Boarding the Coral Discoverer this afternoon in Cairns on the start of a great New Guinea Circle, Raja Ampat and Spice Islands adventure. Take the opportunity to explore the Coral Discoverer and enjoy an evening sunset drink before sitting down to the first of many delicious dinners.

Located 100 kilometers off the Queensland coast, visits to Osprey Reef are rare. Enjoy the opportunity to snorkel and SCUBA dive in the protected lagoon at the heart of the reef and enjoy glass bottom boat tours for spectacular views of a myriad of colorful marine life.

Having passed through the Great Barrier Reef, continue northeast towards the China Strait. Enjoy the facilities and get to know your traveling companions. Join the Captain, his crew and new-found friends at the Captain's Welcome Drinks.

Enjoy waking up to the scenery of the 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 historic Alotau.

Be greeted by a flotilla of canoes as the ship approaches the Dobu anchorage. Guest Lecturers share the history of the Kula Ring where Dobu Island was a pivotal link between the north and south Kula trade routes. Meet the local primary school children who perform a traditional dance performance. Join Expedition Staff on an expedition to the Dei Dei Hot Springs where the landowner shares the mythical and spiritual tales of these hot water and mud springs. Enjoy opportunities for snorkeling, coral viewing, SCUBA diving and kayaking.

Historically known as the 'Islands of Love' the Trobriands offer a glimpse of traditional culture largely unspoiled by outside influence. Travel ashore to explore the islands on an expedition stop and learn of their unique customs.

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 the ship cruises close to the towering cliffs before boarding Xplorer to travel ashore to meet the friendly locals. Then, enjoy the opportunity to discover the region's numerous white sandy beaches, take a leisurely swim and snorkel over spectacular fringing reefs.

Travel ashore to the picturesque village of Lababia, gateway to one of the most important conservation areas in PNG - the Kamiali Wildlife Management Area. In the company of Expedition Staff and local guides, walk part of the David Suzuki trail through the prehistoric rainforest. With luck see some of the prolific birdlife resident here including hornbills, parrots, palm cockatoos and the iconic Raggiana Bird of Paradise.

Tami and Tuam, in the Siassi group of islands, offer a mix of both mainland and Bismark Archipelago cultures. Their prized trinkets and decorations include dog's teeth, spondyllus shells and wonderful balsa wood and sago bark headdresses. Enjoy the welcome dances and village hospitality.

The historic town of Madang sits on a peninsula surrounded by a number of picturesque islands. Famed for its diving, the waters surrounding Madang offer excellent visibility and many WWII wrecks to explore. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, diving and a harbor exploration.

Sure to be a highlight, enter the mouth of the mighty Sepik River - one of the world's great river systems. Over the next two days Coral Discoverer cruises approximately 100 kilometers upriver to the middle Sepik region, which is renowned for its unique artifacts. Visit the remote villages of Angoram and Bien where the local Sepik people are amongst the greatest primitive artists on earth and each village has its own distinct style. Enjoy the opportunity to purchase unique hand carvings. Anchor this evening in the river whilst overhead hundreds of flying foxes stream through the sky.

An early morning start offers a great opportunity for bird watching. Join the Expedition Staff to identify spotted blue-eyed cockatoos, wagtails, great egret, little egret, great billed heron, the enormous Blyth's hornbill and others while cruising back down river. On departing the Sepik pass the active volcano on Manam Island and enjoy the sunset.

Arrive in the picturesque port city of Wewak. Bid farewell to guests departing this morning and welcome new friends joining for the remainder of the expedition. Wewak is the capital of the West Sepik Province and was a major air base for the Japanese during World War II. Join a guided tour of the town, including Wewak Point's Japanese tunnels, bunkers and naval hospital. Enjoy leisure time to explore the city.

Overnight cross into West Papua Waters ahead of arrival in Jayapura. Formerly known as 'Hollandia' during World War II, Jayapura is today a bustling town of some 200,000 residents and a melting pot of sights and smells. Visit Lake Sentani, the location of General Douglas MacArthur's main base during WWII and home of villagers famed for their distinctive art, traditional motifs, sago bowls, drums and bark paintings.

Travel ashore to Pulau Insamfursi, a small island in the Biak Island group ringed by a beautiful white sand beach and colorful coral reefs. Enjoy an afternoon of in-water activities including snorkeling, glass bottom boat tours, kayaking and optional SCUBA diving. The island is covered in lush rainforest and is home to many endemic mammals and brightly colored birdlife including the small tree-climbing Geelvink pygmy parrot and Biak scrubfowl. Join the Expedition Leader for a walk across the island through prehistoric rainforest.

Ahead of arriving in Raja Ampat, spend a day at sea enjoying Coral Discoverer's onboard facilities and views of the New Guinea northern coastline. Join the Expedition Leader and Guest Lecturers in the Lounge for an informative introduction to Raja Ampat and an overview of activities planned for the coming days which are sure to be a highlight of the voyage.

Savor a day of exploration on Wayag Island, one of the famed 'Four Kings' of the Raja Ampat region. Start the day with a discovery of the lagoon's white sand beaches and a magical maze of limestone karst 'gumdrop' islands. Optionally, enjoy a full range of in-water activities. The islands are adorned with thousands of pitcher plants and colorful orchids - spend the remainder of the day exploring. For the more energetic there may be an opportunity to climb Pindito Peak where the reward is breathtaking views over the island and its spectacular lagoon. This evening remain at scenic Wayag Island anchorage and enjoy sunset drinks and a tropical BBQ on the Sun Deck. With the bright stars of the Milky Way shining brightly overhead, it is sure to be a fantastic end to another magical day.

Awake to the Dampier Straits, named in honor of famed explorer William Dampier. Traveling ashore to Pulau Gam, a local Papuan guide leads a walk through the shady forests around Sawingrai village. Hope to catch a glimpse of one of nature's finest creations, the ethereal red bird of paradise. Later join a guided tour of the South Seas Pearl Farm, where a local host explains the entire propagation and cultivation process. The farm produces pearls of the finest quality; opt to purchase an incredible souvenir produced in these very waters.

Explore uninhabited Penemu Island and discover one of Raja Ampat's best kept secrets 'Hidden Bay'. Call in at the rarely-visited island of Fam, which is home to a large, traditional fishing village. Later, enjoy the natural beauty of Raja Ampat. On the aptly-named Paradise Island, a profusion of plankton attracts giant manta rays. Enjoy the opportunity to swim with these majestic creatures.

The Misool Islands are a gem-studded bracelet of islands that are a mecca for snorkelers and divers. The islands boast dramatic scenery, with towering limestone pinnacles jutting out of the water and white sand beaches adorned with palm trees. Travel ashore and explore on a nature walk with the Expedition Staff. Experience the waters surrounding the island, which are home to at least three species of the pygmy seahorse, no larger than a fingernail, and the most splendid soft coral jungles, with their vibrant shades of orange, red, purple and pink.

Just off the western tip of Ceram lies the pristine island of Pulau Gorong. Spend the day exploring the enchanting saltwater lagoon, which is also home to a myriad of native birdlife. A range of in-water activities is available, including guided snorkeling, SCUBA diving and glass bottom-boat tours.

In the middle of the Banda Sea lies an enchanted fragment of history, the center of the Spice Island trade. Originally the world's sole source of nutmeg and mace, these nine tiny islands have attracted traders since at least 2000 years ago. In the 16th century, European explorers discovered entire continents in their quest for these islands. On approaching Banda Island the outline of Gunung Api volcano, with its thin plume of smoke drifting from the summit, is clearly visible. Enjoy the colors and aromas of the Spice Islands. Stroll through the wide, tree-lined streets, past the remnants of mansions constructed during Dutch colonialism. Visit the fascinating museum, the former VOC Governor's Mansion, the old church and Fort Belgica. This exploration of Banda Neira concludes with a visit to the town's nutmeg gardens, shaded by wild almond trees.

The Banda Sea is home to many active volcanoes. Enjoy a true expedition to two of the most imposing calderas in the region. At Pulau Serua, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, cruise around the island and admire views of the permanent plume of volcanic gases escaping from the crater and at least two lava streams formed during earlier eruptions, the last of which occurred in 1921. Later, visit Pulau Nila, where the most recent eruption in 1968 caused the locals of Rumadai village to flee. Nila rises some 781 meters above sea level and if conditions permit, travel ashore for a close up inspection of the caldera.

Awaken as the ship approaches the Tanimbar Islands. The islands are surrounded by pristine white sand beaches fringed with palm trees. Travel ashore to the small village of Sangliat Dol and climb an antique stone staircase to view the well preserved stone boat which is used by the locals in ancestor worship ceremonies. Later, in Saumlaki, the main town in the Tanimbar Islands, have the opportunity to explore and witness master carvers producing magnificent queen ebony wood carvings which are considered to be the finest in the entire Indonesian archipelago. View the community's traditional ritual ceremony and learn how headhunting was practiced here until well into the 20th century.

Spend the day at leisure enjoying the on-board facilities while crossing the Timor Sea. Join Expedition Staff in the ship's lounge for a recap of the many enriching experiences on this once-in-a-lifetime journey. Enjoy a final night on board and join fellow travelers, the Captain and his crew at the Captain's Farewell Drinks while sailing toward Darwin, gateway to Australia's 'Top End'.

This unforgettable New Guinea Circle, Raja Ampat and Spice Islands expedition concludes in Darwin this morning.