Our 2010 high-end eclipse tour will take you to one of the most remote atolls of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia: the Tatakoto atoll. It is as if you were going back in time, when on October 29
th 1774 two Spanish captains arrived by coincidence on the same day: Domingo de Bonechea and José Andía y Varela were the first Europeans disembarking on Saint Narcissus day and thus called the atoll "San Narciso". José Andía described the atoll as "extremely agreeable to the eyes by
being very populated by shrubs". At the beginning of the 20
th century France established a colony and replanted the island with coconut palms, which still cover the island. Today, the atoll is very well known for its extraordinary large natural giant clam population. Some 200 inhabitants live on this extremely isolated location.
The atoll is located some 1,200 kilometers east of Papeete, Tahiti’s capital and largest city. Faa’a international airport will be your entry point for French Polynesia. As July is in the middle of the dry season, we should be enjoying the very best weather conditions across the entire 2010 total solar eclipse path. On top, our observation site is just 20 kilometers away from the central line, rewarding us with 4 min. and 35 sec. of totality (
4 min. and 28 sec. limb corrected). We have chosen to arrive on the atoll on July 9
th, two days before the eclipse and thus, have more time to setup photography equipment while avoiding the risk of eventually missing the eclipse if arriving in the early morning hours on E-day. Also, it will allow you to familiarize with the environment and get ready for eclipse day on
11
th July. Xavier Jubier will be the tour leader. The eclipse starts early morning (hours in local time): first contact takes place at 7:27a.m. and fourth contact by 10:19a.m.. To enjoy this magic location, we have chosen to stay all in all nearly four days and three nights on the atoll, thus leaving on July 12
th for Papeete. After the eclipse, just relax, stroll along kilometers of empty beaches and join us for a Polynesian party after sundown.
You will be accompanied by our multilingual staff, bilingual local guides, and of course, astronomy experts from the international community. Our stunning location and itinerary is full board and provides 5-star hotels during your stay in Papeete. For those wishing to experience the best of French Polynesia, you may want to extend your stay and join our signature yacht on a 7-day luxury cruise Bora-Bora - Taha’a - Huahine - Raiatea - Bora-Bora. Polynesian hospitality will surely leave you with an unforgettable experience.
Welcome again to Eclipse-City
Managing Director
Eclipse-City Ltd.
Where the Moon mates the Sun
This program is strictly limited to less than 40 travelers. We have now made arrangements to allow up to 25 kg of luggage per person on our private charter flight. This will allow you to take the necessary photography equipment along with you. Electricity will be provided on the atoll. Lodging will take place at Tumukuru, the local village, and/or our own Eclipse-City camp site. Like most Eclipse-City tours, this program is full board and provide for amenities according to local customs and traditions.
Itinerary in brief:
Wednesday, July 7th 2010:
Day 1 [D] |
Arrival on your own in Faa’a, Papeete International Airport. Transfer to your 5-star hotel. Meet all parties late afternoon for a sundowner cocktail.
Weather permitting only: at night, for a small group of astronomy enthusiasts, stargazing at the SAT Observatory (Tahiti Astronomy Association) with the region’s largest and best telescopes.
Overnight in Papeete at the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti. |
Thursday, July 8th 2010:
Day 2 [B, L, D] |
Today, we will discover the Tahiti island and visit two of its museums: the “Musée de Tahiti et des Iles” in Punaauaia, the Gauguin Museum and the Papeeari “Botanical Gardens”. We will be back at the hotel early evening after a memorable sunset at the Point Venus lighthouse. In the evening Eclipse-City and its associates will give a full briefing on your next days adventure to Tatakoto.
Alternative: if you don’t want to join the full day sightseeing tour, you may also just relax at the hotel and enjoy the Polynesian hospitality.
Overnight in Papeete at the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti. |
Friday, July 9th 2010:
Day 3 [B, L, D] |
The real adventure starts: all non-essential items that aren’t needed on the Tatakoto atoll will have to be left on Tahiti and safely stored at our hotel until our July 12th return. Takeoff of our exclusive charter flight to Tatakoto, one of the most remote atolls belonging to the Tuamotu Archipelago, is scheduled at 8:00am. After about 1,200 kilometers (3-hour flight time) east of Papeete, we will reach our new home on the Tatakoto atoll. Our group will overnight in Tumukuru, the local village. All the meals will be cooked using fresh food. Taking a shower is
possible.
Overnight on Tatakoto in houses. |
Saturday, July 10th 2010:
Day 4 [B, L, D] |
Enjoy the remoteness of Tatakoto: no cell-phones (now available, but no 3G), no high-speed Internet, satellite TV, but… various activities will be available such as snorkeling in the lagoon, strolling along endless beaches, eating coconuts, tasting the local clams and at night, watching the starry and dark sky before getting ready for the eclipse…
Overnight on Tatakoto in houses. |
Sunday, July 11th 2010:
Day 5 [B, L, D] |
E-day. You will have to get up early. The eclipse starts early morning.
| Phase |
Time |
Altitude |
Azimuth |
| Start of partial eclipse (C1): |
07:27 |
+20.8° |
57.3° |
| Start of total eclipse (C2): |
08:45 |
+35.5° |
45.1° |
| Mid eclipse: |
08:47 |
+35.9° |
44.6° |
| End of total eclipse (C3): |
08:50 |
+36.3° |
44.2° |
| End of partial eclipse (C4): |
10:19 |
+48.0° |
21.0° |
Approximate location: 17° 20’ 58” S, 138° 26’ 56” W
Umbral depth: 85%
Magnitude at mid eclipse: 1.02343
Moon-Sun size ratio: 1.05508
After the eclipse, you may want to just relax, stroll along kilometers of empty beaches and later join us for a Polynesian party after sundown. Those that are interested by the World Cup will have the opportunity to watch the final.
Overnight on Tatakoto in houses. |
Monday, July 12th 2010:
Day 6 [B, L, D] |
After a hearty breakfast and a further pleasant stay on the atoll, we will head back to Papeete at 8:00am. Arrival in Faa’a airport early afternoon.
Transfer back to your hotel. Rest of the day on your own.
Overnight in Papeete at the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti or connect to Eclipse-City’s Luxury Cruise.
Those booking the 7-day extension luxury cruise Bora Bora - Taha’a - Huahine - Raiatea - Bora-Bora, will be flown directly to Bora-Bora to board your cruise liner. |
Tuesday, July 13th 2010:
Day 7 [B] |
Check-out latest by noon. Continue on your own or fly back home (transfer to airport if required).
End of tour. |
Services & Terms
Included in Tour
Full board as indicated (
Breakfast-
Lunch-
Dinner), 3 nights in Tahiti in a 5-star hotel, 3 nights in Tatakoto at the local village in private houses, local hotel service fees and taxes, return private charter flight Papeete-Tatakoto-Papeete with up to 25 kg luggage allowance per person, Eclipse-City Survival Kit (t-shirt, cap/hat, small towel, stool, eclipse shades, information material), English – French – German - Spanish – local language speaking guides, Eclipse-City astronomy experts. Heavy photography equipment can be shipped in advance to
Papeete and Tatakoto (please enquire for our shipping modalities and pricing).
Not Included
Visa fees, personal (e.g. medical, travel, etc) and cancellation insurances, additional items required at Tatakoto, personal items, intercontinental flights, all items not mentioned in the program.
Eclipse Tour Price in Euro (EUR)
4,990 € per person based on double occupancy (add 1,490 € for single occupancy)
Payments & Terms
It is each traveler’s responsibility to take all appropriate medical advice prior to booking as to whether or not they are fit enough to undertake this trip. If you have any questions regarding this, please
contact us.
- An initial down payment of 50% of the full amount and a completed Reservation Form is due at the time of booking.
- Your balance payment in full is due March 31st, 2010.
- We reserve the right to treat the reservation as cancelled if payment(s) is not received when due.
Cancellations must be in writing, by email, fax or letter to receive a refund. Cancellation fees per this schedule:
- 10% through December 31st, 2009
- 50% through May 31st, 2010
- 90% non refundable after June 1st, 2010
- No refunds are possible after July 1st, 2010
Name changes are only allowed through July 7, 2010, after which a new ticket must be issued and paid for.
Place your bookings and requests at
Corporate or group requests welcomed.
Our published terms & conditions apply. Please check our website on a regular basis.
Note: Eclipse-City reserves the right to slightly change the itinerary if this is required, especially due to local unexpected circumstances. Although the weather is expected to be good for the eclipse, Eclipse-City can not be made liable for any –though unlikely– weather changes.
In case of inclement weather contingency plans have been studied just as they were for last year total solar eclipse in Shanghai. However Eclipse-City cannot be liable should any of them fail.
View the PDF Eclipse Tour Brochure (928 KB)
