This unforgettable 12-day cruise takes you to remote exotic Indonesian islands in the wake of the legendary Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of natural selection and author of the most famous travelogue about the region, The Malay Archipelago. Visit some of the places that most fascinated Wallace: the remote Raja Ampat Islands with their pristine incredibly diverse coral reefs and glorious birds of paradise, then on to the magical island of Halmahera where Wallace discovered evolution by natural selection. End your journey on the Spice Island of Ternate, Wallace’s base for his eastern travels and once the center of the world clove trade. Naturalist Dr. George Beccaloni lends his expertise to this expedition.
Highlights
Discover Salawati Island and search for some of its fabulous bird life
Climb a wooden walkway to the top of a hill to enjoy an amazing view of Gam
Look for impressive coconut crabs, the world’s largest land-dwelling arthropod
Hike across unique landscapes to spot the remarkable red bird of paradise
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Your flight arrives in the West Papuan port town of Sorong, gateway to the Raja Ampat region. In the harbor board the Ombak Putih, your very comfortable floating home for the next twelve days. After a delicious lunch, cruise to Salawati Island, go ashore in search of some of the island’s fabulous birdlife, with the hope of seeing king birds of paradise at a known roosting site in the rainforest. Wallace was overjoyed when he finally obtained a specimen of this stunning species, describing it as “one of the most perfectly lovely of the many lovely productions of nature.” Back on board head north for an overnight crossing to Kabui Bay.
Wake up in Kabui Bay between Waigeo and Gam Islands. The bay is studded with limestone islets towering out of its calm, crystal-clear waters. Wallace remarked that it was “one of the most singular and picturesque landscapes I have ever seen.” In the morning, travel by tender into the narrow Wallace Channel, through which he sailed on his challenging journey from Seram to Waigeo. Look out for birds, examine the vegetation clinging to the precipitous limestone cliffs, and snorkel on an outstanding coral reef. Go ashore on Gam and climb a wooden walkway to the top of a hill to enjoy an amazing view of the bay and islands. In the afternoon, pay a short visit to the small island of Miostirairama to look for the impressive coconut crab, the world’s largest land-dwelling arthropod, followed by some incredible snorkeling along a wall on the nearby island of Friwinbonda. Later, visit Yenbeser village on Gam near to where Wallace lived in a tiny hut for six weeks.
Wake up off Yenbeser and leave the boat in the pre-dawn light for a 30-minute hike to spot the remarkable red bird of paradise, one of the species that Wallace was most anxious to collect. If you are lucky experience the rare and privileged sight of the bird’s elaborate courtship dance as the day breaks over the forest canopy. Afterwards return to the village and head up a nearby inlet to visit a full-sized replica of Wallace’s hut, which was built some years ago. Later cruise to Yanbuba (between Kri and Mansuar) as there is some amazing snorkeling there, and then on to Sapokren for a late afternoon village visit and/or another snorkel.
Whilst it is still dark, the tenders ferry those of you who are feeling fit and adventurous to the village of Sapokren, where a local guide takes you on a challenging trek into the forest in the hope of seeing Wilson’s bird of paradise, a spectacular species Wallace failed to collect. Returning to the ship travel to Manta Sandy where there is a high chance of snorkeling with gigantic, but harmless, manta rays. Return to the boat for lunch and then cruise to Penemu (Fam Islands), arriving mid-afternoon. There snorkel on the island’s renowned coral reef and later climb to a lookout and enjoy a spectacular view over the small offshore limestone islets as the sun sets.
Wake up off Penemu, have a swim, and then move to the nearby island of Yar (part of the Fam Islands) for another swim and snorkel. Later travel to the island of Klaarbeck (Palau Mios), where Wallace landed after his very eventful journey from Seram Island. A combination of unpredictable winds, fierce currents, difficult anchorages, and lack of water sources ended with him being unable to retrieve two of his crew who were stranded to the south on the small island of Kommerrust. Eventually, with a heavy heart and much fear for his stranded men, he was forced to abandon their rescue. Hopefully, you can land on Klaarbeck and go up the hill that Wallace climbed in the vain hope of signaling to his stranded men.
A swim through Misool’s mysterious domed Tomolol cave is undoubtedly one of Raja Ampat’s most memorable activities. After an early breakfast, your tenders take you into the heart of the bay to see this partially submerged cavern where it is possible to swim, snorkel, or simply float, while gazing up at the cavernous grotto adorned with astonishing stalactites. The more adventurous can swim or paddle through the dark waters to the other mouth of the cave. After returning to the ship, use your tenders to explore the area’s impressive maze of karst islands, complete with mysterious skull cairns in sea-cave cemeteries, and prehistoric cave paintings, estimated to be anything between 3,000 to 5,000 years old, which depict human figures, fish, flowers, plants, tools and vessels. There is also an opportunity to visit a hidden jellyfish lake and swim amongst these stingless beauties. Overnight cruise to Kofiau Island.
Wake up off Kofiau Island, home to the endemic Kofiau paradise kingfisher and Kofiau monarch, and have an early snorkel on the stunning coral reef before departing just before lunch on a full day and night cruise to Bacan Island, far to the west. Break up the journey with a short snorkeling trip along the way in the mid-afternoon, but today is a good opportunity to just lay back and relax.
Wake up early near the town of Labuah in southern Bacan, an area where Wallace lived for about five months. He did a lot of collecting near the now disused coal mines to the north of the town and it was there he discovered Wallace’s giant bee (the largest bee in the world), the stunning Wallace’s golden birdwing butterfly, and Wallace’s standardwing bird of paradise (the only new bird of paradise he found). The location of the mines has long faded from local memory, but the aim is to take an early morning trip into the forest around Sibela mountain, ranked as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. Wildlife here includes Wallace’s golden birdwing, Moluccan buscus (a tree-dwelling marsupial which Wallace discovered), and a population of black-crested macaque monkeys, which are descended from individuals introduced long ago from Sulawesi, where the species is now highly endangered. Weigh anchor late morning and begin the long journey to Goro Goro on the eastern side of Bacan, passing through the narrow channels that separate the islands along the way. If there is time stop for a snorkel before sunset.
Arrive in Goro Goro before dawn and aim to be in the forest as the sun comes up in order to experience the dawn chorus. Go on a short 1-2 hour trek, hopefully seeing black Macaques, butterflies, birds and other interesting animals. After lunch cruise towards Bastiong village on Halmahera Island.
Rise at 3:00 AM, have a quick snack, and transfer to cars in Bastiong village, which then takes you to an area of rainforest on the eastern side of the island owned by Weda Reef & Rainforest Resort. By 6:00 AM be quietly standing below a group of small trees used by Wallace’s standardwing bird of paradise for their courtship display. Here the males hopefully perform a spectacular show, erecting their vivid-green breast shields and four white wing ‘standards’, flying up and then ‘parachuting’ down with their ‘standards’ fluttering above them. Afterwards walk back to the road and have breakfast before heading off for a morning of bird watching. Hopefully you get the chance to see paradise crow (a bird of paradise), hornbills, giant cuckoos, parrots, and more. Have lunch at Weda Resort before returning to Bastiong in the afternoon.
Awake off the coast near Dojinga, the village in which Wallace famously discovered evolution by natural selection whilst in the throes of a malarial fit. Few Westerners have visited this important historical site, and although the hut where Wallace lived is long gone, it is fascinating to see what the village is like today. Afterwards return to the ship for lunch and then have a snorkel in the afternoon. Spend the night at anchor and have a farewell party with your new friends and the crew.
Day 12: Ternate Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Cruise across to Ternate Island just after dawn, having breakfast on the way. Then be transferred to a fleet of cars and explore the city of Ternate, former center of the world clove trade, and the island from which Wallace posted his famous essay on natural selection to Charles Darwin in 1858. Of the four historically powerful regional spice sultanates, Ternate is the only one where the sultanate has survived uninterrupted. Visit the impressive Fort Oranje built by the VOC (Dutch East India Company) which Wallace knew well, plus the area near the fort where he lived. Also visit the ‘Kedaton,’ the palace of the Sultan of Ternate, with its rich collection of ancient heirlooms. In the late morning, return to the boat for lunch, say goodbye to your captain and crew, and transfer to the airport for your onward flights.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Cabin Deck
Cabin Deck. Spacious, air-conditioned twin-share cabins with twin bunks or double beds and private bathroom with toilet and hot shower.
Notes
- All rates are quoted in USD and represent cost per person, based on double occupancy.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.75 times the published rate.
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
