Mt Yasur - worth it from the carpark?

Hi,

Were staying on Efate for most of the week in late April and were thinking of going to Tanna for a couple of days, primarily to see Yasur. The advice from the resorts and tour operators on Tanna has been that at 'level 2' (according to the folks who rate these things) they wont take anyone past the carpark. Like to hear from someone who's been there, the carpark looks like its about a kilometre or more from the rim? For such a significant expense is that really worth it?
Should we save our hard earned and try to come back some other time - I can go fishing out of Vila all day for a bit more than the price of the air ticket! :-)

thanks
rich

Is the volcano at Level 2 currently or expected to be Level 2 at that time? I'm figuring that you really can predict it with these nature shows. It's just a fluke as to how it will be when you are there.

Before we went up to the rim we spent some time on the ash plain nearby. When the volcano rumbled it was spectacular, it was an almighty growl - the earth moved.

Even if you don't go to the volcano I think that Tanna is worth seeing. It's a special place and it offers a very different experience to Efate.

Hi we have been to yasur twice and on the rim at L2. so maybe it depends on the operator. Go anyway even if u only ge tot the car park. The rim of course is so much better as U can see rite down the throat of the firey beast Enjoy.

Definitely agree.

I lived in Vanuatu for three years and going to the volcano was a definite highlight. The volcano activity will always be down to a bit of fate on the day - so you'll never be able to get a 100% gaurantee of a spectacular show.

But going to Tanna itself is an amazing experience - life on the outer islands is very different to Port Vila. Be prepared - the infrastructure is not great though - expect riding on the back of trucks and depending on where you stay, maybe no electricity in your bungalow. I always traveled in the islands with a mosquito net, comfortable shoes, water and some snacks (no shops or anything up at the volcano). Enjoy!

We just got back from Tanna and visited the volcano last week - it was at Level 2 which means you can't go to the rim but can go to the summit, which is a short walk up from the carpark. So you are looking over towards the rim, maybe 100m away. It's pretty close to the action and very spectacular when the lava bombs are ejected. One landed about 30 metres from us. Just remember don't stand in a group of people, don't run - just watch the lava bombs and move out of the way if one looks like it is going to land on you.

I suggest if you have a bit of time then go to Tanna for more than one night and a volcano tour, it's a very beautiful place. The big cost, aside from the airfare, is the transport across the island which is about 5000 vatu per head. Get a bit more value out of this by staying at the the village near Mt Yasur (see www.www.positiveearth.org/bungalows for a list of places) and living with the 'music of the volcano' for a few days. It is absolutely unforgettable. From where we stayed, we could see sit in the dining room and watch the volcano erupting in the distance, amazing.