Papua & Raja Ampat

HIGHLIGHTS

• Snorkel among schools of shimmering tropical fish weaving amid colourful coral gardens
• Spot colourfully plumed birds of paradise, cockatoos and tree kangaroos in the dense rainforests
• Dive with whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay
• Climb the steps up to Wayag Viewpoint to see unusual bullet-shaped karst stacks erupting from the sea
• Learn about clove and cinnamon spice plantations in Ternate, and marvel at 400-year-old Afo, the last surviving Dutch-planted clove tree

ITINERARY

JAYAPURA
DAY 1
Papua’s provincial capital, Jayapura is a base for exploring the rugged Baliem Valley. Follow winding trails through verdant highlands to discover secluded waterfalls and saltwater springs, then learn about traditional ways of life at a tribal village hidden amid the rainforest. You might even observe a religious ceremony or a mock tribal war. In Jayapura itself, museums narrate the fierce Allied and Japanese battles that took place here during World War II as troops fought to control the Pacific theatre.


VANIMO
DAY 2
A quiet provincial capital close to the Indonesian border, Vanimo is a surfing hotspot known for its monsoon swells and reef breaks. For a more relaxing time, head to a public beach, where sandy stretches are fringed by shady trees, or hire a boat to nearby Narimuru Island for a swim in calm turquoise waters. Nearby Lido is a quaint village with grass-roofed huts and towering coconut palms, then take a coastal stroll along the headland for views of craggy limestone cliffs pounded by crashing waves.


PULAU PADAIDORI
DAY 3
One of a cluster of tiny, mostly uninhabited islands and atolls off the northern Papuan coast, this remote stop combines secluded Pacific Rim beaches with a rich, protected marine ecosystem. Relax on white-sand beaches lined with swaying coconut palms and swim in calm sapphire waters. Dive or snorkel to observe schools of shimmering tropical fish weaving amid colourful coral gardens, or explore mangrove forests sheltering snakes and crabs in their twisted root systems.


AURI ISLANDS, GULF OF CENDERAWASIH & PUALU ROON
DAY 4
These tiny islands are the gateway to activities in Cenderawasih Bay and its namesake marine park. Diverse coral reefs are home to hundreds of fish species – butterfly fish, damselfish and clownfish – while divers and swimmers may experience a close encounter with resident whale sharks. Cenderawasih is the Indonesian name for birds of paradise, so it is no wonder that numerous species of this brightly plumed forest bird can be found here, along with cassowaries, hornbills and crested pigeons. Dense rainforest fringed by tiny fishing villages characterise these remote islands in Cenderawasih Bay.


MANOKWARI
DAY 5
The capital of West Papua, this coastal town is characterised by tranquil fine-sand beaches backed by dense tropical rainforests. Relax under a palm tree in a sheltered cove and gaze at ghostly shipwrecks, including ammunition carriers and naval patrol boats, in Doreri Bay. Hike amid ferns and orchids in a forest park and you may glimpse bear-like cuscuses, or trek Mount Arfak, West Papua’s highest point and home to brightly plumed birds of paradise and rare tree kangaroos.


KABUI BAY, WAIGEO ISLAND, RAJA AMPAT ARCHIPELAGO
DAY 6
Verdant karst islets and rugged limestone cliffs greet visitors at this isolated West Papuan stop. Discover otherworldly caves bedecked with stalagmites and stalactites, sail amid thick undergrowth and hanging roots in mangrove forests or simply relax on a quiet beach where turquoise waters lap the powder-sand shoreline. You can also kayak the area’s craggy waterways, or dive to find coral reefs where black-tipped sharks and graceful rays glide amongst darting tropical fish. Sleepy coastal villages framed by jagged limestone cliffs and dense jungle await at this far-flung stop in West Papua. Secluded bays dotted with vegetation-rich karst islands shelter white-sand beaches, with hidden lagoons and cave networks to discover. You can also dive or snorkel to spot glimmering shoals of fish, turtles and reef sharks, or trek into the dense rainforest for a glimpse of the rich-hued bird of paradise, plus palm cockatoos and maleos.


ALJUI BAY, WAIGEO ISLAND, RAJA AMPAT ARCHIPELAGO
DAY 7
Rugged limestone stacks and dense rainforest characterise this remote Pacific Ocean stop. Learn about pearl cultivation on a guided farm tour, or venture inland on a tropical jungle hike to find cascading waterfalls and placid lakes. Twitchers might glimpse the elusive Wilson’s bird of paradise or other endemic species like Blyth's hornbills and sulphur-crested cockatoos. You can also dive or snorkel nearby coral reefs to spot lionfish, sea dragons, blue-ringed octopus and turtles.


WAYAG ISLAND, RAJA AMPAT ARCHIPELAGO
DAY 8
One of the most remote islands in the Raja Ampat Archipelago, Wayag Island offers a spectacular and unusual landscape of limestone formations surrounded by sapphire waters. To appreciate the scenery, climb the steps up to Wayag Viewpoint with a panoramic vista of the bullet-shaped karst stacks erupting from the sea. Then relax on a deserted white-sand beach and snorkel in the shallows, where you might encounter circling black-tipped reef sharks or dive to find underwater gardens packed with swaying soft corals and darting tropical fish.


PULAU MISOOL
DAY 9-10
One of the Raja Ampat archipelago’s larger islands, Pulau Misool is a remote West Papuan gem offering coconut-fringed powder-sand beaches backed by densely forested hills. Head to photo-worthy Love Lake, named for its heart shape, then swim with stingless jellyfish in Lenmakana Lake. Climb steep stairs to the summit of Puncak Harfat to see craggy karst rock spires standing sentinel in the turquoise sea, or dive the surrounding waters to find coral reefs, carpet sharks and manta rays.


TERNATE
DAY 11
One of the country’s fabled Spice Islands, this small stop in the Molucca Sea still bears traces of its colonial past. Learn about this history at clove and cinnamon plantations and marvel at 400-year-old Afo, the last surviving Dutch-planted clove tree. Explore centuries-old coastal forts which once played a vital role in controlling the global spice trade before walking in the footsteps of royals at the Sultan’s Palace. Or hike Mount Gamalama, an active volcano with sweeping sea views and forest-ringed lakes.


BITUNG
DAY 12
This cosmopolitan port city weaves nature, recreation and Sulawesian culture into an irresistible package. Seahorses and mandarin fish dart amid the black volcanic sand of the Lembeh Strait, and keen muck divers will also glimpse spiny frogfish, slender snake blennies and coy cuttlefish. Hike jungle trails in the nearby Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve, where black macaques roam and saucer-eyed tarsiers shelter. Or head to provincial capital Manado to discover Dutch colonial architecture and local seafood specialties.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call
• Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes