12 Night Cruise sailing from Rabaul to Cairns aboard Oceanic Discoverer.

Papua New Guinea - The Place Time Forgot
Mysterious Papua New Guinea is, in the truest sense, the last frontier on Earth. Vast expanses of thick tropical jungle and razor-sharp mountains remain daunting to all but the most intrepid explorers.

Reach into the heart and soul of Papua New Guinea, and see your expectations of the place and its people soar.

Its secret forests nurture over 3,000 kinds of orchids, and the world's largest butterfly and moth inhabit its rainforests. The ancient tribal culture lives on vibrantly in the minds of the villages and townsfolk.

Surrounding waters support unparallel bio-diversity, and its reefs are the choice of specialty divers from around the globe.

It's a place of rich cultural diversity. There is no such thing as a typical Papua New Guinean; as more than 1000 cultures, each with different traditions, are now recognised.

This is the land of the unexpected, a place of stark contrasts where fearsome frowns magically become welcoming smiles and village children your lifelong friends!

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Rabaul and Captain's Welcome
Boarding commences at 2:00pm for a 3:00pm departure. Enjoy time to relax, settle in and explore Oceanic Discoverer as we cruise Simpson Harbour, set against a stunning backdrop of six towering volcanoes. Later, join the Captain and his crew at the Captain's Welcome Cocktails as the sun spectacularly sets over the Coral Sea.

Day 2: Witu Islands - Kimbe Bay
With the support of local guides, our Expedition Leader will lead us on an exploration of the region. Kimbe Bay has one of the world's richest and most diverse coral reef systems, home to over 860 different species of tropical fish and in excess of 400 different varieties of coral. Experience genuine island friendliness and hospitality as we are welcomed by a flotilla of outrigger canoes. This afternoon we cruise the New Britain coastline and enjoy informative presentations from our expert Guest Lecturers.

Day 3: Crown Island
Join our Expedition Leader and Guest Lecturers as we board Xplorer and head ashore. Known as a turtle nesting ground and home of the giant lizard we explore the beaches of seldom visited Crown Island. Spend time relaxing or snorkelling in the beautiful clear waters.

Day 4: The Mighty Sepik River and Volcanic Manam Island
Sure to be a highlight, this morning we enter the mouth of the mighty Sepik River - one of the world's great river systems. Only with Oceanic Discoverer will you cruise well up into the Sepik region, renowned for its unique artefacts. Visit the remote village of Bien where the local Sepik people are amongst the greatest primitive artists on earth and the village has its own distinct style. Enjoy the opportunity to purchase unique hand carvings. On farewelling the Sepik, we pass the active volcano on Manam Island and enjoy the sunset.

Day 5: Historic Madang
The historic town of Madang sits on a peninsula surrounded by a number of picturesque islands and is famed for its diving. The waters surrounding Madang offer excellent visibility and many WWII wrecks to explore. Enjoy swimming, snorkelling, diving and a harbour exploration.

Day 6: The Idyllic Islands of Tuam and Tami
Tuam, in the Siassi group of islands, offers a mix of both mainland and Bismark Archipelago cultures. Their prized trinkets and decorations include dog's teeth, spondyllus shells and wonderful balsa wood and sago bark headdresses. We enjoy the welcome dances and village hospitality. In the afternoon we visit Tami Islands which are know for their distinctive wooden bowls, carvings and ceremonial masks.

Day 7: Lababia - Wildlife Management Area
We awaken early and travel ashore to the picturesque village of Lababia, gateway to one of the most important conservation areas in PNG - the Kamiali Wildlife Management Area. In the company of our Guest Lecturers and local guides, walk the David Suzuki trail through the prehistoric rainforest. With luck, we may see some of the prolific birdlife here including hornbills, parrots, palm cockatoos and the iconic Raggiana Bird of Paradise.

Day 8: Tufi Fjords
Today enjoy a true highlight as we discover the scenic beauty of the rarely visited Tufi Fjords. Similar to Nordic fjords and featuring 25 individual canyons with sheer basalt cliffs, these are the only fjords in Papua New Guinea and offer a wealth of sightseeing opportunities. Soak up the spectacular views as we cruise close to the towering cliffs before boarding Xplorer to travel ashore to meet the friendly locals. Then, enjoy the opportunity to discover the region's numerous white sandy beaches, take a leisurely swim and snorkel over spectacular fringing reefs.

Day 9: Dobu and Fergusson Islands
We are greeted by a flotilla of canoes as we approach the Dobu anchorage. Our Guest Lecturer will share with you the history of the Kula Ring where Dobu Island was a pivotal link between the north and south Kula trade routes. Meet the local primary school children who will welcome us with a traditional dance performance. Join our Expedition Leader on an expedition to the Dei Dei Hot Springs where the landowner shares the mythical and spiritual tales of these hot water and mud springs.

Day 10: Trobriands and Kitava
Historically known as the 'Islands of Love' the Trobriands offer a glimpse of traditional culture largely unspoilt by outside influence. Witness traditional Trobriand dances.

Day 11: Arrive Alotau
This morning we cruise Milne Bay before arriving at Alotau. After farewelling guests departing today we join our Guest Lecturers on a tour of Alotau before returning to Oceanic Discoverer.

Day 12: China Strait
Enjoy a leisurely day at sea to relax in the comfort of your floating home-away-from-home, Oceanic Discoverer. Along with our onboard Guest Lecturer, we will recap many enriching experiences as we cruise towards Cairns.

Day 13: Arrive Cairns
After an incredible thirteen days discovering some of Papua New Guinea's most fascinating regions, we arrive into Cairns, Tropical North Queensland at 12:00 noon.