Discovering Mana: exclusive treks in the Islands of Tahiti
There is a moment, in the Islands of Tahiti, when luxury stops being tangible and becomes an experience of the soul. It is when you decide to leave the turquoise sea and overwater for a day, to put on hiking shoes and enter the paths that cross forests, volcanoes and ancient Marae. Here, between the breath of the earth and the scent of tropical flowers, you discover the true treasure of Polynesia: Mana, the vital force that animates every element of this archipelago.
The "high" islands - Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Taha'a and Raiatea but also the wilder Marquesas and Austral - guard paths where time seems to dilate, and every step becomes an act of connection. In the distance, the call of the ocean accompanies the walk, while the sunlight dances over the mountains that tell millennia of history.
Tahiti - The Lavatubes: the island's fiery heart
Beneath the emerald green surface of Tahiti lies a secret world: the ancient lava tunnels. Here, nature has carved corridors of lava stone, volcanic rocks, stalactites and underground pools where water reflects light in unreal shades. Walking the Lavatubes means walking in the beating belly of the island, between adventure and contemplation. It is a visceral, almost mystical experience, guided by local experts who reveal the secrets of a thousand-year-old geology.
Moorea - Three Coconut Tree Pass: the pass between sky and sea
On Moorea, the heart-shaped island, the Three Coconut Palms trail leads into the deepest greenery. The panorama that awaits at the top is among the most iconic in the Pacific: the twin bays of Cook and Opunohu, framed by mountains that plunge into the sea. Along the way, birdsong and the scent of hibiscus come together in perfect harmony. A trek for those who want to find themselves in the grandeur of nature. Perhaps it is the most famous Polynesian trek, lasting three to four hours.
Bora Bora - Cross-Island Trail: the other soul of the pearl of the Pacific
Beyond the most exclusive beaches and resorts, Bora Bora reveals its most authentic soul along the Cross-Island Trail, which crosses the forest to offer spectacular views of the lagoon and the majestic Mount Otemanu, an icon of the island. An itinerary that reveals the most authentic dimension of Bora Bora. It is an experience that transforms the journey into a rite of discovery, where every stop becomes meditation and every panorama, gratitude.
Raiatea - The Promenade des Gabbros: the sculpture of time
In Raiatea, the cradle of Polynesian civilization, a short path leads to a miracle of stone. Volcanic rocks eroded by the wind take on natural shapes that seem to have been sculpted by divine hands. From the viewing platforms you can admire the caldera that gave life to the island, in a silence broken only by the rustle of the wind: an invitation to contemplation. A short route but of rare beauty in the geological history of the island.
Huahine - Matairea: where history meets the forest
In Huahine, ancient and wild, the Matairea trail leads through clearings, roots and sacred vestiges in an hour and a half walk. Here you walk among ancient Marae, sacred stones and testimonies of a past in which man lived in perfect harmony with nature. Each step is a return to the origins, a journey through time and into the spirit of ancestral Polynesia.
Authentic and conscious luxury
In Polynesia, luxury is not measured in stars, but in moments of silence and authenticity. Excursions like these represent the essence of the new generation of travel, where sustainability and respect for nature become an integral part of the experience for conscious tourism, respectful of the environment and local communities. In Tahiti, responsible trekking is enriched by the advice of certified local guides through the best routes and itineraries, different in intensity and duration, and rules of conduct to experience the islands in an authentic and safe way.
Composed of 118 islands and atolls, the Islands of Tahiti are a universe of contrasts: white sand beaches and volcanic mountains, overwater luxury resorts, private villas and retreats suspended between ocean and forest. In Tahiti, Mana is everywhere. Each island is crossed by Mana, the energy that unites the land, the sea and the heart of the Polynesians. It is a place where travel becomes a personal ritual, and every experience - whether it is a swim in the lagoon or a trek in the jungle - becomes a way to reconnect with the essential.
By the editorial staff, Avion Luxury Magazine
Source of texts and photos: Tahiti Tourisme Press Office
Photo: Copyright © Tahiti Tourisme / Alika Photography / Kristiyan Markov
Partnership with Booking.com / Travelpayouts
Luxury Hotel
