DISCOVER TAHITI

Do You

Know What

to Pack?

The All In One Guide

did someone say

"SHARKS"?

YOUR COMPLETE ITINERARY FROM DAY 1 TO DAY  10

HINTS TIPS INFO AND JUICY DETAILS

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO YOUR

PROJECTS

D I S C O V E R T A H I T I   T H E U L T I M A T E T R A V E L G U I D E

hey there!Firstly, on behalf of everybody at Bamboo, I would like to offer you our thanks for choosing to

experience this incredible part of the world with us. We guarantee you an amazing time and we’re all

very much looking forward to meeting you in Tahiti soon.

I imagine that right now you’re very excited about your upcoming adventure and this little guide has

been put together to help you understand more about what will be happening, what to expect, how to

plan and more. We guarantee your time with us will be unforgettable from start to end.  

Bamboo is growing as our style of 'travel' has proven to be the 'way' to travel. You are now a part of

this journey and we welcome you with open arms and hearts. This growing experience is down to

people like you, so do get stuck in, become part of our way of life, live every moment and take nothing

for granted.

Peace, Love & Bamboo

Mark (& the other pandas, Steve & Colin)

bamboo behind the scenes follow me on instagram @markbamboo

highlights of your tour

Get your Moana on with this off-the-

beaten-track tour of incredible French

Polynesia; visiting the two stunning

islands of Tahiti and Moorea.

MOANA FEELS

Swimming with sharks and rays (the

safe and conscious kind, not the bitey

kind)

SEALIFE

Volunteer at a marine conservation

project

GIVING BACK

Discover the real life of the Polynesian

islanders by experiencing their lives in

the jungle with them

CULTURE

Set sail on a sunset boat party to

admire the most stunning sunsets

SUNSETS

FOOD Try the best raw fish ceviche in the

world.  

Possibly the best location in the world

to stare at the galaxy and stars.

BAMBOO ROMANCE

The excitement, the anticipation, the slight anxiety

over the trip can finally end. Today your tour to one

of the most exclusive, most remote and most

beautiful places in the world, Tahiti, begins.

When you arrive in Papeete, one of our maverick

tour guides will collect you from the airport and

escort you to the hotel where you can shower, put

the jet-lag to bed, and ready yourself for the

adventure (please note, check-in is from 2pm and

today is a free day)

DAY 1 (FRI) ARRIVAL IN PAPEETE

Our day begins with a bit of formality. We'll sit you

down and explain the entire tour - what we do,

what we expect, how you can have a kick-ass time

with Bamboo. We'll also ease any anxieties you may

have about being here - we get it, it's an isolated

island.

Once through the orientation, we'll head into the

city to the "Cultural Centre" in Papara. There, we'll

spend time learning about Polynesian life, from the

local cooking and crafts to the dances and tattoos.

It's basically your insightful introduction to the

country and, better yet, the organization directly

supports educational opportunities for young

Polynesians - you're giving back already.

Once through and fully "cultured", we'll make a pit-

stop at the Cave of Maraa; so spectacular we've

even lost a breath or two.

From there, we'll head back to the hotel and get

ready for the night's meet-and-greet dinner at the

famous Royal Tahitian - flower crowns aren't

required but definitely encouraged. There, you can

get to know the other travellers better, dine on

Tahitian favourites and, if the cards are right,

maybe take a late-night dip in the sea.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 2 (SAT) PAPEETE

How bad can a morning be if it begins with riding

the waves to your second paradise in two days?

After a much-needed breakfast (coffee cures all,

right?), we'll pack our bags and board the boat to

the island of Moorea. For those who don't know,

"Moorea" is the only correct answer to the question,

"Where is paradise?", as you'll soon find out.

Upon arrival, we'll amble to our beach bungalows in

Haapiti and briefly entertain the idea of ditching

the tour altogether and instead opt for a life on the

island forever. Once realizing that idea's flawed (it

may take a few hours...or days), the adventure

continues.

Largely known as surf capital, Haapiti's lagoons also

cater to some of the most wild and exotic lives in

French Polynesia. It's a place where, if you're brave

enough, you can swim with sharks and stingrays.

Those looking for lighter, less-adrenaline-inducing

entertainment can instead watch for dolphins and

whales (peak season is August - October).

Just another casual day in Moorea.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch.

DAY 3 (SUN) PAPEETE - HAAPITI

Still enchanted with Haapiti's charm, today will

involve a bit more work and less play. We've

carefully selected a local NGO responsible for

maintaining the conservation, education and

research of the region's infamous lagoon. The

organization will introduce you to reef and pollution

issues in addition to the problems currently facing

the region's sea turtle population. It'll be the basis

for our volunteering excursion in Haapiti, so listen

up. Depending on the needs of the NGO at the

time, we may be invited to join on a beach cleaning

initiative or coral cutting for the construction of

their underwater structures.

Following the interactive introduction, you'll have

the afternoon and evening to yourself, which can

easily be filled with swimming, exploring, endlessly

reapplying sunscreen, getting mesmerized by the

sparkling seas or, like any member of the BamFam,

psyching yourself up for tomorrow's work.

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 4 (MONDAY) HAAPITI

itinerary

This morning, the difference-making begins.

The NGO will have us cutting and preserving coral

reefs, cleaning the island's beach fronts and

teaching local people the importance of

sustainability and environmentalism.

After some chill out time in the afternoon, at

sundown, we've arranged for a proper 'Happy Hour'

and barbecue to satiate the appetites worked up

throughout the day. Be prepared for a sunset that

we can only describe using cheesy cliches, so we'll

just say "it's darn beautiful".

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 5 (TUE) HAAPITI

Today we are all heading back to the island of Tahiti

and taking a trip to one of French Polynesia's most

sacred destinations: Fare Hape.

Crossing from Moorea to Tahiti by boat, we'll then

hop on an epic 4x4 jeep journey into the center of

the island to spend the next two days at a secluded,

ancient village hidden in the mountains and jungle.

For thousands of years, Fare Hape was virtually

untouched by the western world, and the sacred

Polynesian rituals and beliefs lie at the heart of

Tahitian values. The day's highlights center around

understanding this 1,000s-year-old culture,

including astronavigation, and simply building old-

world houses from natural materials.

We'll also introduce you to the local Haruru

organization who invests and protects the island's

sacred grounds. While here, they'll have you

constructing Polynesian homes, planting medicinal

herbs, clearing the jungle, river damming, and

essentially helping to build the infrastructure for an

entire irrigation system - high-level tasks for a

volunteer...but you're BamFam so this shouldn't be

daunting, just bare in mind it can vary. It really

depends on what the association needs to be done

for the preservation of the place and culture. Every

time is different but we will have the biggest impact

possible.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

DAY 6 (WED) HAAPITI - FARE HAPE

itinerary

Yesterday we learned about the jungle and today

we'll explore it. Wandering through like Tarzan and

Jane, we'll follow the sounds of the jungle, tracing

animals and veering towards the faint crashes in

the distance. The crashes, of course, can only mean

one thing: Waterfalls. Who's up for a swim?

After a dip (and lunch), it's back to Fare Hape to

continue our projects.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

DAY 7 (THU) FARE HAPE

Bidding farewell to the local people of Fare Hape we

head off to the remote area of Teahupoo on the

south-east coast of the island.

On an island already coated in stunning coastlines,

Teahupoo's serenity and peacefulness is the only

way to wrap-up an otherwise adventurous tour.

Upon arrival, we'll take you on another special boat

tour. The gorgeous caves of Vaipori await, as well as

island enclaves so remote they rarely see any

human exploration, making you, effectively, a

modern day Magellan.

Lunch will be cooked fresh from the boat deck,

which features a view of epic proportions.

The day concludes with even more lounging and

even more stunning sunsets and even more

delicious meals and even more drinks...because

that's just life in this paradise.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 8 (FRI) FARE HAPE - TEAHUPOO

We're taking off the Bamboo ball-and-chain and

letting you into the wild world of Teahupoo this

morning. Packed with one-of-a-kind nature, feel

free to explore the surrounding waterfalls, go

hiking, kayaking, or even just spend the morning

sun-tanning along the waterfront. Just get back by

early afternoon so we can shuttle you to Papeete,

where we'll gather for our final group meal and

toast to Tahiti...on our private boat of course!

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 (SAT) TEAHUPOO - PAPEETE

Do...do we even want to address the

goodbye? We've reached the end of the tour

but only the beginning of our friendships.

Don't be sad it's over because the Tahiti

adventure will forever live inside each of us.

We'll snap a final group photo, which we'll

then keep under our pillow case, only to look

at late at night and remember the fun we

had.

Beyond that, we'll help you arrange any

transport you may need to the airport and

see you off to your next destination, be it

home, another leg of your vacation, or back

to the bungalow where you contemplated

moving just days ago!

Just remember that, with Bamboo and

Discover Tahiti, you're leaving a legacy for

the causes we've supported, and we hope

Polynesian culture will hold an extraordinary

place in each of your hearts and souls

forever.

 

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 10 (SUN) DEPART PAPEETE

What's includedDISCOVER TAHITI TOUR

1. Airport arrival pick-up

2. All accommodation in a variety of

hotels and traditional houses

3. All activities outlined in the itinerary

4. All meals outlined in the itinerary

5. Volunteering with a leading marine

conservation project

6. Our guides to accompany you

7. Discover caves and jungle life

8. Getting your hands dirty helping to

maintain the island's history, heritage

and culture

FAST FACTS:

VISA

90 days free if from US, UK,

AUS or CAN (Most EU)

VISA and passport

requirements are YOUR

responsibility

You must have a return ticket

to receive your VISA upon

arrival, this will need to shown

at immigration arrivals

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTSDepending on your country of citizenship you may be

entitled to a 90-day visa-free entry into French

Polynesia (all islands including Tahiti and Moorea) .

This means that you can simply turn up at the airport,

present your passport and receive free entry for a

maximum of 90 days.

These countries include the USA, the UK, Australia,

Canada, and most European countries.

To check if you’re entitled to this check your country is

on the following list: http://tahiti-tourisme.com.au/plan-

your-trip/getting-to-tahiti/visas-passports/

T H E I N F O R M A T I O N Y O U N E E D T O K N O W B E F O R E W E B E G I N D I S C O V E R T A H I T I

THE NITTY GRITTY

VISA and passport requirements are YOUR responsibility

The accommodation here is twin share (two single

beds) with a private bathroom and features air-

conditioning, fridge, tea & coffee and free WiFi.

The hotel is not far from shops, grocery stores,

pharmacies, restaurants and of course the airport! We

can help arrange taxi 's or show you to the bus station.

ACCOMMODATION

PAPEETE

HAAPITI

Prepare yourselves for a treat as we stay on a unique

property. This is a private home and the owners have

invited you to stay!

The shared bedrooms will be in one of the overwater

bungalows with single beds and shared bathroom

facilities.

 

WiFi is available throughout.

There are also some outrigger canoes and kayaks for

you to get your paddle on!

TAHITI AIRPORT MOTEL

UNIQUE HOMESTAY

Without a doubt, one of the most unforgettable

experiences on this tour will be your time at the Fare

Hape.

The accommodation here is basic and a true

experience; living in a wooden house sharing outside

bathrooms.

All bedding is supplied but please do bring some warm

clothes for the nights here as we ' l l be up in the

mountainous jungle and it can get cold!

ACCOMMODATION

FARE HAPE

TEAHUPOO

Hidden in amongst coconut trees and beautiful

gardens, our next base embodies the simplicity of

living in between the mountain and the ocean.

The bungalows are twin share rooms (two single beds)

or big rooms with 3 queen beds with private bathroom

and fans.  

FARE HAPE HAURURU

REVA TEAHUPOO

FAST

FACTS: MONEY

A budget for basic items is;

Water pack of 6 = 500 CFP

Beer = 270 CFP

Local Juice = 250 CFP

Fresh Coconut Water = 200 CFP

Baguette = 57 CFP

Punupuatro = 500 CFP

Sandwich = 450 CFP

Local fruits = 300 CFP

Meal at a food truck = 1.500 CFP

Meal at a restaurant = 4.500 CFP

When it comes to advice on how much money

to bring, it’s impossible to say. All our intrepid

explorers are very different. Where some go all

out, others are on a budget. You can find both

high end and budget restaurants, bars and

shopping across French Polynesian.

The currency used in French Polynesia is the

French Pacific Franc, abbreviated XPF or CFP.

Typical exchange rates at the time of writing

are:

$1 - 100 CFP

£1 - 130 CFP

ATMs, or cash machines are prevalent

throughout the main cities,

If you do plan to bring your ATM card with you,

we recommend that you inform your bank. This

may prevent your card being suspended due

to irregular withdrawals.

Major credit cards are widely accepted in

larger towns, depending on where you 're

shopping or dining. Larger hotels and

restaurants may accept credit cards, but in

most other places cash is king.

It’s recommended that you have enough cash

on you to cover your time away from the larger

areas. You will be reminded of this by your

guides during your trip.

Negotiating a purchase, known as bartering,

still happens in the tourist areas.

Outside of tourist areas, however, bartering is

seen as disrespectful. If you’re unsure as to

whether or not you can barter for a discount

please speak to your guide or coordinator.  

MONEY

FAST FACTS: TRAVEL

It 's common to put a tiara (Tahiti 's

national flower, a fragrant white

blossom) behind one 's ear -- left side

you 're taken, right if you 're looking.

Did you know that?

On a flight, the bathroom door isn’t

really locked when you’re inside.

Lavatory doors can be locked and

unlocked from the outside for a

multitude of reason. It allows flight

attendants quick access to locked

lavatories in case of emergencies. In

other instances, it allows the cabin

crew to restrict access to bathrooms

during takeoff and landing.

For up to date information about the best travel

vaccinations to have before arriving in the

country we urge you to contact your own GP,

travel health clinic or check the World Health

Organisations website. Bamboo are not medical

professionals and therefore can’t offer you

medical advice.  

VACCINATIONS

TRAVEL

FLIGHTS

Thanks to the world wide web we all now have

access to great flight deals through websites

such as Skyscanner, Google Flights and more. If

you’d rather use the services of a booking agent,

the likes of STA Travel, Trailfinders and Flight

Centre, they are all available online.  

To be eligible for the airport pick-up, please

arrange your flight to arrive into Fa 'a 'ā

International Airport (PPT) in the capital city of

Papeete, on Friday that your tour starts between

6 am and  11 pm. Should your flight arrive outside

of these hours, our guides may not be available

to collect you from the airport.

You will meet the group the following morning

before the tour starts.    

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Once you have booked and confirmed your flight

to Tahiti, please make sure that you have shared

your flight arrival time and flight number with

our team. Without those details, we will be

unable to guarantee that one of our team will be

at the airport to meet you on arrival.  

ARRIVALS INFO

Keep your eyes peeled for the

smiling face that holding our Bamboo

logo - Kooga our guide in the photo

above loves to smile, honest!

ARRIVALFa 'a 'ā International Airport   in Tahiti is the

only airport in French Polynesia.  It won’t be

intimidating, it’s small and fast. Just make

sure you don 't come with plants, honey or

fresh food. (or drugs of course) .  Other than

that, no need to worry, we are here with

some useful tips for when you land!

After passing immigration, please collect

your bags at the carousels. Once you have

your bags please make your way to the exit

passing through the Nothing to Declare

channel.

Once through you will enter the main arrival

area where one of our team will be waiting.

They should be easily recognizable with their

Bamboo t-shirts and be holding a sign

showing the Bamboo logo.

Once you’ve found them, you’ll then receive

further instructions. Please bear in mind that

we may be waiting for others to arrive so

your transfer to the hotel may not be

immediate but we’ll get you there as soon as

possible.

If your flight has been delayed, don 't panic!

As long as we have your correct flight details

one of our team will be there.  

Once we have you we’ll transfer you straight

to the starting point for your tour. On arrival,

we’ll help you to check in and give you more

details of what’s happening next.

MAKE A NOTE!

If you cannot locate one of our team

on arrival , please call the following

numbers :

+689 8736 9028

+689 8779 4464

If you have supplied us with a mobile

number , make sure your mobile is

turned on as we may be trying to

contact you

FUN FACTS: DID YOU KNOW?

The letter "B" does not exist in

the Tahitian language. Bora Bora

is actually Pora Pora, meaning

first born, but early visitors heard

it as Bora Bora.

There are no poisonous snakes or

insects in French Polynesia.

French and Tahitian are the

official languages, though English

is widely spoken in  tourist areas.

TRANSPORTTransportation will vary depending on the

islands and the location; minivans, local

Tahitian 'trucks ' , 4x4 jeeps and boats.

Minivan transportation will be for the

shorter journeys, like your airport pick-up

and transfer. These will have comfortable

seats and air-conditioning.    

The traditional Tahitian 'trucks '  are

vehicles with  a truck chassis on which a

huge wooden box is fixed. It has benches

inside and a rustic roof. Traditionally, if you

wanted to jump on board you  would   leave

a branch of leaves on the side of the road

and it will get  you to any place around the

island.  Nowadays, the trucks have been

replaced by big  buses that are invading

the roads, but Bamboo have decided to

bring back this charming mode of

transport  and recreate this atmosphere of

community and sharing.

Additionally, 4x4s will be used when we

need to reach the, more remote, centre of

the island.   These allow for the roof  to be

taken off when the weather permits. You

will feel like you are in Jurassic Park!  

Of course, for island hopping days, we ' l l

also be using boats and ferries to cross the

beautiful Southern Pacific Ocean between

the islands of Tahiti and Moorea.

FAST FACTS: GUIDES

Our guides are the face of Bamboo,

and they come in all shapes and

smiles.

We love each and every one of them

more than  turtles love the sea.  

Whilst most them are elite travel

mavericks in their own right, you may

come across newbies who are on the

path the greatness.

If you 're lucky enough to meet a

fresh-faced newbie, be sure to show

them your support and patience,

most guides remember their first

tours forever, so let 's play nice.

GUIDESAny tour is only as good as the guide – fact. The

input of a tour guide cannot be understated. Their

input into your tour, their little insights, the off-

the-beaten-track, the knowledge and experiences

that they share with you will make or break your

time wherever you are in the world.

At Bamboo, we take the selection and training of

our guides and our coordinators very seriously.

Each guide undertakes a structured training

program of three months and only once we’re

convinced that they are genuine representatives of

Bamboo are they signed up to the family.

Each of our tours has English-speaking guides to

support you, answer your questions, educate you

and to ensure that your time is unforgettable. From

time to time we may have new guides-in-training

on our tours. If you’re lucky to have a trainee on

your tour, please be patient. They are undergoing

training and therefore their knowledge won’t be

that of the trained and experienced guide who will

be accompanying them.  

We are also working with students from the

hospitality school of Tahiti to introduce students to

the tourism industry and give them the

opportunity to support our on the group team, so

be sure to say hello once you meet them!

TIPPING

Although not in any way expected or encouraged,

anybody who goes over and above the call of duty

to ensure that you have the very best time may

deserve a special little thank you.

Did you have extra special service in a restaurant?

Did the bus driver make an additional pit-stop just

for you? Did your guide go out of the way so that

you could experience something unique? At

Bamboo we’re firm believers in Karma – what goes

around most definitely comes around!  

The 'must brings'HAVE YOU PACKED THE FOLLOWING?

0. An open mind

1. Backpack or suitcase with

wheels

2. Travel Towel

3. Light, loose-fitting clothes

4. Warmer clothes for your time

overnight in the mountains

5. A swimsuit and water shoes

6. Flip flops/sandals/Trainers

7. Raincoat

8. Day pack/bag

9. Insect spray

10. Hat & Sunscreen

11. Reusable Water Bottle

12. Multi-use plug adaptor

The 'can brings'EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND THE BELOW IS JUST A FEW SUGGESTIONS OF

THINGS YOU MAY LIKE TO CONSIDER BRINGING PLEASE USE COMMON SENSE

AND INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS WHEN PACKING FOR THIS TRIP

1. Medical Kit

2. Toiletries

3. Torch (head light)

4. Earplugs

5. Any home luxuries you simply

can't live without

6. Card games or books

7. French phrasebook

8. Waterproof bag/Ziploc

9. Personal float/armbands (if you

don't feel comfortable in water)

YOUR PROJECT GUIDE

DISCOVER TAHITI

YOUR PROJECT GUIDE“Te Mana O Te Moana” is a local NGO whose primary objective is to protect this stunning

marine environment for generations to come using three models: Conservation,

Education and Research.

During your time here, you’ll be introduced to turtles, the reef and the pollution issues in

French Polynesia.

You will be introduced to the organisation and their clinic and, after a short presentation

you'll get stuck in with a variety of tasks that could include activities such as:

Beach clean-ups

Plastic pollution is a big part of the work and research that goes on here and a lot of time

is spent collecting rubbish to protect the amazing white sands and the surrounding

wildlife. The litter is then analyzed to help understand where the pollution has come from

and the negative effects on local species such as turtles, dolphins and birdlife.

Coral Gardens

Creating coral gardens enriches poor or degraded areas of coral with the goal of creating

a new reef that attracts various species to naturally re-colonise the area. This requires

special techniques such as coral transplantation and fixation of cuttings.

Assisting in the turtle clinic

The clinic houses baby or injured turtles with the view to releasing them back into the

ocean, where possible, when they have good chances of survival.

Cleaning and general maintenance 

Removing build-up of seaweed from the water park and general maintenance helps to

ensure a pleasant environment for everyone.

HAAPITI MARINE CONSERVATION

YOUR PROJECT GUIDE

Located in the centre of Tahiti island, in the Papenoo Valley, lies the mystical Fare

Hape archaeological site with its ancient village and sacred ceremonial site.

Integral to French Polynesian history and culture, the Papenoo Valley was, at one

time, the most densely populated area on the island. Sadly, following European

colonisation, depopulation began in the area and the last resident left in 1930

leaving this sacred place deserted and in ruins.

The Haururu organisation was established in 1999 to manage the archaeological

site and to protect the environment, culture and local traditions of this ancient

and sacred valley. Since then, the organisation has developed projects ranging

from improving access to the area to rebuilding the traditional houses and

educating local and international visitors.

The project here focuses on the preservation and protection of a meaningful

aspect in Polynesian culture. It also encourages development by assisting the local

indigenous people in sustainability; helping to rebuild the local environment,

community and spirit.

You will be invited to listen to the village elders explain about the traditional plants,

music and medicine. There will also be the chance to witness the sacred “Marae” by

visiting the ruins of sacred ceremonial sites; once the heart of the religious and

social life of the islanders and where they worshipped, chose their leaders and

prepared for war.

Last but not least, you'll have the opportunity to get stuck in with some of the

restoration work that goes on here. This could include activities such as assisting in

the building or fixing of traditional houses or creating hiking paths in the jungle.

FARE HAPE HAURURU  PROJECT

YOUR PROJECT GUIDE

if you're looking for the icing on you're already stunning cake, we may have

just the add-on for you.

Seemingly worlds away from the luxurious retreats on Bora Bora is the

almost untouched island Fakarava. Coated in unspoiled pinkish sand and

hues of blues—in shades almost unrecognizable by most eyes—the relaxed

atoll is an ideal accompaniment Bamboo experience. From the world-class

snorkelling and diving to the coconut tree lined beaches, whatever your

desire, Fakarava is the stunning sunset to conclude your time in paradise.

Contact our bookings team to find out more about this add-on to your

Tahiti Experience.

Optional Bolt-

On Available!

TERMS & CONDITIONSPlease read these Terms and Conditions carefully as they form the basis of your contract

with WeAreBamboo. This agreement is made at the time of booking and becomes legally

binding upon payment of your deposit. By booking a program with WeAreBamboo, you signify

you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions

All programs advertised on our website and/or on Facebook are offered and/or operated by

WeAreBamboo Ltd. (trading as Bamboo and referred to as Bamboo or ‘we’ herein after) with

company number 59926953 whose registered office is:.

WE ARE BAMBOO LEVEL 2 61 SEAVIEW ROAD LOWER HUTT, NEW ZEALAND 5010

All travel arrangements are sold subject to the following conditions. Bamboo reserves the

right to update the Terms and Conditions at any time.

Please view our full terms and conditions here:

https://www.wearebamboo.com/about/legal.php

Please note that the information in this pack is subject to change at any time without

notice.