The
main activity for visitors to Erromango is walking and trekking.
One plan is to land at Dillon's bay and walk to Ipota, sleeping at Happy lands and South River. Then fly out from Ipota. If you stay for a week
you should have time to visit Cook's Bay and Port Narvin
as well. Erromango is sparsely populated and largely undeveloped
and suits only adventurous, determined and patient trekkers.
Walking
Routes
The track most used by locals and therefore better maintained
runs from Dillons Bay down to South River and across to
Ipota. There once were logging roads across the island in
the north and halfway across the island in the south but
these have long been impassable to trucks. Please note, we
haven't been to east Erromango and the following table is
incomplete.
| Walking Erromango |
Distance(km) |
Time(hours) |
| Dillon's Bay to Pongkil Bay |
13 |
5 |
| Pongkil Bay to Happy Lands |
3 |
1 |
| Happy Lands to South River |
10 |
3 |
| South River to Ipota |
25 |
8 |
The
west coast route follows mostly level ground on top of the
limestone escarpment. Steep sections are encountered in
the gorges at Dillon's Bay, Pongkil Bay
and South River. There are few clean drinking water sources
along this route except at villages where there are rain water tanks.
At Umponyelogi Village (Happy Lands)
a home stay costs 1000 Vatu per person, per night including
meals. It's a nice area but the river is 30 minutes walk
downhill if you want to take a bath. Rainwater is reserved
for drinking. On Wednesday afternoons there's a village
market where women sell all kinds of lap-lap
(only 20 vatu a slice) and a few rice meals (the children's
favourite).
Happy
Lands Kauri Reserve
The Happy
Lands Kauri Reserve is two hours hiking (about 5 km) from
the village and the last stretch of track is not well maintained.
It's a nice enough place but is it worth the 2000 Vatu fee
payable to the landowner?
Maybe it's better to spend the day walking ahead
to South River. In 1998/1999 a project to build a guesthouse
at Happy Lands started but was abandoned because there were too many disputes
amongst the locals. Four water tanks for the project were donated by the
New Zealand High Commission and have been put to good use
in the village.
Accomodation
and Camping
Outside of Dillon's Bay there is no tourist infrastructure
and you must organize accommodation in a homestay or the
village nakamal. A tent could be handy on the cross island
routes, enabling you to break your journey and sleep in
the bush, or at uninhabited areas like Cook's Bay. If you
have a guide he should organise accommodation. It's a best
practice to call ahead on the HF radio to let the villagers
know you're coming.
Around August it can be quite cold in
the hills and a light sleeping bag is handy. Also bring a
few supplements for your meals such as tinned fish and tea/coffee.
There are very few stores outside of Dillon's Bay.
Guides
Some of the walking tracks can be difficult to follow and
you'll need to arrange food and accommodation along the
way. Unless you're fluent in Bislama it's best to have
a guide (about 1000 Vatu per day is reasonable compensation).
On the frequently used routes it's possible
to follow someone on most days.
Last
updated: August 2004 by Stephen.
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