Adventure Magazine

v a n u a t u
Mt Yasur, Tanna Island
VANUATU GREAT HIKES
As you might expect from a jungle-covered
volcanic archipelago, Vanuatu has some of
the best tropical trekking in the world. And
it’s not all stunning mountain vistas either.
Where else can you hike to the rim of an
active volcano, sleep in kastom villages,
sip kava with Ni-Vanuatu chiefs, or cool off
beneath aquamarine limestone waterfalls?
More developed islands like Santo and
Efate are great for short, half-day hikes,
or you can head further afield, to Malekula
or Ambrym, and tackle sweaty, multi-day
jungle treks. Wherever you walk, you’ll be
greeted with megawatt smiles and some
truly epic scenery.
Trek Tanna, Tanna
The island of Tanna is lucky to have one of the most
active volcanoes in the world, the smoking Mount Yasur.
Exploring Mount Yasur is easy, you can charter a 4WD
to within about 150 metres of the crater rim (from there
it’s just a 10-minute walk). But for more of a challenge,
travellers can embark on a proper journey, which starts
on Tanna’s moon-like ash plain, and winds up past the
dry Siri Lake and through the island’s famous John Frum
village. The full hike takes around 4 hours. Just be aware,
there are no guard rails or viewing platforms on Mount
Yasur, and it is an active volcano. If you want to trek the
sulfuric slopes, it’s best to find an experienced local guide.
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