Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Cairns, where you spend two nights at the fine Shangri-La Hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and explore on your own. This evening gather for welcome drinks and dinner. (D)
Day 2: Cairns
Spend the morning exploring, taking the renowned Kuranda Scenic Railway to the lively town of Kuranda, known for its markets and galleries. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 3: Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
A morning private charter flight brings you to Rabaul, the capital of the island of New Britain, where the town was buried in ash by the massive eruption of Mt. Tavurvur in 1994 — a landmark event. Have a guided exploration of Rabaul, with views of the ash-covered town and see the remains of a Japanese ship hidden in a cave during World War II. Then embark Oceanic Discoverer, your home for the next ten nights, and sail past Tavurvur for a close-up look at the ash clouds and pyrotechnics. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Garove Island (Witu Islands)
The fringing reef surrounding Garove Island offers fine swimming, snorkeling and views from the glass bottom boat, and you will spend the morning there. As you approach Garove in the afternoon, you may be greeted by colorfully dressed local residents in outrigger canoes. The headdresses are particularly elaborate. After landing you will be treated to a “singsing” by your enthusiastic hosts and will have a chance to tour the church and recently built community house. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Crown Island
Tiny, volcanic Crown Island offers a fine walk up a trail, where you can look for giant lizards, birdlife and butterflies. The island’s beaches are important turtle nesting grounds. Spend the afternoon exploring the pristine nearby reefs, where the snorkeling and viewing from the glass bottom boat are excellent. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Sepik River
The communities along the Sepik River are renowned for their traditional dress and body decoration, for maintaining many of their traditional ways, and for the art which they produce. Sail up the serpentine course of the river, and visit a community where you have a chance to meet local residents, learn about their lives and can take photos and purchase artwork. Also look to go bird-watching along some of the channels along the river. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Madang
The picturesque town of Madang lies on a peninsula backed by mountain ranges. Visit lovely Haya Village, set in the hills, and take in a “singsing.” Afterward, those who wish can walk the steep trails of the surrounding rain forest in search of wildlife. This afternoon, explore the markets and shops of Madang on your own, and be sure to look for flying foxes in the trees! (B,L,D)
Day 8: Tuam & Tami Islands
Tuam Island’s friendly residents make their living by conducting trade between the outer islands and the New Guinea mainland. They’ll guide us to their village and you’ll have a chance to take in “singsings” and see the handicrafts. Tami Island, where you’ll spend the afternoon, consists of coral atolls that offer outstanding snorkeling and glass bottom boat excursions — a setting that very much lives up to its location in the South Pacific. Look at the reefs and colorful fish that inhabit them. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Lababia & Kamiali
The village of Lababia is the gateway to the forests and wildlife of the Kamiali Wildlife Management Area. The adventurous can tackle the renowned, steep David Suzuki Trail in search of birds that include cockatoos, parrots, hornbills and, if you’re lucky, perhaps even a bird of paradise. There will also be opportunities to swim and visit the village. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Tufi
Remote Tufi consists of a spectacular network of fjords flanked by towering basalt cliffs. You’ll have a variety of activities here, including excellent snorkeling and viewing by glass bottom boat, a visit to a village to learn about its culture, and an excursion by ship to a picturesque waterfall. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Trobriand Islands
The cultures of the Trobriands have been studied extensively, most famously by the anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski, who developed methods of study used to this day. Learn about the complex traditional exchange system called the Kula exchange, and, on Kitava Island, will visit a yam house; yam exchanges are key to the lives of the islanders. You’ll also visit a school and a village. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Fergusson and Dobu Islands
The volcanic islands of Fergusson and Dobu form part of the D’Entrecasteaux group, named after the French explorer who visited them in 1792. On Fergusson, visit the impressive Dei Dei Hot Springs, where the landowner shares the mythical and spiritual tales of these hot water and mud springs. You will be greeted by a flotilla of canoes as you approach the anchorage at tiny Dobu, and after landing the local primary school children welcome you with a traditional dance performance. This evening, gather for farewell cocktails and dinner aboard ship. (B,L,D)
Day 13: Disembark / Port Moresby
In the morning, disembark the Oceanic Discoverer and fly from Alotau to Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, where you will stay at the fine Airways Hotel. This afternoon, explore the town, seeing the National Museum, the outside of the Parliament building, built in the style of a spirit house, and a nearby village built on stilts. (B,L,D)
Day 14: Port Moresby / Return Home
Transfer to the airport for your independent connecting flights home. (B)
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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 164 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 164 reviews on
9 hours ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
Anne Petty
1 day ago
Follow up was effective any questions were answered in a timely manner
Fiona Lonsdale
2 days ago
I spoke with at least a half dozen other travel companies, looking for a Galapagos cruise that fit our schedule and budget. Some companies could manage one or the other, but Erin was the only one who could do both. She found us the perfect cruise, at a fantastic price! And she has been quick and patient with responses to my many questions. So far, Adventure Life has been a fantastic company to work with!
Sandi T
2 days ago
Adventure Life took care of everything! All we had to do was show up when we were supposed to, which made our first trip to Costa Rica largely stress-free and incredibly fun. Our trip reps, Hannah and Mariethony, were helpful and responsive, getting back to us by email usually within a few hours. Our accommodations were all great, and we got incredibly blessed with some absolutely stellar guides and drivers.
Our Jungle & Beach trip was an excellent balance of adventure and rest. We got to try out a lot of different activities, including snorkeling, hiking, white water rafting and kayaking, while also partaking of some rest around the pool or by the ocean. We enjoyed seeing and exploring the beautiful Caribbean side of the country.
Joy Knowles
2 days ago
This was a life changing trip of a lifetime and exceeded my expectations. No details were left out during the planning of this trip by Adventure Life. The entire crew on the ship could not have been more helpful and kind. Everyone went out of their way to make this trip as pleasurable as possible.
