Welcome to your ultimate Indo-Pacific expedition—where Papua New Guinea’s ancient river cultures meet Indonesia’s pristine marine sanctuaries, and every day reveals biodiversity unmatched anywhere on our planet.
Over the next 15 days, you’ll navigate from the mighty Sepik River’s crocodile spirits to Raja Ampat’s coral kingdoms harbouring 75% of all known species. This isn’t marine observation—you’ll swim alongside whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay, participate in traditional dragon dances where Indonesia’s longest river meets the Pacific, and snorkel above WWII aircraft while exploring the heart of the Coral Triangle.
Each morning brings new discoveries across cultures spanning eight centuries of spice trade history. You’ll witness bark cloth painting in traditional stilt villages, explore colonial forts where nutmeg was more valuable than gold, and experience the extraordinary phenomenon of freshwater cascading directly into the sea. With just 30 guests sharing these transformative encounters, every moment becomes part of your collective story spanning Earth’s richest marine environments and most authentic cultural exchanges.
Day-by-Day Adventures
Madang, Papua New Guinea
- your cultural gateway
Board Paspaley Pearl in the “Pearl of the South Pacific,” where tree-lined streets and volcanic islands create one of Papua New Guinea’s most attractive settings. Meet fellow adventurers while our expedition team prepares you for dramatic contrasts between active volcanoes and ancient traditions ahead.
DAY 1
Kopar Village, Sepik River
- dragon dances and water spirits
Experience daily life at Papua New Guinea’s mightiest river mouth, where traditional stilt houses stand over water and crocodiles are worshipped as water spirits. Witness the famous “dragon dance” and observe village life in this important trading point between river communities and coastal regions.
DAY 2
Vanimo, Papua New Guinea
- Authentic Border Town Trading Hub
Step ashore in this authentic border town where traditional outrigger canoes share waters with modern fishing boats. Explore local markets and connect with communities maintaining traditional fishing practices, while observing how 11,000 residents blend ancestral techniques with contemporary life near the Indonesian border.
DAY 3
Jayapura (Lake Sentani), Papua, Indonesia
- Traditional Stilt Villages and Bark Art
Journey to Asai Village’s traditional stilt houses built over Indonesia’s largest lake. Navigate by traditional carved boats while witnessing renowned bark cloth painting traditions, joining cultural performances and learning fishing techniques unchanged for generations across waters supporting unique endemic fish species.
DAY 4
Mamberano River, Papua, Indonesia
- Where Indonesia's Longest River Meets Sea
Explore Teba Village where Indonesia’s longest river meets the Pacific Ocean, creating unique brackish ecosystems. Experience traditional stilt house communities adapting to tidal rhythms while witnessing sago processing and traditional boat crafting in this remote fishing village following ancestral practices.Â
DAY 5
Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia
- Swimming with Whale Sharks Paradise
Enter Indonesia’s largest marine national park to swim alongside whale sharks feeding around traditional fishing vessels. Explore pristine coral reefs supporting over 200 fish species while discovering uninhabited islands and snorkelling above WWII aircraft in the Coral Triangle’s biodiversity heart.
DAY 6-7
At Sea
- cultural expertise and remarkable diversity
Navigate deeper into Indonesian waters as our expedition team prepares you for Raja Ampat’s extraordinary marine encounters ahead. Join enrichment sessions about coral biodiversity and traditional fishing practices while scanning waters for marine life. These quieter moments allow your expedition community to process remarkable cultural exchanges witnessed across Papua New Guinea.
DAY 8
Raja Ampat
- 5 days in marine excellence
Spend five extraordinary days exploring Earth’s richest marine environment, where 1,500 islands harbour 75% of all known coral species alongside 1,800 fish species. Navigate limestone karst formations, snorkel pristine reefs, search for birds of paradise, and connect with traditional communities across these untouched frontiers.
DAY 9-10
Kitikiti Waterfall, Mommon
- freshwater and coral reefs
Experience the extraordinary phenomenon of freshwater cascading directly from cliff faces into the ocean on West Papua’s remote peninsula. Swim under falls where chilled freshwater meets warm ocean currents while surrounded by pristine rainforests and vibrant coral reefs creating remarkable ecological contrasts.
DAY 11
Banda Neira, Maluku
- spice trade history up close
Walk through living spice trade history on an island where the demand for nutmeg drove European powers to undertake dangerous voyages around the world. Explore Fort Belgica and colonial remnants while learning how modern Bandanese maintain cultural continuity through traditional rituals against volcanic landscape backdrops.
DAY 12
Ambon, Maluku
- cultural and historical journey
Discover an island shaped by centuries of colonial conflicts, from Portuguese arrival to the infamous Amboyna massacre. Tour Dutch East India Company forts and ANZAC War Cemetery while experiencing how this resilient community transformed historical challenges into cultural celebrations, earning UNESCO Creative City recognition.
DAY 13
At Sea
- marine encounters and underwater diversity
Reflect on extraordinary marine encounters during our return crossing toward Timor-Leste. Join enrichment sessions processing remarkable underwater diversity witnessed across Earth’s richest coral reef ecosystems while understanding conservation efforts protecting these fragile marine environments for future generations to experience.
DAY 14
Dili, Timor-Leste
- museums and cultural exchanges
Conclude your expedition carrying memories of Raja Ampat’s unparalleled marine biodiversity and historic Spice Islands. From snorkelling among 75% of known coral species to exploring spice trade remnants, your journey revealed why Raja Ampat represents the ultimate marine sanctuary requiring protection for future generations.
DAY 15
Departure dates
Ocean Double/Single Stateroom
$24,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$25,495
Ocean Stateroom
$27,995
Horizon Suite
$33,495
Pearl Suite
$40,495
Prices are in AUD$ per person based on twin share. Single supplement pricing is available on application. *Sole occupancy of stateroom #107 attracts no single surcharge.
Download Itinerary
