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Recommended acttivities, places of interest, Calendar of Events and other local information. |
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Introduction The Cook Islands is geared up to tourism and most aspects of sightseeing are covered on Rarotonga. The main attractions are scuba diving and cruises, exploring the mountains and circle island culture and orientation tours. Air Rarotonga provide aerial sightseeing tours and for a more thrilling ride, tandem micro flights are available. Tours Some of the more appealing mountain tours include guided walks with local legend "Pa" whose knowledge of the environment and medicinal uses of the flora around him is exceptional. Pa also leads 4-hour strenuous hikes across the mountainous centre of island. For conservationists, the Takitumu Nature Reserve is home to the endangered kerikori bird and guided walks are available several days a week. Scuba Diving Scuba diving is the most popular water sport on the island and there are always good diving conditions around the island. Sailing tours and deep sea game fishing around Rarotonga are available. Church visit well worth a visit Cook Islanders are devout Christians and Sunday is a day of rest and churchgoing. Singing in church is an evocative icon of the Cook Islands and a Sunday church service is well worth a visit. Most islanders are associated with the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) which most of the old attractive churches are, although new Christian denominations are widespread. Most islanders still bury their relatives in elaborate graves within the family garden as opposed to the church graveyard. Calendar of Events
April There are four school holidays in the Cook Islands which are the same as those in New Zealand. The summer holiday lasts for four weeks from just before Christmas to mid-January. This is the busiest time of year and both international and local flights can be booked out months in advance. Resorts are also busy in this time as it is the main holiday season for New Zealand and Australian tourists.
2008
Getting Around Flights to the Northern Group are generally once a week and take from 3 hours costing up to NZ$1000 round trip. Shipping is the alternative way to travel and although substantially cheaper, services are infrequent. Cargo boats to Aitutaki depart from Avatiu Harbour at least once a month, sometimes more depending on demand and cargo needs. The cost is just NZ$65 one way for a cabin which should be pre-booked due to limitations. If you don't get a cabin, you'll be sleeping on deck for the same price. Cargo boats leave roughly once a month to visit Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro. The round trip takes five days, with roughly 4 hours at each port which is enough time to take a quick tour of each island, and costs NZ$150. Boats to the Northern Group are run by demand and take 3-4 days, costing NZ$300 one way. |
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