Walking Vanuatu on Ambae

Visiting Ambae's Crater Lakes
The summit of Ambae is a large area with three volcanic crater lakes on top. Lake Manaro Ngoru ('ngoru' means dry) can flood during cyclones but this crater is generally dry. Lake Vui ('vui' means poison) is large, turquoise-blue and acidic. Lake Manaro Lakua ('lakua' means big, also called Manaro Gesa, 'gesa' means green) is the largest lake. You might see some gas bubbling from Lake Vui and theres a vent beside Manaro Lakua but these lakes are quiet most of the time. Ambae is a potentially dangerous volcano because it has no pressure relief and there is tons of carbon dioxide gas underneath the lakes.

It's possible for fit and capable people to hike to one or more lakes and return in a single day. Camping on top is an option but it would be no fun carrying camping gear and food on the steeper routes. Also, it's cold and wet around 1400m above sea level. If you do want to camp then the northern route is the best choice. The driest months of the year in are June to October.

Western Route
A reasonable hiking track has been cut from Nangweangwea up to the top of the island in 2004. There are plans to construct a bungalow and market this route to the crater lakes. Guide fees are proposed to be 3000 Vatu for one person, less per person for groups. West Ambae is a rain shadow area and might have the driest trail. However there still may be clouds and rain on the summit so bring a rain jacket and warm top.

The track from Nangweangwea is steep but fairly clean up to the top (3 hours) then not so clear to Lake Manaro Ngoru (1 hour) and across to Lake Vui (1 hour). The return walk takes about 12 hours from Ndui Ndui. You will need about two or three litres of water and lunch. If a clear path is cut on top it would be possible to see all three lakes in one day.

There are alternative routes from other villages on west Ambae. Guide fees are variable.

Northern Route
From Duviara Guesthouse, near Ambanga, there is an established trail to Lake Manaro Lakua. This northern approach is a gentler grade but longer distance. It takes about 4 hours up to Lake Manaro Lakua (3 hours down) or 5 hours to Lake Vui (4 hours down). The track to Vui is more difficult but allows you to see two lakes in one day. Guide fees are 1000 Vatu per day. There is also a 1000 Vatu per person kastom fee to pay.

There's a good campsite near Lake Manaro Lakua with water available from a nearby stream. Bring your own tent and sleeping bag and don't expect to find any dry firewood.

The weather at Ambanga is unpredictable. You might have to set out in the rain and hope for clear weather when you reach the summit. If it's raining on top you will see nothing much but clouds and mist.

Walking to get around Ambae
Ambae's coastline is too rugged for roads in some places. Walking is also cheaper than paying transport.

West Ambae Walk
The break in the truck road on west Ambae is an option for travelling to the north of the island. The truck road is impassable from Sara Namundu village (about 2 hours walk from Ndui Ndui) and ends soon after. Then it's about two hours walking along the rugged coast, with some fine views along the way, to reach the truck road on the other side. Here you might have to continue walking as there are few trucks before Lolopuepue. It's a very long, full day walk from Ndui Ndui to Lolopuepue.

North Ambae Walking
The distances may be long but the walking is fairly easy on north Ambae and passing trucks are common.

South Ambae Walk
The four wheel drive road linking northeast and west Ambae via Redcliff is not motorable. It may be a good walk but there are no villages, it's a long distance and we doubt anyone is walking around the south and keeping the track clear. Contact us if you have experience on this trail.

Last updated: September 2005 by Stephen.