Vanuatu in OctNov St Andrews Day or Toka Festival

jamesadams704:12 UTC10 Sep 2018

Hi all

Planning a trip to Vanuatu with my mother later this year. Thinking a week, but potentially 10 days if there is more to see/do. Want a mix of everything, including volcanoes, hiking, beaches/relaxation, snorkeling and cultural activities.

Right now, we’d like to see one of the festivals, either the Toka Festival on Tanna or St Andrew’s Day on Rah island. It seems Toka only happens every few years and I can’t find any confirmed dates, so can anyone advise. I can’t find dates for this year’s St Andrew’s Day but assume around 29 Nov-1 Dec?

If that’s the case, would be thinking something like this:
24-25 Nov: Port Vila
26-29 Nov: Tanna
29 Nov-1 Dec: Motalava/Rah Island
2 Dec: Port Vila to Australia

The domestic flights seem a little expensive on Air Vanuatu’s website, although I’ve read about a 4 coupon pass that you can buy from a travel agent? Also curious whether the weather is good around this period. Welcome any suggestions and feedback. Thanks!

taste2travel22:23 UTC14 Oct 2018

Hi James,

Air Vanuatu offer 20% discount on domestic flights to those who travel to/from Vanuatu on an Air Vanuatu international flight. As for the cost of their domestic airfares, they are the monopoly carrier and their fares are very expensive.

A good person to contact for any information regarding dates of festivals would be Ian Kerr who is the owner of the Seachange Lodge in Port Vila. Ian is a font of knowledge and if he doesn't know, he'll know someone who will be able to confirm dates. You can contact him via the Seachange website - http://seachangelodge.com/

I have just published a travel report for Vanuatu which includes information on Tanna, Efate and Santo. You can view the report here:

http://www.taste2travel.com/vanuatu-travel-guide/

If you require any additional information, please contact me.

Safe travels!

Darren
www.taste2travel.com

Thorn Tree01:00 UTC15 Oct 2019

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Vanuatu in Oct/Nov (St Andrew’s Day or Toka Festival?) Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu
jamesadams704:12 UTC10 Sep 2018	Hi all Planning a trip to Vanuatu with my mother later this year. Thinking a week, but potentially 10 days if there is more to see/do. Want a mix of everything, including volcanoes, hiking, beaches/relaxation, snorkeling and cultural activities. Right now, we’d like to see one of the festivals, either the Toka Festival on Tanna or St Andrew’s Day on Rah island. It seems Toka only happens every few years and I can’t find any confirmed dates, so can anyone advise. I can’t find dates for this year’s St Andrew’s Day but assume around 29 Nov-1 Dec? If that’s the case, would be thinking something like this: 24-25 Nov: Port Vila 26-29 Nov: Tanna 29 Nov-1 Dec: Motalava/Rah Island 2 Dec: Port Vila to Australia The domestic flights seem a little expensive on Air Vanuatu’s website, although I’ve read about a 4 coupon pass that you can buy from a travel agent? Also curious whether the weather is good around this period. Welcome any suggestions and feedback. Thanks!
taste2travel22:23 UTC14 Oct 2018	Hi James, Air Vanuatu offer 20% discount on domestic flights to those who travel to/from Vanuatu on an Air Vanuatu international flight. As for the cost of their domestic airfares, they are the monopoly carrier and their fares are very expensive. A good person to contact for any information regarding dates of festivals would be Ian Kerr who is the owner of the Seachange Lodge in Port Vila. Ian is a font of knowledge and if he doesn't know, he'll know someone who will be able to confirm dates. You can contact him via the Seachange website - http://seachangelodge.com/ I have just published a travel report for Vanuatu which includes information on Tanna, Efate and Santo. You can view the report here: http://www.taste2travel.com/vanuatu-travel-guide/ If you require any additional information, please contact me. Safe travels! Darren www.taste2travel.com	1
Thorn Tree01:00 UTC15 Oct 2019	This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.	2

Vanuatu in Oct/Nov (St Andrew’s Day or Toka Festival?)