Lima to Papeete

Lima was founded in 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on the banks of the Rimac river that forms a splendid and strategically located valley. At 133 meters above sea level, Lima enjoys mild yet humid weather with almost little or no rain. The city of Lima is one of South America’s largest, and is Peru’s center of political, cultural and economic life. Lima is your gateway to the splendid ruins of Cuzco and Machu Picchu, the ancient city in the clouds.

Easter Island was given its name by the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, who encountered the island on Easter Sunday, 1722. Although a Polynesian island in southeastern Pacific Ocean, it is an overseas territory of Chile. Easter Island is famous for its mysterious, monumental statues, called moai, created by the Rapanui people. A total of 887 monolithic stone statues have been inventoried. The native islanders who carved them used only stone hand chisels, mainly basalt toki, which still lay in place throughout the island.

Fakarava is an atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is the second largest of the Tuamotu atolls. Fakarava’s main village is called Rotoava.The first recorded European to arrive to Fakarava Atoll was Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on the ships Vostok and Mirni. He originally named this atoll "Wittgenstein."

Rangiroa is the largest atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago, which comprises 78 coral atolls scattered over several hundred miles of the eastern Pacific Ocean. Life on these remote atolls is simple, quiet and peaceful. In the small villages, the visitor can discover the true flavor of the Tuamotu, often participating in the daily activities of the Paumotu people. The interior lagoons are a haven for black pearl farms, fish breeding farms, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Bora Bora lies 150 miles northwest of Tahiti in the Society Islands. The main island, home to 4,225 inhabitants, is in the center of a multicolored lagoon, surrounded by offshore "motu" islets inside a protective coral necklace. Its lagoon is world-famous for its beauty. A partially paved road circles the island, passing colorful villages, archeological sites, and old Army bunkers and cannons left over from WWII, when 5,000 American GIs made a "friendly invasion."

Bora Bora lies 150 miles northwest of Tahiti in the Society Islands. The main island, home to 4,225 inhabitants, is in the center of a multicolored lagoon, surrounded by offshore "motu" islets inside a protective coral necklace. Its lagoon is world-famous for its beauty. A partially paved road circles the island, passing colorful villages, archeological sites, and old Army bunkers and cannons left over from WWII, when 5,000 American GIs made a "friendly invasion."

One of the most picturesque and geographically diverse islands in the Society Group, Enclosed in a single lagoon, it covers 75 square miles. Huahine is located 109 miles northwest of Papeete. The highest point on the island, Mt. Turi, reaches 2,200 feet and is located on Huahine Nui. Mt. Tavaiura in the Fitii Peninsula looks like a women's face, leading to her chest and her round belly, hence one of the interpretation for Huahine's original name (pregnant woman).

Moorea, often likened to James Michener's mythical island of Bali Hai, is only 11 miles from Tahiti. Many visitors say it is worth the visit just to see Moorea's spectacular bays. The volcanic peaks, reflected in the waters of Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, rise like a shark's jaw from the island's base. Sharks sighting on nearly every dive makes this island a popular diving destination. At times a tuna will come by or dolphins will be heard clicking just out of sight.

The islands of Polynesia are a gorgeous collection of volcanic islands and atolls strewn lazily across the grand Pacific Ocean. The island of Tahiti proper is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia. Papeete, the modern capital of Tahiti and her islands, contains government offices, hospitals, banks and many other services dedicated to serving the islands as well as tourists who come to these islands for a life-enriching experience.

The islands of Polynesia are a gorgeous collection of volcanic islands and atolls strewn lazily across the grand Pacific Ocean. The island of Tahiti proper is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia. Papeete, the modern capital of Tahiti and her islands, contains government offices, hospitals, banks and many other services dedicated to serving the islands as well as tourists who come to these islands for a life-enriching experience.