If you think you’ve conquered hiking on Rarotonga just because you ticked off the famous Cross-Island Walk, think again. Don’t get me wrong, we absolutely loved the Cross-Island trek – it’s a classic for a reason. But if you are looking for the absolute next level of hiking on the island, Te Kou is the peak that will truly test your grit and blow your mind.
Here is our completely honest review of tackling the mighty Te Kou with Ariimoana Walkabouts and their epic ‘Pick Your Peak’ Rarotonga hiking tour.
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What is the Pick Your Peak Tour?
The Pick Your Peak hiking tour with Ariimoana Walkabouts is one of the most incredible, tailor-made trekking experiences you can have in Rarotonga.
The hike is led by Jack, for a tour that allows you to choose your own adventure by selecting which of the island’s epic volcanic peaks you want to hike.
This time, we picked the peak: Te Kou.
Jack is good friend of mine, but this tour is next-level for hiking in Rarotonga.
He has an amazing knowledge of the Cook Islands culture, flora and history, and gets you off the standard tourist paths and into the rugged heart of the island.
Rarotonga has incredible hikes and beautiful tracks and ridges. But tackling the Te Kou Summit Track with his expert guidance is a standout experience. The panoramic view from the top makes every bit of the climb worth it!
Te Kou: Quick Facts
Te Kou is one of the highest peaks on Rarotonga.
- Start Point: The trail kicks off inland from the Avatiu valley area, past beautiful local taro patches.
- Guide Required? Yes, 100%. Do not try to find this on your own. There are no signs, the track is heavily overgrown, and it is incredibly easy to lose your footing or the trail entirely.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hours of solid, heart-pumping movement.
- Recommendation: Absolutely recommend it, but only if you book through the Pick Your Peak tour. Their expertise makes this challenging mountain feel like an unforgettable adventure!
The Ascent: Te Kou
The moment you leave the flat taro fields behind; the real work begins.
Te Kou does not believe in gentle switchbacks; it is an immediate, steep climb into Rarotonga’s ridges!
The track itself is a chaotic but beautiful mess of nature. (Overgrown is an understatement!). You will be ducking under fallen branches, brushing past thick, overgrown tropical ferns, and constantly watching your footing on the slippery clay.
The Climb Up
Then come the scrambles. A massive chunk of this hike relies on using vertical ropes anchored to trees to haul yourself up the steep rock faces and muddy ridges.
I had forgotten from the first time I did it. But your first test after a small river crossing (that’s easy) is a steep, steep rope climb.
The Views
It is pretty much a full-body workout. You will be covered in dirt and sweat. But every time you pause to catch your breath and look back through the canopy, the views are stunning.
You get raw views of the island’s jagged interior that very few tourists ever get to see.
At certain spots, Jack will point out the ‘face’ that you can see on the side of The Needle.
The Summit: Te Kou
Reaching the top of Te Kou feels like you’re up in the clouds. But at the same time, once you reach the bowl of the summit, it is easy to forget you are up in the mountains!
Up there it is quite wet underfoot. You can walk right around the basin of the summit area, though it is quite thick scrub.
The summit area has an old – but still in use – isolated weather station and communication towers.
Jack will show you the old bunkers all the way at the top. It is a bit like a hidden chapter of Rarotonga’s history…
The Perfect Finish
By the time you slide, scramble, and make your way back down, your legs will be shaking, and you’ll have earned a massive appetite. Clocking in at around 4 to 5 hours to hike Te Kou means you will hit the bottom at the perfect time to head straight out and to Vaianas on the beach.
It is a great feeling sitting on the beach with a massive, juicy burger and an ice-cold beer.
Pick Your Peak: Te Kou
If you are ready to graduate from the Cross-Island Walk and want a Rarotongan challenge, hit up Pick Your Peakand get yourself up Te Kou with Jack.
It is tough, it is muddy, and it is easily one of the best things you will do on the island. 🙂
Contact Ariimoana
Contact Jack and Kura at Ariimoana for more information or check out their Facebook page and Instagram.
- Ariimoana Walkabouts
+682 51 871
ariimoana.walkabouts@gmail.com
Other Cool Ariimoana Tours
While the Pick Your Peak Tour is the ultimate challenge for hikers, Ariimoana Walkabouts has some awesome other tours.
If you have a rest day between hikes, I recommend checking out their Inland Discoveries Tour or Reef Explorer Walk.
Read Inland Discoveries Tour and Ariimoana Reef Explorer Tour.
Read More About Travel to Rarotonga
- 10 Foods To Try In Rarotonga.
- Charter Fishing In Rarotonga.
- All About The Rarotonga Bus.
- Hiring A Scooter In Rarotonga.
- Renting A Car In Rarotonga.
- Choosing A Lagoon Cruise In Muri, Rarotonga.
- Rarotonga Reef Explorer Tour With Ariimoana.
- Is Dengue Fever A Worry For Travel To Rarotonga?
- Transport And Getting Around Rarotonga.
Travel Planning for Cook Islands and Beyond
These are the companies we use and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – Best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. Easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel including those who have already left home. Make sure you have travel insurance before holidaying to Rarotonga!
Gavin is our people-meeter wherever we go. For all the stories we share about the kindness of strangers in Uzbekistan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and more, it is Gavin that extends a handshake and meets a new friend without even sharing the same language.