and additional nights at our Rarotonga accommodation are available. There's plenty more to do in Rarotonga to fill extra time, including sea scooter safaris, night paddle boarding and reef walks. Just book any optional activities directly through the local operators well in advance to avoid disappointment.