VAIPOIRI CAVE AND BET CLIFFS

At the end of the world, far off the beaten track, the island of Tahiti ends in apotheosis with the cliffs of Pari. Wild landscapes, hidden petroglyphs, natural traps; take a guide to avoid getting lost. Note that it's impossible to tour Tahiti Iti by car: only by boat or on foot can you discover this mysterious, isolated world. To visit this remote and fascinating part of the island, you first need to decide which way to start... If you're travelling along the west coast, the road ends at the village of Teahupoo, so you'll need to continue along a hiking trail that follows the mountain. After crossing creeks on spindly footbridges, skirting black sand beaches and crossing swamps, you'll reach Vaipoiri Cave in a three-hour walk.

A little inland, the cave and its underground lake await you... Continuing on, you'll come across the Faaroa River, where you'll find the eponymous hut, designed for the avid hiker in you. Then begins the adventure of the Pari. Protected by the coral reef, the lagoon is often calm and allows easy passage down the cliffs. Here you can see the giant Taapeha Umete, carved by erosion in the valley of the same name (theumete is a traditional oval vessel). A little further on, the Anaihe grotto was once a shelter for fishermen. It has since been converted for tourists, with a few benches and a coconut wood table. It's a perfect spot for a picnic, especially as there's a waterfall nearby! Further on is the Devil's Passage, a narrow corridor where you'll have to run when the sea recedes. The partially submerged Vaitomoana cave is ideal for a shady stopover. You then arrive at the Vaiote River, where the archaeological sites are located a little inland. The Honoura drums are astonishing: hollow rocks that resonate when tapped. A few pae pae lie not far away, in an inextricable mass of vegetation. As you cross the river, you discover other petroglyphs evoking suns, pirogues, hands... Another three-hour walk and you're back in Tautira and on the road to Papeete. This emblematic Tahiti Iti hike is sure to delight lovers of walking, nature and wide open spaces.