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Remote lagoon in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea

Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Coral Discoverer
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Mysterious Papua New Guinea is, in the truest sense, one of the last great wilderness areas on Earth and there is simply no better way to experience these magical and rarely-visited lands than aboard the state-of-the-art small ship Coral Discoverer. Board in Cairns for an outstanding 13-day expedition to Rabaul and discover for yourself the outstanding cultures and scenic beauty of rarely-discovered Papua New Guinea.
Colourful children of Papua New GuineaA day ashore remote islandsAccess the shore aboard the specially designed expedition vessel XplorerDiving in Papua New GuineaRemote lagoon in Papua New Guinea
Highlights
  • Witness a traditional Trobriand dance performed by costumed locals
  • Explore the rarely-visited Tufi Fjords, the only fjords in Papua New Guinea
  • Enjoy water activities in some of the best of Fly Island's coral reefs
  • Cruise the Sepik region, renowned for its unique artifacts
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Embark in Cairns

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After boarding Coral Discoverer at 10:00 am for a departure at 11:00 am, leave Cairns on the start of your great adventure. Take the opportunity to explore your new 'home' for the next thirteen days. Enjoy an evening sunset drink before sitting down to the first of many delicious meals.

Day 2: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Having passed through the Great Barrier Reef, cruise northeast towards the China Strait. Enjoy the facilities and get to know your traveling companions. This evening, join Guest Lecturers for a presentation on Papua New Guinea ahead of your arrival in Alotau.

Day 3: Alotau

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy waking up to the scenery of China Strait as the ship approaches the first Papua New Guinea landfall - Alotau. Experienced Guest Lecturers interpret the traditional welcome dances prior to leading a tour of historical Alotau. Reboarding Coral Discoverer, cruise Milne Bay and see the World War II military history of this region before the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Drinks.

Day 4: Dobu | Fergusson Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
A flotilla of canoes greets the ship while approaching the Dobu anchorage. A Guest Lecturer shares the history of the Kula Ring where Dobu Island was a pivotal link between the north and south Kula trade routes. Local primary school children perform a traditional dance. After lunch, join the Expedition Leader on an excursion to the Dei Dei Hot Springs where the landowner shares the mythical and spiritual tales of these hot water and mud springs.

Day 5: Trobriands | Kuiawa

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Historically known as the 'Islands of Love', the Trobriands offer a glimpse of traditional culture largely unspoiled by outside influence. On the island of Kuiawa witness traditional Trobriand dance performed by the colorfully costumed locals, then sail to Kitava to meet the local villagers.

Day 6: Maclaren Harbour | Tufi Fjords

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Local guides paddle you on traditional canoes at Maclaren Harbour to their village in the rainforest. Be welcomed with traditional dances and garden markets. Later, discover the scenic beauty of the rarely-visited Tufi Fjords. Similar to Nordic fjords and featuring 25 individual canyons with sheer basalt cliffs, these are the only fjords in Papua New Guinea and offer a wealth of sightseeing opportunities. Soak up the spectacular views as you cruise close to the towering cliffs before boarding Xplorer to travel ashore to meet the friendly locals. Then, enjoy a leisurely swim and snorkel over spectacular fringing reefs.

Day 7: Buna and Sanananda

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Learn about the Battle of Buna, some of the fiercest fighting during the final stages of WWII. Walk through the jungle to honor the past at the World War II monument and stopover at Sanananda to visit the War Museum. Later, meet the local people of the Girewo village.

Day 8: Fly Islands | Lababia

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Awaken early and travel ashore for a morning of water activities at Fly Island, which has some of the best coral reefs in all of Papua New Guinea to discover through snorkeling, SCUBA diving, glass bottom boat tours, and kayaking. Visit the picturesque village of Lababia, gateway to one of the most important conservation areas in PNG - the Kamiali Wildlife Management Area.

Day 9: Dregerhafen | Tuam

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today visit Dregerhafen, famous for Tami bowls and timber paddles. Head ashore to Tuam in the Siassi group of islands, which offer a mix of both mainland and Bismarck Archipelago cultures. Peruse prized trinkets and decorations which include dog’s teeth, spondyllus shells, and wonderful balsa wood and sago bark headdresses. Witness the locals perform their traditional welcome dances and savor the warm village hospitality.

Day 10: Historic Madang

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Explore Madang, which sits on the peninsula surrounded by a number of picturesque islands and is famed for its diving, with excellent visibility and many World War II wrecks. Discover the town, including the markets where there is the opportunity to purchase a large selection of artifacts from the Sepik region.

Day 11: Sepik River | Volcanic Manam Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enter the mouth of the mighty Sepik River – one of the world’s great river systems, and cruise well up into the middle Sepik region, renowned for its unique artifacts. Visit the remote village of Bien where the locals are amongst the greatest primitive artists on earth and take the opportunity to purchase unique hand carvings. On departure from the great Sepik, pass the active volcano on Manam Island and enjoy the sunset.

Day 12: Garove Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Cruise to Garove Island, the largest in the Witu group and view the flooded caldera, opened to the sea through a narrow breach. Learn about the traditional village lifestyle which still exists on subsistence principles, and take the opportunity to swim from the ergonomic ship platform.

Day 13: Disembark in Rabaul

  • 1 Breakfast
Enter magnificent Simpson Harbor early in the morning, passing the striking islands known as the Beehives. Arrive in Rabaul at 8:00am, marking the end of the voyage of exploration and adventure. If time permits, explore the 'ghost town' of Rabaul that lies under volcanic ash deposited when Mt Tuvurvur erupted in 1994.

Ship/Hotel

Coral Discoverer

Coral Discoverer
Bridge Deck Bar aboard the Coral Discoverer

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$7,005
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Main Deck B
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Three cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin portholes, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Main Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Six cabins located on the Main Deck, equipped with twin porthole windows, desk, sofa, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Promenade Deck B
Averaging 160 sq. ft. Four cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, desk, telephone and Junior King bedding.
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Promenade Deck A
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Eighteen cabins located on the Promenade Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.
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Bridge Deck
Averaging 195 sq. ft. Five cabins located on the Bridge Deck, equipped with picture windows, sofa, desk, telephone and your choice of Junior King or twin bedding.

Notes

Solo Travelers:
Solo cabin occupancy is limited and based on availability in Promenade Deck B cabins only. Single supplement is an additional 50%.

Important Fare Information:
Rates are posted based off of the current exchange rates from Australian or New Zealand Dollars. Please contact us for current exchange rates.
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 12 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • All entrance fees to National Parks, ports, traditional owner fees and charges imposed by governing authorities
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Selected wines, selected beers and house spirits, juices, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner
  • Captain’s welcome and farewell events, and open bridge access
  • Use of Xplorer, Zodiacs and kayaks
  • All excursions with our Expedition Team
  • Daily lectures and briefings with Guest Lecturers
  • Use of all onboard facilities, incl. a reference library
  • Your expedition photos captured during the voyage
  • Post-cruise transfers (in most destinations)
  • 24-hour coffee and selection of teas
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Laundry Service
  • Entry visas/Travel permits
  • Alcoholic drinks including beer and wine outside of lunch and dinner service
  • Internet 
  • Pre-cruise transfers
  • Pre and post cruise flights/charter flights
  • Pre and post cruise accommodation
  • Items of a personal nature such souvenir purchases
  • Optional Extras (in some destinations)
  • Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Passport or Visa fees

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney

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