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 Coral Discoverer. Join the ship in Cairns for an outstanding 12-night expedition and discover for yourself the outstanding cultures and scenic beauty of the region. It's the land of the unexpected, a place of stark contrasts where fearsome frowns magically become welcoming smiles and village children your lifelong friends. Join the select few who have experienced unforgettable Papua New Guinea.
Highlights
Snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, or take a glass bottom boat tour over coral reefs
Explore traditional markets and learn more about the various local cultures
Visit a WWII war museum at Sandanana & see war artifacts around Dregerhafen
Listen to the locals share spiritual tales that surround Dei Dei hot springs
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Take an early morning private charter flight to Madang. Travel through Madang to meet the Coral Discoverer and settle in as your expedition begins. Set sail from Madang and spend the afternoon at leisure as you are welcomed on board. Join your Expedition Staff in the ship’s lounge for an interesting introduction to your journey.
The ship is at the entrance to the Sepik River at first light. Cruise three hours up river to the village of Bien, where along the way the locals can be paddling out when they see the ship approaching. Once you anchor off the village of Bien, your ship drops you at one end of the village and the locals walk with you through the river front village and to the school area where the welcome and dancing takes place. Once the performances are completed the famous Sepik market opens and you can enjoy the many things on offer. The Sepik is famous for its masks and carvings.
Manam volcano, located 13 km off the northern coast of New Guinea near Bogia town, is one of Papua New Guinea's most active volcanoes. It has one of the longest records of historic eruptions in the SE Pacific region. The larger eruptions of Manam produce pyroclastic flows and sometimes lava flows. Both have repeatedly reached the coast and affected populated areas. Sit the ship close by on the leeward side of the island and enjoy a BBQ and Drinks as the sun sets. In the afternoon, visit the village of Tolokiwa and do some water activities – snorkeling, diving and guided tours. Tolokiwa is also well known for its bird species so it's a fabulous opportunity for bird watchers to “spot” unique PNG birdlife
The ship arrives into the beautiful anchorage of Dregerhafen. Head ashore to the local village where a welcome and sing sings are performed. The local market is famous for wooden paddles and wooden bowls. The locals offer guided walks around the village and there are plenty of WWII artifacts lying around from the large American base there in the war period. The ship moves to Tuam Island late morning and you can go ashore mid-afternoon to visit Tuam Island village where their famous dance groups entertain you within the walled village. Local markets are on offer as well as local guides to take you to the garden areas. Afterwards enjoy a swim or snorkel off the beach.
In the morning, take a relaxing village visit to the local village where after a traditional welcome, enjoy singing and dancing before the local markets open up. Those who wish can join local guides around the village or walk down the beach area and board an outrigger up the local river into the rainforest area. It is possible to swim in front of the village with local children or enjoy a kayak off the beach. Over lunch the ship moves to Fly Islands. Enjoy snorkeling and diving at Biangatu Island reef system. Those who wish can enjoy the glass bottom boat if conditions allow.
Coral Discoverer enters into Morobe Harbour, which the American forces used as a staging post and supply base during WWII. Enjoy an early morning cruise in Xplorer and the zodiacs up the nearby Mou River and view the stunning forest area. Afterwards visit the fun and friendly locals at the village where you can receive a true Oro province welcome. After the ceremonies, enjoy the local markets on offer and wander with guides around the village and surrounding areas. There is an opportunity on the high tide to travel through a small water way into a stunning bay where another village lies in wait.
In the morning, head ashore to land at Buna beach, home to some of the toughest fighting in the Pacific campaign. The locals are ready and after a welcome and refreshments walk with the local guides and visit the areas where the Allied forces clashed with the Japanese. See the Japanese monument and the American monuments along the way. It is sometimes possible to get transport arranged. After lunch the ship moves to anchor off Sandanana Village. Xplorer takes you ashore and after the locals have welcomed you, you can visit the war museum which the locals have constructed as well as the local gardens and surrounding areas. The museum is divided into two, with a Japanese hut and an Allied hut. This was the biggest battleground in the Oro Province and is at the far end of the Kokoda track.
Coral Discoverer arrives into Maclaren Harbour early morning. Head off on Xplorer to the end of the Fjord where the local outriggers can be waiting to transport you into the mangroves. Be paddled up the creek under the rainforest canopy, where the locals greet you ashore. Enjoy watching and learning the local way of life, with the old men performing a traditional sing-sing with their feather headdresses. A local market has sprung up and as you walk back you can enjoy the markets where Tapa cloths are the specialty. Over lunch the ship moves around to Tufi Fjord. At Tufi enjoy snorkeling on the house reef, diving with the local resort team, kayaking along the steep edges of the nearby fjords, or heading up to the resort to enjoy a drink and the views on offer.
Arrive at the small island of Kuiawa in the Trobriand group. Head shore in the morning and be greeted Trobriand style by the local children. Welcome speeches, dances, and sing-sings are all part of the experience. Then have the chance to wander through the village and peruse the local markets along the walkway. Over lunch the ship moves to the island of Kitava. The island of Kitava is famous in the Trobriand’s; visit the beach area of the village and after a welcome visit the local market. Those who wish can walk up to the village along the gradual uphill track or be whisked across the channel to the nearby island and enjoy water activities.
Day 10: Ferguson Island | Dei-Dei Springs | Dobu Island
Anchor in front of Dei-Dei springs village on the island of Ferguson. Head ashore in the zodiacs and be welcomed by the locals who guide you in small groups to the famous hot springs. The villagers are famous for making flax hand bags. Those not up for the walk can visit the nearby school and medical center on board Xplorer. Over lunch the ship moves around to Dobu Island anchorage, and heads ashore for a fantastic school visit on the island. After a welcome from the children, visit their classrooms and then you can stroll around with the locals and visit the outer village area. This is one of the homes of the Kula Ring which has a crucial part in the area's history. After your visit those who wish can be on Xplorer to visit the nearby bubbling springs coral reef system where excellent snorkeling is on offer, or you may choose to enjoy a swim off the beach in the clear waters.
Wake up to the scenery of the China Strait as you approach your first Papua New Guinea landfall – Alotau. Your experienced Guest Lecturers interpret the traditional welcome dances prior to leading a tour of historic Alotau. Cruise Milne Bay and learn of the World War II military history of this region.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$7,140
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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.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours 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
2 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
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