Taking on the Mountains: Away To Rarotonga Reviews “Pick Your Peak”

We are absolutely thrilled to share a fantastic new article written by our good friend Gavin from the travel blog Away To Rarotonga, dedicated entirely to our most challenging inland adventure: the Pick Your Peak Tour.

A Next-Level Adventure

Gavin knows the Cook Islands inside out, and he perfectly captures the essence of what lies beyond the palm trees and coastal resorts. As he points out in his post, tackling the vertical scrambles of Ikurangi or the steep, root-covered trails of Te Manga and Te Kou is not a casual stroll. It is a physically demanding and exhilarating experience that rewards you with unmatched views of the breaking reef and the vast Pacific Ocean.

In his review, Gavin highlights a few core elements that make this trek special:

• The Unmarked Trails: The advanced tracks on the island are not signposted, making local knowledge essential to navigate the dense inland geography.
• Rapidly Changing Microclimates: Weather in the mountains can shift from a sunny morning to a blinding tropical downpour in a matter of minutes.
• The Importance of Local Guides: Having passionate guides who respect the mountain geography is the ultimate safety net for these hidden ridges.

Our “Reef to Ridge” Commitment

Reading Gavin’s words is a wonderful validation of our “Reef to Ridge” philosophy. Whether we are exploring the lagoon or climbing the highest peaks, our operational team of three humans and four incredibly active four-legged friends works tirelessly to share the authentic soul of the island.

By keeping our tours to a strict maximum of 6 guests, we ensure that every mountain hike remains safe, respectful of the enua (land), and deeply personal.

Read the Full Story

A huge thank you to Gavin for hitting the advanced trails with us and sharing his experience!

We highly recommend checking out his full post to get a true sense of what it takes to conquer the high ridges of our beautiful island, complete with some epic photos from our climbs together.

[Read Gavin’s full review on Away To Rarotonga here]

Are you ready to push your limits? Check out our Pick Your Peak Tour page and book your next adventure with us.