Overview
Itinerary
Arrive in Cairns and meet your fellow guests. Later, board your luxurious small ship and embark. Enjoy a welcome reception on board this evening. Stay: Le Laperouse (D)
Cruise north toward Papua New Guinea as your enrichment program begins with engaging presentations by the A&K Expedition Team. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Today, cruise into Milne Bay and come ashore in the Papua New Guinea port of Alotau. Once ashore, you might explore traditional village life, learn about the legacy of the war canoe or visit the Milne Bay War Memorial. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Your Captain charts a course for Fergusson Island, a stunning enclave of mountains, rainforests and geysers. Here, you might venture into the rainforest in search of exotic bird species and remote hot springs. Alternatively, swim before heading back to the ship. Then, cruise to Dobu, a remote island renowned for its vibrant Indigenous culture. You may choose to come ashore and visit a local village, or snorkel or dive. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Cruise to Cape Nelson and come ashore amid the fjord lands surrounding the port of Tufi. Here, you might explore local Indigenous traditions, enjoy some birdwatching, relax on the beach, or dive or snorkel the reefs. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Today, explore the Tami Islands, a small group of coral atolls surrounded by reefs and cays. The largest island is renowned for a crystal-clear lagoon abundant with marine life and stunning coral formations. Here, you may choose to dive or snorkel amid Spanish dancer jellyfish, blue sea star and pelagic fish. Alternatively, explore the flora, fauna and colourful birds that call this island paradise home. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Cruise to the Trobriand Islands, a remote bastion of traditional Indigenous culture. You might choose to come ashore on Kuiawa Island, where you visit a local primary school and learn about traditional dancing, woodcarving and gardening. Or, you might opt to snorkel or dive amid surgeonfish, rabbitfish, clownfish, damselfish and snapper, as well as table, bran and leather corals. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Sail east toward the Solomon Islands today, taking the opportunity to enjoy the amenities, enrichment lectures and conversations with your Expedition Team. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Your exploration of the Solomon Islands begins in Gizo, the historic port town of Ghizo Island. Once ashore, you may choose to visit Gizo's markets and learn about its renowned woodcarving tradition. You may also take advantage of the island's world-class snorkelling and diving. Cruise onward to Njari, an uninhabited island renowned the world over for its spectacular diving and snorkelling. Here, you can opt to dive into an underwater realm of coral gardens, blacktip reef shark, damselfish and octopus. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Sail southeastward to the Russell Islands of Pavuvu and Mbanika, two islands that served as Allied bases during World War II. When these bases were abandoned in 1945, much of the military machinery was dumped into the sea. Snorkel and explore with your Expedition Team, or opt for a local village visit revealing the island's cultural traditions, natural wonders and rich World War II history. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Sail into Roderick Bay, a tropical postcard framed by sandy island beaches. Go ashore to learn about the local Indigenous culture; take in the wreck of the ‘World Discoverer,' a ship that beached here in 2001; or snorkel or dive the bay's stunning reefs. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Today, explore Rennell Island, one of the world's largest raised coral atolls and home to Lake Tegano, a former lagoon that now harbors a wealth of endemic species. Go ashore in search of the island's exotic birds, snakes, snails and crabs; hike the cliffs surrounding the UNESCO listed Lake Tegano; or snorkel the vibrant reefs of Kangava Bay. Stay: Le Laperouse (B/L/D)
Disembark in Honiara, the main port of Guadalcanal, an island that witnessed one of the most decisive battles of World War II. Once ashore, tour historic military sites such as Henderson Field. Then, catch a charter flight back to Cairns, where you transfer to the Crystalbrook Riley. Stay: Crystalbrook Riley (B/L/D)
This morning, transfer to the airport and return home. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Cruise for 12 nights on an exclusively chartered A&K expedition revealing the hidden gems of the South Pacific
- Embark on thrilling Zodiac excursions with your Expedition Team
- Encounter spectacular marine life as you dive or snorkel some of the world's most vibrant reefs
- Uncover the natural and cultural riches of Papua New Guinea, the island of a thousand languages
- Go ashore in remote island villages to explore the traditions of diverse Indigenous peoples
- Visit historic sites that shaped the outcome of World War II
- Soak in the sun with opportunities for beach breaks and relaxation
- An Exclusively Chartered, All-Inclusive Voyage Led by A&K's Expedition Team and Local Guides
- Pre- and/or Post-Cruise Stays at Stylish, Ideally Located Hotels and A&K-Led Excursions
- Airport Meet and Greet and Transfers
- Private Balcony with Every Onboard Accommodation and Butler Service with Every Suite
- Maximum Personnel-to-Guest Ratio of 1 to 1.3 and ship occupancy limited to 80 percent
- Culinary Program Featuring French-Inspired Cuisine, Including House Drinks, Afternoon Tea and Pastries
- 24-Hour Room Service and Breakfast in Bed on board
- Choice of Curated, All-Inclusive Shore Excursions
- Enrichment program, lectures and presentations
- Traveller's Valet Laundry Service on board
- All Gratuities, Port Charges and Taxes
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on Board and in Hotels
- Onboard Service from an English-Speaking Staff, Including an Accredited Physician
- 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Disruptions to itinerary may occur.
- Note: Itinerary is for guidance purposes only and may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances including weather, medical emergencies and other conditions beyond A&K's control at the sole discretion of the Captain
- This journey contains some active elements, including walks over uneven terrain and optional, challenging hikes.
- Honiara/Cairns Economy Class flights included.
- Minimum age is 7 years.
- Categories 4–8 include room upgrade at the hotel and butler service aboard the ship.
- First group event: welcome briefing on Oct 17.
- Last group event: disembarkation on Oct 29.
Get to the heart of action: up close and personal with wildlife, accompanied by expert guides and naturalists. Read more
Every luxury expedition cruise is exclusively chartered allowing A&K experts to select the finest of everything. Read more
A&K take care of everything so that you can fully enjoy every breathtaking moment of your adventure. Read more
Brochure
Abercrombie & Kent Luxury Expedition Cruises (2024-25)
Availability
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Abercrombie & Kent. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Abercrombie & Kent. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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