papenoo valley tour

• List of Excursions

4WD Safari in the Papenoo Valley

This guided tour will take you to the heart of the Papenoo Valley, at the center of the crater of Tahiti. Get to discover our lush vegetation, beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views and the famous Vaihiria Lake. Do not forget your swimsuit for an invigorating swim in the river!

Go on an adventure and follow the “Traversière” to the center of Tahiti.

The “Traversière” is the only dirt road that connects the East coast to the West coast, through the lush mountains. The excursion begins in the Papenoo valley, whose history is linked to the mutineers of the Bounty. Ride up the valley, cross the river and follow the natural pools along the way.

Several stops will allow you to take pictures or dip in the fresh waters of the waterfalls. Your experienced guide will point out to the landmarks of the valley and tell you about their history and legends. To mention but a few, you will have the opportunity to explore the waterfalls of Topatari, Vaiharuru and Puraha, the Ponaroa power station and the crater of Tahiti. There, in the heart of the jungle you will have a short lunch break at the Relais of the Maroto restaurant.

Continue your adventure towards the basalt tunnels, perched 800m above sea level and head down to the Vaihiria lake. It is a breathtaking landscape in the middle of the ever so green vegetation, overlooking the lagoon and the reef further down.

Do not miss these stunning sceneries!

(For cruise passengers: The partner operating this tour works directly with cruise lines. Please contact your cruise line to book this excursion.)

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• Description

Enjoy your stay on the island of Tahiti to discover the Papenoo Valley.

The Papenoo Valley was formed during the collapse of the crater of the Tahiti Nui volcano. Within its 91 square kilometers lies the watershed of the valley, representing 10% of Tahiti’s total area. Numerous archaeological structures, ancient habitation sites, basalt mines, and agricultural terraces can be found on this site. Formerly known as Ha’apai’ano’o (the gathering of all waters), the Papenoo Valley earned its name because the main river received no fewer than 35 tributaries over 15 kilometers.

The Papenoo Valley was also once called Te Mano Rahi (the 10,000 warriors) because for several centuries, it was a living space for major Tahitian chiefdoms. Thanks to its isolation in the heart of Tahiti, the valley has preserved numerous natural spaces largely untouched by humans, along with its cultural heritage. In the heart of the Papenoo Valley, many sites await exploration.

For your lunch, you will have the option to:

Option 1: Your guide will stop at the supermarket to pick up lunch supplies.

Option 2: You can have lunch at the Relais de la Maroto restaurant and choose a dish from the menu.

Advice: Wear hiking attire, closed-toe shoes, bring a towel, insect repellent, and carry a water bottle.

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Description

Points of Interest

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Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Board a 4WD vehicle and witness breathtaking views of the east coast of Tahiti and the Papenoo Valley. Enjoy a short coastal drive and then a turn inland at the mouth of Papenoo River to begin your ascent up the largest valley on the island. The view of the surrounding mountainsides carved by centuries of erosion and covered with rich, thick, multi-green rainforest will awe you. The adventurous drive crosses rivers and includes photo stops at numerous waterfalls. You're welcome to take a swim in one of the natural pools of the river (if water levels permit) before stopping at a panoramic viewpoint for photos. You'll retrace your path down the valley and pause at a famous surfing and black-sand beach before returning to the pier.

Special Notes:

Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.

Guided 4WD tour through Papenoo Valley

Stop at an archeological site to view sacred worship temples of yesteryear, photo stop at a black-sand surfing beach, return to ship.

SAFARI 4×4 Half Day

Private Tour

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 4 Hour
• Clock Start Time: 1:00 P.M. , 8:30 A.M
• Map Marker Island: Tahiti

Summary of the half-day tour:

• Client collection;
• Discovery of the East Coast;
• Discovery of the Papenoo Valley;
• Stops at remarkable commented places (waterfalls, caldera, marae, etc…)
• Swimming on the Pona Roa site with tasting of local fruits
• Return to the hotel.

About this tour

The excursion begins with the pick-up of customers at the various pick-up points Aboard our new FORD RANGER, specially designed for safari excursions, discover TAHITI’s “mana” in a different way.

The tour begins on the east coast of Tahiti, with its beautiful black sandy beaches and famous surf spots before entering Tahiti’s largest valley, Papenoo.

A total immersion in the heart of the island awaits you!

Commented tour with stops at different remarkable places: Breathtaking landscapes as far as Caldera, the crater of the extinct volcano that formed Tahiti Nui! Numerous waterfalls, green mountains, lush vegetation, fauna and flora, myths and legends, marae, cultural and historical heritage, pleasures of the eyes and spirit that the guide will be delighted to share with you and transmit you.

You can then recharge your batteries by swimming in the Vaituaru River at the Pona Roa site while tasting local fruit, before reaching your hotel by the same route.

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Papenoo Day Tour in 4×4 on Tahiti

From: 10 000  XPF

Children (4-12 years old):

Indicate the name of your hotel in Tahiti for the transfers from meeting location included in your package. If you don’t know it yet, you can provide it later.

Description

The Papenoo Day Tour in 4×4 on Tahiti is an unforgettable and memorable adventure that promises a total immersion in the natural splendor of French Polynesia’s Queen Island. You’ll travel through the heart of the island’s mountains, through the impressive Papenoo Valley. The highlight is a spectacular view of Lake Vaihiria. This exploration takes place all day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m .

This Papenoo Day Tour in 4×4 on Tahiti takes you on a day-long journey to discover the island’s natural treasures. Expect a true immersion in the heart of Tahiti, its mountains and fantastic landscapes, filled with mystery and legend. All with the passionate commentary of authentic guides. No special physical condition required.

Program and Itinerary

Meet you at the pick-up location.

On the day of the expedition, you will be picked up directly at your hotel. If you’re staying in a guesthouse or vacation rental, you’ll be given a meeting point not far from your accommodation. The adventure begins early in the morning, with entry into a 4×4 vehicle specially designed for this adventure. We recommend that you bring water, food, a bathing suit, towel and raincoat . Comfortable shoes are recommended for this trip.

Up the Papenoo Valley

The journey begins with an 18 km drive along the magnificent east coast to the entrance to the Papenoo Valley, Tahiti’s largest valley. As you make your way up the valley, there are stops to enjoy the views, understand the origins of the waterfalls and “marae”, and discover the ancient stories of the region.

Break and Swim

Conditions permitting, your guide will stop his vehicle at the edge of a basin where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. Don’t forget your towel! This is also an opportunity for a well-deserved lunch break. Pack a few sandwiches and something to quench your thirst: the day is still full of surprises!

Your Experienced Guide

A native of the island, your guide has a perfect command of every detail of the valley. With his expertise in geology and botany, he sheds light on the special bond Polynesians have with their environment. What’s more, as a narrator of stories and myths, he’ll enrich your journey with picturesque tales, adding a touch of authenticity to your adventure.

Arrival at Lake Vaihiria

The exploration then continues through the upper valley to the caldera, the heart of Tahiti’s extinct volcano. The panoramic views will seem unreal, as will the incredible vistas of the Orohena and Pito Iti mountains. The climb ends at Lake Vaihiria. The only natural lake in Tahiti, it was formed as a result of geological subsidence, creating a unique and unforgettable site amidst the green mountains.

Return via the Mataiea District

After passing through the tunnel and looking out over Lake Vaihiria, the expedition concludes with a drive through the picturesque district of Mataiea. Along the way, you’ll enjoy further breaks to admire the panoramic views. Return close to your guesthouse or directly to your hotel at around 4pm.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Pick-up at your hotel or at the pick-up point near your guesthouse

Experienced guide

Not Included

Drinks and snacks

Important information

Pick-up only in Papeete, Faaa, Punaauia and Arue

Bring good shoes, a hat, a bathing suit and a towel

Plan plenty of water (1.5 liters per person) and a few snacks or small sandwiches

Bring a mosquito repellent

Strongly not recommended for pregnant people

From 4 years old

A stop at a supermarket is planned for those coming from Papeete

Booking and Confirmation

Booking options.

You can make a reservation online today by using the booking options : number of participants, name of your hotel in Tahiti for round-trip transfers with the pick-up point which will be close to your accommodation. To begin your booking, simply click on “Book Now” and follow the check out process.

Availability Confirmation

Please note that we will first confirm the availability of your reservation before processing the payment . This means that you will not be charged immediately if you use a credit card, or that you will have to wait for confirmation before sending a payment by bank transfer. As soon as we have confirmed availability, we will inform you by e-mail. If there is no availability on the chosen date, we will contact you again to propose another date.

Deposit and Remaining Balance

When booking online, you will only need to pay a 10% deposit to confirm your tour . You can pay the balance later, either by bank transfer or when you are already in Tahiti. For groups of 5 or more, full payment in advance is required. In this case, please contact us to finalize your reservation.

Private Tours and Other Inquiries

If you have any questions or requests regarding this Papenoo Day Tour in 4×4 on Tahiti or booking it online, please feel free to contact us . We are always happy to help you organize the best possible stay in Polynesia!

Cancellation Policy

Please note our booking cancellation policy. At the very least, a cancellation fee of 15% will be charged. Less than one week before the tour date, the cancellation fee is 100%. If weather conditions do not allow the tour to be organized, and only after confirmation from the guide, cancellation fees do not apply and a full refund will be made. Your understanding of these guidelines helps us to provide optimum service to all our customers.

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Papenoo Valley Waterfalls

Papenoo valley / vaihiria river valley, tahiti island, french polynesia, about papenoo valley waterfalls, waterfaller safety & common sense: don't ruin it for everyone else.

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The Papenoo Valley Waterfalls page is where I’m placing the handful of waterfalls we managed to see while on a 4×4 tour through the heart of Tahiti Nui.

The three named waterfalls (or at least named by our 2002 version of LP) used to be on separate pages, but I figured it now makes more sense to just lump them onto this page.

The three named waterfalls I speak of are the Topatari Falls, Vaiharuru Falls, and Puraha Falls, respectively.

All three of these falls were on the Papenoo Valley part of the 4×4 tour, which comprised much of the morning.

There were more waterfalls in the afternoon though technically that was in Vaihiria River Valley, whose main river drained the only freshwater lake in Tahiti – Lake Vaihiria.

Topatari Falls (or the Topatari Waterfall), which was the first major waterfall we saw as we went from north to south in Papenoo Valley, was mostly in shadow on the morning we were here back in September 2002. That was probably because it was a west-facing waterfall.

I recalled that the driver didn’t stop for this falls so I had to get what photos that I could while standing in the back of the rugged tour truck. And getting a decent shot wasn’t easy as the vehicle rocked back and forth over the rough 4×4 road.

Vaiharuru Falls (not to be confused with the one near the Faatautia River ) was the second major waterfall we saw during our 4wd excursion through Papenoo Valley.

And since this was an east facing waterfall, the morning light was pretty good so the driver actually stopped the 4wd vehicle so we could get out of the truck and take photos in front of it for a few minutes. This one sat a few minutes south of Topatari Falls.

Puraha Falls was the third major waterfall that we saw in Papenoo Valley. This one sat behind a green yet clear manmade lake. In fact, the falls spilled right into the lake.

I had seen photos of this waterfall with fuller flow, but considering that we were here towards the latter part of the Dry Season in 2002, we were content that it was flowing as well as it did.

Since this falls was a west-facing waterfall, we had to look against the sun in order to photograph it, which didn’t produce the best lighting.

But at least with the open space and road being less bumpy as we crossed before the falls, it wasn’t as difficult to photograph as say Topatari Falls was.

The rest of the waterfalls we noticed on both the Papenoo Valley side and the Vaihiria River Valley side seemed to be of the temporary ephemeral variety.

I recalled the driver stopped at a couple of these for a swim to cool off from the tropical heat. See how many you can spot before you start to get waterfall fatigue.

There was also one small but pretty waterfall we noticed towards the end of the trip that the driver said was in some kind of European shampoo commercial.

Flanked by pretty flowers and tropical plants, it looked like a real inviting place for a swim though we only stopped to take photos for that waterfall and not swim there.

Authorities

The Papenoo Valley Waterfalls are on Tahiti Island in Tahiti (or more formally French Polynesia). For information or inquiries about this area as well as current conditions, visit the Tahiti Tourism website or their Facebook page .

We arranged for a tour on the free day we had on Tahiti Island in 2002 after leaving from Bora Bora on a very early flight (the international flight wasn’t until late in the evening). We were able to catch the tour around 7:30am I think, which lasted the whole day until about 4pm. They picked us up from the Faaa international airport near Papeete .

The northern approach to Papenoo Valley is about 17km east of Papeete . I understand that it’s possible to drive part way into Papenoo Valley, but we didn’t try it. I also understand that it’s possible to drive up towards Lake Vaihiria, but again, we didn’t try that either.

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Papenoo Valley Waterfalls

Price & Hours

• Facilities 2.0
• Atmosphere 4.0

Breathtaking views of vibrant green, craggy mountains shrouded by low-hanging clouds are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the beauty around Papenoo Valley – or Vallée de la Papenoo, as it’s known locally. In this rugged interior section of Tahiti, you’ll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to traverse the bumpy, muddy roads that feel distant from the streets of Papeete . Here in the largest valley on the island, three waterfalls – Topatari Falls, Vaiharuru Falls and Puraha Falls – pour down from lofty heights, surrounded by thick jungle and vegetation. It’s the epitome of adventure and getting off the beaten path – a place where most visitors come accompanied by a tour guide.

Tips for visiting

Some travelers were taken aback by just how rugged the terrain was, noting the potential for danger on the valley’s trails. The overwhelming majority, however, had nothing but rave reviews for the stunning flora and fauna that decorate the area in such pristine conditions. Exploring the valley with a tour guide was highly recommended by many.

The starting point of Papenoo Valley is less than 30 minutes from Papeete, but you could easily spend a half or full day exploring the ravine, swimming in waterfalls and taking in all the glorious scenery. Most tours operated in the area will last an entire day.

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Papenoo Valley Tour - Tahiti Safari Expedition

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• Tahiti Safari Expedition

Best day! Guide Eric shared his stories told to him by his ancestors; Plants, bird life, island... read more

We had previously booked a half day tour with another company weeks in advance. They cancelled last... read more

Papenoo Valley Tour

Tahiti Safari Expeditions has two half-day tours and one full-day tour. We did the half-day tour that included Papenoo Valley. The tour guide picked us up at the hotel and took through Papeete and across the northern part of Tahiti Nui to Papenoo Valley. We drove into the valley and stopped to look at several waterfalls, including Cascade Topatari, Cascade Vaiharuru, and Cascade Puraha. There was a dam at Cascade Puraha and the tour guide chummed the water with bread to attract some eel-looking fish. We continued on into the valley and looked at some other waterfalls, including the Princess' Hair, which only flow when it rains. In fact, many of the waterfalls in the valley on flow when it is raining, so this may be the one time to hope for rain on vacation! The tour guide also taught us about Polynesian culture and demonstrated how people communicated before cell phones - blowing a conch shell or banging on chestnut trees. We departed from the valley and went to Trou du Souffleur blow hole at Arahoho Beach. The water was choppy so the blow hole was fairly strong - it knocked one guy over into the street. Finally, we went to the Faaruma Waterfalls and took a short walk to Cascade Vaimahuta. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped and got some fresh fruit from a stand along the road.

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Home » Islands and Archipelagos » Tahiti » Activities in Tahiti » Valley Of Papenoo (Maroto)

Valley Of Papenoo (Maroto)

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Vallee de Papenoo

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Also known as the Papenoo Valley, the Maroto Valley is a magical place once inhabited by ancient Polynesians. If you go with a guide -- I recommend Marama Tours -- you’ll be able to learn about the history of the area as well as learn to forage like they did in the past. The above photo is of a local fruit called noni, whose juice gets rid of mosquito bite itch. A few other natural remedies the group learned include lime can be a deodorant, coconut juice aids digestion and taro is good for strong bones and teeth.

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Foraging in tahiti's maroto valley, exploring the maroto valley on tahiti.

The Maroto Valley, also known as the Papenoo Valley, is located on Tahiti and allows you to explore the lush vegetation, flowers and fruits of the island away from the hustle and bustle of Papeete. There are an array of waterfalls, marae, natural pools and lookout points to enjoy. For example, in this photo, you have a clear view of Mount Orohena, Tahiti’s highest peak at 2,241 m (7,352 ft). I recommend going with Marama Tours, as guides are knowledgeable about the area and can educate you on how it relates to ancient Polynesia. You’ll also get to do a bit of hiking and swimming in this magical place.

Marae Fare Hape

In French Polynesia, marae were religious temples where priests could go to call gods down to Earth and ask for strength. In the Maroto Valley (Papenoo Valley) you’ll find Marae Fare Hape, which focused on worshiping the god of the dog. It’s interesting to see the stone infrastructure, as well see the abundance of fruits that litter the grounds -- noni, coconuts, guava, macadamia nuts and more. I recommend Marama Tours for the excursion, as guides are knowledgeable and passionate about ancient Polynesian history.

Information on this page, including website, location, and opening hours, is subject to have changed since this page was last published. If you would like to report anything that’s inaccurate, let us know at [email protected].

 Telephone: (689) 87 75 88 07

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Découvrez l'authentique Tahiti avec un guide professionnel polynésien!

                     Papenoo Vaihiria               Duration : 8 hours  departure at around 8 am / return at around  4 pm For everyone 7 days a week Rates  2022 :  Adult Rate: 8 500 FCP or 70 € per person Child Rate: from 4 years old and less than 12: 5 500 FCP or 50 €  per child 4 persons minimum

Purpose of the trip:

4-wheel drive tour to the centre of Tahiti, following the road along the Papenoo valley and river, climbing to the head of the valley and into the mountains, driving through the tunnel and looking at the view over the Vaihiria lake. Crossing the tunnel and the mountain to reach the other side of the island.

This guided trip proposed by Teuai, allows you to explore part of the east coast of Tahiti then traverse the Papenoo valley and the caldera, the extinct volcanic crater of Tahiti. This is an area rich with myth and legend at the very heart of Tahiti, with many remarkable sights en route.

Excursion itinerary:

-Pick up at your hotel from 8 a.m. onwards (or from the « Fare manihini » Tahiti tourist information center, Papeete) in the fully equipped 4x4 Nissan Patrol.

An early start is recommended to fully appreciate the sublime lighting of the rising sun in the valley.

- An 18 km drive along the east coast to the mouth of the Papenoo valley, the largest valley on Tahiti.

- Multiple short stops along the length of the valley: panoramas and explanations about the waterfalls, « marae »,

-Lunch stop : picnic by the river with swimming,….

-Exploring the upper valley: panoramas, legends, views of mount "Orohena", the highest mountain on Tahiti, and its sister peak "Pito Iti", driving through the tunnel and looking at the view over the lake.

-Exploring the caldera (the "pito" or belly-button of Tahiti, the extinct volcanic crater) and its legends...

- Return via the tunnel, crossing the mountains to reach the other side of the islands in Mataiea district, with further stops for photos and panoramas, before arrival at your hotel, around 4 p.m.

Points of interest:

Impressive panoramas including several sightseeings on waterfalls

Get closer to nature and experience the pure mountain air

Learn about Tahiti’s plants and animals

Learn some of Tahiti’s myths and legends

River swim stop

Level of difficulty:

Excursion in a 4WD vehicle

Not advised for pregnant women, people suffering from back problems and children under 4 years old.

Fare includes:

Transfers from and to hotel

Fare does not include:

Food and beverage

If you did not plan any  picnic basket , a stop at a retail shop will be done before entering the valley , so that you could buy food (sandwiches or local specialities) and drinks.

Our guide will be happy to advise you.