Saturday 02 June

Meet Andrea at Auckland Airport by 6.30 am

Depart Auckland 9:15 am on Air New Zealand Flight NZ784
Flying time is 3 hours 50 minutes
Travel back one day...over dateline....

Friday 01June                                 (D)

Arrive Niue 1:55 pm
Arrival at Hanan International Airport ‘Meet & Greet’ Transfer bikes and luggage to Namukulu Cottages and Spa, Namukulu Village, with a brief orientation tour enroute. Short stop in the main village Alofi for some supermarket catering/shopping for our cottages.

Namukulu cottages are self catering, we unpack once for our 7 night stay.

After a swim and unwind, early evening we will head into town and enjoy a Fish n Chip dinner at Juanna's Restaurant.
A chance to taste some of the best fish (freshly caught!) that the Island has to offer; wahoo, yellowfin or mahimahi.

Dinner and transport to and from Juanna's is included in package price.

Saturday 02 June                                                                                (D)

After breakfast, a morning tour with a swim at a selected spot returning to Namukulu Cottages at mid-day. Throw a mask and camera in your bag - the water clarity is amazing. Depending on the weather and the tide, there are three options for a swim: Matapa Chasm once the exclusive domain for Niuean nobility, Limu Pools and Avatele landing.

Afternoon - optional
Saturday golf at the Niue Golf Club – Tee off 1pm. Green fees applies.
Talava Arches - a 40 minute hike to one of the Island's famous landmarks, naturally formed arches straddling over the coral reef.
Spa treatments at our own doorstep - Namukulu Cottages

Early evening we visit a local pub and then to Talo's Restaurant for some local cuisine.

Dinner and transport to and from Talo’s, plus one drink at the pub is included in package price.

Sunday 03 June                                                              Snorkel

A day of rest in Niue. Church services are attended morning and afternoon, and you are welcome to be included.

Morning suggestion:
Limu – one of the most beautiful swimming and snorkelling areas on the northern coast of the island. The crystal clear waters of Limu hold a wide variety of fish life and caves to explore. The mixture of salt and fresh water flowing out from the island provides a refreshing and unique snorkelling experience. The track to Limu is clearly marked at the northern end of Namukulu Village.

Afternoon suggestion:
There are well marked biking tracks for those wishing to get on their bikes. Best to stay clear of all villages - whether the villagers are in church or not.


Monday 04 June                       RALLY THE ROCK!                       Bike

Rally of the Rock is a 'mountain' bike rally on Niue's hard and fast bush tracks and roads - the highest point on Niue is something less than 100M so a 'mountain' bike is a bit of a misnomer!

The actual route is kept secret until the day of the Rally - no time to practice or work out the best methods.
There are several timed stages and several 'cruising' stages, over the total 40+km of tracks and roads.

At each timed stage there is a short wait while the laggards arrive from the previous stage, then each rider is flagged away at one minute intervals.
The track is marked with graded arrows at each corner.
Each rider rides against the clock.
Being a voluntary event, the Rally gets great local support with full national TV and Radio coverage - a great day out for all. No one becomes too serious except the front riders!

The Rally ends with a BBQ and presentation of some great travel and cash prizes . . . and of course "a few beers"!

Tuesday 05 June                                                                  Hike

First up a visit to the twice weekly market and then to Niue Tourism's Information Centre where a master weaver will demonstrate the art of Niuean weaving. Try your hand at this ancient skill. Then explore and wander around the main village of Alofi. And for lunch, there's the Crazy Uga with a selection of light dishes; Falala Fa for a little more than just a light lunch, Kautali for sandwiches and pizzas and Tavana for fish and chips.

AFTERNOON
Following lunch we leave the main village of Alofi and head to the village of Hakupu for an eco-friendly forest tour with knowledgeable guide Jack. He will share with us his wide knowledge of Niue's fauna and flora. Jack's other skill is carving intricate artifacts from Niuean ebony. The tour takes approximately two hours.

The tour is included in the package.

For those in need of more activities, late afternoon fishing charters are available with most boats able to cater for three to four anglers.

Wednesday 06 June                                                                  (L)

After breakfast, a visit to the Nonu Farm, the island's biggest agricultural activity. Nonu juice is a health tonic known in most Polynesian islands. A taste of the tonic is available at the end of the tour. Bottled Nonu juice is sometimes offered for sale. [Noni is used in Eastern Polynesia].

From the Nonu Farm to the Vaka Shed where a skilled craftsman builds local outrigger canoes hewn from selected trees in the rain forest. A demonstration of paddling a canoe will follow at the Avatele landing.

A private light lunch is served at Washaway cafe - located at the Avatele landing. A chance swim to cool off before lunch.
Washaway has its own exclusive menu of burgers and paninies. With its stunning beachfront setting and possibly the last honesty bar to operate anywhere in the world it is definitely a gem worth our time.

Afternoon
We remain at Avatele for our next activity which is Snorkeling outside the reef with Niue Dive. If we're lucky we may even come across Niue's cheeky spinner dolphin. This activity is weather dependent.

Return to Namukulu Cottages for an evening of leisure.

Thursday 07 June                                                                      Bike Day

Visit the Niue High School to learn and observe cultural activities taught at the school. The group will bike to the High School so we can, in return, explain the benefits of biking as a sport. A staff member from Toamana Inbound Tours will be on hand for the introductions. There will be time after the school to visit the shops in the main village of Alofi and have lunch.
Note: While there is no charge for the school visit, a donation from the group would be greatly appreciated.

Afternoon ride is to the village of Tuapa to take part in a Vanilla tour. Tuapa is on the way home from Alofi to the Namukulu Cottages. Again, as the group will be on their bikes, a staff member from Toamana Inbound Tours will be on hand at the beginning of the Vanilla tour.

The Vanilla tour, which includes a small gift is part of the package.

Friday 08 June

10:00 am Pick up form Namukulu Cottages and Spa

On completion of check in formalities, we go on to Alofi for any last minute shopping and a coffee and muffin before returning to the airport, at least 30 minutes before the aircraft arrives.

1.55 pm Depart Niue on Air New Zealand flight NZ785

Saturday 09 June

5:45 pm Arrive Auckland - onward flights if required.