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)
Dates & Prices
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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
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.