Cook Islands - Things To Do! Highland Paradise

Planning a trip to the Cook Islands but curious about what to do once there? In this new Cooks series, we will be highlighting fun and educational experiences that you should try to squeeze in during your restful days of lounging on the pristine beaches and swimming in turquoise waters!

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Highland Paradise Sunset Island Night

Typically held on Wednesday and Friday nights, this cultural experience atHighland Paradise will blow your socks off (check the current schedule once there).

View from Highland Paradise

Located high up in the lush jungle hills of Rarotonga, the evening ticket price includes hosted round-trip transport, expert guides, village cultural immersion experiences, marae visit, a tapu lifting, warrior welcome, cocktail, underground oven (umu) feasting like you have never experienced and spectacular stage show telling the story of Cook Island ancient heritage through singing, dancing and drumming.

If you arrive early on the shuttle, make sure to take walk the grounds and take in the ancient ruins and grounds. Many of the areas within Highland Paradise are sacred or 'tapu', so please read the signs and be respectful as to where you walk!

Marae

Spots to check out:

- There are several marae at this location which are mostly stones terraces where ancient ceremonial rituals would take place. The 'sacrifice stone' as pictured below (yes, there was a period of time when the Cook Islanders did this) is a great place to go freak out the the kids. 

Sacrifice stone

The navigator rock - this rock points towards New Zealand. Cook Islanders were excellent navigators and would use the stars to sail between islands and over great spans of ocean.

New Zealand is that way!

Miracle Healing water - this is a little off the beaten path, but there is a stream that the ancient Islanders believed had healing powers. We tried to put some on our mosquito bites. Speaking of bug bites, this area is high up dense rain forest. There is spray you can use at Highland Paradise by the main check-in, but please be sure to spray yourself down before you leave for the evening. 

After you have enjoyed the grounds, settle in with a tropical cocktail or a local Cook's brew and get ready for the show. As you enjoy the lively entertainment, you will be able to enjoy hot umu (like underground BBQ) and many local side-dish favorites like fresh-was-swimming-in-the-water-a-few-hours-ago fish, taro root mash, taro leaves in coconut cream (like creamed spinach) and an enormous assortment of tropical fruits.

The Highland Paradise Sunset Island Night package may be added to your Cook Island Package here - http://bookings.otadventures.com/Activities/Highland-Paradise-Sunset-Island-Night