Product Description
Travellers come as an assortment. All travellers want and expect different things during their travels. Tanna Island offers an amazing number and diversity of sights, attractions and adventures for those who spend the time to experience them. However, for most the Tanna experience is a part of a greater Vanuatu trip, with visitors drawn initially by Mount Yasur Volcano, and time is never enough to fully experience what Tanna really has to offer.
To do Tanna Island justice, you really need at least a week to explore all the places that identify ‘Tanna’ for what it is. Most people do not have this amount of time, so our suggestion is that for the time you have, pick a number of things and concentrate on them.
We have carefully prepared a handful of specific trips and walks which we feel captures the essence of ‘Tanna Island’ and provides an insight into the landscape and scenery of the island itself, along with the ‘kastom’, nature and personality of the people that are ‘Tanna’.
Classic Mount Yasur Volcanoe Trip
The classic Mt Yasur tour is designed to have visitors at the Volcano at twilight, so as to be able to observe it when the colour, vigor and energy of its eruptions are the most visible. Leaving the Tanna adventures accommodation by about 2.30pm, via 4WD over unsealed roads through the central Tanna highlands, various stops are made to view spectacular outlooks of both Yasur Volcano and the the east Tanna coastline.
Arriving at the Ash plain, time is spent at a variety of points to take in the panoramic view, the vegetation and differing textures and forms taken on by the Ash Plain iteself, and the base of the volcano.
Back in the 4WD vehicle, visitors are take around the mountain to the entrance of the Volcano Reserve, which is attended by the official Volcano Guides. Your entrance payment into the volcano area is included within your cost and will be paid for (presently being Vt 2,250 per person).
Arriving at the makeshift carpark about half an hour to three quarters of an hour prior to dusk, visitors climb a set of steps (approx 100 or so ) to a lower viewing area, which has sweeping views over the full summit. Depending on the vigor and ferocity of the activity, good views are obtained of flying lava, debris and venting fumes, along with the loud booming sounds exhibited by Mount Yasur.
For the more adventurous (nearly everyone), a short but steep climb around the back of the initial viewing up to the rim takes about half an hour. The steepness requires some exertion, and the virtigo at the top of the Yasur volcano rim is not for the faint hearted. Generally each group is assigned a volcano guide with torches to look after you, but there is no fences or pathways, and you really feel a part of something raw and untouched. The view of the caldera is spectacular and provides a natural fireworks display to match any that is man made.
After approximately an hour to an hour and a half ( but depending on visitors desire to stay or go), the guides shine the way back down from the volcano rim, back to the waiting vehicles.
Return to starting point in the dark, but with the time seeming to be much shorter due to the excited discussions abouty what everyone has seen and experienced. Arrival back is about 8.00-8.30 pm.
Arrangements for dinner should be made prior to leaving so that it will be ready on return.
Added Overview Travelling from the Whitegrass Coast :
If the tour is taken from any of the accommodation along the whitegrass coast, then approximately 1 hour can be added to the tour time (half an hour each way).
Classic Mount Yasur Trip – Travel Timeframe:
Approximate timeframe is 6 hours from leaving Esso’s accommodation until return. This depends on road conditions, weather and the activity of Mt Yasur itself.
Approximate travel time by 4WD from Esso’s Nima to the base of Mount Yasur is 1.75-2.00 hours ( each way).
Approximate time at Mount Yasur Volcano is 1.50-2.00 hours.
No afternoon tea is provided so should any refreshments be required please request these well in advance ( charge to be arranged with Esso).
Port Resolution & Shark Bay Trip
Leaving by about 8.30am, travel via 4WD over unsealed roads through the central Tanna highlands, various stops are made to view spectacular outlooks of both Yasur Volcano and the the east Tanna coastline. Passing the Ash plains the opportunity is taken atvarious vantage points along the Ash Plain itself to view Mount Yasuer and its surrounding panorama.
Travellers continue along an extremely rugged road to the Main bay of the inner Port Resolution Harbour. Here, you will be met by the local village elder and will be provided a guide to view the volcanic fumaroles along the northern arm of the Port resolution Harbour ( village fee included). You will be shown various natural springs along the inner beach and after a short trek will be taken to the more rugged outer coast on this arm. If rough seas have not swept away the main ladder down to the waters edge you will climb down to experience and view the unpredicatable seafront fumaroles which can spout very vigourously.
On your return, you will be taken through the main village located at Port Resolution, and along to the fantastic oceanside white beach for lunch. Here you will enjoy a seaside lunch of either :-
A packed picnic ordered from Esso for the trip, and enjoyed on the grass beside the beach.
Enjoy a great lunch at the local beach restaurant, which serves chicken or beef dishes, but if you order ahead and it is the season, enjoy a great crayfish lunch at very reasonable rates. Ask Esso to book if you wish to each at the restaurant as a minmimum of one days notice must be given.
After lunch enjoy an hour on the beach, relax or take in a swim. Or just take time to walk down its extensive length.
Back in the 4WD carry on down tracks until you come to Shark Bay, where you view a boisterous and wild bay from an elevated vantage point, best no later than early to mid afternoon to ensure that the water is not shielded from the sun. View Sharks, which come in large numbers into the bay especially during the cooler months of the year, for the warmth caused by underwater hot water spouts located in the bay. While you may need to watch for a while, visitors are rarely disappointed.
Walk along an outcropping to view Captain Cook Rock which is situated in an adjacent bay.
Return for a fairly long return trip back to Tanna Adventures accommodation.
Added Overview Travelling from the Whitegrass Coast :
If the tour is taken from any of the accommodation along the whitegrass coast, then approximately 1 hour can be added to the tour time (half an hour each way).
Port Resolution / Shark Bay – Travel Timeframe:
Approximate timeframe is 6.5 -8.0 hours from leaving Esso’s accommodation until return. This depends on road conditions, weather and the activity of Mt Yasur itself.
Approximate travel time by 4WD from Esso’s Nima to Port Resolution is 2.0-2.5 hours ( each way).
Approximate time at Port Resolution thermal Area is 1.0 hour.
Lunch will take between 0.5 -0.75 hour depending on wether you opt for the picnic or Restaurant lunch.
Time spent at the oceanside beach is approx 1.0 hour.
MT YASUR – THE BIG DAY OUT TOUR.
The ‘Big Day Out’ is the most popular Tour that we do, and is simply what it says …. a big day out.
It actually started from investigating the possible attractions and activities in different areas, to see what had the best fit together. After a while various ‘Tours & Walks’ developed similar synergies, and fitted well together to make a larger ‘day’.
The ‘Big Day Out’ involves several hours in a 4WD over rough roads (only way in). An approximate itinerary for the day is :-
A number of vantage points along the way so that you get a good view of the landscape.
An explore of the Ash Plain (old lakebed ) around Mt Yasur Volcano. You go past Mt Yasur and can climb part way up one of the spurs of the mountain.
A visit to Port Resolution and the geothermal area there. The village does a tour there which covers all the features.
A swim at a beautiful white sandy beach at port resolution, which i think is outstanding and remarkable as alot of the other beaches on Tanna are black sand. Lunch at either a Restaurant at the white beach or at the Port Resolution Yatch Club ( a great experience, but remember that these are basic island establishments).
Travel on to shark bay where sharks are drawn in to the the warm water due to a number of volcanic springs there.
Onto Mt Yasur itself by mid to late afternoon and stay there through dusk until after dark.
The Blue Cave
Time of departure is flexible, and depends on whether visitors want an early start and be back for lunch and other activities in the afternoon, or to have a relaxed start and take a packed lunch to enjoy on the tour. Generally, tours would start either around 8.00am or later at 10.0 or 11.0am.
Travel from Esso’s Tanna Adventures Accommodation down to the Whitegrass coast. If taking the later starting option, then a packed lunch will be provided at extra cost.
Board your board for a 1 hour trip along the Northwestern coast enjoying the landscape along the seashore, along with villages and outrigger canoes out fishing.
Arrive at and anchor off the Point where the Blue Cave is located. Put on snorkel gear provided and swim to the entrance of the cave. The depth of the cave entrance varies depending on the tides, being about a metre down at full tide and with the top of the entrance almost level with the water at low tide.
Enjoy about an hour at and around the Cave.
Board the board and if having lunch, stopping atone of the beaches along the way. Swim and snorkel at the beach after lunch.
Return to the starting point and travel back to Esso’s Nima accommodation to relax for the rest of the afternoon.
Less Travelling time from the Whitegrass Coast :
If the tour is taken from any of the accommodation along the whitegrass coast, then approximately 1 hour can be taken off to the tour time (half an hour each way).
Blue Cave Travel Timeframe:
Approximate timeframe is 4 hours from leaving Esso’s Nima until return. This depends on road and weather conditions.
If having lunch on the tour approximately 0.5-1.0 hour can be added to the Tour.
The boatride to and from the Blue Cave is approximately 1.o hour.
Time spent at the Blue Cave is approximately 1.0 Hour.
Blackman Town tour
‘Black man Town’ or the Lenakel excursion, starts with a ride along the beach road to see the dugouts (surprising how many), and then on to the Food Markets which only occur on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If possible the tour has a look at an old broken down missionary church, following which you and have lunch in town ( meals for about Vt350) which are a real experience served on enamel plates etc ( I have done this a good number of times times and not had any stomach upsets whatever) . We also include a look at one of the coffee factories, if they are open, along with anything else which may be of interest.
leaving by about 8.30am, after a tropical breakfast, travel via 4WD over unsealed roads down to the West Coast from Middlebush, where Rachel and Esso are located.
On the way down over the whitegrass plains, see the extensive views out over the eastern seaboard. At the coast, divert into the bush and travel along the coast seeing the many dugouts, and various settlemts along the beach front.
Get to the food market to have a look at the extensive tropical fruit and vegetables that are grown. Tanna Island, possessing a highlands region with thick volcanic soil, and ample rainfall, enables just abouty anything to be grown.
Enjoy a basic meal in town served on enamel plates – full of flavour. Experience restaurant food ….. remote island style.
If combining this tour along with the Giant Bayan Trip, or ‘kastom village’ this would be done at this point.
Blackmantown Trip Travel Timeframe:
Approximate time frame is about 3-4 hours
Approximate travel time by 4WD from Esso’s Nima to Blackmantown is 45minutes to 1 hour depending on what there is to see along the way ( beach and coffee etc).
Approximate time in Blackmantown 1-2 hours, with luch being about another 30 minutes.
Other combined tours are obviously extra in time.
For bookings & inquiries, please contact the Tanna Adventure Tours by filling the form below.To avoid disappointment Wotz On! Vanuatu recommends booking directly. Tours in vanuatu are subject to change or cancellation depending on availability or weather.
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