Your journey to paradise begins in the vibrant city of Cairns, Australia. You will board a Dash 8 aircraft for the flight to Alotau, on the southeastern tip of Papua New Guinea, where your comfortable 36-passenger adventure cruise vessel awaits. As you sail the Province of Milne Bay with its 600 or more islands, you discover pristine beaches fringed with coconut palms, tranquil villages and a flotilla of canoes, while the ship’s six-passenger helicopter offers unique views of the many fishing villages. On jungle walks you will discover countless varieties of birds including colourful parrots, hornbills, wildfowl and of course birds of paradise. Many rare species of butterfly are present and Papua New Guinea is also home to over two thirds of the world’s orchid species. You may even be lucky enough to see a reclusive tree kangaroo. Anchored in the Solomon Sea, amongst the corals of Star Reef and the beautiful, uninhabited Lusancay Islands, you can take a stroll around your own deserted island, snorkel in the shallows or drop off the outer reef for the dive of a lifetime. The coast of New Britain promises unrivalled adventure – in beautiful Jacqinot Bay the shallow draft of your vessel ensures access to the mighty rivers, while the expedition boats will take you deep into the jungle to visit isolated villages with little contact to the outside world. Smoking volcanoes surround the largely abandoned town of Rabaul, once considered the most beautiful in the South Pacific before being smothered under a cloud of ash in 1994. The helicopter flights here promise to be entertaining. The many islands around Kavieng are a cruise highlight: a morning sing sing will be a memorable event as everyone turns out in welcome; and, what a place for diving and snorkelling, here you will find ships, planes and even submarines in the islands’ shallow waters. Your journey ends with a return flight to Cairns. Adventures in Paradise Papua New Guinea See the untamed Papua New Guinea: mighty rivers, impenetrable jungle, unique culture, smouldering volcanoes, picture postcard beaches and classic South Pacific vistas. S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com 203 Itinerary Day 1. Flight from Cairns and embark in Alotau, Papua New Guinea Day 2. Milne Bay Day 3. Tufi Day 4. Solomon Sea Day 5. New Britain Day 6. Duke of York Islands Day 7. Kavieng Day 8. Disembark and fly to Cairns Vessel True North (see Vessel pages for more details). Things you need to know Embark Alotau, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea Disembark Kavieng, Papua New Guinea Voyage nights 7 nights Departure dates 8 to 15 Nov, 15 to 22 Nov, 22 to 29 Nov, 29 Nov to 6 Dec, 6 to 13 Dec Price From £4,550 in a twin share cabin Single supplement On request. If you are travelling alone ask about our request share programme which enables solo travellers to share a cabin with another solo traveller. What’s included Return charter air between Cairns & Papua New Guinea, voyage including guided shore & zodiac excursions, all meals onboard & transfers. Adventure options Helicopter flights (additional costs), scuba diving: cylinders, weight belts and weights are provided, snorkelling: mask, snorkel and fins are complimentary Guide price for flights & accommodation package Around £1,295 including return flights from the UK & 2-nights in Cairns.

A sanctuary is a nature reserve and an oasis, often hidden and hard to reach: the Society, Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands are all sanctuaries, rich in both wildlife and culture. Sailing on a small luxury vessel you will explore the dramatic volcanic islands, fjordlike bays and tiny coral atolls that make these islands a naturalist’s paradise, and meet many of the locals whose rich cultural heritage is evident in the fascinating archaeological ruins found here. Emerald mountains, white sand beaches and sheltered turquoise lagoons define perfection on Bora Bora in the Society Islands. You will tour the island’s colourful villages, visit the archaeological sites and Second World War relics, and swim with gentle sting rays. The second largest atoll in the world, Rangiroa offers some of the best swimming, snorkelling and diving in the South Pacific. You should take some time out to stroll through one of the local villages and soak up the slow, tropical pace of life. As you approach Ua Huka in the Marquesas, look out for the thousands of seabirds that inhabit the surrounding islets and breathe in the smell of fresh herbs and wild cotton that blanket the island’s southern coast. As you bounce along dirt roads on a 4-wheel drive tour of the lush interior, the ancient petroglyphs and red rock tikis, or carved talisman, will reveal life on the island dating back as far as 300 AD. Hiva Oa, the largest and most fertile island in the southern Marquesas, is chiselled with deep valleys, fertile plateaux and lush forests. In Paumau, you visit the Oipona me’ae temple, home of Takaii and three metre tall stone tiki, the largest in French Polynesia. Hiva Oa was where the artist Gauguin spent the last years of his life and you will have a chance to visit his grave. Fita Huva is wildly beautiful: jungle greenery plunges straight down into splashing surf and rock curtains enclose Hanavave Bay. You will watch the locals as they perform traditional dances, demonstrate handicrafts and explain their tattoos, once a mode of expressing social status and protecting against evil spirits. The protected atoll of Fakarava and its six neighbouring islands make up a UNESCOclassified nature reserve. Home to the rare hunting Kingfisher and Tuamotu palm, Fakarava is also the haunt of countless dolphins, rays and sea cicadas. Snorkellers will enjoy the Tumakohua Pass and there will be local village cultural and handicraft demonstrations. Your voyage starts and ends in Papeete, Tahiti. Island Sanctuaries of the South Pacific Sail from the romantic and spectacularly beautiful Society Islands through pristine cobalt blue waters to the remote Tuamotu and Marquesas Islands. F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Itinerary Day 1. Arrive in Papeete, Tahiti Day 2. Embark in Papeete, Tahiti Day 3. Bora Bora Days 4 & 5. Tuamotu Islands Day 6. At sea Days 7 to 9. Marquesas Islands Day 10. At sea Day 11. Tuamotu Islands Day 12. Papeete, Tahiti and disembark Vessel Spirit of Oceanus (see Vessel pages for more details). Things you need to know Embark Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia Disembark Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia Voyage nights 10 nights Departure dates 2 to 13 February, 12 to 23 February Price From £2,495 in a twin share cabin Single supplement On request. If you are travelling alone ask about our request share programme which enables solo travellers to share a cabin with another solo traveller. What’s included Pre-cruise hotel night in Papeete, voyage including guided shore & zodiac excursions, all meals onboard & transfers. Guide price for flight package Around £1,050 including return flights from the UK. 204