Join our Taste of Rarotonga Garden Tour and immerse yourself in the world of regenerative agriculture right in the heart of the Cook Islands. Our unique experience invites you to explore an abundant garden thriving with fruits, vegetables, herbs and medicinal plants, all nurtured with sustainable practices. Guided by passionate local gardeners, this tour not only offers a taste of Rarotonga’s lush landscape but also educates on the deep connections between people, land and food.
8% Downpayment Accepted
Local Charity Donation Included
All Ages
English, French, Cook Islands Maori
Highlights
Fresh local seasonal drink upon arrival.
Hands-on interaction with a variety of tropical fruits and vegetables.
All tastings and a small smoothie at the first degustation station.
Fresh juices and a substantial garden spread at the final tasting.
Depending on the season, a few surprises along the way.
Initial Greeting and Safety Briefing Upon arrival, your host, an expert in permaculture and sustainable gardening, provides a brief overview of the garden's layout and the principles of organic gardening that guide their cultivation practices. A quick briefing ensures everyone is prepared for the tour, highlighting any areas to avoid and safety tips when interacting with the plants.
The Culinary Journey Begins As you start your walk, you'll learn about the history of the garden and the significance it played during Rarotonga's border closures. Your guide then discusses the current season's impact on the garden, which influences what you'll see and taste during the tour. This part of the experience is highly dynamic and varies from one tour to the next, depending on the time of year.
First Garden Walkthrough During the first 30 minutes, you explore various sections of the garden, each dedicated to different types of plants, from fruits and vegetables to herbs and medicinal plants. You'll have the chance to touch, smell and taste directly from the plants as your guide shares insights about each species, including their uses in Cook Islands' traditional medicine and cuisine.
First "Degu-Station" Arriving at the first tasting station, you're treated to a selection of bites prepared from the garden’s current offerings. This could range from sweet pineapples and exotic dragon fruits to unique preparations like Mirella’s famous 'Banana 5 Ways'. Alongside these treats, a small, freshly prepared smoothie complements the flavours of the garden.
Deep Dive into Permaculture Practices Continuing the tour, you delve deeper into the garden’s layout and the permaculture techniques used to maintain its health and productivity. This segment focuses on the interplay between different plant species and their roles in creating a balanced ecosystem. Discussions cover the integration of food production with sustainable practices that support biodiversity and soil health.
Interaction with Food and Culture As you walk through the vegetable beds, the conversation shifts to the Cook Islands' relationship with food. You learn about the native crops that are staples in the local diet and the cultural significance of each. This part of the tour not only educates about agricultural practices but also ties them back to the cultural fabric of the island.
Final "Degu-Station" and Interactive Session The tour culminates at the final tasting station, where a lavish spread of the garden’s seasonal produce awaits. Here, you can juice your own sugarcane, a refreshing finale to the tour. As you enjoy the variety of tastes, the conversation continues around sustainable living, with a chance to ask any lingering questions. This interactive session is designed to leave you inspired and informed, with a full stomach and a deeper appreciation for the role of sustainable practices in the Cook Islands.
Concluding Thoughts and Farewell As the tour concludes, take a moment to reflect on the knowledge gained and the flavours experienced. This final interaction is an opportunity to discuss how you can incorporate sustainable practices into your own life, drawing inspiration from the lush life of the Arataki Organic Garden.
Transportation: Participants will need to arrange their own transportation to the garden.
Flexible
Moderate
Strict
Custom
10% Non-Refundable Fee: Regardless of the timing of the cancellation, 10% of the total booking cost is non-refundable.
14+ Days Cancellation: 90% refund if cancelled at least 30 days (or more) before the booking start date.
7 Days Cancellation: 75% refund if cancelled at least 14 days before the booking start date.
48 Hours Cancellation: 50% refund if cancelled at least 7 days before the booking start date.
Banking Fees: Due to extremely high banking costs in Tonga, travellers are responsible for international banking fees that apply when issuing a refund.
Insurance: Travellers are advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance that covers travel refunds to complement this policy.
What should I wear? Comfortable clothing suitable for the outdoors, a sunhat and walking shoes are recommended. You may also want to wear clothing that covers your legs and arms to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
Is the tour suitable for children? Yes, children are welcome and it’s a great way for them to learn about where food comes from.
What happens in case of rain? The tour goes ahead in light rain; however, it may be rescheduled in the event of severe weather.
Can I buy plants or produce from the garden? Yes, there is an opportunity to purchase organic produce and plants at the end of the tour.
Are there any health precautions to consider? Guests with dietary restrictions should inform us in advance; also, remember to bring natural insect repellent and sunscreen. Should I bring an EpiPen? If you are allergic to bee stings, we strongly recommend bringing an EpiPen. The tour involves areas where bees are active. However, no guest has ever been stung to date.
What if I have food allergies? Please inform us of any food allergies well in advance. This allows us to accommodate your needs during any meal provisions included in the tour.
Is it suitable for older people? Yes, it is suitable for older individuals. We can move garden chairs around to allow for extra rest time if needed.
No Accessibility Information:
We currently don't have specific accessibility information for this activity. Please contact us for more details about the accessibility features available.
Novice
As a novice, this fitness level is suitable for those who are new to physical
activities. It involves basic exercises that require minimal exertion. Activities
might include short walks or gentle stretching, perfect for beginners looking to
start their fitness journey.
Please keep in mind that individual fitness levels can be subjective and depend on
various factors such as age, health conditions and personal health. This is a general
guideline only and your specific fitness should be taken into consideration.
Welcome to Arataki Organic Garden Tours
Because we are humans dealing with humans and not robots dealing with lawyers,
we have made our terms and conditions short and simple to read. Please make
sure to go over them for each and every booking you make through our platform.
Agreement
The Arataki Organic Garden Tours online booking system is provided under these terms and
conditions. By using our service, you agree to these simplified terms and conditions
in their entirety, without any exceptions.
Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions dictate the use of any Arataki Organic Garden Tours-affiliated tools
and Cook Islands Pocket Guide by an individual, hereinafter referred to as the "traveler,"
for the purchase of products or services provided by a local provider. The contact details
and legal names of the provider can be found in the header of each page as well as in the
contact section. Throughout this document, the local provider will be referred to as "the provider,"
and Arataki Organic Garden Tours/Cook Islands Pocket Guide will be referred to as "we."
Changes to Terms
We may make updates to these terms periodically. We will post any changes on
this page, and your continued use of our services signifies your acceptance of
the new terms.
Last changes to these terms were made on: November 19, 2024.
Jurisdiction
These terms are governed by the laws of Cook Islands. Any legal
disputes will be handled in Cook Islands.
International Laws
In the event that international laws override this agreement, the liability of
Arataki Organic Garden Tours and Cook Islands Pocket Guide will be limited to
a maximum of $75 per booking, with a total maximum limit of NZ$150 per claim.
Flexibility
Given the unpredictable nature of the tourism industry in Cook Islands,
some variations in itineraries and inclusions may occur during a
tour. Travelers are strongly advised to confirm inclusions directly with the
provider before making a purchase. Additionally, we encourage all travelers to
approach tours with an open mind. No parties will accept liability for
reasonable changes within a product's inclusions.
Price
Prices for products or services may change due to factors such as booking
quantities and exchange rates. Therefore, different travelers may pay varying
amounts to join the same experience. Please note that this does not entitle
travelers to price matching or refunds.
Technical Errors and Price Discrepancies
Travelers acknowledge that the Booking Engine operates using complex technical
systems that may, on rare occasions, experience errors leading to the display
of incorrect prices for travel services. In such instances, the Booking Engine
reserves the right to rectify any pricing discrepancies resulting from
technical errors.
Travelers understand and agree that the Booking Engine is not obligated to
honor prices that are inaccurately displayed due to technical errors. In the
event of such discrepancies, the Booking Engine will make reasonable efforts
to promptly rectify the error and provide the correct information.
Delays / No-show
A. Booking a Tour: Travelers are responsible for arriving on time
for the experience (tour or similar) departure. Providers reserve the right to
begin a tour at the scheduled time, even if a paid customer has not arrived. No
refunds will be provided for late arrivals.
B. Booking Accommodation: Travelers are responsible for arriving
on time for their accommodation reservation. Failure to do so may result in forfeited
reservations without refund.
C. Booking Transport Services: Travelers are responsible for timely
arrivals for car rentals or public transport services. No refunds will be issued
for late arrivals.
Cancellation
The provider's cancellation policy is prominently displayed on its product
page. Cancellation policies in Cook Islands are stricter than in other
countries due to logistical challenges. In the event of a provider-initiated cancellation,
a 10% non-refundable fee will apply.
Refund
A 10% booking fee is not refundable, as it covers processing costs. For other
refunds, the provider will adhere to their specific cancellation policy.
Refund Process
Travelers must address refund requests directly with the provider. Providers
are in the best position to resolve issues efficiently. The Booking Engine
facilitates payments but does not initiate refunds without provider approval.
Booking Process
Travelers must review booking details carefully. Errors made during the
booking process are the sole responsibility of the traveler.
Information Accuracy
All information displayed is provided by the provider. Inaccuracies are the
sole responsibility of the provider.
Tour Responsibility
Travelers assume all responsibility during tours. Arataki Organic Garden Tours and Cook Islands
Pocket Guide are not liable for incidents during booked tours.
Insurance
Travelers must ensure their booked services are covered by appropriate travel
insurance. Neither Arataki Organic Garden Tours nor Cook Islands Pocket Guide
provides insurance.
Reviews
All reviews represent the personal opinions of reviewers and do not reflect
the views of Arataki Organic Garden Tours or Cook Islands Pocket Guide.
Diet & Health Concerns
Travelers must communicate dietary or health requirements to the provider
before booking.
Customs & Etiquette
Travelers must adhere to Tongan customs, including conservative attire.
Noncompliance may result in service cancellation without refund.
Coming Prepared
Travelers must arrive with appropriate gear and footwear. Providers may deny
participation if requirements are not met.
Charity Donation
1% of all payments made via Arataki Organic Garden Tours are donated to local charities
annually. See the list of supported charities at here.
Online Payment
We use a trusted third-party partner for secure online payments. We are not
liable for payment complications.
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We comply with data protection laws and anonymize data whenever possible.
Travelers may request their data via hello@tripcarver.com.
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All website content is copyright-protected. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and
supersedes prior agreements.
Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions
remain in full force.
Provider's Specific Terms
The provider has added the following terms, which are binding.
Taste of Rarotonga Garden Tour
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"product_free_write": "ARATAKI ORGANIC GARDEN TOUR\r\nJoin us on a journey to discover sustainable living and community connections in the beautiful Cook Islands with our Regenerative Organic Garden Tour. Explore a local garden filled with a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and medicinal plants, all grown naturally. Learn from passionate locals about how they take care of the land, promote biodiversity, and grow healthy food. This special tour gives you a peek into how people, land, and food are all connected, showing you the beauty of living sustainably in paradise.\r\n\r\nTaste of Rarotonga Garden Tour: 2.5h\r\nArrive at the garden and be welcomed by your host with a fresh local seasonal drink. After a quick introduction and safety briefing we start our culinary journey around the garden. Your host will start by discussing the current season and what stage our permaculture garden is in as each tour is very dependent on the season for tasting nd what you'll see. The first section of the tour takes about 30minute where we walk, talk, pick, taste and touch all sorts of plants in the garden as well as discuss our permaculture journey. We also discuss traditional uses of many plants from medicinal to cultural.\r\nWe then arrive our our first degu-station. There you will be about to take half a dozen treats from the gardens. This is extremely season dependent of course but we often have pineapple, dragin fruits, Mirella's famous Banana 5 ways and more. a small smoothie is also on the table for you. After a 20-30min degusttaion we continue our tour.\r\nWe then continue walking around the garden and check out vegetable beds and talk about the cook island relationship with food and what is grown here. this section is another 30min. \r\nWe then arrive at the last degu-station for 45-1h. There we had a full season garden spread. You will taste a variety of plants such as pineapple passion fruits, dwarf coconut trees sugar cane, dragon fruits, pawpaw trees, banana trees, vetiver grass, taro plants, pigeon peas, guava trees, avocado trees, lime trees, soursop trees to name a few. depending on season of course. You will also be able to juice your own sugarcane as by then you'll be thirsty. we treat ourselves while chatting about sustainable practices in the cook islands as well as answering any question about all the food available in front of you. It is a very interactive tour. that will leave your head full of knowledge and stomach full of goodness.",
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