Yap Cultural Tours & Map
The Yapese are one of the few, if not the last, of the Pacific Island cultures to have maintained their major cultural traditions and heritage into the 21st century. These traditions and oral histories have been passed from generation to generation for more than two millennia and visitors to the islands can witness this first-hand during local festivals and celebrations.
To experience Yap's rich and diverse Pacific Island culture, book a village or land tour, or both, to view a variety of Yapese activities, including traditional dance and re-enactments, weaving, and handicrafts. Visitors will also sample Yapese dishes made from taro, breadfruit, fresh seafood and tropical fruits.
Tours also provide opportunities to view Yap's major landmarks and important cultural and historical sites. These include visits to Yap's unique stone money banks, traditional men's houses, community houses, ancient stone paths and World War II historical sites. Tours can be customized by your hotel or inn staff and can be offered as either half day or full day tours. All tours come with a tour guide, driver, air-conditioned transportation, refreshments and bottled water.
Pasan Village Tour
This tour in Toruw, in the north of Yap, provides an opportunity to learn about local medicines from one of the island's renowned traditional doctors and taste local dishes prepared by his hand. Visitors can also learn traditional skills such as coconut rope making and the methods of building the ocean-going canoes and traditional navigation. This tour also gives you the opportunity to enjoy some of the beautiful northern beaches of the Maap Municipality and viewing its impressive stone money bank.
Contact: Edmund Pasan
Toruw Community
Phone: (691) 350 2679 / 950 2864
Island Tours
Land tours provide sightseeing opportunities around the island to view some of the important points of interests, including important cultural and historical sites. These include visits to famous stone money banks, traditional men's houses, community houses, World War II historical sites and walks on stone paths-built centuries ago. Tours can be customized by your accommodation provider to fit your interest can be offered as either half day or full day tours, which would include a packed lunch. All tours come with a tour guide, driver, air-conditioned transportation and bottled water.
Rumung Island Tour
This is the smallest and northern-most island that makes up Yap proper and is famous for being the largest stone money in all of Yap. The island was closed to outsiders, including other Yapese villagers, for many years, but is now open and welcoming visitors on pre-arranged tours.
A scenic 15-minute boat ride from Colonia through mangrove forests via the German-built Tagireeng Canal and open sea brings you to Rumung. On arrival visitors are greeted by an impressive men's house and then a walk on a centuries-old stone path to see the three largest stone money discs on Yap, a stone money banks and small Japanese WWII shrine. At the end of the walking path visitors can take their rest at a beautifully designed and maintained community house, where refreshing coconut juice is served in the traditional manner. This tour can also be expanded to offer swimming, snorkelling and a picnic lunch on a nearby beach, before returning to Colonia.
Contact: Ted Rutun
Rumung Community
Phone: (691) 350 2400 / 2401
Email: yaplegis@gmail.com
Fish Weir Tour in Gagil
The traditional tidal fish weir or Aech found in Gachpar, Gagil Community, is still in use today and visitors are invited to participate in this ancient fishing technique. You enter this large arrow-shaped tidal fish trap made of stone at low tide and, with a little dexterity, catch fish that have entered at high tide and are now trapped. Your catch will then be cleaned and cooked on spot by one of the community guides. You can also enjoy in snorkelling, swimming and open water kayaking in this area, as well as a tour of the traditional men’s house and the nearby stone money bank.
Contact: Aloysius
Gachpar Community
Phone: (691) 950 4234
Map of Yap Cultural Sites
(click to enlarge map)
