Papua New Guinea is a revelation of exquisite wild beauty and exotic cultural wealth. Follow in the footsteps of the great explorers through regions seldom visited as you join the crew of the Spirit of Enderby on this 13-day incredible journey. Small local communities are keen to share their rich culture, fascinating history, and the rich biodiversity which supports their traditional way of life. Take the opportunity to discover remote regions, snorkel some of the world’s best coral reef systems, walk through untouched rainforest, and gain cultural insights through interactions with the locals in a region home to more than 800 distinct languages and cultures. An optional program is available for those wishing to kayak in the excellent conditions of this unique part of the Pacific.
Highlights
Explore the remote atolls, islands, and communities of PNG
Walk through prehistoric rainforests and find amazing diversity
Snorkel and kayak some of the world’s best coral reef systems
Discover rich culture and watch locals perform traditional dances
Tour WWII sites and view relics of battle, including a fighter plane
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 at Tokua Airport, Kokopo, New Britain, the capital of East New Britain Province and transfer to your hotel for the first night. Meet your fellow travellers and the expedition team over dinner this evening.
Join the expedition team as you explore Rabaul, which is surrounded by six beautiful cone-shaped volcanoes. Visit parts of old Rabaul which were covered by ash from the eruption of Mt Tavurvur in 1994. Explore local markets and travel along roads built by Singaporean and Burmese prisoners of war under the direction of the Japanese during WWII and tour sites including a Japanese submarine base and barge tunnels. Board the Spirit of Enderby in the afternoon and settle into your cabin. Join the captain and your expedition team on the bridge as you set sail.
You are sure to see some amazing creatures and wildlife as you sail through the rich nutrients upwelling from the New Britain Trench, which lies just off the south-east coast of New Britain. Experience your first sing-sing (welcome) Papua New Guinea style and explore the war wrecks still in the region.
Positioned in the Solomon Sea and historically known as the ‘Islands of Love’, the Trobriands offer a glimpse of traditional culture largely unspoiled by outside influence. Meet the Trobriand islanders of Kitava and view energetic, time-honored dances that celebrate fishing and the seasonal yam harvest. Learn about the history of the ‘Kula Ring’, a circular pattern of ceremonial trade relationships that binds the islands of Milne Bay and eastern Papua New Guinea together in a long-established network of friendship. These islanders are also renowned for the exquisite quality of their ebony wood-carvings, often decorated with mother-of-pearl shell inlays. Take to the water around Narutu Island and snorkel among kaleidoscopic coral reefs populated by parrotfish, neon damsels, and other brilliantly-hued species. Those who prefer viewing birds and plant-life can join the expedition team on a walk around the island in search of flying foxes (fruit bats), sulphur-crested cockatoos, and helmeted friarbirds.
The Louisiade Archipelago, which stretches some 400km along the northern rim of the Coral Sea, is one of the great island arcs of the South Pacific. Rarely visited by outsiders, this area is a wonderland of literally hundreds of islands, lagoons, and extensive barrier reefs and home to the seafaring Dobu people. Snorkel around the old Japanese base and discover a ‘Zero’ fighter plane in shallow waters.
The largest island in the archipelago is Tagula Island, which endured a gold rush that peaked in 1889 and is dominated by 806m Mt Riu (Mt Rattlesnake). Go ashore here to investigate the tropical moist broadleaf forest. Endemic birds you can hope to see are the Tagula honeyeater, white-chinned myzomelo, Tagula butcherbird, and white-throated white-eye. While exploring also keep a look-out for the five endemic frogs and two endemic lizard species.
Awake this morning in the D’Entrecasteaux Islands and have two full days to explore this unique island group, from the highs of Mt Lamanai to the protected harbor at Sewa Bay. One highlight is the geothermal area with hot springs and bubbling mud pools surrounded by lush vegetation. Visit the small village with less than 1,000 inhabitants on Dobu Island.
Today discover the scenic beauty of the rarely visited Tufi Fjords. Featuring 25 individual canyons with sheer basalt cliffs, these are the only fjords in Papua New Guinea. Take in the spectacular views as you cruise close to the towering cliffs before boarding the Zodiacs which take you ashore for a closer look and to meet the locals. Due to the protection of the fjords, the coral reefs are very rich in color and variety and the waters offer remarkable visibility. Find a suitable spot to snorkel amongst the gobie, Mandarin fish, pygmy seahorses, and sponge and shelf corals. Later take a walk in the surrounding rainforest to look for the world’s largest butterfly, the Queen Alexandra bird wing.
Day 10: Kamial Wildlife Management Area | Fly Islands
Travel ashore to the picturesque village of Lababia, gateway to one of the most important conservation areas in Papua New Guinea – the Kamiali Wildlife Management Area. Local guides accompany you as you explore the area and walk the David Suzuki Trail through the prehistoric rainforest. Hope to attract a wide array of native birdlife including hornbills, palm cockatoos, parrots, and the iconic Raggiana bird-of-paradise.
This morning view the White Limestone Cliff as you take the Zodiacs up the Pulie River towards the small local villages. In the afternoon explore a WWII battleground where between 15 December 1943 and 24 February 1944 over 400 soldiers lost their lives during the conflict between the Japanese and the Allied forces in and around this maze of small islands.
The Siassi Islands lie in the Vitiaz Straits, between the Huon Peninsula on the island of New Guinea and the western end of the island of New Britain. Plan to visit Tuam and Umboi, which offer a mix of both mainland and Bismarck Archipelago cultures. Watch the locals perform their traditional welcome dances and savor the warm village hospitality before joining your expedition team for a nature walk and some snorkelling at Umboi Island.
Day 13: Disembark in Madang, Papua New Guinea
1 Breakfast
Madang sits on a peninsula within one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful harbors. With a backdrop of steep mountains and lush tropical vegetation, the harbor shelters a number of picturesque islands. Madang’s thriving community is renowned for its traditional artists, world class diving opportunities, and the richness of its surrounding forests. This morning take a tour to explore the amazing diversity of wildlife in the surrounding area, before returning to Madang to visit the markets. Upon disembarkation your expedition concludes with a complimentary transfer to your hotel or the airport.
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.
$6,500
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Main Deck Triple
One cabin located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, one upper bunk bed, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
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Main deck
Thirteen cabins located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
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Superior
Four cabins located on the Middle Deck,with one lower and one upper bunk, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
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Superior Plus
Eight cabins located on the Upper and Middle Decks,with two lower bunk beds, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space. and private bath facilities.
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Mini Suite
Two cabins located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single bed, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
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Heritage Suite
One cabin located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, forward- and side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single pull-out bed, desk and table area, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
Notes
- Travel Insurance is mandatory for all passengers aboard the Spirit of Enderby.
- Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 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
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day 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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.