Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Tanna DIY or use a package tour?

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu

Hi,
We're going to Vanuatu for a week in May. We'd like to go to Tanna for a few days - those of you who have done it before, do you suggest just putting together a visit yourself or using one of the tour companies based in Villa? We normally are DIY travelers but this one seems a little more complicated. Especially with regard to how the heck you get from the airport in Tanna over to the other side of the island?
Thanks -

We chose(an older couple) to have Melanesian Tours in Pt. Vila do a package for us that included booking flights(prepay for these if possible to ensure your reservation), pick up/drop off at the Tanna airport, accommodation(Evergreen Bungalows) for 3 nights and a tour to Mt. Yassar. We usually do it ourselves as well but were very happy to have this part of our trip to Vanuatu done for us.

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Thanks for the tip, I will contact the company and see what their package options are.

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Tour is a fine option but I also think DYI is absolutely possible.

If you choose the DYI route my advice would be to book the flights to Tanna and back beforehand as there arent that many and you probably dont have much wriggle room.

Not sure where you plan to stay on the 'other side" but we stayed at the Port Resolution Yatch Club which was a simple place in a very lovely location. They can pick you up from the airport at the cost of about USD20. The Yatch Club has internet connection but as there is only electricty from a generator which they turn on at night soany answer by email is not going to be instantaneous. If you plan to stay there I would also recommend taking any luxuries that you consider necessities with you.

The mobile phone system in Vanuatu seems to be very good. I had no trouble getting connections between islands to make bookings.

We had a week in Tanna. It was the highlight of our 10 day trip. Volcano awesome.

Hope you enjoy it what ever way you go!

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Hi there
My husband and I traveled to Tanna in Dec last year (2010). We just booked with a flight centre. But you can get a resort where you are staying in Tanna to book you on a tour. They would probably not charge you all the admin fees. Would fully recommend staying at the White grass resort - you can book through them and they will organize a pick up straight from the reception area. Hope you enjoy the trip. The volcano is amazing.
Tinkerbela

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Hi,

I've just booked my trip to Tanna and all the resorts/accommodation seem to be able to organise tours for you, and sort out airport transfers. Just give them a call or drop them an email (though the reply rate is a bit low so calling might be better). I'm staying at Whitegrass so I can let you know what that's like when I get back next month.

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