Tour Introduction
Escape to the gentle rhythm and turquoise beauty of the Cook Islands on this relaxed Sisterhood tropical getaway. Based in Rarotonga, experience island life through cultural encounters, local hospitality and breathtaking natural wonders — from a lagoon cruise in Aitutaki to village tours, markets and a traditional church service. With time to snorkel, unwind and soak up the warmth of the Pacific, this journey blends discovery with pure relaxation. Share sunsets, laughter and meaningful connection with like-minded women in one of the world’s most welcoming destinations — a soulful island escape where memories are made and friendships deepen.Itinerary Map
Highlights
Stay absolute beachfront where turquoise waters, swaying palms and relaxed island luxury set the scene for connection and calm
Experience the colour, flavour and music of Rarotonga at its vibrant Punanga Nui Market
Discover the island’s legends, landscapes and rich cultural heritage through captivating local storytelling on Footprints of Our Ancestors
Feel the joy of soaring Cook Islands hymn singing during a heart-warming traditional Sunday church service
Spend a full day exploring the breathtaking turquoise lagoon and white sandbanks of Aitutaki
Share authentic island cuisine and warm hospitality during an unforgettable progressive dinner with local families
Connect with the community through a meaningful visit to a local school, with the option to donate small supplies
Snorkel vibrant coral reefs, swim in crystal-clear waters or simply relax beneath the palms
Enjoy free time to explore, indulge or soak up island life at your own pace
Travel with like-minded women and create lasting friendships along the way
Inclusions
- Personally escorted from Australia, your Sisterhood Tour Hostess is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
- Return airfares from Melbourne to Rarotonga (via Auckland) flying with Air New Zealand, including taxes (other departure cities on request)
- Guided sightseeing as per itinerary
- Meals as per itinerary
- Transportation and transfers throughout
- 1 night pre Auckland Airport Hotel inc breakfast
- Beachfront rooms at The Edgewater Resort & Spa
- Willing to Share Option (subject to availability)
- Zoom Meet & Greet prior to departure
Notice
Activity Level:
This tour is perfect for travellers with an easy level of fitness who are looking for a relaxed tropical escape with gentle sightseeing and plenty of time to unwind. Based in beautiful Rarotonga, we'll enjoy leisurely island touring, cultural experiences, stunning lagoon cruising and free time to relax by the beach or explore at our own pace. Travellers should be comfortable walking at a leisurely pace, boarding coaches, boats and aircraft independently, and negotiating occasional uneven paths, sandy beaches and a small number of steps. There is ample free time throughout the itinerary, allowing everyone to enjoy the islands at their own pace while still experiencing the warmth, culture and natural beauty of the Cook Islands.
Activity Factors:
✔ Gentle walking on most sightseeing days
✔ Leisurely island sightseeing and cultural experiences
✔ Full-day Aitutaki lagoon cruise with boat boarding
✔ Walking through local markets and villages
✔ Visit to a local church service
✔ Optional swimming and snorkelling
✔ Some sandy surfaces and uneven pathways
✔ Occasional steps when boarding boats and coaches
✔ Plenty of free time to relax and enjoy the resort
✔ Independent luggage handling when required
✘ No compulsory hiking or trekking
✘ No sustained steep hills or climbs
✘ No technically challenging terrain
✘ No long walking days
Additional Meal Allowance:
Breakfast is included daily, together with a wonderful selection of lunches and dinners throughout your island escape. This leaves just a handful of opportunities to enjoy the Cook Islands' relaxed cafés, beachfront restaurants and local eateries while exploring at your own pace. As a general guide, allow approximately NZD20–30 for a casual lunch and NZD30–45 for dinner at a local restaurant. Fresh seafood, tropical cocktails and premium dining experiences will naturally cost a little more. For comfortable budgeting, we recommend allowing approximately NZD200 per person for meals not included, together with coffees, drinks, snacks and incidental treats throughout the tour.
Tipping:
Tipping is not customary in the Cook Islands; however, it is always appreciated as a way of recognising exceptional service provided by local guides, drivers, cruise crew, hotel staff and other tourism professionals. To make things simple and stress-free, Sisterhood Womens Travel operates a small group tipping kitty. At the beginning of the tour, each traveller contributes to the kitty, which is managed by your Sisterhood Tour Hostess. Tips are then distributed throughout the journey to service providers on your behalf. This means you won't need to worry about carrying cash or deciding when and how much to tip, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy your holiday. The estimated contribution to the Sisterhood tipping kitty for this tour is NZD 80 per person. The final amount will be confirmed in your final travel documentation.
Visa Information and Travel Advice:
Please visit https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/pacific/cook-islands for destination advice.
For additional tour information, CLICK HERE
Itinerary
Day 1 - Tuesday 15 June 2027
Melbourne - Auckland (Meals Inflight)
Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel.
Meet your Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at Melbourne Airport for your flight to Auckland. An afternoon arrival into Auckland we will collect our bags, clear customs and walk a short distance to our overnight accomodation for the evening.
Overnight - Novotel Auckland Airport
Day 2 - Tuesday 15 June 2027 *Same date due to International Dateline**
Auckland - Rarotonga (B, D)
An early departure from our hotel for our International flight to Rarotonga. Due to crossing the International Date Line, we will arrive in Rarotonga on Tuesday, 16 June.
Upon arrival in the Cook Islands, we'll be transferred to our accommodation. We will check in and settle into our home for our stay. You'll be given a quick orientation of the resort where you will learn about all the facilities that you can enjoy throughout your stay. Tonight, enjoy Welcome Cocktails at Sunset by the Pool
Dinner tonight at our resort.
Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa
Day 3 - Wednesday 16 June 2027
Discover Rarotonga (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we'll enjoy a "Discover Rarotonga Tour"
See Rarotonga’s historical & scenic sites! Visit places of interest for things to see and do during your stay on Rarotonga. Learn all about the growth & cultivation of the black pearls. Enjoy special demonstrations of unique aspects of Cook Islands life. Watch and learn about the fascinating culture from an informative tour guide.
We will enjoy a light lunch at Edgewater Resort & Spa after this tour.
Tonight we will enjoy a Progressive Dinner which gives us a fabulous opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of the locals who love to showcase traditional cooking whilst sharing their unique stories.
Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa
Day 4 - Thursday 17 June 2027
Aitutaki Full Day Cruise (B, L, D)
There is no better way to fully experience the beauty and charm of this magical place than to experience it on our all-inclusive Aitutaki day tour from Rarotonga.
We'll enjoy jaw-dropping views in a relaxing atmosphere. We'll enjoy swimming and snorkelling spots teeming with an array of colourful tropical fish and majestic giant trevallies, visit sun-soaked islets (motus) and enjoy a delicious tropical buffet lunch. It is an experience no visitor to the Cook Islands should miss! We'll experience the beauty and the bounty of Aitutaki’s lagoon and its many islands, including One Foot Island, right from the front door of our Rarotonga Hotel all the way to our double-hulled, traditionally styled Vaka cruising Aitutaki’s wide turquoise lagoon.
We'll begin with an early morning airport for our short 40-minute flight to Aitutaki. Breathtaking views of Aitutaki Lagoon give the first impression of what lies ahead. A fabulous day for us to get away from it all and enjoy cruising in Paradise. Bring your swimmers if you want to swim in this beautiful lagoon. You may want to take reef shoes. Beach towels provided.
Later, we'll return to the main island and be transferred back to our resort with dinner tonight at Spaghetti House, the resort's onsite restaurant.
Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa
Day 5 - Friday 18 June 2027
Tapuae Day Tour (B, D)
Highland Paradise Tapuae Day Tour - "Footprints of our Ancestors". Discover magnificent King Tinomana’s life story and hidden mountain village brought to life by his descendants”. Our knowledgeable and entertaining guides will showcase our spiritual past and present, ancient legends and practices. On this tour we will visit the ancient village of Tinomana Enuarurutini Ariki, who left this settlement during the 1830’s when he and his people converted to Christianity.
Highlights of this tour are the Ancient Sacred Marae, Navigators Rock and the Maunga Roa Learning Centre which features a historical and contemporary
collection of art, craft and artefacts. Refreshments are provided.
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon with a visit to one of the islands local schools or Creative Cultural Centre. Meeting locals and spending some time with them. (You are welcome to bring books or stationary supplies).
Optional ~ Complimentary Activities at The Edgewater Resort & Spa include: snorkelling in the marine reserve filled with tropical fish, hand feeding the reef fish, tennis, guided village and nature walks and much more.
Tonight, dinner at Tamarind House - Rarotonga’s delightful eatery, owned by former Flame Tree restaurateur and cookbook author, Sue Carruthers, housed in a colonial building on the Pacific Ocean foreshore at Tupapa, makes for a wonderful end to the day.
Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa
Day 6 - Saturday 19 June 2027
Punanga Nui Markets (B, D)
Today, after breakfast, we head to Rarotonga's Saturday Punanga Nui Market at Avatiu. The market is a great meeting place for locals and offers a wide range of island gifts and handicrafts, black pearls, pearl shells, jewellery, pareu fabrics, clothing, island music and fresh local produce. It's a great place to sample homemade delicacies and chat with locals.
Grab some lunch (own expense) before heading back to the resort for a free afternoon. Lots to do at resort for your free afternoon - snorkelling in the marine reserve filled with tropical fish, hand feeding the reef fish, tennis, guided village and nature walks and much more.
Tonight, we'll enjoy an Island Culture Night, including dinner at our resort.
Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa
Day 7 - Sunday 20 June 2027
Cook Islands Church Service (B, D)
A lovely experience this morning with a visit to a historic local church to share in a Cook Islands Christian Church service. Hear the whole congregation filling their beautiful limestone and coral church with soaring harmonies of their hymn singing, followed by the best morning tea! A great way to meet and chat with the locals.
Returning to our resort for another afternoon of relaxation. There's plenty to do at our resort, including swimming, snorkelling in the marine reserve filled with tropical fish, tennis, guided village walks and much more.
Tonight's dinner at our resort - Sunday BBQ under the stars.
Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa
Day 8 - Monday 21 June 2027
Day at Leisure (B)
Today we enjoy a day of leisure.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the resort and then do whatever you please. You may wish to take the Clockwise or Anti-Clockwise bus around the island or do a spot of souvenir shopping.
Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa
Day 9 - Tuesday 22 June 2027
Rarotonga-Auckland (B)
A free morning after breakfast, before we say farewell to the Cook Islands. We transfer to the airport after lunch (own expense) for our afternoon flight to Auckland.
Sit back and relax as we reminisce about our Pacific Island adventure. Cross the International Date Line and arrive into Auckland early evening on Wednesday 24 June. We will then transfer for an evening flight to Melbourne.
Day 10 - Wednesday 23 June 2027
Arrival into Melbourne (Meals in flight)
Enjoy your flight from Auckland to Melbourne.
Welcome Home. Thanks for joining us for your latest adventure and we look forward to welcoming you back!