Sepik Soiree

Overview

A cruise down the river won’t ever be the same after this Papua New Guinea adventure. Witness the infamous crocodile initiation ceremony, visit the stilt houses on Lake Kambaraumba and wander idyllic tropical isles fringe with sandy white beaches and bounded by endless coral reef.

Your adventure begins in Cairns where you’ll be escorted onto a charter aircraft travelling to Kavieng. Once you arrive in the ‘Land of the unexpected’, transfer to the luxury of the True North (and all the delights of the renowned galley) where you’ll have lunch before visiting a local island resort.

Wake up to your first morning in paradise and enjoy a spectacular heli flight over the upper reaches of the jungle, landing in the breathtaking location that inspired James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’. The locals will welcome you onto bamboo rafts where you’ll float downstream to the ocean, before returning once again to True North.

Today, visit Mussau Island where you’ll have the opportunity for a once in a lifetime snorkel with a Manta ray congregation. Then, after congee, cruise to the spectacular tropical paradise of Margaret’s Island. Here, enjoy walks along the picturesque beach, and divers will descend on a ‘Submarine Chaser’ wreck that lies just off the shore of the island. For the afternoon, venture ashore at Little Massau where you’ll meet the locals and have a walk through the beautiful island village.

This morning, wake in the Manus Province where very few travellers get to venture to. This remote group of islands, including the Horno Islands, the Admiralty Islands (including Manus Island), the Hermit Islands, Ninigo Islands and Wuvulu Island are true wonder surrounded by sparkling sea. Only 45,000 people live within the province boundaries, and are known for their rich and interesting history, centred around their long standing individualism and selfreliance. For visitors, the area is renowned for scuba diving because of its vibrant marine life, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and clear water. It’s fringing reefs here are amongst some of the most spectacular we see anywhere in Papua New Guinea, with very high coral cover and spectacular walls dropping into deep water. The mosaic of small islands in the area offers a wonderful backdrop and provides an incredible range of different habitats to explore.

Today, spend the entire day in the beautiful Ponam Island. Not only is Ponam village known for the biggest and best welcome sing sing, but the region also played a major role in World War II. So, you’ll be able to visit the terrestrial remnants of HMS Nabaron, with onboard experts guiding you through it’s exciting history. Snorkelers will also be able to explore the plentiful bommies and coral outcrops found inside the Manus Barrier Reef, home to brightly coloured butterfly fish and parrotfish. While divers can explore the longest coral reef in Manus Province. Ponam is also prime location for game fishing for marlin, yellowfin tuna, trevally, mackerel and potentially snapper. In the afternoon you’ll also have the opportunity to ride in the helicopter to see a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the island’s many lagoons and, nearby Manus Island.

Today, visit this beautiful region that was beloved by underwater explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau and home to a 22 kilometre long barrier reef. Renowned for its clam gardens, the snorkelling is truly spectacular. The gently sloping reef edge disappears into the blue depths with visibility usually exceeding 40m, allowing you excellent views of the marine life at the reef’s edge. Sharks, manta rays, turtles and large schools of barracuda and trevally are found here, along with the usual collection of colourful reef fishes and invertebrates. Divers will descend into The Hermits, home to incredible reef formations and large schools of mobula rays, snapper, trevally and grey reef sharks. Fresh ocean currents also make for rip-roaring dives in channels filled with giant sea fans and soft coral formations. Fishers will have the opportunity to search for Marlin and sailfish, while hikers will catch a glimpse of deer introduced by German colonists. Then, In the afternoon the adventure boats will land at Luf Island, the only inhabited island in the Hermits, to enjoy a sunset cocktail on your very own beach.

The Ninigo Islands are a breathtaking open-atoll structure surrounded by several smaller atoll formations, meaning you’ll have plenty of opportunity for exploration. The diving here is some of the best in Papua New Guinea, and you’ll endeavour to explore as many of these picture-perfect islands as you can. The day will be filled with magical snorkelling and diving experiences, exhilarating fishing, stunning dips in the crystal clear lagoons and romantic walks along the endless palm fringed beaches. You’ll also go ashore to visit Lau Island, known as the ‘Garden Island’, and Longan Island known for their volleyball and sailing canoes.

As dawn breaks, you’ll reach the mouth of the Sepik. Cruise down the river for 70 nautical miles before a day filled with exploration and discovery on the adventure boats and in the helicopter. Besides its rich history, and incredible river system, The Sepik is revered for its art. The tribes living along the river produce magnificent wood carvings and artful clay pottery. Many tribes use garamut drums in rituals, where the drums are formed from long, hollowed out tree trunks carved into the shape of various totem animals. This will truly be a day to remember.

Today, witness an elaborate coming of age ceremony where young men are scarified in the image of the crocodile. Then, venture into the township of Angoram for the waterside market where you’ll have the opportunity to purchase local carvings. At Kambaraumba village, you’ll also be greeted by a brilliant sing sing featuring giant crocodile puppets that move through crowds of dancers and drummers. Explore the maze of swamps and small waterways that lead to Lake Kambaraumba and its stilt village.

Begin your morning in the outer-reef filled with fish, turtles and dolphins, an area renowned for its endless walls of sea fans, pristine corals and large pelagic species. Snorkers will explore the inshore coral while others will have the opportunity to swim at Bagabag beach. Then take off in the helicopter to explore the nearby KarKar Island and it’s active volcano. Then, land ashore for a stroll through the plantations before a sunset drink.

Enjoy your final morning in Paradise before heading ashore at Madang where you’ll transfer to your charter plane and return flight to Cairns.