Because several of the islands we call on are seldom visited, they remain pristine and distinctive. The colors found in the cultural presentations, in the birdlife, and the coral gardens are as vibrant and as varied as the imagination. Join us as we uncover the history, culture and vast displays of nature as we journey though the mysteries of Papua New Guinea.

The day-by-day itinerary and additional information can be seen by selecting the menu items to the left of the trip photograph.

• 16 Sep – 6 Oct 2001 (Guam - Latoka [Fiji])
• 9 May – 30 May 2002 (Lautoka [Fiji] - Guam)
• 19 Sep – 8 Oct 2002 (Guam - Latoka [Fiji])

Trip Length:

• 20 (but 21 Days for dep. Sep 16 2001).

Prices

• From $7,569 depending upon cabin accomodations. Please send us an email for detailed pricing.

PRICE INCLUDES: Pre- and post-cruise land programs as described in brochures, shipboard gratuities, select alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, shore excursions and port charges.

NOTE: Flights are not included in the cruise / land rates. Society Expeditions offers group flight schedules and special group rates. Single travelers may occupy categories B,C,D and E at 150% of published rate. Other categories are available upon request. The rate for a third person, occupying at stateroom with two full fare guests is available at 50% of published rate. Share accomodations can be arranged on request. Please send us an email for rates for the 2002-2003 season. All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.

Day by Day itinerary

DAY 2: Guam, U.S.A.
Upon arrival in Guam, we will be met by a Society Expeditions escort, who will guide us to a deluxe hotel, where we will overnight.

DAY 3: Guam, U.S.A.
We will begin the day with a tour of this United States Territory, which will include stops at WWII historic sites. Our tour will conclude at the "New" World Discoverer, where we will settle in, meet our expedition staff, and enjoy the first of many gourmet meals onboard.

DAY 4: Gaferut Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia.
A tiny, shimmering isle rising out of an azure sea, Gaferut is the archetypal South Pacific atoll. Like many atolls, Gaferut is an important and isolated site for bird and turtle nesting. Birders can expect to see three species of boobies, two species of noddies, and three species of terns, including the elegant Fairy Tern. Spectacular snorkeling can be had right from the shore as we step from the apricot sand into the balmy Pacific waters for our first glimpse at paradise underwater.

DAY 5: Ifaluk Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia.
Remote Ifaluk has long eschewed outside influences. Their efforts have resulted in an island that remains powerfully traditional. Westerners are a very rare sight, so this visit will be a unique cultural experience for all involved. The charming islanders will perform traditional dances for us and proudly escort us around their village. The diving and snorkeling around Ifaluk is, in a word, spectacular. Due to the remote location of this atoll, few people have ever explored the reef system. Be among the first to view this pristine marine ecosystem.

DAY 6: At Sea.
Join Society Expeditions lectures and naturalists on deck today as we search for seabirds and other local wildlife. A full program of lectures will be offered throughout the day. Today is also a good day to catch up on your journals and postcards, browse the "New" World Discoverer’s excellent reference library, or relax with your fellow passengers.

DAY 7: Wuvulu Island, Papua New Guinea.
Wuvulu’s two villages, named after the rising and setting sun, reflect the Micronesian influence of this Melanesian island. The affable villagers dwell in homes of sago palm amid dreamlike surroundings. The beliefs of the islanders prohibit them from eating many indigenous creatures. As a result, Wuvulu exists as an unintentional nature preserve. A variety of birds and mammals thrive here, as well as a strong population of sea turtles. The reef offers superlative diving, snorkeling, and glass-bottom boat excursions, often with virtually unlimited visibility. Along with a veritable rainbow of tropical fish and corals, we should encounter green sea turtles in abundance.

DAY 8: Ali Island, Papua New Guinea.
Ali is a wonderful island far out of local transport or shipping routes. Ali Islanders seldom get visitors of any kind, let alone Western visitors. Our call is an exciting time for both the "New" World Discoverer’s guests and for the islanders themselves. They may entertain us with a magnificent sing sing ceremony and will delight in sharing their way of life with us.

DAY 9: Murik Lakes, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea.
Houses on stilts attest to the very moist nature of the Murik Lakes region. The lakes are fed by the extensive Sepik River system, which meanders across hundreds of miles of New Guinea. We will tour along the winding Sepik under cover of the impenetrable forest canopy. Village life along the Sepik is very traditional, with the locals relying strongly on sago palm for their way of life. We will call on some of these villages, where we will have a glimpse into life on this powerful waterway.

DAY 10: Madang, Papua New Guinea.
Madang has been called "the prettiest town in the South Pacific," due in part to its dramatic location on the tip of a peninsula encircled by mountains. Madang is also a major cultural center where a variety of tribes come together to take part in the arts trade. Flying foxes also congregate in Madang, with several roosts located right in the downtown area. Madang is also another hot spot for diving and snorkeling, with abundant populations of sharks, sea turtles, and hundreds of species of nudibranch (brilliantly colorful sea slugs).

DAY 11: Long Island, Papua New Guinea.
Long Island is an isle of fascination for a variety of reasons, not least of them its irritable volcano. An eruption of this very cone is believed to have been responsible for a mythical time of darkness in Papua New Guinea. While the caldera creates an inhospitable environment, the surrounding slopes support a rich forest and spectacular bird life. Along the black sand shore, odd megapode birds lay their broods in the geothermally heated sand. Offshore, hard corals create an underwater paradise inhabited by schools of fearless tropical fish.

DAY 12: Kitava Island, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea.
Often called the "Islands of Love," the Trobriands are both picturesque and uniquely traditional due to the inhabitants’ ardent devotion to their way of life. The islands are part of the fascinating kula trade ring, in which a finite set of objects is continually traded over a one thousand mile circuit in traditional open canoes. We will seek examples of the kula ealth while visiting Kitava, where the islanders will perform spectacular dances while adorned in magnificent ceremonial dress.

DAY 13: Calvados Chain, Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea.
Another link in the kula chain, the Louisiades are islands of dense jungle inhabited by unusual arboreal monitor lizards and a plethora of colorful bird species. These islands break into literally hundreds of landmasses of varying size. They support many isolated settlements, all of which retain deeply traditional cultures. The Louisiades are a first for Society Expeditions, so today will be a true expedition stop.

DAY 14: Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea.
We will spend a second day exploring this remote tropical archipelago. Depending on local conditions, we may have opportunities for nature walks, diving and snorkeling excursions, or cultural visits. Beyond the Louisiades, the reef system gives way to open ocean, which we will traverse en route to Vanuatu.

DAY 15: At Sea.
Today we skirt the Coral Sea on our way to the Torres Islands of Vanuatu. A full program of lectures will be offered, along with leisure time.

DAY 16: Loh Island, Torres Islands, Vanuatu.
The Torres were among the last South Pacific islands to be reported by European explorers. Far flung from the rest of Vanuatu, they have a distinct culture with many Solomon Island influences. Succulent coconut crab forms a regular part of the staple diet on Loh, as the crabs are particularly prevalent here. The island is also home to unusual megapode birds, whose brooding behavior resembles that of reptiles. We may also spot flying foxes as we tour the tiny village of about 120 people. We may even witness displays of the sorcery for which Vanuatu is famed.

DAY 17: Tomman Island, Vanuatu.
The friendly islanders of Tomman will welcome us onto their golden beaches and honor us with an authentic dance ceremony. The Tomman Islanders have a fading tradition of head binding, in which an infant’s head is tightly wrapped in order to reshape the skull into a more elongated form associated with power, holiness, and intelligence.

DAY 18: Tanna Island and Aniwa Island, Vanuatu.
Tanna has achieved great anthropological fame for its enigmatic John Frum cargo cult. Based loosely on a combination of Christianity, recent history, and indigenous beliefs, this unique religion has its roots in an alleged visit from an American G.I. during World War II. This unidentified G.I has become a god figure to John Frum adherents, who pray fervently to be graced with Western consumer goods. Tanna is also distinguished by lively Mount Yasur, a volcano that continuously releases lava from an easily accessible crater rim. We will view the spectacular show from the rim and meet some of the locals, who retain a remarkable degree indigenous culture. Aniwa is known for its sandalwood and aesthetically perfect lagoon. We will cool off in the protected waters of the lagoon with diving, snorkeling, and swimming among our potential activities. We will also have the opportunity to meet the islanders, who will present us with traditional dances and a tour of their village.

DAY 19: At Sea.
Today we will be at sea en route to Fiji. Relax on deck, poolside, or in one of the "New" World Discoverer’s several lounges. A full program of lectures will be offered throughout the day.

DAY 20: Sawa-i-Lau, Yasawa Group, Fiji.
Prepare for an exceptionally warm greeting by the locals as we visit a remote and highly traditional Fijian island. Indigenous dances and easy hospitality will describe our village experience on this idyllic isles. Densely wooded limestone caves offer a multitude of possibilities for exploration. We will also have opportunities for snorkeling and diving.

DAY 21: Lautoka and Nadi, Vitu Levi Island, Fiji and Los Angeles, California.
Today we arrive on Fiji’s largest island, Vitu Levi. This island is remarkably diverse, with a sizable Indian population mingling with the indigenous Fijian culture. After breakfast we will disembark the ship and transfer from Lautoka to Nadi via motorcoach. In Nadi we will have use of a resort dayroom for storage of hand luggage, rest, recreation, and refreshment. You may choose to browse some of Nadi’s colorful markets, visit the beaches, or relax at the resort. We will transfer to the airport in the late afternoon to catch our flight to Los Angeles, and then on to our hometowns.

Voyage Log Excerpts

An exceptional welcome awaited us with dancing children and warm handshakes. One of the English guides told us that all the islanders were up at dawn, watching the horizon for the World Discoverer's arrival. They were all amazed at the size of the vessel, since none of them has seen a ship before.

We were greeted by the village priest, who had also prepared a special welcome for the German passengers because a German company had supplied the building material for the roof of their church. It was therefore his responsibility to honor the Germans as representatives of a tribe who had done the villagers a good turn long ago. Our expedition leader took this opportunity to hand over our homage gifts to the village, mostly in the form of much needed school supplies.

Slow strolls through the neatly swept, clean village, flanked by pruned hibiscus, crotons and slipper flowers brought surprises at every turn. We were presented with our very first sing sing (grand dance ceremony) of this cruise and the enthusiasm and color displayed by the dancers was very exciting. Many of the men wore loincloths of a flexible palm. The ladies wore grass skirts fashioned fastidiously from sago palm. All were adorned with extraordinary headdresses and other ornaments, creating a magnificent spectacle of sight and sound.

Brad, our anthropologist, was an expert on headdresses. He marveled at the Bird of Paradise plumes sported by the ensemble, proof of the vast trading network that exists throughout New Guinea. He spoke with a member of the community about the feather trade, and was told that the islanders barter with the mainlanders for them, offering large amounts of fish for just a few feathers. Feathers from chickens, Sulpher Crested Cockatoo and Cassowary also had their place on the headdresses.

The birders among us saw seventeen species of wild birds, including local specialties such as the Tonesian Crow and Pied Imperial Pigeon, both characteristic of coastal regions of New Guinea. Migration was in full swing, leading to the appearance of the Whimbrel, Mongolian Plover, Grey Tailed Tattler and Common Sandpiper. All told, it was a wonderful and exotic day of birding.

Everyone was back onboard for lunch and to catch our breath. After a scrumptious lunch, the Zodiac shuttle made sure that we could go back to the island for some swimming, snorkeling, and diving. It was quickly apparent why New Guinea is celebrated for its diving. Tropical fish and vibrant corals surrounded us as we glided along colorful reefs with virtually unlimited visibility. Back onshore, some of us were lucky enough to get
gifts from the islanders of necklaces made out of shells. These were offered as a show of friendship and after receiving one, it seemed as though you had made a friend for life.

Our botanist Kay's lecture that evening "The Dazzling Flora of Our South Pacific Adventure," was a pictorial display of the many flowers that we would encounter. She began with members of the hibiscus family: plumerian, bougainvillea, allamanda, Pacific rosewood and many others. She then discussed entobotanical uses of these plants in the different cultures.

Kay's talk was followed by cocktails and an informal recap of the day's events with the lecture team. We then adjourned to the dining room for yet another fabulous gourmet dinner. After a bit of relaxing, it was off to bed in anticipation of our adventures to come in this wonderful, exotic paradise.