Day 1 - Wednesday - May 8, 2024
Arrive in Brisbane and transfer to your hotel. Meet your fellow travelers this evening at a welcome reception. (D)
Day 2 - Thursday - May 9, 2024
This morning, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight to Honiara. A former U.S. supply depot and a strategic WWII battleground, we will 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 places. This afternoon, embark the National Geographic Orion. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Friday - May 10, 2024
Day 4 - Saturday - May 11, 2024
| Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea |
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Our first morning is at sea as we steam towards the southern tip of Papua New Guinea-spend time on deck with onboard team of naturalists, listen to the many presentations that will set the stage for our upcoming adventures, or enjoy one of the many onboard amenities our beautiful ship has to offer. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Sunday - May 12, 2024
Heading up the coast we transit the shallow, island-strewn Torres Strait, which separates Australia from New Guinea, to leave the Gulf of Papua. We'll explore the coast and scattered islands looking for that perfect place to spend some time on a deserted beach or snorkeling through a reef bursting with color and life. We then sail through the Aru and Arafura Seas as we travel to the Asmat region. During the last ice age, when sea levels were over 100 meters lower than they are today, this was a land bridge between Australia and New Guinea. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Monday - May 13, 2024
Day 7 - Tuesday - May 14, 2024
Day 8 - Wednesday - May 15, 2024
Day 9 - Thursday - May 16, 2024
| Asmat District, Indonesia |
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Arrive in the enchanting Asmat region, which spreads across mud flats and mangrove forests, with raised wooden boardwalks linking one village to the next. Elaborately painted "warriors" escort us to one of the stilt villages on shore, where we'll attend a fascinating welcome ceremony. Our subsequent exploration will be dictated by the tides, as we venture to neighboring villages by Zodiac and encounter the ancient culture of the Asmat people, who are renowned for their woodcarving. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Friday - May 17, 2024
| Asmat District, Indonesia |
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Day 11 - Saturday - May 18, 2024
| Cruising the McClure Gulf |
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Soaring mountains, pristine rainforest, and dozens of the most ancient, primal tribes on the planet can be found on this amazing section of Indonesia. Use Zodiacs to get up close to 20,000-year-old rock art near the fishing village of Kokas. Explore the fascinating skull caves and rock art of the Macassan culture. See the remains of the secret underground Japanese bunkers built here during World War II. Witness the traditional gaba-gaba, or stick dance, and learn about the myriad cultures that have passed through this region. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Sunday - May 19, 2024
Snorkel and dive one of the richest and most intricate marine regions in the world. Explore the steep coral walls and drop offs that are brimming with amazing life-colorful corals, giant clams, and literally hundreds of different fish species. Above sea level, the experiences are just as amazing, with lush islands, towering limestone pinnacles jutting out of the water, and hidden white-sand coves to discover by Zodiac or kayak. On Gam Island birders may join a pre-dawn nature walk to try to catch a glimpse of the ethereal red bird-of-paradise. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - Monday - May 20, 2024
Day 14 - Tuesday - May 21, 2024
Sail into the Moluccas archipelago, also known as Maluku or the Spice Islands. In the heart of the Moluccas lay the Banda Islands, where a kora kora, or traditional war canoe, escorts us to the enchanted isle of Banda Neira, which was once the center of the Spice Island trade and a hub of the Dutch East India Company. Stroll past Dutch architecture and visit Fort Belgica, built to protect the profitable spice trade. Next to Banda Neira, the near perfect conical volcano of Banda Api will be visible, quietly steaming away, and the crystal-clear waters provide us with some great swimming and snorkeling. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - Wednesday - May 22, 2024
Day 16 - Thursday - May 23, 2024
Flores was once an important Portuguese trading center for sandalwood. Known for producing some of the finest ikat weaving in the world, we'll meet the people of this arid island when we travel inland from Maumere to the weaving village of Watublapi. Whereas many other local weaving communities switched to industrially spun yarn and chemical dyes for the sake of saving time and money, the weavers of Watublapi still use the traditional, handspun yarn made out of local cotton, as well as local natural dyes. We'll also see a cultural dance presentation. (B,L,D)
Day 17 - Friday - May 24, 2024
Explore Komodo National Park, home to the world's largest living lizard-the Komodo dragon. Learn about the conservation of these prehistoric giants from park rangers, who will join us on a hike to spot the lizards in their natural habitat. Then, enjoy an afternoon of swimming, snorkeling, or beachcombing at "Pink Beach", named for the coral fragments that lend their color to the sand. (B,L,D)
Day 18 - Saturday - May 25, 2024
| Satonda Island, Indonesia |
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Our first stop is the uninhabited Indonesian island of Satonda-a small circular island that is an ancient volcanic cone. Spend the morning snorkeling or diving the vibrant reefs or hike inland to the island's sacred lake. This afternoon, visit the island of Sumbawa, where villagers welcome us with a lively cultural display. Witness a traditional wedding ceremony and a local boxing match. (B,L,D)
Day 19 - Sunday - May 26, 2024
This morning, we arrive in Denpasar on the lush island of Bali, one of the world's greatest cultural treasures. Following disembarkation get a taste of this paradise, where life and art are interwoven. After lunch, transfer to the airport. (B,L)
