Paddle Tonga

Paddling Tonga - Kayak Adventure Holidays

2010 MULTI-DAY TONGA
KAYAK TOUR INFORMATION

Entering our nineteenth season, the hallmarks of our adventure holidays are cultural diversity; warm, clear, sheltered waters; superb snorkelling; friendly locals and professional guides; idyllic beach camps; varied adventure activities; and fine food - all ingredients for a memorable escape.

Professional guides lead all of our tours. No previous kayaking experience is required although an average level of fitness is important. On our sea kayaking tours we use primarily two person quality fibreglass kayaks; single kayaks are also used although they are reserved for experienced paddlers.

Both the double and single kayaks are very stable and seaworthy.
The minimum number of participants per tour is two for Vava'u and four for Ha'apai . The maximum group size is twelve with an average group size of seven. We advertise in Australia, New Zealand, Western Europe and North America so you are likely to encounter a variety of nationalities on our tours.

SEA KAYAKING - VA'VAU ISLANDS 9 Day Package

SEA KAYAKING - VA'VAU ISLANDS 5 Day Package

SEA KAYAKING - VA'VAU ISLANDS 11 Day Package

ADVENTURE WEEK - VA'VAU ISLANDS 9 Day package

Kayaking: 4 days
Cost: NZD$2325
Trip Dates: x 24 departures: January – December 2010
12-20 Jan                  18-26 May           14-22 Sep
02-10 Feb                 08-16 Jun              28 Sep-06 Oct
16-24 Feb                  22-30 Jun              12-22 Oct
02-10 Mar                06-14 Jul                26 Oct-03 Nov
16-24 Mar                 20-28 Jul               09-17 Nov
30 Mar-07 Apr       03-11 Aug             23 Nov-01 Dec
13-21 Apr                  17-25 Aug             04-12 Dec
04-12 May          31 Aug-08 Sep          14-22 Dec

Package Components:
• Return airport transfers between Lupepau’u Airport (Vava’u) and package accommodation. A surcharge applies for Tongan Beach Resort guests;
• Transfers between accommodation (Neiafu) and activities;
• 5 nights’ accommodation (based on double occupancy): 3 nights before and 2 nights after the kayak tour at the Twin View Motel or Harbour View Resort or Hilltop Hotel (subject to availability). Optional upgrade to the Tongan Beach Resort, upon request;
• A 45-minute orientation talk;
• A guided whale watching (Jul-Oct) or snorkelling excursion (Nov-Jun) with Whale Discoveries aboard 8.5 metre rigid inflatable MV Tropic Bird including lunch;
• A day of either sailing or scuba diving (2 tanks) including lunch;
• A 4-day kayak tour of the Vava’u Islands with Friendly Islands Kayak Company’s professional guides (guide:guest ratio = 1:6) including snacks and 3 meals per day and camping equipment;
• A guided mountain bike tour of Vava’u Island’s back roads, plantations, and beaches including lunch;
• Snorkelling equipment;
• A traditional Polynesian ’umu feast;
• A farewell dinner at a local restaurant; and
• A Friendly Islands Kayak Company T-shirt to take home

VA'VAU DISCOVERIES - VA'VAU ISLANDS 6 Day package

SEA KAYAKING - HA'APAI ISLANDS 12Day Package

How to Book....

HOW TO BOOK

Contact WildSide regarding availability for your trip of choice. Once you receive confirmation of your booking, proceed
with arranging airline reservations with WildSide to co-ordinate with your trip.

Flights are very full at certain times of the year so book early to avoid disappointment. A nonrefundable deposit of NZD$650 per person will secure your booking.

Onreceipt of your deposit(s) you will be sent an invoice for the balance plus any extras (eg. single supplement, additional accommodation). At the time you send your deposit please send your completed trip application, medical form and release of liability/ acknowledgment of risk form by post to our New
Zealand office. Balance of payment is due 60 days prior to trip departure. If the final balance is not received by the due date, we will consider your booking as cancelled and the normal cancellation fees will apply (see below).

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Changes and Transfers
Requests for transferring a booking to another trip must be submitted in writing no later than 60 days prior to the original departure date, and are valid for a maximum of 12 months. A transfer fee of NZD$100 applies plus the difference, where applicable, between trip costs. Trip transfer requests submitted within 60 days of the original departure are subject to our normal cancellation fees.

Cancellations and Refunds
Should it become necessary for you to cancel your adventure, please notify us in writing. Cancellation will take effect on the date that we receive your
written advice. As we incur some trip costs in advance of departure, and may have turned people away if the trip is full, the following cancellation fee schedule applies:
• 60 days or more prior to departure: full refund less your NZD$650 nonrefundable deposit;
• 31-59 days prior to departure: 50% refund unless your space is sold, in which case only NZD$650 will be charged;
• 0-30 days prior to departure: no refund unless your space is sold, in which case only NZD$650 will be charged;
• In the event that you fail to arrive in time for a trip departure or leave a trip early, no refund will be available.

Friendly Islands Kayak Company will not be liable for cancelling a trip due to inclement weather; acts of God (eg. cyclone, earthquake etc.); delayed land, sea or air transfers; political or cultural considerations; government restrictions; or any other cause beyond our control, other than insufficient participant numbers.

Minimum Group Size
Our minimum group size is two for all Vava'u trips and four for the Ha'apai trips. In the unlikely event that Friendly Islands Kayak Company has to cancel a trip due to insufficient numbers, we would give you as much notice as possible. In which event, you would have the option of either joining another departure with the same package components or receiving a refund in full.

Itinerary Changes and Delays
It is possible that route or itinerary changes and/or delays may become necessary for reasons of safety or enhancing the quality of the trip. These changes and/or delays could be due to inclement weather, acts of God, delayed land, sea or air transfers, political or cultural considerations, government restrictions, participants' limitations, or any other cause. Any
changes and/or delays to the route or trip itinerary is at the discretion of the guides and Friendly Islands Kayak Company. In which event, no refund will be available. Any additional expenses incurred by a trip participant such as prepaid airline tickets, fees for visas, etc. in connection with changes and/or
delays to a route or itinerary shall be borne by the trip participant.

Insurance
Personal travel insurance is not included in the trip cost and is a pre-requisite for trip participation. We recommend you purchase a policy that includes airfare, trip cancellation (in particular cancellation owing to severe weather), and medical coverage.

Single Supplement Fees
The following single supplement fees apply where single participants prefer private accommodation or where there is no other single participant with whom to share.
Vava’u 5-day package N/A
Adventure Week NZD$432
Vava’u Discoveries NZD$432
Vava’u 9-day package NZD$260
Vava’u 11-day package NZD$260
Ha’apai 12-day package NZD$180

NOTE: The above fees are a guide only and may vary depending on which accommodation property is used and the exchange rate (from Tongan Pa’anga to NZD$) at time of application.

Trip Costs
We reserve the right to amend our package costs to allow for significant fluctuations in exchange rates or significant increases in accommodation, airport transfers, food charges or any other ground costs beyond our control. However, once we receive a trip deposit, the trip cost will not alter.

Non-Inclusive Services
• Air fares;
• Visa and passport fees;
• Personal travel insurance;
• Airport departure taxes;
• Excess baggage charges
• Airport transfers that are not included in the itinerary;
• Accommodations that are not included in the itinerary;
• Single supplement fees;
• Beverages and meals that are not included in the itinerary;
• Clothing, liquor, laundry, postage, medical expenses and any other expenses of a personal nature;
• Expenses incurred as a result of delays due to inclement weather, delays of scheduled aircraft, logistical delays, and resultant changes to the itinerary;
• Emergency evacuation charges; and
• Gratuities to guides.

Paddling Tonga Photos

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WHALE WATCHING

Season:
June – October

Price: NZD$250.00

Approximate Duration: 6 hours (10:00am to 4:00pm)

Grading: Easy/Moderate
Participants must possess an average level of fitness and the ability to walk stairs and climb a ladder to re-enter the boat after snorkelling.

Tour Description:
Learn about the Humpback Whale and other marine creatures whilst on our educational whale watching and snorkelling excursion within the Vava'u Archipelago! Join our naturalist
guides aboard our custom-designed 8.5m vessel MV Tropic Bird and observe these amazing mammals, once on the brink of extinction, within their natural environment*.

During the day, you will also have the opportunity to snorkel the crystal clear waters and take part in the spectacular underwater world that surrounds you!
* Whilst it is still permitted to swim with whales within the Kingdom of Tonga, for safety and environmental reasons Whale Discoveries solely views these magnificent animals from a safe and respectful distance.

Items to take with you:
Sun protection: Sunhat (with chin-strap), sunglasses, sunscreen, lip-screen

Personal items: Water, lunch, towel, and footwear you won’t mind getting wet

Included within tour price:
Equipment: Life-vest, snorkel, mask and fins

Other items: Tea and coffee

Transfers:
Return - Adventure Centre and Neiafu accommodation

Guides:
A professional naturalist guide will accompany you throughout the tour

Note:
Lunch is not included. Optional picnic lunch available upon request for TOP$25

GUIDED SNORKELLING
Price: NZD$160.00
Approximate Duration: 4 hours (10:00am to 2:00pm)
Grading: Moderate
Participants must possess an average level of fitness and the ability to walk stairs and climb a ladder to re-enter the boat after snorkelling.
Tour description:
Join us on our 8.5 metre covered vessel MV Tropic Bird for a fun day of snorkelling in the crystal clear waters! Departing from the Port of Refuge, your naturalist guide will provide an
in-depth interpretation of land and sea birds, marine life and the many stunning islands along the way. During the day you will have ample opportunity to snorkel some of the best
reefs of Vava’u both directly from MV Tropic Bird as well from one of many white sandy beaches (mask, flippers and snorkel provided). Alternatively, feel free just to relax and
enjoy a great day in remote Vava’u!

Items to take with you:
Sun protection: Sunhat (with chin-strap), sunglasses, sunscreen, lip-screen

Personal items: Water, lunch, towel, and footwear you won’t mind getting wet

Included within tour price:
Equipment: Life-vest, snorkel, mask and fins

Other items:
Tea and coffee

Transfers: Return - Adventure Centre and Neiafu accommodation

Guides: A professional naturalist guide will accompany you throughout the tour

Note: Lunch is not included. Optional picnic lunch available upon request for TOP$25

GUIDED MOUNTAIN BIKING
Price: NZD$70.00
Approximate Duration: 6 hours (9:00am to 3:00pm)
Grading: Moderate
Participants must possess an average level of fitness.

Tour description:
Gain a unique perspective of Vava’u’s relaxed island life by mountain bike! Join us for a fun day pedalling through abundant plantations and local villages en route to historic sites, scenic viewpoints and, time permitting, the legendary Veimumuni Cave. Pedal along the northern cliffs from where dolphins and whales may be seen far below, or visit one of Vava’u’s beautiful beaches and enjoy a swim in the crystal clear, blue tropical waters*.
* The route of the journey and locations visited will vary depending on weather conditions.

Items to take with you:
Sun protection: Sunhat (with chin-strap), sunglasses, sunscreen, lip-screen
Personal items:
Lunch, long shorts and sandals with a sturdy sole/closed shoes

Included within tour price:
Tour equipment: Mountain bike, helmet, full water bottle

Note: Lunch is not included. Optional picnic lunch available upon request for TOP$25

Special note:
For reasons of cultural sensitivity,
GUIDED KAYAKING - Swallows Cave & Kapa Island
Price: NZD$160.00
Approximate Duration: 6 hours (9:30am to 3:30pm)
Grading: Moderate +
Participants must possess an adventurous spirit, an above average level of fitness and full limb mobility.

Tour Description:
During the morning, you will enjoy the adventure of kayaking inside and outside Swallows Cave, a magnificent home to an abundance of sea birds as well as spectacular coral reefs
teeming with tropical fish. Following this wonderful experience, your guide will lead you to Kapa Island – an idyllic location in which to relax and enjoy your lunch! Whilst there you will
have ample time to swim and snorkel (mask, flippers and snorkel provided) amongst a colourful underwater world of tropical fish and stunning coral reef or, alternatively, to simply kick back on the white sandy beach listening to the warm, clear ocean lap up against the shore. Back in your kayak, your guide will continue an informative dialogue informing you of points of interest as you paddle along the beautiful shoreline until you arrive back at
FIKCO’s base, completing your adventure.

Things to take with you:
Sun protection: Sunhat (with chin-strap), sunglasses, sunscreen, lip-screen

Personal items: Towel, water, lunch, and footwear you won’t mind getting wet

Included within tour price:
Equipment: Life-vest, snorkel, mask and fins

Other items: Tea and coffee

Transfers:
Return - Adventure Centre and Neiafu accommodation

Guides: A professional naturalist guide will accompany you throughout the tour

Note: Lunch is not included. Optional picnic lunch available upon request for TOP$25
GUIDED KAYAKING - Port of Refuge
Price: NZD$160.00
Approximate Duration: 6 hours (9:30am to 3:30pm)
Grading: Moderate
Participants require an adventurous spirit, an average level of fitness and full limb mobility.

Tour Description:
This tour offers a leisurely exploration of the beautiful Port Refuge! Whilst paddling along the stunning shoreline, your friendly and knowledgeable naturalist guide will help you to
understand and interpret the tropical world around you. You will learn of the multitude of land and sea birds found in Vava’u all year ‘round as well as the diversity of the stunning
coral reefs. Stopping for lunch at beautiful Port Maurelle (named after the Spanish explorer), you will have the opportunity to swim in crystal clear waters amongst an incredible
variety of tropical fish or to just relax within a truly tropical environment! Finally, after a relaxing yet truly fascinating day, you will make your way back at a gentle paddling pace to
the start point of the tour.

Things to take with you:
Sun protection: Sunhat (with chin-strap), sunglasses, sunscreen, lip-screen

Personal items: Towel, water, lunch, and footwear you won’t mind getting wet

Included within tour price:
Equipment: Life-vest, snorkel, mask and fins
Other items: Tea and coffee
Transfers: Return - Adventure Centre and Neiafu accommodation

Guides: A professional naturalist guide will accompany you throughout the tour

Note: Lunch is not included. Optional picnic lunch available upon request for TOP$25

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Paddle Tonga

2010 MULTI-DAY TONGA KAYAK TOUR INFORMATION

Package Components:

Package Components

Package Components:

Paddling Tonga Photos

FEATURES less ordinary...

2010 MULTI-DAY TONGA
KAYAK TOUR INFORMATION