PLACES WE LOVE
MARQUESAS
and turquoise lagoons
on these 12 volcanic
South Pacific islands,
six of which are
sparsely inhabited.
Instead, in addition to
a rich natural heritage,
you’ll discover distinc-
tive cultural traditions
in tattooing, dance,
language, and horse-
back riding.
Horses were intro-
duced to the island
of Ua Huka in the
mid-19th century, a gift
from French admiral
Abel Dupetit-Thouars,
who brought them
from Chile. Islanders
tamed and adopted
some over the years,
and they became the
perfect transport for
traversing roadlessImagination runs
wild in the Marquesas
Islands, where green
peaks plunge into
the sea, waterfalls
lace fragrant valleys,
and dramatic rock
spires jut into the sky.
Although a part of
French Polynesia, the
Marquesas are proudly
apart. You won’t find
overwater bungalowsRemote
Paradise
These Polynesian
islands inspire
castaway dreamsNATGEOTRAVEL.COM
valleys, steep slopes,
and high ridges. Visi-
tors can sign up with
an outfitter leading
horse treks or can
simply spot horsemen
like Jérémie Kehuehitu
(pictured, on Hiva Oa)
galloping their steeds
on the beaches.
But a main attraction
of these idyllic isles
remains their isolation—
the nearest continent is
more than 3,000 miles
away. —Amy Alipio