French Polynesia cruise on the Aranui 5

This morning, you'll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the port, where you'll board the Aranui 5 and set sail on your cruise to explore the beautiful Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands.

Enjoy your first day in the Tuamotu Archipelago on the island of Fakarava. You'll enjoy a short walk to a magnificent white sandy beach where you'll have a picnic, and you can swim and snorkel in the translucent lagoon and take in the mesmerising tropical lagoon fish.

Time at sea sailing to the Marquesas. Relax on board the sun decks, take a dip in the pool, or learn about the Marquesan culture and history from your knowledgeable crew and the onboard library.

Explore Nuku Hiva, Marquesas. Your next stop is Taiohae Bay, where you can explore Taiohae, the tiny administrative capital of the Marquesas, the valley of Hatiheu and the valley of Taipivai. You’ll enjoy lunch at Yvonne's Restaurant, who also happens to be the local mayor. Afterwards, you will have the chance to walk to an archaeological site, which is above a coconut plantation. The path to the site is steep and often slippery when raining.

Explore Ua Pou Island, Marquesas. As the crew unloads their supplies, you can explore the tiny town of Hakahau, home to talented wood carvers and breathtaking views that are well worth the walk up the hill. You'll enjoy lunch in a local restaurant here.

Today, you’ll visit a museum with fine replicas of Marquesan art on Ua Huka. You can choose to explore the island by 4x4 or ride the famed Marquesan horses to explore the mountain landscape, and views of the Pacific. You'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and have plenty of time to visit the studios of wood carvers before visiting the arboretum and the garden of fruits and flowers.

Visit Tahuata this morning, known for its bone carvings, where you’ll have the chance to explore the village of Vaitahu including visiting the French Catholic church. You’ll have lunch on the Aranui as you sail toward Hiva Oa, the second largest of the islands in the Marquesas, where you can visit the graves of the two most famous international residents: Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel.

Explore Fatu Hiva today. This lush and remote island is a hub for Marquesan arts and crafts, so you’ll meet local people producing and designing tapa cloth, hand-painted pareo (sarongs) and monoi oil, and watch skilled wood carvers in action.

You cruise back to the Tuamotu archipelago today, relaxing on board, discussing your adventures with fellow passengers or reading about the Polynesian culture to which you have just been introduced.

The cruise sails on to Rangiroa today, the largest atoll in the world, where you can swim and snorkel in a translucent lagoon. Snorkelling and scuba diving are available too, and you’ll also have the opportunity to purchase black pearls from local black pearl farmers.

Today, you’ll enjoy the blue lagoon of Bora Bora, where you can spend the day at the white sand beach. Optional excursions include island tours and swimming with rays and small sharks, which are available at an extra cost.

Arrive back in Tahiti this morning. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the airport for your Air Tahiti flight to Raiatea, where a boat transfer will take you across the lagoon to your small luxury hotel, Vahine Island Resort. Dinner, bed and breakfast are included in your stay.

A full day at leisure on Vahine Island at your resort which enjoys a very relaxing location on the outer reef with fine views of the lagoon and islands. Take the time to talk to your hosts today, as they are experts in the best ways to explore the lagoon and the islands of Taha'a and Raiatea, which both occupy the same reef system.

A full day at leisure at Vahine. The lagoon has some wonderful coral gardens for swimming and snorkelling. Look out for the turtles which live in the lagoon and are very inquisitive.

Enjoy your last full day at leisure on Vahine. You may wish to arrange a visit to a vanilla plantation, take in a 'coconut show' or use the hotel's spa facilities for some last-minute pampering.

On-board your international return flight home.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.