What to do and see in Rarotonga, Southern Cook Islands: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

Join this half-day tour for a fully customised experience that only a private tour can provide for you. Your experienced guide can help you craft a tour with lots of different options to cater to your own personal taste. This tour is all about discovery, culture, sightseeing, arts and crafts, and interaction with the local people. Our specially selected electric tour vehicles are great fun to ride in as well as being open to let you immerse yourself the magic of the ever changing landscape of Rarotonga. *This tour cannot be booked for cruise ship passengers.

Inclusions: Private tour, Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Gratuities

This tour is a unique experience, the only one of it's kind on the island. The tour guide is very passionate about the history of his beloved Rarotonga and the stories behind the buildings and historical sites are very surprising, interesting and unique as well. It is a very simple but powerful way to meet locals and understand their culture and history.

Inclusions: Light refreshments of tropical fruit and juice included.

Exclusions: Private transportation

Cycle along the 'back road' (Ara Metua) and lane ways witnessing the tranquil pace of local village life. There are plenty of stops to take in the magnificent mountain scenery, try out a few local fruits, and hear stories that will bring a deeper meaning to the observations you make. You will be cycling on and off over a leisurely 3 hours, before finishing up with a delicious lunch. Total duration is approximately 4 hours. Small group size means that each tour is unique and tailored to suit the interests of those doing the tour on the day. Please go to www.storytellers.co.ck for more information about this and other tours, as well as supplier direct rates and discounted tour bundles.

Inclusions: Lunch, Equipment including well maintained bicycles and helmets, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Bottled Water

Zip around Rarotonga on an electric tuk tuk with a local guide on this fun-filled adventure in the Cook Islands. Check out sights like the 19th-century Takamoa Theological College and head office of the Cook Islands Christian Church, the fragrant Maire Nui Gardens, Avana Passage and the turquoise waters of the Muri Lagoon, and do some shopping at local craft centres. Get picked up from your accommodation, where you hop in the back of an electric-powered tuk tuk and head out to explore the island. Learn about colonial history, experience the Ara Metua (back road) which winds its way through the villages and plantations of delicious paw paw, bananas and local produce, and let your guide show you the many hidden gems on offer. Take a moment to dig your toes into the sugar-white sand and then continue on to peek in on ukulele makers, pearl shell artists or buzz over local arts and craft shops to seek out artisan-created souvenirs before your excursion winds to a close.

Inclusions: Transport in electric Tuk Tuk, Local driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Experience the perfect cultural experience in Rarotonga. This 5-hour activity combines a fun and interactive cultural village tour, followed by a Spectacular Over Water night show with Island/Western fusion buffet dinner.   Immerse yourself in the culture of the Cook Islands on this ultimate experience with your pre-dinner cultural village The tour is from 5pm – 7:15pm. Afterwards, you are escorted to a waterside restaurant. Enjoy a sumptuous island western fusion buffet dinner at 7:30pm and then relax and watch the stunning dancers enthrall you with the Overwater Night Show - set to a legend of Rarotonga, the show is powerful and captivating for all ages! TRANSFERS - can be booked at an extra cost. Transfers must be booked directly with Te Vara Nui and paid locally

Inclusions: Buffet dinner, Glass of champagne, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Live entertainment

Exclusions: Drinks (available to purchase)

Follow the guides around the cultural village huts and learn through demonstration about the history of the Cook Islands and Polynesian culture, navigation, local medicines, old fishing techniques, costume and Tapa making, legends and more. This 2-hour small group tour is fun for all ages being educational, informative and interactive.  Your Village Tour has arts and other aspects of Cook Islands Maori culture reflective of a proud race of Polynesians who will graciously share their culture and tradition with you

Inclusions: Informative and interactive fun tour, Easy walk through a Rarotongan village - sensible footwear recommended, Local guide, Tour escort/host

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off not included in the price (must be booked direct with Te Vara Nui office)

Brand new tour! Rarotonga has many stories - and many stories about the stories. For those of you interested in learning more about this beautiful island - but not so keen on riding a bicycle - why not come on a walking tour? Come be intrigued and learn more about Rarotonga with a knowledgeable tour guide, on a casual, easy-paced stroll around the Avarua - Tupapa area near town on a quiet Saturday afternoon. This tour would especially appeal to those interested in the history and culture of the Islands. Finish up with a cold drink at a local bar. Suitable for any age. Please visit our website for more information about this and other tours, included supplier direct rates and discounted tour bundles.

Inclusions: Finish the tour with a drink at a local bar, before being dropped off back at your accommodation or where ever you like!, Private transportation

Exclusions:

Brand new tour!! Our ‘Walk-about’ tour is designed for those that want a Storytellers experience - but without the bicycle! This easy walking tour takes place on the west coast of the island, on the ‘back road’ or Ara Metua, finishing with a fresh fruit ice cream. This tour is suitable for all ages and is family friendly: so long as you can comfortably walk and have equipment for taking small children if applicable, then this guided tour will be perfect for you. This tour provides you with the opportunity to really experience and learn more about Rarotonga, it’s people, way of life, environment and so on, while sharing a few laughs with your group and tour guide. Each walk is tailored to your interests: you decide what interests you most and your guide while incorporate that into your tour.

Inclusions: Real fresh fruit ice cream, or a hot / cold drink if preferred, Private transportation

Exclusions: Please bring our own water for the walk.