Following some adjustments and exciting additions to the 2022 itinerary, the specialist conservation cruise operator Heritage Expeditions’ Indonesian Explorer voyage has added some quite extraordinary places to the ship’s 2022 itinerary, including Komodo National Park and the incredible world biosphere reserve Wakatobi National Park.
Guests on the Heritage Expeditions’ voyage will be accompanied by the award-winning wildlife documentary filmmakers Karen Bass and Neil Nightingale. The 15-day voyage will depart from Denpasar, Bali, on the 11th of October and disembark in Madang, Papua New Guinea, before joining a group flight to Port Moresby on the 25th of October.
This special voyage will take guests well off the tourist route onboard the luxury, purpose-built expedition vessel Heritage Adventurer. It will be an incredible opportunity to explore some of Indonesia’s most seldom-visited islands and experience the rich, dense, untouched rain forests, tropical waters teeming with exotic marine life and some of the earth’s rarest flora and fauna. It will also be a magical destination for birders, botanists, nature lovers, adventurers and keen photographers alike.
One of the main highlights of the adventure will be the Komodo National Park. Here guests will be given the opportunity to view the famous prehistoric giant monitor lizard, the Komodo Dragon, from a dedicated viewing area.
There will also be the chance to snorkel off Pink Beach, which has been likened to swimming in an aquarium due to the incredible variety of marine species living in these waters.
The legendary underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau famously described the next stop of Wakatobi National Park as an “underwater nirvana”, with its impressive coral walls, colourful frogfish, octopus, marbled snake-eels, cockatoo wasp fish, flying gurnards, various crab species and anemones, to name but a few of the sea creatures to be found.
Located on the boundary between Australasia and Asia, Buru Island boasts numerous endemic birds and mammals, including the Blue-fronted Lorikeet. Assisted by expert naturalists and guides, guests have the exciting prospect of being among limited visitors to this wilderness hotspot to see an array of species that live nowhere else in the world.
Indonesian Explorer’s itinerary continues cruising the waters of Raja Ampat, 1500 tiny islands, including Misool Island, where a labyrinth of hidden caves, 5,000 year old rock art, indigenous culture and a spectacular underwater environment bursting with coral gardens and diverse marine life await.
Believed to contain the most biodiverse marine habitat on the planet, the waters surrounding Raja Ampat make for exceptional snorkelling and Zodiac cruising while, on land, high points include spotting Wilson’s and Red Birds of Paradise – and hopefully witnessing their rarely-seen mating dance.
Heading to West Papua, guests may choose to trek into the Arfak Mountains to explore the misty rainforests or visit the capital of Manokwari, where more than 24 tribal groups make their home and then swim with the gentle Whale Sharks of Kwatisore Bay.
Papua New Guinea is an assault on the senses, with glorious, seldom-visited islands overflowing with colourful, endemic birdlife, pristine beaches, fascinating history and culture, plus vibrant artwork, traditional customs and culinary treats.
The self-appointed ‘Prettiest Town in the South Pacific’, Madang, is the disembarkation point for this trip or the start of a further voyage for those joining the Discover the Secrets of Melanesia itinerary.
Prices for Indonesia Explorer start from USD $8750 per person, based on sharing a Main Deck Triple cabin, and include Discovery Fund, pre/post-cruise transfers, post-cruise flight Madang to Port Moresby, all onboard accommodation with meals, house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, shore excursions and activities, plus a programme of lectures by specialist guest naturalists.
Heritage Expeditions has announced a number of special offers in conjunction with this tour, including a US$1000 flight credit per person plus a 10% discount for all guests who book back-to-back Indonesia Explorer and Discover the Secrets of Melanesia cruises by 31 May 2022.
For further information, please visit www.heritage-expeditions.com.
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