Cooks questions

Heading to the Cooks for a week (well, 8 days if you include the day I arrive at 3.40am and the day I leave at 11.40pm) in mid-August. A few questions for anyone please!

1. From initial research, it sound like the ideal itinerary would include Raratonga for scenery, Aitutaki for snorkelling in the lagoon, and Atiu for culture and a cave. And it's possible using the round-trip flight combo (which doesn't seem to be bookable on the airraro website for some reason - can I buy it there without having to worry about not having booked my flights in advance?). Is Atiu better than Mangaia, or any other ones you can suggest, for some local culture?

2. Given that everything runs on South Pacific time, is that trying to cram too much in to too little time? And if so, which would you cut out? I'm not really bothered about lying on beaches for days on end, but a day of snorkelling would be good.

3. I want to meet a few other backpackers, but I'm more interested in chatting over a quiet beer than playing drinking games and downing pints all night (I'm 30, experienced traveller, and I'll be on my own). So I guess Vara's beachside on Raro is out. So, Vara's hillside or Raratonga Backpackers?

4. Other than the first night's accomodation, does anything else need booking in advance at that time of year?

Thanks a lot everyone!

Hi Stu,

I think your three island itinery is somewhat agressive, but for someone who has done as much travel as you have, it should be fine. The flights to and from Aitutaki and Atiu are one hour long, so you will not lose much time in transit. Having been to both Atiu and Mangaia, I would lean towards Atiu, primarily because of the round trip combo. You may want to contact Jetsave travel to book the round trip combo flight ahead of time. I don't think you would have trouble booking it after you arrive, but the planes are small and if it were me, I would want to have the flight confirmed prior to starting the trip. You may want to consider Paradise Inn for Raro accomodation, they have a couple of budget rooms and a great patio for happy hour. The people staying there are from all over the planet and the staff is helpful. If you want to leave some stuff when you go to Aitutaki and Atiu, I am sure they will store them for you. Paradise is on the edge of Avarua, a short walk to loads of restaurants, bars and a grocery store. The round island bus stops directly in front of Paradise and there is a mini-mart in front of the place, with lots of local fruits and veggies.

I have stayed at Vara's Hillside and it is quite isolated from beach, restaurants and stores. You will share the place with two other parties, sharing the bath and kitchen, so a lot of your experience will depend on if your other parties are compatible. I enjoyed my stay and the staff was quite friendly, but you may want to consider something else. You are also a long way from the airport for your inter-island flights.

Another location you may want to consider is Maina's Beach Cottages, they have a beach location and very reasonable prices. I recently sent a couple from Montana for a month and they had a great time.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

Papa Mike
www.mikehollywood.com

I agree with Mike, Paradise Inn is probably your best cvhoice to meet older, single travelers. Very friendly, hand yto town, etc.

The Aitutaki and Atiu combo is your best bet, it's cheaper than adding Mangaia, and for Mangai you might have to waste much of the day in and out of the airport, as it's a separate flight, Mangai is off on its own 140 miles SE.

I would try to go to Atiu first, as the flight schedules from Atiu to/from Aitutaki can change at the last minute. By hitting Atiu first, then Aitutaki, you can always be sure to get back to RAR from Aitutaki when you want, as there are a lot more flights on that route.

I think you'll have time to do all three, but as Mike said it might be a bit rushed.

If you want more culture, Atiu is better than Aitutaki. You can snorkel more easily on RAR than Aitutaki, on AIT you really need to take a boat out to one of the islets. See my post on the FAQ about where to snorkel on RAR and Aitutaki.