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.
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
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$6,780
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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 15%, 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.