Day 1 - Thursday - Oct 12, 2023
Depart on your overnight flight to Bali. Check into the Grand Hyatt Bali (or similar). Meet your fellow travelers this evening at a welcome reception. Dinner is included on Day 2.
Day 2 - Friday - Oct 13, 2023
This morning, we check out of the hotel and head off to explore this paradise, where life and art are interwoven. Following lunch, our charter flight departs for Sorong, West Papua, where we will embark National Geographic Orion.
Day 3 - Saturday - Oct 14, 2023
Day 4 - Sunday - Oct 15, 2023
| Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia |
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Day 5 - Monday - Oct 16, 2023
Settle into the comforts of the ship as we sail towards Cenderawasih Bay, one of the largest marine parks in Indonesia. Far off the beaten path, this region remains unspoiled and rarely visited. Here we will explore the atolls and small islands, winding through mangroves and snorkeling in healthy coral reefs. Be on the lookout for the several species of sharks who inhabit these waters, including the endemic epaulet shark. With luck on our side, we may encounter the elusive dugong or a whale shark cruising thought the deep trenches.
Day 6 - Tuesday - Oct 17, 2023
Day 7 - Wednesday - Oct 18, 2023
| Captain's Choice, United States |
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Jayapura is the capital of Papua, located on the northern coast of New Guinea. We will head to Lake Sentani to see the houses on stilts in the small fishing villages that dot the shoreline and where locals will share stories and traditions of life on the water. Admire the breathtaking views on as we go in search of the myriad of birds found in the hills that encircle the city.
Day 8 - Thursday - Oct 19, 2023
| Cruising the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea |
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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. Sailing up the serpentine course of the river, we will meet local residents and learn about their daily lives and culture. This river is also home to a wide array of wildlife-over 100 species of fish, saltwater crocodile, birds of paradise, and dwarf cassowary to name just a few-all of which we will search for as we cruise the winding channels.
Day 9 - Friday - Oct 20, 2023
Day 10 - Saturday - Oct 21, 2023
The picturesque town of Madang lies on a peninsula backed by mountain ranges. We will visit lovely Haya Village, set in the hills, and take in a "sing-sing" (music and dance). Afterward, those who wish can walk the steep trails of the surrounding rainforest in search of wildlife. This afternoon, explore the markets and shops of Madang independently, and be sure to look for flying foxes in the trees!
Day 11 - Sunday - Oct 22, 2023
| Crown Island, Papua New Guinea |
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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. We spend the afternoon exploring the pristine reefs nearby, where the snorkeling and viewing from the glass-bottom Zodiac are excellent.
Day 12 - Monday - Oct 23, 2023
| Garove Island, Papua New Guinea |
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The fringing reef surrounding Garove Island offers fine swimming, snorkeling, and views from our glass-bottom boat, and we will spend the morning exploring these waters. As we approach Garove in the afternoon, we may be greeted by colorfully dressed local residents in outrigger canoes. The headdresses are particularly elaborate. After we land we will be treated to a "sing-sing" by our enthusiastic hosts and will have a chance to tour the church and recently built community house.
Day 13 - Tuesday - Oct 24, 2023
Arrive this morning in 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. We will 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. After sunset, we will witness the traditional fire dance of the Baining people, performed by young men as an initiation into adulthood. Later, sail past Tavurvur for a close-up look at the ash clouds and pyrotechnics.
Day 14 - Wednesday - Oct 25, 2023
Day 15 - Thursday - Oct 26, 2023
| Kennedy Island, Solomon Islands |
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Day 16 - Friday - Oct 27, 2023
| Cruising Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands |
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Settled as early as 25000 BC by skull-worshipping tribes, today the friendly Solomons remain some of the least visited, most dive-worthy islands in the South Pacific. This region was a strategic World War II battleground and we will visit Kennedy Island, named after President John F. Kennedy who swam ashore here after the Japanese sank his PT-109 patrol boat. Meet the wood carvers of Marovo, reported to be the best in the Pacific, and explore isolated Marovo Lagoon, a proposed UNESCO site and an exceptional spot for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and diving.
Day 17 - Saturday - Oct 28, 2023
Day 18 - Sunday - Oct 29, 2023
Our expedition concludes in Honiara, a former U.S. supply depot and a strategic World War II battleground. Tour around the outskirts of the city to see sites well known from the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942-43. See the shores of Red Beach and the vital airbase at Henderson Field. Visit the hills above Honiara where some of the fiercest battles took place. Then transfer to the airport for our flight to Brisbane, where we will overnight at a local hotel. Dinner in Brisbane is on your own. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included on Day 18. Breakfast and lunch are included on Day 19.
Day 19 - Monday - Oct 30, 2023
Depart this morning for your flight home, arriving the same day.
