Eastern New Guinea - Alotau to Rabaul Cruise

Why Join This Cruise:

• Visits to traditional villages where welcoming locals offer a glimpse of their traditional lifestyle


• Experiencing the visual richness of the contrasting cultures of each region


• Swimming and snorkelling crystal clear waters on coral reefs alive with marine life
• Specialist family, photography, diving or star-gazing departures
• An electrifying welcome dance on the 'Islands of Love', the Trobriands
• Visits to remote volcanic islands ripe for exploration
• A number of days exploring the seldom visited south coast of New Britain
• Wildlife opportunities - prolific birdlife (hornbills, parrots, cockatoos, birds of paradise), dolphins, whales, dugongs and the rich marine life of the coral reefs

Trip Overview
This is an expeditionary voyage in the real sense of the phrase, exploring the islands of the Bismarck and Solomon seas of eastern New Guinea, and an in-depth look at the southern coast of New Britain.

A largely undiscovered paradise, Papua New Guinea is slowly opening its arms to the world. Travellers who are privileged enough to visit will discover a wealth of magnificent tropical scenery and cultural diversity. We'll aim to visit active volcanic islands and walk through pristine rainforest alive with unique wildlife. PNG's warm waters hold more aquatic species than anywhere on the planet - snorkelling magical reefs off white sandy beaches and isolated atolls will give us the chance to learn more about this incredibly diverse marine ecosystem.

Our visits to remote coastal and island villages will give us a genuine insight into a traditional lifestyle that has changed little in centuries. From witnessing a colourful sing sing in the Trobriand Islands to being greeted by a flotilla of outrigger canoes, our experiences with the smiling people of Papua New Guinea are sure to be rewarding.



Daily Itinerary

We strongly advise that you arrive into Loreto at least one day before your day of embarkation in vase of unforeseen delay

Day 1 Embark Alotau
Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to embark your expeditionary ship. Flanked by mountain ranges on each side, we steam out of picturesque Milne Bay and soon reach our first expedition stop, Samarai Island.

Once a busy trading port and provincial capital, opportunity to stroll amongst the faded glory of its old colonial buildings and walk up a small hill for a superb view of China Strait and its myriad of islands. We also hope to visit nearby Kwato Island, home to an impressive stone church that is the last remnant of a mission established in 1891 to 'save' the nearby cannibal tribes.

Day 2 D'Entrecasteaux Islands
Named after the French navigator Antoine D'Entrecasteaux, who sailed through these waters in 1793, this mountainous group of islands are home to small communities of subsistence farmers, whose stilted huts dot the narrow coastal fringes.

Today we leisurely explore these islands and look for interesting places to land. We may visit the largest of the group, Fergusson Island, notable for its primordial landscape of hot springs, boiling mud pools and impressive geysers. It is said the locals can cause the geysers to shoot up by raising the spirit of the hot springs with ancient magic. The exceptionally thick rainforest of this island is one of only two places in the world where the rare Goldies bird of paradise can be seen. The waters surrounding these dramatic islands are frequented by bottlenose dolphins and their fringing coral reefs offer excellent snorkelling opportunities

Day 3 Egum Atoll
Today we move onto Egum, a classic atoll with a circular lagoon 33km across. Opportunities for Zodiac excursions around the lagoon and hopefully to explore several of the islands that dot the rim.

The residents of this sparsely inhabited paradise are part of the unique cultural phenomenon of the Kula Ring. Our lecturers will introduce us to this circular pattern of ceremonial trade relationships, a custom that binds the south-eastern islands of PNG together in a traditional network of friendship. We hope to see some of the Kula trade canoes that ply these waters, elaborately decorated with shells and intricate carvings.

Day 4 Woodlark Island

Outsiders rarely visit the scenic beauty of remote Woodlark Island. We hope to meet the welcoming inhabitants who take us on a stroll through the thatched-roof houses of their villages, offering a rare glimpse into the daily lives of a fascinating culture still very much alive today. Planned hike into the forest with your onboard naturalist to learn about the islands outstanding botanical diversity, where we also hope to see channel-billed cuckoos, loris and flying foxes.

Days 5 Marshall Bennett Islands
This enchanting island chain is home to a rich array of aquatic life and spectacular tropical scenery. Your captain will navigate the reefs and waterways that separate the islands of this exotic landscape as we look out for places for Zodiac cruising, nature walks, birding and snorkelling. Either take a walk along a warm sandy beach backed by swaying coconut palms or swimming in warm waters teeming with colourful fish.you decide!

Day 6 Trobriand Islands

On arrival, you will be welcomed by the paramount chief of the famed 'Islands of Love', a group of tranquil coral islands where a unique traditional culture has survived. You may have the privilege to see the energetic yam harvest dances performed by smiling locals in traditional costumes alive with colour.

Trobriand Islanders are renowned for their finely carved wooden artefacts, many made of ebony with delicate inlays of mother-of-pearl. This evening continue north across the Solomon Sea towards the remarkable island of New Britain.

Day 7 Lindenhafen

We hope to awake to the idyllic scene of the ship safely anchored within the protected bounds of Linden Harbour. Its island-studded lagoon is nestled serenely among an 800-hectare coconut plantation framed by lofty mountains. During WWII, this part of New Britain was a Japanese stronghold, attracting air raids by allied forces and leaving a multitude of war wrecks.

We can snorkel or hike to some of these wrecks. We also aim to explore more of the multitude of natural wonders that Lindenhafen has to offer, from short walks to stunning waterfalls, to swimming in natural limestone spring pools.

Day 8 East New Britain Coast

More than 250 miles in length, New Britain is the largest of PNG's islands. Over the coming days you will experience expedition cruising at its best as we sail eastwards along this magical coastline in search of adventure. The seas of this region are alive with marine life. The Solomon Trench provides an upwelling of cooler nutrient-rich waters able to support a staggering array of species. We hope to snorkel the exceptionally clear water of some of New Britain's best coral reefs, teeming with angelfish, parrotfish and a kaleidoscope of brilliantly coloured tropical fish.

Day 9 East New Britain Coast

Sprinkled with waterfalls and crystal clear rivers flowing from the dense jungle, our ongoing explorations of the New Britain coastline are sure to throw up some delightful surprises. Most of the 184,000 people in this region are Tolai, a distinct cultural group that settled here several hundred years ago from neighbouring New Ireland. Our on board lectures and interactions with the coastal Tolai communities will give us a deeper understanding of these charming people.

Day 10 Duke of York Islands

Venturing among this exotic chain of islands should make for a fitting final day to the expedition. The picture-postcard setting of azure blue water and gleaming white beaches belies the sacred nature of the islands. Local tribes place special spiritual significance to the Duke of York's, with ritual costumes painstakingly made at various locations throughout the islands.

Day 11 Rabaul/ Disembark

We wake to the surrounds of Simpson Harbour in Rabaul. Ringed by six volcanic peaks, some of which are still active, Rabaul has one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the Pacific.
Disembarkation and transfer to the local airport for onward travel home.

IMPORTANT: Travelling through this remote, little-visited area is both thrilling and challenging, particularly from an operational perspective. Please be aware that the daily itinerary will need to be able to incorporate a certain amount of flexibility to make the most of what the opportunities you find.

Activities available on all departures

• Exploring pristine islands on foot


• Snorkelling


• Zodiac cruising


• Kayaking**

** = Please note that this activity attracts an additional surcharge



The Boats
The following boat operates this particular cruise:

Marina Svetaeva (max. 100 passengers)

Cruise dates for 2009

10th - 20th April

Please contact the office for more details

Guide Price

	Prices based on 2 or more sharing from:
Quadruple cabin	£2,295 pp*
Triple cabin	£2,450pp*
Twin cabin with shared bathroom	£3,045 pp*
Twin cabin with private bathroom	£3,545 pp*
Mini Suite	£3,790 pp*
Suite	£4,140 pp*

*Please note: These prices exclude International flights and are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

What's included?

• Transfers to and from the group hotel at the beginning and end of the voyage


• On board accommodation and food on full board basis


• All shore excursions from the ship including Zodiacs

What's not included?

• Air transport to and from the ship


• Hotels and meals not included in ship cruise itinerary


• Drinks, laundry and gratuities


• Optional excursions not included in ship cruise itinerary

Single Supplements on board
Please contact the office for a quotation.

To discuss this trip, for further details or to check boat availability, please either:

Call 01285 880981
Email voyages@steppestravel.co.uk

Steppes Travel cruise destinations include: Alaska, Amazon, Antarctica, Arctic, Baja Mexico, Galapagos.