hiking in Vanuatu

Hello,
I will spent 5-6 weeks in Vanuatu this July-August. I'd like to do some hikes to traditional villages on Santo and Tanna, and also to the volcanos on Ambrym, Ambae and maybe on Gaua.
I have a question regarding these volcano hikes: Is it possible to do it by myself, or is it obligatory to take a local guide, either due to local regulations or simply because it is too difficult to find the way without a guide?

Thank you very much in advance,
Mike

On Ambrym, a guide is necessary to find the way.

On Tanna, you don't really need a guide as the volcano is small, and you need to pay an entrance fee anyway.

When I visited, Ambae was actually erupting with the population evacuated, so no climbing! ;-)

Hi Mike,
I was on Mt Marum/Ambrym last April - one of my best days travelling ever.You'll need a guide,I guess you want to have one too.I found it a bit scary,the traverse from the middle to the main crater is a bit steeper and on loose terrain,there can be lavabombs (though a guide won't be a big help if you get hit) and there was quite some clouds of thick,blue,poisonus gas that shifts around sometimes and can encircle you.You'll need someone to be able to check the weather conditions.From what he told me you can not go if there is lightning,too much rain,clouds too low or wind coming from the wrong direction.You also need someone who knows how to avoid the blue gas clouds,and of course to find the way.

I went with Joses Wilfred from Lalinda,very nice guy,very fit ,too.He also monitores the instruments on the volcanos and has 20 years of experience.From what I was told,chances to see the actual lava lake are rather small,even if you get to the crater.It seems to be in the clouds most of the time.When I asked him when he has seen it last time,his answer was "sometime end of last year"-and he hikes up there at least once a week.He also said he'd never seen it as active as on that day (apparently Yasur is closed for that reason at the moment).I did it as a one day trek,but would highly recommend to spend the night up there to have a better chance of seeing the lava lakes and to have enough time to do both craters- and of course the night scenery.There's four lava lakes at the moment.

Have fun!

Thank you both for information.

Does anybody know the current situation on Ambae?

Mike

I don't know, but I expect it should be long over by now.

I saw it like this

Tanna is easy to hike to, you'll just need a ride from the airport to the base of the volcano (a few hours rough drive). The Jungle Lodge at the base of the volcano is really nice and the tree house suite is worth the extra money! It has the only view of the volcano from it's private balcony. I highly recommend the cultural tour they put on. Very informational, interactive, and engaging. Brilliant.

If you'd like to visit some villages on Santo, I suggest you find a way to Tasariki from Luganville. I dont' remember what it's called, but there is a place where you can hitch rides with cars going that direction in the town (It's very small, so just ask around). This village is the last village on the road and has a guesthouse for visitors. They will allow you to partake in kava cermonies as a woman since you are a visitor. If you talk to the people in the village, they can guide you up the trails to a more traditional village. This village has a little bay area that is beautiful. I was in a ship docked here for a few weeks and the villagers are very welcoming and helpful. Many times taking you into their home and offering you more than you can give them... just because they want to share their culture with you. They will show you local waterfalls and other such natural beauties without asking for anything in return. Vanuatu is my favorite country of all time and I hope to visit there again SOON.

Let me know if you need more info.

They will allow you to partake in kava cermonies as a woman

Jenny, I don't think OP is a woman! :-)

Jenny, I am not a woman, but your information is very useful anyway.
Thank you,
Mike

My bad I'm a female and I didn't pay attention to your name. ;)

We did an awesome hike in Santo - well known to locals. It was to a local village then an hour or 2 of hiking through the hills through to this cave with foot deep water. Hiked through the cave then floated down the river on inner tubes. Then hiked an hour back to village. Was awesome. You would need a guide of course. We booked it through a cab driver in town who took us to the village and the locals did the rest.
simon