Orion Expedition Cruises’ voyage to Papua New Guinea.

Orion Expedition Cruises’ voyage to Papua New Guinea. The 11-night itinerary onboard the award-winning expedition cruise ship Orion has two departures next year on 16^th and 27^th March 2013 and provides a very civilised and luxurious way to explore the coast and islands of Papua New Guinea. The itineraries commence and conclude in Cairns, Queensland, seamlessly incorporating a charter flight direct to or from the ship in Rabaul for boarding or disembarkation.

Discover the photographer-within or anthropologist-within as you explore this land of over 800 languages and a diversity of largely self-contained cultures that will challenge the imagination. Until relatively recently Papua New Guinea was still perceived as an isolated world of head-hunters; a land of mythology, sorcery and witchcraft.

Bypassing the main towns, as Orion does, many villagers have only been exposed to the modern world through the workings of missionaries and occasional traders. Yet step ashore with members of Orion’s specialist expedition team and you will be greeted with broad smiles and warm welcomes from gentle villagers – an eye opening introduction to a way of life far removed from our Western world.

On these Orion voyages encounter primitive tribal cultures (and perhaps purchase superb indigenous artwork and carvings), see unique flora and fauna and enjoy snorkelling and fishing in warm indigo and cobalt blue waters, home to some the world’s most prolific marine and coral life.

In Rabaul, volcanic Mount Tavurvur grumbles, expelling smoke, gases, ash and volcanic rocks from deep within the earth. Here Admiral Yamamoto directed much of the Japanese Pacific campaign and the detritus of World War II lies scattered for your examination. Tufi’s villages are situated within a picturesque series of jungle clad volcanic fjords, tribal cultures unchanged for centuries; while the colonial town of Madang conjures scenes of a Conrad or Hemmingway sitting in a cane chair well positioned to catch the afternoon breeze, sipping pink gin.

Orion’s voyages to Papua New Guinea provide modern day explorers with the opportunity to venture to places far from mainstream tourism, yet to do so in the company of like-minded fellow travellers, in comfort and safety and without sacrificing creature comforts.

Orion’s 11-night Papua New Guinea Cultural Highlights voyage has departures on 16^th and 27^th March 2013. On these voyages, Orion travels between Rabaul and Cairns and visits Sepik River & Watam Village, Madang, Tami Islands, Tufi, Kitava, Samarai and Kwato Island and Alotau. Book before 30^th November and save £1,750 per person with prices from £5,635 per person including 11 nights onboard Orion, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers, government fees and taxes and free charter flight between Rabaul and Cairns. After 30^th November, prices from £6,995 per person.

For further information and reservations call 020 7399 7620 or visi