Visitors in the know will make it a priority to schedule a trek trip with Pa once they arrive. He has set days that he'll do the hike, but keep in mind that heavy rain cancels as the trails become a muddy mess. This hike isn't for small children or for those who act like small children. It's a rigorous 4+ hour hike but Pa makes sure to lead in the safest way possible. Do not attempt this trek by yourself, as it is literally solid jungle-scape up in the mountains and it's very easy to get lost or injured.
Some parts of the trail are wide like this.
Pa picks up his trek group in the morning and parks at a trail-head. Before leaving, make sure you are wearing good hiking shoes. Flip flops are not OK. Spray yourself down with good quality mosquito spray (sorry, DEET is the best option) and make sure you are appropriately dressed. It can be as much as 10 degrees cooler up in the mountains and rain can come at any time. Bring water for yourself and a small snack. Do pack lightly as Pa will scold you for a heavy backpack. In fact, if he sees big clunky packs, he'll take them from his guests and layer them on his back and arms like a sherpa. He doesn't want anyone to fall and insists on removing that risk. Luckily, even at 70+ years of age, Pa is as strong as a bull.
Other parts of the trail are wet, rocky and precarious. Pack good hiking shoes for your trip to the Cooks!
Pa is also an informative guide. Not only does he lead you straight up the hill into the pure paradise, but he educates you on plant and animal life. He'll show you plants that you can eat, plants that bear strange looking seeds/flowers and plants that can be used as medicine. Are the mozzies starting to bite? No worries, he'll pick a wild Noni fruit and tell you to rub the stinky juice on your arms and legs. You'll smell like feet, but it does work.
Unusual tree with freakishly large pea-pod-like things hanging from it.
Pa will also tell tales of when the ancient Islanders celebrated victories during special ceremonies that often involved the cannibalistic practice of eating their enemies. Hey, we all have our past. Islanders also carved out statues of their animistic Gods and they were placed across the Island with the most impressive carvings at the very top of the mountain into a rocky cliff-side. Even today you can see the carved faces.
The Needle from a distance.
Do you see the faces?
When the missionaries came to the Cooks in the early 1800's they eventually converted the Islanders to Christianity. This helped create peace among the different Island kingdoms with the added benefit of not having to eat their enemies anymore.
As part of the newly found Christianity, Missionaries encouraged (forced) Islanders to get 'rid of false idols'. Tribal carvings and statues were removed all across the Islands. However, the Islanders refused to destroy the giant carved faces at the top of the mountain. No way, no how. In fact, as a precautionary measure, the ancients had situated huge boulders at the top of the mountain. Should the Missionaries decide to have the faces destroyed, the back-up plan was to run up the hill and push the boulders down onto the slow moving Missionaries.
On the way down the mountain, we spotted some local teens on the trail. They stopped Pa and asked about plants that would help with an illness. Pa quickly peppered them with questions and started pulling leaves from various trees barking out instructions for the boys. Pa doesn't just do tours - he's also the Island's natural healing guru, and as anyone will tell you - he's the real deal.
Be prepared to learn lots and yes, bring a small camera for the views from this hike are outstanding. You will cross the Island via the mountains and descend at a careful pace to the other side. At the bottom of the hill, a van will pick you up and return you to your hotel. Pa's enthusiasm and energy was just as prolific at the end of the hike as it was at the start. He left our group with a parting wish, "I am celebrating another birthday tomorrow. Please drink a glass of water and think of me. Water makes you strong - water is life!"
For an Island surrounded by beautiful ocean, it's easy to see that water IS life on the Cooks - and what a great life it is.
If you are limited on time and love adventure, this is a 'do not miss' activity!
Interested in package deals to the Cooks? Packages start at $1699 per person with air from LAX.
Call to speak to one of our travel consultants 1-800-554-9059 for best available airfare for your travel dates or request your dates for the resort and we will confirm air prices and total package price upon receipt of your request.
Submitted by Meg Tyndall O'Hearn on behalf of OTA.
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