Tumutoa Tours — Attraction in Arorangi

[edit: 6 months later still no reimbursement and no response. Tumutoa Tours is an incompetent business]

Our experience with Tumutoa Tours was deeply disappointing and unprofessional. We booked their advertised Umu Feast, String Band & Fire Show tour in person at their stand at the Rarotonga markets for $250NZ. The tour was scheduled for December 9th, but upon arriving at the venue, we were informed it was cancelled due to insufficient participants.

While cancellations can happen, what unfolded afterward was unacceptable. Tumutoa Tours assured us of a refund within three days, yet that promise remains unfulfilled. Our attempts to follow up revealed a shocking level of disorganization and resistance to accountability.

Failure to Refund: Despite acknowledging the cancellation in their email communications, Tumutoa Tours refused to reimburse us via bank transfer, citing their reluctance to pay fees. Instead, they insisted we pick up cash in person—an option entirely impractical as we were departing the country. As of March 2025, Tumutoa Tours has not refunded us. Our last attempt to request the refund ended with an outrageous response—rather than honouring their commitment, they threatened to report our names to the tourism department to block future entry if we continued pressing them for what we are rightfully owed.

This level of dishonesty and intimidation is beyond unprofessional; it is unacceptable. Travelers should be aware that Tumutoa Tours does not just fail to uphold basic ethical business practices regarding refunds —they resort to threats when held accountable.

Unacceptable Communication: Their lack of flexibility and professionalism in resolving the issue shows a complete disregard for customer experience. Their focus seemed more on avoiding inconvenience to themselves than addressing their responsibility to their customers.

A canceled tour is disappointing enough, but Tumutoa Tours' failure to handle the situation ethically or honor their promises has left us feeling misled and out of pocket. I would strongly advise anyone considering their tours to proceed...

Our family trip to the Cook Islands was an unforgettable cultural adventure. The highlight of our visit was definitely the immersive cultural experience with Tumutoa Tours.

We were treated to an unforgettable afternoon and evening, filled with a vibrant display of traditional dance, music and food specific to the Cook Island culture.

Thank you to Ngame and Mania who so warmly welcomed us into their home as soon as we arrived. They both made us feel like family, and the vibe was so authentic and inviting.

Ngame and Mania treated us to performances and stories from beginning to end, showcasing their rich Cook Island heritage and traditions. The colorful costumes and the energy displayed made the experience even more captivating for us all.

We particularly loved how interactive the day was, especially being able to help prepare our 'Umu' feast using traditional cooking methods. We joined Ngame and Mania in preparing traditional dishes such as 'ika mata' (raw fish marinated in coconut milk) and chicken and pork chops in wrapped in bananas leaves with local island root vegetables, salads and tropical fruits. To top it all off, we were able to enjoy our Umu feast on our hand woven banana leaf baskets.

Adding to the experience, we participated in the fun traditional processes of husking, opening and shaving coconuts using tools from the Island. We loved how the day was a perfect blend of educational and entertaining.

We highly recommend Tumutoa Tours for an authentic Cook Island experience. We left with a profound appreciation for the true spirit of the Rarotonga culture. A must do when visiting this paradise.

Meitaki, Frank...

Tumutoa Tours in Rarotonga provided an amazing experience! From the moment our group of 17 arrived, we warmly welcomed by the nicest people I've ever met. The hospitality was exceptional, making us feel right at home. One of my highlights was the hands on experience of making an umu kai, which we later enjoyed for our dinner. We also learned how to weave our plates using banana leaves, adding a special touch to our dinner. The food was absolutely delicious, offering an authentic Rarotonga cuisine. Every dish was prepared with care and bursting with flavour. The fire show was spectacular, with skilled performers captivating us with their artistry skills. Tumutoa and his wife are such lovely and generous people, making the experience even more memorable. I highly recommend Tumutoa Tours, for anyone visiting the Cook Islands. It's an unforgettable experience filled with warmth, delicious food, and incredible entertainment. You won't be...