PNG - Alotau to Rabaul: Lost in Paradise (11 days)

This voyage offers access to a wide range of magnificent tropical scenery and cultures, with a broad exploration of the eastern New Guinea coastline and islands of the Bismarck Archipelago. From walking in the vast tropical jungle to cruising along the Sepik River, we'll take in a staggering variety of pristine environments. Papua New Guinea is the most culturally diverse country on Earth and our visits to remote coastal and island villages will give us a genuine insight into a traditional lifestyle that has changed little in centuries.

Day 1 - Embark Alotau - Flanked by mountain ranges on each side, Marina Svetaeva steams out of the peaceful harbour town of Alotau into picturesque Milne Bay to begin our adventure. The tranquil isles of Milne Bay province are made up of dramatic volcanoes and coral atolls where ancient traditions flourish.
Day 2 - Goodenough Island - One of the most steeply sided islands on the planet, Goodenough's volcanic slopes rise sharply up from the fertile coastal plains culminating in a summit that sits at over 2,500 metres. Mysterious legends and sorcery form a part of everyday life on Goodenough - the yield of the numerous yam crops are said to be under the power of a large painted stone in the middle of the island.
Day 3 - Tufi - The dramatic fjords of Tufi are a breathtaking sight. Often rising to more than 100 metres, the sheer walls of these natural wonders are covered in dense forest alive with birds and numerous waterfalls cascading directly into the sea. Greeted by outrigger canoes and a welcome dance, the local people will share with us some of their ancient tribal customs. We hope to take a walk through the rainforest, home to the world's largest butterfly, and explore the clear waters of Tufi's famed outer reefs.
Day 4 - Lababia - We visit the picturesque village of Lababia, whose inhabitants are custodians to one of the most important conservation areas in PNG - the Kamiali wildlife management area. Led by local guides, we hope to take a rainforest walk along the David Suzuki Trail. With luck we may see some of the prolific birdlife resident here including hornbills, parrots, palm cockatoos and the striking Raggiana bird of paradise.
Day 5 - Tami Islands - The stunning tropical setting of these pristine coral atolls will make for some exciting explorations. The islands inhabitants are famous for their intricately carved wooden bowls and we hope to visit their peaceful fishing villages, beautifully located by a well-protected lagoon between the two main islands.
Day 6 - Karkar Island - Today we plan to visit the remarkable Karkar Island. Dominated by an active volcano that rises over 1800 metres, Karkar is one of the most fertile places in PNG and has a thriving copra industry. We will search out a suitable landing spot from the myriad of superb beaches that surround the island.
Day 7 - Sepik River - The Sepik is one of the world's great river systems and culturally one of the most fascinating parts of PNG. Village life remains virtually unchanged from when first contact was made by German explorers in the late 1800's. We will travel upstream from the mouth of this mighty river to explore the lower Sepik region. Visiting some of the small villages that line the riverbank, we may have the chance to appreciate and purchase some artworks of the famed master carvers of the Sepik.
Day 8-9 Admiralty Islands - We spend two days exploring the remote Admiralty Islands, a scattering of low-lying atolls and 18 islands, most of which are uninhabited. Only a handful of expedition ships have ever visited here and we will spend our time in search of the pristine landscapes and unique cultures that exist. We hope to visit a number of traditional villages and with the help of our anthropologist, learn more about the rich maritime traditions of the local people. These volcanic islands are covered in lowland tropical rain forest and, due to their isolation from other landmasses, contain many endemic plant species. The islands are also home to a number of endemic bird species including the Manus fantail, superb pitta and the Manus hawk owl.
Day 10 - Tingwon/Tsoi Islands - Depending on weather conditions, we will either visit the idyllic Tsoi islands that lie off the northern coastline of New Ireland, or picturesque Tingwon Island located west of New Hanover. We will snorkel the island's crystal clear lagoons and pristine reefs and hope to encounter some of the exceptionally diverse marine animals that frequent these waters. Amid the white sand beaches and coconut palms, we hope to visit some of the villages on these remote islands rarely seen by outsiders.
Day 11 - Rabaul - We awake to the eerie volcanic surrounds of Simpson Harbour and bid farewell to newfound friends.

Operated by Aurora Expeditions

Departures: April

Contact us for more information, current costs and to make a booking on this small group adventure