WALLACE TRAILS & SAILS (KATHARINA)

This unforgettable cruise will travel to remote and exotic Indonesian islands in the wake of the legendary British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection. In 1854, Wallace set off on a voyage to the Malay Archipelago (now and Malaysia), where he spent eight years, collecting more than 125,000 specimens. His book “The Malay Archipelago” is the region’s most famous travelogue; it has been in print for nearly 150 years.

Wallace’s observations of the marked zoological differences Islands with their pristine and incredibly diverse coral reefs and across a narrow strait between the islands of Bali and Lombok, glorious Birds of Paradise. and Borneo and Sulawesi, led to his proposing the zoo-geographical boundary now known as The Wallace line. In Note: The price of this cruise does not include any domestic 1858, while suffering from an attack of malarial fever, Wallace airfares to and from our start and end points. If you are booking conceived the theory of natural selection independently of by yourself, please check with us first to find out the best routes Charles Darwin, but it was his extraordinary fieldwork and his to take, and to ensure that you arrive at your destination with concern about the effects humans were having on the natural plenty of time to spare. Except for Bali, transfers to and from world, which put him into the pantheon of conservation greats. local airports to the boat are also included.

Like Wallace, we will go in search of the Birds of Paradise, ITINERARY which he regarded as “…one of the most beautiful and most Day 1 Ambon wonderful of living things.” Our journey on-board the Katharina Your flight arrives in the port town of Ambon, the gateway to the will visit some of the places that most fascinated Wallace, Moluccas, where you will be met at the airport and transferred including Ambon, Seram, and the Raja Ampat to the harbour where the Katharina will be waiting at anchor. Once settled into your cabin, you will have time to meet your tour leader, who will then brief you about the trip. We will take an (optional) short tour of the surrounding area. We will start with a visit to the Commonwealth War Cemetery, where many

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Allied troops from World war II are buried. We will then head to to this most fascinating and mysterious island. Our destination the north of the island and visit Hitu Lama, the ancient port of is the village of Sawai, an oasis in itself, but also a perfect land the Spice Trade that was in use for centuries before Europeans base for us to make the most of Seram’s stunning northern made it to the Indies. We will visit the market and see a coast and . We will spend two days traditional Balieo house. Also on our tour will be the Waipauwe trekking, exploring and bird-watching in the area before we Mosque (1414), the Immanuel Church (1512) and finally to continue on our course for the famous Raja Ampat Archipelago. Fort Amsterdam (1514) one of the first European forts built in . After this we will return to the boat before heading out Day 6 Raja Ampat and on our adventure. Today we will try our best to see the Lesser Birds of Paradise in the wild, an unforgettable experience for anyone lucky enough Day 2 to see them. We will rise around 4am and have a quick This morning will be spent on the island of Manipa, said to have breakfast and go ashore at Kapatcol, where local guides will be magical powers because the Portuguese, the Dutch and the waiting for us to take us through the forest to hopefully see the Japanese never set foot on it despite occupying the surrounding birds as they dance around in their ‘lekking’ trees. We can make islands. The village we will explore is simple but bright with no guarantees, however, as we do not have them on a leash. tropical blooms, while the surrounding gardens, groves and We will have time for a look around the village and possibly a forests yield produce such as cashew nuts and the sago palm. visit to the school and to learn about the way Nature We will visit a distillery for the locality’s famous ‘kayu putih’ oil – Conservancy is working with the village to empower with local a universal panacea that no Indonesian household is without, women with a fishing practice called sasi. Mid-afternoon we will for all the aches and pains, colds and stomach upsets that set off to eastern side of Misool to Tomolol Bay. afflict us. It is distilled from vats full of the crushed leaves of melaleuca trees. Day 7 Raja Ampat This morning we will wake to see the sun rise over the Day 3 picturesque chain of islands that makes up the eastern part of Today we will wake up in front of Boano Island, which is famous the Misool archipelago. The topography is typical of ‘karst for its towering cliffs, karst formations and white-sand beaches. dissolution,’ featuring a great number of tiny islets whose bases We’ll use the tenders to explore this beautiful coastline. During have been eroded over time by the relentless motion of the lunch we will move to a nearby string of uninhabited islands for tides. A swim through Tomolol’s mysterious dome-topped cave some spectacular snorkelling. is undoubtedly one of Raja Ampat’s most memorable activities. After an early breakfast, our tenders will take us into the heart Day 4 & 5 Seram of the bay to see this partially submerged cave where it is Seram (formerly Ceram) is a remote place of hilly jungle, which possible to swim, snorkel or simply float while gazing up at the is rarely visited by outsiders, yet our vessel will allow us access cavernous grotto adorned with astonishing stalactites. The more

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com adventurous can swim or paddle through the dark waters to the after his very challenging sail from Seram. After breakfast we other mouth of the cave. We will then move on to the will take dinghies through the narrow channel, examine the mysterious jellyfish lake and swim amongst the many thousands vegetation clinging to the limestone cliffs, and snorkel at a few of stingless animals. After returning to the ship, we will use our contrasting sites. We will then return to the ship and head out of tenders to explore more of this impressive maze of karst islands, the bay; with luck we might see some dolphins. We will spend both above and below the surface, complete with mysterious the afternoon in Yenbeser village where Wallace spent some skull cairns in sea-cave cemeteries, and prehistoric cave months and (if the tides are right) we’ll visit a faithful replica of paintings, estimated to be anything between 3,000 to 5,000 Wallace’s small hut, which was built by the villagers using plans years old and depicting various human figures and huge human from FFI (Fauna & Flora International) and a grant from SeaTrek. palms, fish, flowers and plants, tools and vessels. We will also visit a nearby small island where a local man has set up a coconut crab 'sanctuary'. The island is home to a small Day 8 Raja Ampat number of the animals (Birgus latro, the world's largest Today is a day or snorkelling, Wallace tracking, and exploring terrestrial arthropod), and you can get up close and personal some of Raja Ampat’s most beautiful limestone Karst islands. with these magnificent beasts. Another late afternoon snorkel We will wake up in front of the island of Penemu, a dramatic along a reef with some spectacular giant clams will lead us into location with a short hilltop walk to take in the amazing views. dinner at anchor on board, ready for an early morning venture After some great snorkelling on the island’s reefs, we will set for the Red Bird of Paradise. course for Klaarbeck, where Wallace landed after his difficult journey from Seram after a combination of unpredictable winds, Day 10 Raja Ampat fierce currents, difficult anchorages and lack of water sources Today your ship will make its way through the Dampier strait, ended with him being unable to retrieve two crewmen who were home of some of Raja Ampat’s premier reefs. With a bit of luck, stranded to the south on the small island of Kommerrust. we hope to snorkel with some of the larger marine life attracted Hopefully, we will be able to land on Klaarbeck and climb the to the strait’s nutrient- rich currents. We will end our day in front hill that Wallace climbed in the vain hope of signaling to his Arborek Village, where we can easily circumnavigate the tiny stranded men. Afterwards we hope to reach nearby Yar island at island by foot and get a sense of the Asai culture, which is still dusk to witness thousands of flying foxes emerging and flying off kept alive by the villagers living on this tiny isolated island. to feed. This night we will find a remote beach where we will Arborek is also home to a local manta conservation project have a beach BBQ and party, a highlight of any SeaTrek where volunteers will happily show us around and explain their journey. efforts and programmes in more detail.

Day 9 Raja Ampat Day 11 Raja Ampat We will emerge from our cabins in the southwest corner of We will wake offshore of Sawinggarai Village. It will be an early Kabui Bay next to ‘Wallace’s Channel’ where Wallace emerged morning start as the dinghy takes us in the dark over to the

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com village and a local guide will take us on a 20-minute walk into the forest. As dawn breaks in the forest canopy, we should get good views of the bright ‘Cendrawasih Merah’ or Red Bird of Paradise. Back in the village there will be time to meet with the community and perhaps visit the school. We will be back on the boat by mid-morning and if time permits we’ll travel over to Pef Island to snorkel and motor around the convoluted coast, while learning the myth about the prehistoric hand print still visible high on a limestone cliff. In the afternoon we’ll head towards Sorong and should have time for a snorkel before dinner.

Day 12 Sorong After breakfast we will say goodbye to the crew and our sea-based home, the Katharina. We will take the tenders ashore where you will be transferred to the airport for your onward travel.

Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: KATHARINA

YOUR SHIP: Katharina

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Katharina is a mix of traditional and modern design. Her hull and rigging are traditional, while the deck house and interior were custom designed to adapt to Western tastes of space, privacy and comfort. While Indonesian traditional sailing vessels are customarily referred to as Bugi Schooners, strictly speaking bathroom with shower and toilet. Unlike typical ship Katharina is rigged as a Ketch, the foremast being higher than accommodation, your cabin provides ample space to store your the aft mast. stuff and still move about with ease. The deck area of Katharina is dominated by the 25m tall main We know from experience that during a cruise in the tropics and top masts and a large central table around which we enjoy some of our guests discover the pleasure of sleeping under the our meals alfresco. Just aft is the main lounge and bar, stars and there is plenty of room to sleep on the upper deck. accessible on the port side. On top of this main cabin there is a Mattresses as well as light blankets are available for that sun deck, where you find several additional deck chairs and purpose. comfortable day beds. Below decks there are 4 double cabins Spacious twin shared cabins with twin bunk beds or double bed (with one extra single upper berth) and 2 twin cabins Each cabin has a private bathroom with toilet and hot shower (upper/lower berth). All cabins are air-conditioned (individually Washbasin and soap toiletries in your cabin controlled) and have private bathrooms with warm and cold Cabins have individually controlled air conditioning water. Obviously, we provide all hotel amenities you may Towels and beach towels that are regularly changed require. each cabin has an individual minisafe for valuables and travel Each cabin has a wardrobe, a built-in mini safe, individually documents controlled cooling systems and soft lightning. All cabins have Free tea, coffee and mineral water their own private

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Excellent food and snacks (vegetarian food on request) Excellent wine selection, cold beer and other alcoholic drinks for sale Chilled towels and a welcome drink upon arrival Outdoor sleeping facilities Unlimited use of our snorkeling equipment and 2 sea canoes Television, DVD and music centre in lounge

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com PRICING

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com