Millennium Cave, Vanuatu, July 28, 2019

Tony Crocker

Administrator
Staff member
For our non-dive day on Espiritu Santo we opted for the all day adventure to Millennium Cave. The people at Aore Island resort warned us that it was a rigorous trip and that recently some people at the resort had bailed out during the rough 4x4 ride to the trailhead, but of course we were not deterred.

It's winter dry season, but on South Pacific Islands that's not absolute as in our Australia stops. It was cloudy most of our time on Santo and it rained during the Port Vila layover, our first afternoon on Santo and once overnight. It didn't seem like a lot of rain, but on tropical islands it rains more in the hills than it does at the coast.

We checked out of Aore Island Resort and were on the 8AM ferry to Santo at 8AM. We were transferred to the office to store our luggage and sign waivers. Here's the map of the day's activities.
Millenium-Cave-Vanuatu-itinerary-of-the-trek.jpg


The road to the trailhead at Nambel village was slow going through numerous water filled potholes. The first 20 minute walk to Vunaspef village was extremely muddy.
P7271679.JPG


Due to the swim part of this trip I wore Teva sandals. But when I stepped in deep mud, the mud became a lubricant between my feet and the sandals, making the footing less secure. I was able to get my feet and sandals rinsed at Vunaspef and watched my step carefully from then on. Liz fell in the mud once but in general she was better off as she had neoprene socks as well as sandals.

We get another chance to rinse at the Bamboo River.
P7271507.JPG


Our guides got some bamboo walking sticks for us in the forest.
P7271512.JPG


This is where we stopped for the face painting.
P7271513.JPG

Liz is here with Joe from Australia.

This is perhaps the longest of several wooden ladders we descended.
P7271523.JPG


After an hour and 45 minutes total hiking we reach the cave entrance.
P7271532.JPG

P7271534.JPG


Looking back at the cave entrance:
P7271537.JPG


We were provided with flashlights for the cave. The cave walk was still difficult because it was in water and over sizable rocks. The guides kept an eye on us for assistance and gave us the helpful advice that white rocks have the most secure footing. I got warm from the hike, particularly wearing a life jacket. So I was delighted to find a waterfall in the cave and spent a couple of minutes under it. Liz and her guide were ahead and didn't see that but she took some flash pictures inside.
P7271542.JPG

P7271544.JPG


End of the cave:
P7271556.JPG

P7271564.JPG


The exit from Millennium Cave was our lunch stop.
P7271582.JPG


After lunch we get a short refreshing swim.
P7271587.JPG

P7271591.JPG


Next is the canyoning descent.
P7271594.JPG


This involved climbing over and around large boulders. In some places ropes, chains and metal steps/grips were installed.
P7271597.JPG

P7271598.JPG

P7271601.JPG

P7271606a.JPG


Finally we get the reward of the long swim.
P7271607.JPG


This starts in a narrow slot.
P7271609.JPG


Then the river widens some.
P7271613.JPG

P7271625.JPG


View up:
P7271622.JPG


We get a nice side waterfall here too.
P7271629a.JPG


Some mellow floating:
P7271638.JPG

P7271643.JPG


The guide leads Liz around a choke point.
P7271658.JPG

I preferred to stay in the water as much as possible.
P7271659.JPG


End of the swim:
P7271667.JPG

P7271671.JPG


It's a half hour climb back to Vunaspef village. Climbing this stream over the rocks was easier than the ladders.
P7271672.JPG


After a few ladders we were in the forest.
P7271674.JPG


Then we walked though some coconut palms.
P7271675.JPG


And finally we reached Vunaspef village, where some kids are playing here.
P7271677.JPG


We got some fresh fruit refreshment, followed by the walk to Nambel and the hour drive out. We changed clothes at the office and were off to the airport to fly to Port Vila.

This was a unique and excellent adventure in our experience, as the pictures show. If this is what Millennium Cave is like during the dry season, I have to believe it is often closed during the wet summer. The cave and river could be dangerous in high water and the road access could be cut off.

The actual 4 hours spent walking, climbing and swimming is not that long. The challenge (and limitation for some people) is the agility and balance required on muddy trails, wood ladders and the cave walk with uneven light and on rocks partially underwater.

The people in Vanuatu look quite similar to their neighbors in Fiji to the east, perhaps a bit shorter in stature. Like the Fijians, they are very hospitable to visitors. But Fiji is booming with tourism while Vanuatu is much more low key.
 
Back
Top