3 to 11 June, 2027

Rani, our Polynesian host

Find the day by day itinerary below:

• Day 1: Cleansing ritual and Welcome dinner with Marquesian performance

• Day 2: Black beaches, landscapes and daily life

• Day 3: Cultural day in the valley -Poera making, pareo painting, cooking class, a’ava ceremony and tree planting

• Day 4: Market and food tour, blowhole and waterfalls

• Day 5: Fly to Taha’a and day at the resort

• Day 6: Swimming with mantas, sharks and rays, coral garden snorkeling, Polynesian show

• Day 7: Resort morning and fly to Bora Bora

• Day 8: 360 degree lagoon tour – sharks, rays and coral gardens, farewell dinner

• Day 9: Departure

Day 1 : Cleansing ritual and Welcome dinner with Marquesan performance

Arrive in Papeete at your own convenience and make your way to our lovely beach resort, the only one on a black sand beach in the entire French Polynesia.

We will meet in the early afternoon for introductions and a welcome, followed by a cleansing ritual on the black sand beach to set the tone and intention for the rest of the week.

The ritual will be followed by a welcome dinner at the resort which will take place during a Marquesan performance.

Marquesan performances are very unique and only accessible to travelers visiting these remote northern islands in the Polynesia.

The resort we will stay at has the only performance by a Marquesan group available in Tahiti, a rare opportunity to witness this raw, bold, and heavily rhythmic dance that is very different from the softer, more fluid Tahitian dancing more widely available at resorts and hotels across the islands.

Inclusions: Welcome cleansing ritual and dinner with Marquesan performance.

Overnight at Le Tahiti 5*

Le Tahiti is a locally owned, newly renovated seafront property located on a stretch of historically relevant black sand beach at Matavai Bay.

All rooms are sea facing and have balconies which open to expansive gardens and a crescent beach.

The resort offers green lawns, a large swimming pool with cabanas and sun loungers and friendly cats and roosters, just as is traditional of Polynesia.

As part of a locally owned resort group, Le Tahiti offers modern amenities with curated Polynesian touches and architecture that always brings you back to where you are, and none of the flash of international chains.

The staff is local and the resort is rooted in the community.

Various complimentary activities are available throughout the week, from workshops to open a coconut to pareo tying sessions, seashell jewelry making, yoga classes and more, and the bar is a great place to end the day with a sunset drink.

Day 2 : Black beaches, landscapes and daily life

Steps: 5,000.
Driving time: 3 hours with multiple stops throughout the day.

Wake up to the sounds of the waves that you can hear from your room, see the light come up and enjoy your first breakfast in paradise, with wonderful views over the black sand beach.

We will start the trip with an immersive day that is not about sightseeing, but rather about understanding Polynesian culture and heritage.

Instead of visiting famous landmarks, you are about to spend the day among the locals, learning about daily life and how the islands were first discovered.

We will go on a road trip through the south-west part of Tahiti and make various stops throughout the day to chat with the locals and learn more about their day to day.

We will stop at a pond where sacred eels come to say hi, meet local fishermen and stop at food stalls along the main road to see what is being cooked and sold, from fish coming from the Marquesa islands to boiled breadfruit and more.

One of our first stops will also open ourselves to learning more about the maohi culture that thrived in French Polynesia before the arrival of the first Europeans.

The Arahurahu marae is an archeological and religious site that was abandoned when Christianity arrived and restored in 1953 thanks to drawings from those first Europeans.

While only a small proportion of Polynesians still follow the original spiritual beliefs, this sacred location continues to be in use.

We can see an altar, a sacred square, outer walls and statues protecting it.

We will also stop at a sacred spring and a beautiful botanical garden with million flowers and plants and a pretty waterfall.

Our road trip will continue all the way to end of the road, where the Teahupo Break can be found.

The famous surf break, location of the Paris Olympics surf competition and an annual surf gathering is impressive from the beach, but even more majestic and dramatic from a boat.

We will enjoy the beach and the break and take a boat out to get up and close. From there, the best views of Tahiti mountain peaks can be seen. Look back to the beach and you will discover towering green mountains, lush greenery and Tahiti’s wild core.

During the day, we will also stop at a cute seaside cafe for purple lemonade with chia seeds and blue pea flowers and enjoy a traditional lunch at a local cafe.

On our way back, we will stop in town for some shopping.

Get a hand painted pareo, one of the many beautiful handicrafts, a bottle of monoi oil made by macerating Tiaré gardenia flower petals in refined coconut oil, vanilla pods, Polynesian inspired clothing and more at the local market.

We will return to the hotel before sunset and you will have free time to rest and relax and have dinner on your own.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transportation in private minivans, expert guides, lunch at a local cafe, entry tickets if needed, boat out to the surf break in Teahupo.

Overnight at Le Tahiti 5*

Day 3 : Cultural day in the valley

Steps: Less than 5,000.
Driving time: 1 hour.

Today is all about participating in the uniquely Polynesian traditions that are still very much alive in the local culture. We will be guided by a flower and plant expert, a’ava master and overall artist at large.

We will start the day with another wonderful breakfast at the open air restaurant of the hotel and get on our minibus for a full day in nature.

The bus will drop us at the entrance to the valley, and we will walk along a nature path, cross a river and arrive at our base for the day.

Teraiura, a plant expert and lover and a heritage keeper, will welcome us to a local community project in the unspoiled central valleys of Tahiti, where no tourist ventures, for a day of culture, learning and heritage.

We will learn how to paint a pareo following the traditional Tahitian techniques, using flowers and other natural materials as moulds, natural dyes from plants and our imagination to create beautiful designs we can then wear for the rest of the trip and take home.

We will also learn the art of making a poara, a flower decoration Tahitian women wear on their hair instead of a full flower crown using the flowers and plants available around us.

We will prepare our own lunch and you will have the chance to learn how to make the most popular dish: raw fish in coconut milk, which Polynesians eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We will grate the coconuts from scratch to make fresh coconut milk for our recipe and savor our creation for lunch.

If you are keen to take a dip, the nearby stream is the perfect place for a refreshing moment, or you can relax under the banana or cacao trees.

This will be a leisurely day spent among friends as we learn more about Polynesian traditions from the women keeping them alive and bringing them back.

We will end with an a’ava ceremony, a ritual that centers around the cava root, typical of other Pacific islands, that was abandoned in Polynesia with the arrival of the European missionaries and is now being re-taken and re-birthed by the local communities.

Across the Pacific, from Vanuatu to Samoa, a’ava or cava ceremonies, are a sacred and solemn traditional ritual used to welcome honored guests, recognize leaders, thank Mother Earth and mark important cultural milestones.

We will share this ritual while sitting on palm mats and drinking from coconut shells, guided and led by Teraiura. We will honor the land and each other and end with a wish for prosperity.

We will return to the resort and you will have free time for dinner, a massage at the hotel’s spa or a sunset drink with great views.

Tonight, as is tradition every Saturday, the resort hosts a Polynesian dance show which you can attend by booking your spot ahead of time directly with the reception.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transportation in a minibus, pareo painting, cooking class, poara making, a’ava ceremony and lunch.

Overnight at Le Tahiti 5*

Day 4 : Market and food tour, blowhole and waterfalls

Steps: 5,000-10,000 steps.
Driving time: 2 hours.

Wake up bright and early one more time to the sound of the waves, and get ready for a morning feast.

We will skip breakfast at the hotel this morning because we will instead enjoy a smorgasbord of Polynesian foods and dishes during our morning market food tour.

The Sunday market in Papeete, which brings together foods from all over the islands, is not to be missed and justifies the early wake up call. In fact, we have scheduled our tour in Polynesia to make sure we are in Papeete on a Sunday.

The market sets up at 3am and by 9am all stalls are closed and locals go back home to enjoy the weekly day of church, family and rest.

But before that, the market building overflows with fresh fruits, vegetables and street food stalls selling snacks, desserts, coffee, and more that spill over onto the adjacent streets, only for that one day a week.

We will meet our local food tour guides, specialist in the best snacks, foods and stops for a few hours that will allow us to learn more about the uniquely Polynesian foods that you won’t find on hotel’s menus.

We will sample coffee with coconut milk, taro, cassava and coconut poe, rare fruits you have probably never tried before like star apples, multi-cultural snacks that were brought by the Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants who came to work at the sugar cane plantations and stayed, and so much more, with our hands, the way locals do.

We will queue up at the most popular roasted pork stall, that is typically sold out by breakfast time and end the tour with a sit down breakfast with all the traditional foods that call Polynesia home at a female owned restaurant.

It’s likely that you have never tried most of the foods that will be part of this morning food tour before and that you will have just found your new favorite dishes.

Wash it all down with a cup of rich coconut milk coffee, tropical fruit juices, soursop juice with condensed milk and so much more.

The early wake up call will be totally worth it!

We will continue the day in the northeastern part of the island, the wilder and less developed side of Tahiti, where very few tourists venture and where there is practically no tourism infrastructure.

This is where the wildest, most powerful and impressive waterfalls are and where the blowholes show you the power of nature.

There is no reef or lagoon here, so the beaches aren’t protected and the sea shows up as strong as it is. Nature is a bit more raw and a bit less tame on this side of the island.

We will stop at two waterfalls, one of which is fed by a stream that ends in two pools before dropping as a waterfall and where you will be able to swim if you feel like it.

We will enjoy a casual light and late lunch on the way; perhaps a picnic, or a stop at a local eatery, you won’t be very hungry after a filling breakfast food tour.

We will return to the hotel in the early afternoon so there is extra time for that massage you have been eyeing or for some rest after the early start.

You will have free time for dinner.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transportation in a minibus, walking food and market tour with all the food and drinks, visit to two waterfalls and the blowhole, a light lunch.

Overnight at Le Tahiti 5*

Day 5 : Fly to Taha’a and day at the resort

Flight time: 1.5 hours with a stopover in Bora Bora

Today is a relaxed day where you get to enjoy one of the most beautiful resorts in the world.

We will enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then head to the airport for our inter-island flight to Taha’a via Bora Bora.

The short stopover at one of the most romantic islands in the world is a chance to see it from the air on what otherwise costs hundreds of dollars for a sightseeing flight.

We will arrive at Raiatea island, where the nearest airport to Taha’a is and board the resort’s speedboat for a 20-min transfer to paradise.

Upon arrival, we will be introduced to island life and this wonderful boutique resort and checked in to our overwater bungalows.

If the rooms are ready, we will be escorted directly and if they are not, you will still be able to start enjoying the pool, the beach and have lunch.

You have the rest of the day at leisure to do as you please.

Some of the optional activities and facilities:

• Tennis courts
• Fully equipped gym
• Long stretch of wild beach with swaying coconut palm trees
• A lakeside open air spa
• Swimming pool with swim up bar
• Board games
• The expansive, warm sea, available from your bungalow deck
• Snorkeling, right off your bungalow and onto the clear waters frequented by large schools of fish, sharks and rays or at the nearby world class coral garden which is accessible on foot from the resort pool area

You can also book chargeable activities and excursions via the concierge on site or ahead of time, and explore Taha’a island’s famous vanilla plantations, black pearl farms and more.

This is a day for you to make the most of one of the most beautiful resorts in Polynesia.

Dinner will be on your own, but don’t forget to step outside and look up from your bungalow, the lack of pollution and remote location of the resort means endless skies and clear star gazing like you have never seen before.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, airport transfers in Tahiti and Taha’a, Air Tahiti flights to Raiatea.

Overnight at Le Taha’a 5*

Le Taha’a is one of the most beautiful, exclusive and curated resorts in French Polynesia, part of The Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection and the first resort in French Polynesia to be added to the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association in 2004.

All 59 rooms of this locally owned and run boutique luxury resort have been carefully decorated with Polynesian artworks, often created exclusively for the hotel, and wood carvings telling Polynesian stories and folklore.

The resort is located in a very large motu, or flat island, that is only shared with a local family.

We have reserved overwater bungalows, a dream come true.

These are almost 100 sqm in size and have large private decks to enjoy the baby blue color of the lagoon and spot friendly sharks and coral fish.

Windows were specifically designed to offer direct views of the lagoon from your bed and bathrooms open onto greenery. Bathtubs are designed to replicate the double-hulled canoes the earliest Polynesian navigators used to discover the islands.

Every detail is taken care of at Le Taha’a, especially to ensure the resort pays homage to Polynesian culture and blends into the island’s greenery.

The hotel has its own stretch of natural white sand beach, a swimming pool with views onto the lagoon and access to one of the most popular coral gardens on Taha’a, right on its shores.

You can borrow standup paddle boards or kayaks, or snorkel equipment and water shoes to explore the underwater world.

Dining is refined at Le Taha’a and can be enjoyed at its main restaurant up on the trees or at the gourmet fine dining restaurant that blends French and Polynesian techniques and ingredients.

Did I mention there is a fresh coconut bar and an ice cream parlour offering these daily homemade treats?

The resort also offers daily activities at 3pm at its village fare. Local artisans invite you to participate in wood carving, weaving, pareo tying, dance, ukulele and the iconic to’ere Tahitian drum.

Day 6 : Swimming with mantas, sharks and rays, coral garden snorkeling, Polynesian show

Boat time: 1 hour total.

Today is a chance to explore the lagoons and marine life that has made French Polynesia a paradise for animal lovers.

We will start the day early to make sure that we don’t miss the mantas, which are most active in the early morning.

We have reserved private speedboats to take us around the lagoon to three main spots: Swimming with mantas at a cleaning station, with black tip reef sharks and rays in the lagoon and at a fantastic coral garden.

We will start at the manta cleaning station which is near the hotel for a chance to swim with these majestic large creatures.

Mantas come to cleaning stations daily to have parasites, dead skin, and bacteria removed by smaller fish.

Mantas in French Polynesia can be as big as 3m wide and if you stay at the surface and avoid bothering their daily routine, you can observe them for a while.

We will then continue to a spot where black tip reef sharks come to play and will swim in their environment as we observe them from close up. Sting rays may also join in the fun.

Black tip reef sharks in Polynesia are friendly and harmless, but are still wild animals and should be respected and observed from a distance.

The morning will end with a stop at a different coral garden to that of the hotel, one that is larger and a bit deeper, though that depends on the tides.

Here, we will follow a drift snorkel where the water current will take us from the beginning of the swim to the boat pick up spot.

Look out for a wide variety of coral fish and wildlife as well as healthy corals.

Giant clams, “nemo” fish, octopus, all kinds of wrasse, parrot fish, moray eels, butterfly fish, sergeant major, trumpet fish, angel fish, damsel fish, and so much more.

We will return to the resort at lunch time and you will have the rest of the day to enjoy this slice of paradise at your own will.

Feel free to book any additional tour on your own to explore Taha’a island which is famous for the black pearls and the vanilla plantations.

In the early evening, we will meet at the village fare for a Polynesian dance show followed by a fabulous Polynesian buffet spread.

The show will introduce you to the swaying and seductive moves of the Polynesian tradition and you will also have the chance to participate and try. The show will end with an incredible fire performance.

Dinner will include all the delicious Polynesian dishes, including raw coconut fish, sashimi, grilled meats and fish and all kinds of salads and desserts.

Don’t forget to enjoy the starry night from the peace of your overwater lagoon.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the resort, morning lagoon tour, Polynesian show and dinner.

Overnight at Le Taha’a 5*

Day 7 : Resort morning and fly to Bora Bora

Steps: Less than 5,000 steps.

Enjoy one last breakfast under the trees at the beautiful resort, and a morning at leisure until our early afternoon flight to Bora Bora.

Take the opportunity of swimming in the beautiful coral garden one more time, enjoy your overwater villa or the resort’s pool and beach and an early light lunch before our boat transfer to the airport.

The short sightseeing flight to Bora Bora lasts less than 30min and will give you another chance of enjoying the world famous island from the sky.

We will land in Bora Bora, on an airport strip built during WWII on its own island, and be escorted to Le Bora Bora’s electric boat that will transfer us to the first resort ever to be built on the motu, or flat island, in Bora Bora.

Check in will take place as soon as we arrive and we will be escorted to our fabulous garden villas and enjoy the facilities and a sunset drink with the best views.

You will have the evening at leisure to try one of the resort’s restaurants or even room service in the comfort of your villa.

Like at Le Taha’a, the starry night awaits.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, transfers to the airport in Raiatea and Bora Bora, Air Tahiti flights.

Overnight at Le Bora Bora 5*

Le Bora Bora is a locally owned and run luxury resort that was the first to open on the motu (flat islands) of the Bora Bora lagoon but that has been renovated multiple times, the most recent one in the last 3 years.

The resort started the now famous trend of luxury resorts being located on the outer island of the lagoon, with views onto the island, and with overwater bungalows looking out to sacred Mount Otemanu.

All of its 109 villas and bungalows are decorated following authentic Polynesian architecture utilising thatched pandan roofs, sculpted wood, and woven textiles and are some of the most traditional in all of Bora Bora, an island that favors international standards and resort ownership.

The interior design, the walls and the wood carvings all tell stories of those early navigators or the ancient Polynesian culture.

The resort is also home to the first and only art gallery in Polynesia and is located on a local island, the largest in Bora Bora, that is not shared with any other resort.

This is a quieter part of the lagoon, without the constant passing of speedboats and transfers from the other luxury resorts and with no other resort on the horizon.

Le Bora Bora is also part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux association.

At the resort you will find a wine and sushi bar with incredible sunset views, a gourmet fine dining restaurant, a casual international restaurant by the pool a bar with swim-up stools, and the main restaurant where Polynesian food is served.

The facilities include tennis courts, a large pool, the only natural white sand beach in Bora Bora, a planted coral garden that serves as a coral nursery in conjunction with a local marine project, a fully equipped gym and a large spa.

Beyond the manicured gardens of the resort you will also find a wild forest, a golf range and running paths.

We have reserved garden villas for our stay. These feature a garden pool with gazebo and are located on the expansive gardens of the resort. Enjoy a dip in your own private pool or a relaxing bath in your stone bathtub among the lush greenery.

Note: The garden villas are being fully renovated between 2026 / 27.

Day 8: 360-degree lagoon tour and farewell dinner

Steps: Less than 1,000 steps.

Today will take you around the Bora Bora lagoon to enjoy the views of Mount Otemanu from all angles.

Enjoy breakfast at the resort’s main restaurant with incredible views and then join the group for a morning, 360-degree lagoon tour.

We will make several stops along the way and understand why the Bora Bora lagoon is world famous and considered such a romantic, honeymoon-worthy destination.

We will stop to swim with black tip reef sharks and rays in a shallow part of the lagoon where you can stand up surrounded by these majestic creatures.

Sting rays are bottom feeders and have been accustomed to humans in Bora Bora.

The law in French Polynesia prohibits touching and feeding all marine animals but this is still done by many tour companies. We have chosen one that has strong marine conservation values and follows a strict no touching or feeding policy.

During our boat tour, we will explore the entire lagoon and enjoy it from all angles, seeing all the shades of blue that make this a dream destination.

We will pass by the many luxury resorts located on the motu and on land and better understand how Bora Bora daily life works.

We will return to the resort before lunch time so you can enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Book a massage at the fantastic spa, relax at the beach or by the pool, borrow kayaks or paddle boards to explore the lagoon or don a mask and fins and swim among the coral gardens.

If you prefer land sports, there is a tennis, basketball, pickleball, beach-volley and badminton court.

If you feel like a little shopping, the resort has a wonderful gallery, a souvenir and clothing store with beautiful items, a pearl jewelry store and a Hinano apparel store.

The resort also offers a range of complimentary activities every morning and afternoon which you are welcome to participate in.

In the evening, we will meet again as a group for our final farewell dinner, a grand and unforgettable way to say goodbye to the islands in the best company.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, lagoon boat tour

Overnight at Le Bora Bora 5*

Day 9 : Departure

Wake up in paradise one last time and enjoy breakfast with the iconic views of Mount Otemanu.

As most international flights take off late at night, our flight back to Tahiti is in the early evening, which means that you have the full day to enjoy the resort and the island.

After check out, the concierge will store your luggage so you can continue to make the most of the facilities, the beach, the pool and the restaurants.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch, borrow kayaks, or take a walk on the powdery white sand beach.

You can also book one last morning tour in Bora Bora or participate in the complimentary activities offered at the resort such as flower crown making, coconut workshops and more.

Before leaving, you can freshen up in the complimentary shower facilities.

When it is time to go, we will take the resort’s electric boat back to the Bora Bora airport and fly straight to Papeete for your onward connections.

If you wish to stay longer in Bora Bora, you can request your flight date or time be changed.

Inclusions: Breakfast at the hotel, Airport transfers in Bora Bora and evening flight to Papeete on Air Tahiti.

About Your Host, Rani

Born and raised in Tahiti, Rani has been travelling on her own since she was young.

Curiosity has always been her compass, and the world has always felt like an open invitation: a place to wander, to wonder, and to learn.

After two decades in the travel industry, Rani felt the pull to step away from the corporate world and build a life that felt truer to her. She left a career she had spent years shaping to follow her own path, trusting that the most meaningful journeys begin the moment we make room for possibility.

Since then, her life has been about creating spaces where women can come together, feel truly supported, exhale, and remember their own strength. Her work is rooted in a slower, more intentional way of living, one that invites us to move with nature rather than against it, in greater harmony with the ocean, the land, and the seasons.

A yoga facilitator and storyteller at heart, Rani shares her islands as only someone who calls them home can: through soulful encounters, hidden places, shared laughter, and the small moments no guidebook could ever capture. She is deeply inspired by nature, photography, and the beauty of discovering another culture from the inside, with care, curiosity, and respect for the wisdom of those who call it home.

For Rani, travel is about learning about yourself and about others, following your heart and your dreams, and discovering what becomes possible when you choose to go, even when no one else is ready to come along.

Her joy is contagious, and so is her gentle reminder that the world is waiting. Tahiti is waiting… not just to be seen, but to be felt.

Our June 2027 tour, will also be accompanied by SFT Co-Founder, Mar Pages.