Marquesa Excursions

[Emdee]

Have any of the recent cruisers done the 4x4 excursions in the Marquesas? Please let me know your impressions.
Thanks
Miriam

[goblue57]

We were on the PG 7-5-08 that stopped in Niku Hiva and did the 4x4 excursion. The trucks were clean and well driven - mostly on paved but very steep roads. No prob for adventurous folks past their physical prime. Mark Eddowes - the on board anthropologist - did this trip with us and made it absolutely wonderful. His historical stories and anecdotes brought each place that we visited alive. Without him there, it would have been merely a lovely scenery outing. This was an - unexpected - highlight of the cruise. Go for it!:)

[ORV]

We were on the PG 7-5-08 that stopped in Niku Hiva and did the 4x4 excursion. The trucks were clean and well driven - mostly on paved but very steep roads. No prob for adventurous folks past their physical prime. Mark Eddowes - the on board anthropologist - did this trip with us and made it absolutely wonderful. His historical stories and anecdotes brought each place that we visited alive. Without him there, it would have been merely a lovely scenery outing. This was an - unexpected - highlight of the cruise. Go for it!:)

Is this one offered by Regent? I only see one but it's to the Taipivai Valley. Is that the one you're referring to?

[Wendy The Wanderer]

If it's got Mark Eddoes, it's a Regent excursion, for sure. I'm hoping to jump on this one immediately (tomorrow!), since I don't want to miss it, if it's the right now. I guess they don't mention his name because presumably he's not always there to be the guide.

[ORV]

I was considering the Trail of The Ancients excursion on Moorea with him. Seems to be less money and more time.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

It's an actual hiking trip, whereas the Taipaivae trip on Nuku Hiva says, "no significant walking".

Moorea's going to be a problem this time, since we're only there the one day.

[ORV]

It's an actual hiking trip, whereas the Taipaivae trip on Nuku Hiva says, "no significant walking".

Moorea's going to be a problem this time, since we're only there the one day.

Yes, it is but it's downhill.

"The trails are entirely downhill, and not at all steep. A second Tahitian guide is always at the trek's end to aid where necessary. The distance covered is about 3 miles (5 km.), with 2 hours of walking time.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yeh, well how much hiking have you done? Downhill is pretty tough, actually. Not aerobically, but hard on the feet. I've been in that area, just downhill from the Belvedere lookout, and it's rocking and uneven, and jungly (i.e., buggy and humid).

[Emdee]

Last year, my daughter did the Raitea hike.She came back totally covered with mud. It was not just hiking but slipping and sliding in the rain soaked muck..... I didnt see them come back but apparently they looked quite a sight ( including the captain and his wife).

Fortunately she had one of those dollar store plastic raincoats and that saved a lot of her clothes. Shoes had to be thrown out.....

Just a week more before we are on our way so the excitement is building up.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

But this one's Moorea, not Raiatea. We've definitely heard about the Raiatea one, but this one's definitely more sedate, or we would have heard about it.