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Exploring Papua New Guinea: Cultures & Wildlife

Papua New Guinea is a patchwork of rain forest, great rivers including the Sepik, coral reefs and over 700 Papuan and Melanesian tribes that have preserved many of their traditional ways. Throughout this fantastic itinerary you will go beachcombing, swimming and snorkeling on some of the finest coral reefs in the world (or take in the views from the ship’s glass bottom boat), plus see the amazingly active volcano Tavurvur. Certified divers will also have the chance to dive in some of these places.

Days 1-2 - Depart

Leave the US and Fly to Carins, Australia

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: n/a

Day 3 - Cairns, Australia

Arrive in Cairns and 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 we gather for welcome drinks and dinner.

Accommodations: Shangri-La Hotel
Included Meals: dinner

Day 4 - 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.

Accommodations: Shangri-La Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 5 - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

A morning private charter flight brings us 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. Enjoy 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. Later, embark Oceanic Discoverer, our home for the next ten nights, and sail past Tavurvur for a close-up look at the ash clouds and pyrotechnics.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Garove Island (Witu Islands)

Spend the morning at the fringing reef surrounding Garove Island offers fine swimming, snorkeling and views from our glass bottom boat. Approach Garove in the afternoon, to be greeted by colorfully dressed local residents in outrigger canoes. The headdresses are particularly elaborate. After landing, be treated to a “singsing” by our enthusiastic hosts and will have a chance to tour the church and recently built community house.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Crown Island

Tiny, volcanic Crown Island offers a fine walk up a trail, where we 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.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - The 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 for the 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.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - 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!

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - 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 for a chance to take in “singsings” and see the handicrafts. At Tami Island 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.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - 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 we’re lucky, perhaps even a bird of paradise. There will also be opportunities to swim and visit the village.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - Tufi

Remote Tufi consists of a spectacular network of fjords flanked by towering basalt cliffs. Enjoy 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.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 - Fergusson & 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. Be greeted by a flotilla of canoes as we approach the anchorage at tiny Dobu, and after landing, the local primary school children welcome us with a traditional dance performance.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14 - 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. Also visit a school and a village. This evening, gather for farewell cocktails and dinner aboard ship.

Accommodations: Oceanic Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15 - Disembark/Port Moresby

In the morning, disembark Oceanic Discoverer and fly from Alotau to Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby to 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.

Accommodations: Airways Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 16 - Port Moresby/USA

Transfer to the airport for connecting flights home, or else begin the extension to Ambua Lodge in Papua New Guinea’s highlands.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast



Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips to other regions of Europe.

Itinerary Notes: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to weather conditions and the wildlife/culture we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

Included: All accommodations aboard per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available), gratuities (except to ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our staff.

Exclusions: Air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, scuba diving (where available), meals not indicated, travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, internet access, and laundry. Gratuities to ship's crew are at your discretion.

Room Configurations: Arrangements for roommate shares for solo travelers at the double occupancy rate in Category 1 and 2 only can be made. You will be matched with a cabin mate(s) of the same gender. If no cabin mate can be found for you, no single supplement will be charged. Third person rates are available in certain categories at one half the double occupancy rate.

Families & Children: Travelers aged 17 years old and under save $500. Specially skilled staff who are trained in organizing activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. These staff members have gone through a course designed by travel experts with years of experience in childhood and environmental education. This course has also been created in conjunction with the National Geographic Education department and NG Kids Magazine.

For your party of 8 or more, you will each receive 5% off your expedition. A 10% deposit is due at time of reservation, and an additional 25% is required 120 days in advance.

Arrival & Departure: Charter flights available. Our specialists can help with booking flights. Airfare is an additional cost. Sample airfares are subject to change.

Payment & Cancellation: To reserve your place, an advance payment for the program as outlined is required and is payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or check. The per person amount due is $850. For expeditions of nine nights or more, final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

Cancellation penalties are as follows:
120 or more days prior to departure - $150 fee per person
119-90 days prior - Advance payment cost forfeited
89-60 days prior - 25% of trip cost forfeited
59-30 days prior - 50% of trip cost forfeited
29-0 days prior - No refund

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com