September 9-17, 2026
Rarotonga & Aitutaki
Kia Orana! This trip is going to be my best Raro trip yet! It’s my fourth year hosting this girls week away and many of my guests have been with me before, so this year I’ve changed it up to ensure it’s a little bit new and special.
8 nights / 9 days
We will stay at Manuia Beach Resort, our favourite beachfront resort with sunset views, an ocean front pool and restaurant, for the first five nights, then we’ll fly out to divine Aitutaki Island for three nights at beachfront Tamanu Resort.
This trip has been refined over the years to be relaxing and fun. I don’t pack it with activities as most of my guests are looking forward to a girls week away to enjoy each other’s company and be as relaxed, or as busy, as they like.
However, because walking into a restaurant with 16 people and getting a table is difficult, I will make some reservations ahead of time which people can opt into or out of.
All breakfasts (continental – cooked breakfasts available for extra cost), four evening meals and one lunch are included.
We depart Auckland on Wednesday September 9th, arriving in Rarotonga on the 8th, for five nights.
Sunday 13 September we fly to Aitutaki for three nights.
Wednesday 16 September we leave Aitutaki and fly to Rarotonga and connect to our international flight to Auckland, arriving in the evening of 17 September.
Rarotonga Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – arrive Manuia Resort about 3pm. Settle into your private veranda bungalow and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. Dinner tonight is included at OTB Restaurant at the resort.
Day 2 – at leisure (see below for options)
Day 3 – lunch at Marie Nui Gardens (included)
Day 4 – day at leisure. Tonight we’ll have a private chef dinner (included)
Day 5 – at leisure. Option to visit Punanganui market and town for some shopping.
Day 6 – fly to Aitutaki and check into Tamanu Resort. BBQ buffet dinner (included)
Day 7 – this afternoon we’ll go on a private lagoon snorkel and swimming tour with sunset happy hour on a remote island (included)
Day 8 – day at leisure. Dinner at Tamanu Resort (included)
Day 9 – depart Aitutaki to Rarotonga and connect to flight to Auckland
Leisure Options
The below are all paid options, and I will send a list with prices closer to the time, if you’d like to opt into any once you’re booked on the tour.
- Snorkel with turtles
- Sea scooter with turtles
- Rent ebikes
- Rent etuk-tuks
- Waggy Tails dog walking with SPCA
- Paws & Claws cat sanctuary
- Lagoon lunch cruise
- Sarong/pareo dyeing
- Tavai Island tour, Aitutaki
We will also have a couple of 8-seater cars at our disposal, so can drive people to town for some shopping one day, to the Saturday market, out to restaurants, etc.
There is a bus that circumnavigates the island, clockwise and anticlockwise. It is simple to catch from the gate of Manuia Resort into town, or take a tiki tour around the island. Cost is about $5 per journey.
Things to know about Rarotonga: they use New Zealand dollars, so you can bring currency, as well as cards for most restaurants and bars and tours.
They use the New Zealand/Australian power plugs. I like to bring a plug-in mosquito repellent as well as spray.
Coffee plungers and Nespresso machines are in our rooms at Manuia. Bring tea bags if you like your own brew. Note that milk in Rarotonga is Anchor long-life. You can also get a good latte/flat white from the restaurant at our resort.
School Donation: we love to support Arorangi Primary School and you can make a monetary donation, or I will get a list of things they’d like before we travel. We will arrange to visit the principal and give them our gifts, and if it’s not school holidays we may even be able to meet some of the kids.
Costs
What’s included: accommodations in your own air-conditioned room, international economy class flights to and from Auckland (upgrades available. Ask me for a quote), Rarotonga/Aitutaki flights, meals and activities as stated above.
Note: there are limited numbers available in all categories.
5x Garden Bungalows at both resorts $8,175 – 2 LEFT
3x Garden Bungalow at Manuia/One Bedroom Bungalow with sunset beach views (family friendly side of the resort) $8,675
1x Garden Bungalow at Manuia/beachfront Bungalow at Tamanu $9,185 – SOLD OUT
2x Beachfront Bungalows $9,765 – SOLD OUT
Bring a friend and room share and they pay $3,675 in any room type
Secure your spot today with a $2,000 deposit. Please email me, megan@bloggeratlarge.com, for the registration form and details.