Itinerary
This PONANT 17-day brand-new expedition cruise aboard Le Lapérouse will take you to discover the wonders and ancestral tribes of Papua New Guinea. You will board your ship in Cairns and Le Lapérouse will then set sail for Papua New Guinea, a fascinating land that is home to no fewer than 700 ethnic groups within a highly diverse yet mainly unexplored, ecosystem. Your call at Tufi, will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your voyage. You will fall under the charm of this picturesque region, dubbed the "Scandinavia of the Tropics" with its deep fiords formed through volcanic activity. In this unique setting the local Papuan tribes will share their customs, beliefs and artwork with you. You will then head north along the coast to Madang, nicknamed "the most beautiful city in the South Pacific". Within this attractive province with great geographical diversity, 170 different languages are spoken. Its festival showcases this richness through the diverse array of 'Sing-Sings" performed by the many cultural groups of the province. They include the mysterious Asaro Mudmen, who re-enact a warrior episode from their history wearing masks of mud, their bodies coated in clay. In the village of Kopar, situated at the mouth of the Sepik River, you will be welcomed with cultural performances and witness life in a traditional village. As you voyage across Western New Guinea you will experience Cenderawasih Bay, with an unforgettable opportunity to swim with whalesharks and the spectacular KitikitiWaterfall, surrounded by lush nature. You will then set sail towards the KeiIslands, located in the MalukuIslands. These hidden gems, surrounded by incredibly blue water, are home of some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches of Indonesia. Before ending your cruise in Darwin, you will sail to the heart of TritonBay. Located within a protected marine environment in the middle of the Coral Triangle, you will enjoy an unforgettable Zodiac® cruise through the spectacular rainforest capped karst islands. The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
