SPECIAL OFFER -SAVE £400 PER PERSON Papua The Last Frontier Discover the Wonders of aboard the MS Caledonian Sky 26th September to 14th October 2018 , Trobriand

Traditional house, Sepik River

Alim ew lands have such an exotic and mysterious allure as Papua New Guinea. Rabaul The world’s second-largest island sits off the north coast of and is Garove Island F Sepik River home to more than 1,000 indigenous tribes — each with their own traditions — as Madang well as flamboyant birdlife, tropical forests rich with orchids, steepsided volcanoes, from Cairns PAPUA NEW pristine coral wonderlands and golden beaches. Our past travellers and field staff who GUINEA have visited this mysterious land, where nothing is contrived and every experience Lababia is truly authentic, have enthused about the spectacular scenery and truly astounding Tufi array of native cultures which are known to only a few privileged travellers. Port Moresby D’Entrecasteaux Islands

Bonarua Travelling independently in Papua New Guinea can be difficult, with little infrastructure in to Cairns place to accommodate for tourists and information about getting around often scarce. This is of course what makes the region alluring to the genuine traveller, but also why travelling with just 100 passengers and our expert onboard team aboard the all-suite MS Caledonian Sky, is an ideal way to explore this fascinating part of the world in comfort. Afloat and ashore, our exploration will be filled with unforgettable images and we hope you will join us for this unparalleled opportunity to explore one of the most intriguing places on the map.

What To Expect… Flexibility is the key to an expedition cruise; sometimes the whole Fergusson and Dobu, D’Entrecasteaux Islands: We could see as soon as we day’s schedule will be changed to maximise your experience, something came on deck this morning that this landscape is different: wooded islands that would not be possible on a large cruise ship. Each day holds with hills, ridges, and even low mountains, unlike the coral something new and below are some extracts from the ship’s log from of the last few days. The D’Entrecasteaux group are volcanically active but a previous voyage in the region which will provide you with an idea of mostly domes of metamorphic rock which have been baked at great depth what to expect. and then thrust up above the earth. Our first destination after breakfast was to Fergusson to witness some of these volcanic features. Some of us Lababia: This morning we took to dugout canoes paddled by villagers, saw a whale on our approach, probably a Bryde’s whale, the most likely and set off up a wild river in convoy. The west side of this river has been rorqual species here in the tropics. Our Zodiacs raced us across a flat calm designated the Kamiali Wildlife Management Reserve, 27,000ha where bay to land at a tiny beach. Several guides were waiting to take us inland, no crops are grown, nor trees felled. It remains pristine rainforest and and we were soon past the coastal gardens and onto a gravel road. We because the only sound we were making was the plashing of canoe passed through a swamp forest, Eclectus Parrots and Imperial Pigeons flying paddles, we could hear the cicadas, falling leaves and the liquid calls overhead, dragonflies round the ponds, and a number of pretty flowers of many forest birds from the surrounding trees. On our way back there on the roadside, including the Sensitive Plant, whose leaflets shrivel when were lorikeets screeching overhead, swiftlets above the treetops, a touched. In the river was a steaming fumaroles with the characteristic smell of sulphur-crested cockatoo creaking to one side of the river, the huge sulphur. Further up were hot pits where the locals cook: two boys passed us dusky crested Palm Cockatoo in a tree on the other. At one point a with plantains boiled in steam vents just minutes before. Finally we came to Grey Goshawk swept across the river carrying a small bird in its talons, a strange salt pan and look out at a steaming set of terraces, bright orange and a kingfisher raced past us upstream. Once back at the river mouth, with crystallized salts. Up over a small rise and there were boiling pools of we walked past thatched wooden houses on stilts, to reach the central water, spurting geysers and clouds of steam issuing from the ground: classic square just back of the beach. Here the local primary school children volcanic fumaroles. Up on the hill above, friar birds were calling to each gathered to sing us the moving National Anthem, and then a fearsome other. After lunch we crossed to , a tiny neighbour with a big group of warriors with headdresses adorned with hornbill, cockatoo volcano in the middle, the flanks deeply grooved where rainwater has eroded and goshawk feathers leapt and stamped to the insistent beat of kundu the volcanic ash. It was raining as we came in to land but much was still going drums. What a spectacle, a performance enjoyed as much by the on at the school area, a volleyball game, a game of football and women villagers themselves as by our appreciative audience. By now the day demonstrating how they cooked their food in the old way. This school site was heating up so many returned to the cool haven of the ship while was where the first Methodist ministers landed in 1891; there was a line of the more active made for the snorkel Zodiac and enjoyed the soothing huge mango trees which must date from this time. There was time for the balm of clear coral reefs and their myriad fish shoals. After such an Zodiacs to ferry the keenest swimmers across to a beautiful clear water reef action-packed morning, the afternoon was a welcome respite, as the in the channel offshore for a last snorkel. This was the best set of corals and Captain hauled anchor and we headed south to a new destination. finest marine diversity we have encountered so far, a fitting fishy finale. The The afternoon was a quiet time to recuperate and attend two lectures evening was completed with a showing of “First Encounter”, black and white on offer: Tony on the Birds of New Guinea and Micronesia, and Ian on footage of the incredible Australian 1930 Leahy brothers expedition into the Coral Reefs and their fishes. heart of Papua New Guinea in search of gold. www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Hong Kong

Tufi tribe Trobriand Islands

The Itinerary Day 1 London to Hong Kong. Fly by volcanic ash. Enjoy Welcome Drinks or snorkel from the beach, join a occupation and subsequent scheduled flight. and Dinner as we moor overnight. Zodiac cruise to the mangroves or fighting. Our guided morning tour join our expedition staff for nature will include the Catholic Mission Day 2 Hong Kong. Arrive this Day 7 Rabaul. Rabaul had a spotting. and Coastwatchers Memorial afternoon and transfer to our significant role in World War Two Lighthouse and vibrant market. hotel for an overnight stay. The as a Japanese stronghold and on Day 10 Sepik River. At dawn we This afternoon we will continue our remainder of the day is free to our morning tour we will see some anchor at the mouth of the Sepik journey southwards. acclimatise under independent of the 700 kilometres of tunnels River which at 1100 kilometres, arrangements. built by the Japanese during the is the longest river in Papua Day 12 Lababia. Arrive at breakfast occupation which were used as a New Guinea. The river is central time in Lababia, our entry to the Day 3 Hong Kong to Cairns. hiding place for barges from enemy to life for the communities that Kamiali Wildlife Management Area. Enjoy a relaxing morning before aircraft and some of these can still live here being used for trade It is accessible only by boat and the an afternoon city tour of Hong be seen in the tunnels. We also in dugout canoes, fishing and area has been formally protected Kong including Victoria Peak and visit Admiral Yamamoto’s bunker cooking. We will rise early and use but is under the control of local Stanley Market. After the tour we from where he led the South Pacific our Zodiacs to explore the river landowners. It includes a wide will continue to the airport for our campaign. Return to the system surrounded by lush forest range of lowland and mid-montane scheduled flight to Cairns. MS Caledonian Sky for lunch and and birdsong. Later we will visit a rainforest, together with inshore spend the afternoon at sea. local village where we will receive marine areas including lush coral Day 4 Cairns, Australia. Arrive this a traditional welcome of song reefs, and has a rich array of plants, morning and transfer to our hotel Day 8 Garove Island, Witu Islands. and dance before exploring. See animals and ecosystems. We can for an overnight stay. Enjoy the rest Arrive this morning at the Witu the men’s house, the place where take a rainforest walk on the David of the day at leisure. Islands, a small group of volcanic important decisions regarding the Suzuki Trail, seeking hornbills, reef-ringed islands situated within village are made and initiation parrots and palm cockatoos or Day 5 Cairns. After breakfast the of Bismarck. We ceremonies take place, learn about enjoy time in the local village. at the hotel enjoy a full day in spend the day on the largest of the process of sago palms and see Return to the ship for lunch and Cairns. Choose to spend the day these, Garove Island. The fringing pieces of tribal art and crafts. spend a relaxing afternoon at sea. exploring the underwater world reef surrounding the island offers on the Great Barrier Reef or fine swimming or you can enjoy Day 11 Madang. Madang is Day 13 Tufi. Arrive at first light discover the wildlife at the Daintree snorkelling amongst multi-coloured sometimes dubbed the ‘prettiest in the fjordland of Papua New Rainforest. We will meet this corals whilst there will also be the town in the Pacific’ perched Guinea. These fjords are over 90 evening for dinner at the hotel. opportunity to tour the village on a peninsula surrounded by metres deep and rise vertically to seeing the church and recently built picturesque islands and sprinkled 150 metres from the water. The Day 6 Cairns to Rabaul, Papua community house. with parks, ponds and water- faces of the fjord are covered with New Guinea. After breakfast in lily filled waterways. Madang’s moss and orchids and waterfalls the hotel we will transfer to the Day 9 Alim Island, Admiralty warm, wet climate and fertile soil pour into the sea. We will use our airport for our specially chartered Islands. The Admiralty Islands are produce luxuriant growth and Zodiacs or local boats to explore flight to Rabaul. On arrival we will an archipelago of 18 islands in any of the huge casuarina trees the fjords and also visit the local transfer to the MS Caledonian Sky the . We plan to use that tower over the Madang villages. In the markets we will see moored in the spectacular setting our Zodiacs to land on one of the streets support huge colonies the local pottery, jewellery and tapa of Rabaul’s Simpson harbour. pristine beaches on Alim Island, an of flying foxes. The trees may cloth typical of this region. Due to Six cone-shaped volcanoes ring uninhabited island and paradise have escaped World War Two the protection of the fjords, the Rabaul’s dramatic flooded-caldera for birds. Here we may find pairs relatively unscathed but Madang coral reefs are rich in colour and harbour. One of these, Mount of breeding red footed boobies, itself was not so lucky. The town variety and have good visibility. Tavurvur is still active last erupting kingfishers and brown noddies. was rebuilt after it was virtually We will find a suitable spot with in 1994 and covering Rabaul in There will be the option to swim destroyed during the Japanese our Zodiacs to snorkel amongst Hong Kong , hot springs

Dugout canoes

Clownfish and anemone Trobriand Islands

Exploring by Zodiac Victoria Crowned Pigeon

the gobie, Mandarin fish, pigmy islands. We will use our Zodiacs Day 17 Port Moresby to Cairns, Day 18 Cairns to London. After seahorses, sponge and shelf corals. to land on Dobu to meet the Australia. Disembark this morning breakfast in the hotel transfer local villagers and see the local and transfer to the airport for our to the airport for our scheduled Day 14 Kuiawa & Nakwaba, church. Later, we cruise through specially chartered flight to Cairns. indirect flight to London. Trobriand Islands. Over breakfast the spectacular Dobu Passage On arrival transfer to our hotel for we arrive in Kuiawa in the Trobriand and will land on Fergusson Island , an overnight stay. The remainder Day 19 London. Arrive this morning. Islands. First discovered by the the largest of the chain, in a small of the day is free for independent French vessel, Esperence, in fishing village. From here we will exploration. 1793 and named after the First walk to the local hot springs and Lieutenant, they are also known bubbling mud pools surrounded as the “Islands of Love” after the by lush vegetation, birders can study by anthropologist Bronislaw keep a lookout for parrots and Prices per person Based on double occupancy Malinowski who wrote about them cockatoos. A welcome dance will in his study “The Argonauts of be accompanied by local foods the Western Pacific”. We will be cooked in the hot pools. SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £400 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY welcomed to the island by the Deck Suite Category Brochure Price Special Offer Price local villagers before having time Day 16 Bonarua. As we follow the Castle Standard Forward £8995 £8595 to explore and learn about their coast of Papua New Guinea, the Castle Standard £9195 £8795 culture. Over lunch we sail the peaks of the dramatic Stanley Owens Caledonian Superior £9395 £8995 short distance to Nakwaba, a sand Range come into view. At breakfast Promenade Premium £9895 £9495 cay emerging from the blue waters we arrive at the island of Bonarua in Bridge Deluxe Balcony £10295 £9895 of the lagoon. Spend the afternoon Milne Bay. We will go ashore to view Promenade Premium Balcony £10395 £9995 lounging on the beach, snorkelling fishing and weaving demonstrations, Promenade Owners Corner Suite with balcony £10595 £10195 along the surrounding reef, or the and wander through the enchanting Castle Standard for sole use £10195 £9795 birders may take a walk in the hope village, sampling local delicacies. Caledonian Superior for sole use £10395 £9995 of seeing a variety of terns and Birders have the chance to trek Pacific golden plovers. into the thicket whilst the warm Price Includes: Economy class scheduled return air travel from London to Cairns via Hong Kong, specially chartered flights from Cairns to Rabaul and from Port inviting waters of the Coral Sea Moresby to Cairns, overnight hotel accommodation in Hong Kong & three nights Day 15 Dobu & Fergusson, offer a final opportunity to explore in Cairns with breakfast, 11 nights aboard the MS Caledonian Sky on a full board D’Entrecasteaux Islands. Our the underwater world. Return to basis, house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Noble Caledonia Papua New Guinea adventure the ship for lunch and an afternoon expedition team, shore excursions, gratuities, group transfers, port taxes. continues in the D’Entrecasteaux at sea. Not Included: Travel insurance, visas.

+44 (0)20 7752 0000 MS Caledonian Sky Formerly known as Hebridean Spirit, this 114-passenger vessel began her new life with Noble Caledonia in May 2012. Built in the same ship yard as both MS Island Sky and MS Hebridean Sky, she shares the same attributes as her sister vessels, joining them as one of the finest small ships in the world.

Your Suite Your Space consistent superior quality. Where On board there are 57 exceptionally shower and/or bath tub. Facilities The spacious and finely decorated possible and when it meets his spacious and well designed suites. in the suites also include walk-in or public rooms include a large lounge high standards, our accomplished The passenger accommodation is spacious wardrobes, dressing table where daily briefings and talks will chef will obtain local produce in arranged over four decks and all with large mirror and stool or desk, be provided throughout the voyage markets. Such purchases enhance suites have outside views. All feature mini-fridge, flat screen television, and an elegant bar where a pianist the well stocked larders and bring a a sitting room area and some have telephone, programmable plays periodically throughout the local touch to the varied menus. In private balconies. Each affords electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted day. The bar also features a 24-hour the main elegant dining room, considerable comfort with en-suite toiletries, air-conditioning and tea and coffee station. In addition breakfast is served buffet-style, with bathroom featuring a country style heating. Bottled water, towelling there is the Club Lounge on the certain items cooked to order and wash basin, hot towel rack and dressing gowns and slippers are also Panorama Deck which features a lunch and dinner is à la carte. To vanity unit with sink and walk-in provided for your comfort. bar. The onboard travel library is the enhance your dining experience perfect place to relax with a book even further a selection of wines and is stocked with reference books are included with lunch and dinner. Premium Balcony Suite pertaining to the places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and two computers with internet access. Outside there is a rear Lido deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade. On the top deck there is a further observation and sun deck with bar service and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. There is also a small gymnasium on board and hairdressers with appointments made on request.

Your Dining With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the cuisine will be of a Restaurant Sun Deck Standard Suite

Panorama Lounge

Your Day to Day Life On Board MS Caledonian Sky a memorable Deck Plan On board the MS Caledonian and joyful experience. Dress on Sky, you will not find endless board is casual and relaxed and entertainment, round the there will be no ‘black tie’ evenings. clock buffets and the people management which is so much Exploring Ashore a part of today’s big ship style. One of the joys of expedition Instead the atmosphere on board cruising aboard a small vessel is is warm and peaceful and more the flexibility it allows. Although akin to a private yacht or country we set sail with a set itinerary it Panorama Deck hotel in which you can learn more is the unscheduled events that Panorama Lounge about the wonders of nature, culture often become the highlight of the and ancient civilisations in the journey and with our fleet of Zodiac company of like-minded people. landing craft, we can explore inlets, A little music in the lounge or bar fjords, bird sanctuaries, land in Bridge Deck after dinner, guest speakers and otherwise inaccessible places and Hotel Buffet Pantry Manager’s 511 509 507 505 informative port briefings from our be footloose in a way that would Office

Chief Captain expedition leader, all contribute to be totally impractical for larger 512 510 508 506 Engineer make any voyage aboard the groups of passengers.

Promenade Deck Dining on deck Your Comfort, Safety & Security Our vessel is equipped with Hairdresser 433 431 427 425 423 421 419 417 415 the latest safety, navigation and WC communications equipment along Gym 434 432 428 426 424 422 420 418 416 414

with roll stabilisers to minimise the ship’s motion. During your voyage Caledonian Deck

you will have the opportunity to 347 345 343 341 339 335 333 331 329 visit the Captain and Officers on Reception the Bridge to check the vessel’s 348 346 344 342 340 338 336 334 332 330 progress by charts and learn more about your journey. On board you Castle Deck will also find a clinic and doctor and 261 259 257 255 Doctor a lift that serves all decks.

262 260 258 256 254 252 250

This cruise visits out of the way destinations. You will be accompanied by an expedition team and some Standard Suites (Forward) Premium Suites Premium Balcony Suites landings ashore will be made by Zodiac landing craft. Standard Suites Deluxe Balcony Suites Owner’s Corner Suites with Balcony

Cruises such as this will appeal to the more adventurous Superior Suites and those who enjoy the natural world. NB. All Suites on Castle Deck feature a minimum of two portholes.

2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | noble-caledonia.co.uk 210617_S All special offers are subject to availability. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover image: Papua New Guinea