Raja Ampat’s Birds of Paradise & Wildlife

Typical Itinerary

1. Day 1: Depart the UK

   Depart from London Heathrow to Dubai International Airport.

2. Day 2: Fly to Jakarta

   Today you fly to Jakarta and on arrival you have day use of a room at a hotel near the airport.

3. Day 3: Fly from Sorong to Kaimana

   Very early in the morning (shortly after midnight) you board a flight via Sorong to Kaimana, where you're transferred a short distance to a comfortable hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to rest and relax. 

   Accommodation: Kaimana Beach Resort, 1-night

4. Day 4: Board yacht & set sail for Triton Bay

   This morning you transfer to your base for the next nine nights, Katharina yacht, while you explore the Raja Ampat archipelago. Today you enjoy the first of many swims and snorkels over the healthy coral reefs in the clear, azure waters where you can admire the abundant marine life. You may also observe your first birds of this famed region, such as cockatoos or the impressive Blyth's hornbill, in the canopy of a forested island.

   Accommodation: Katharina yacht, 9-nights

5. Day 5: Explore West Papua & the Namatote Passage

   Today you spend the morning exploring the undisturbed coves, caves, and lagoons of Triton Bay before heading north through the Namatote Passage, where you can find an ancient collection of cave paintings high on the cliffs.

   As you cruise on, keep your eyes peeled for cetaceans and seabirds. There are small resident populations of Indo-Pacific bottle-nose dolphin and Bryde's whale in the area. Seabirds such as lesser frigatebird, greater crested tern and even red-necked phalarope may also be found. 

   During the afternoon, enjoy swimming, kayaking and paddling or perhaps a spot of relaxation amidst the beautiful beaches and rainforest-covered islands.

6. Day 6: Snorkel with whale sharks in Triton Bay

   This morning, you set off early to visit local fishing platforms in the bay, where magnificent whale sharks are regular visitors. Although there's no guarantee of sightings, you stand a good chance of being able to snorkel with the sharks at a sensitive distance or watch from the tender boat as the largest fish in the world swims below.

   After lunch, you explore the peaceful bays and jagged limestone outcrops by a mixture of tender, kayak and paddleboard, taking in more snorkels over coral reefs, looking for dolphins and hopefully manta rays and a wide range of other marine wildlife. Later this evening, you head west for an overnight crossing to another region of West Papua.

7. Day 7: Birdwatching & snorkelling in West Papua

   Today you awake close to the virgin rainforests of a remote corner of West Papua. You start the day visiting a beautiful jungle waterfall where some early morning birdwatching will hopefully treat you to sightings of eclectus and red-cheeked parrots, white-bellied sea eagle, spotted kestrel and many more. There will also be a wealth of different plants and invertebrates to discover. You may even find signs of tree kangaroo or other rare mammals. Later in the day, you enjoy more snorkelling from stunning white sand beaches and dazzling coral reefs. 

8. Day 8: Search for lesser bird-of-paradise

   Heading out before dawn, you trek through the forest, where you can hope to witness the spectacular display of the lesser bird-of-paradise. Adorned with long tail wires, ornamental plumes, a dark emerald-green throat and vibrant yellow crown, the males engage in elaborate courtship displays. When seen in full, the display is amongst the most impressive of all the birds-of-paradise.

   Please note that the walk to reach the lek site involves walking a narrow forest path that can occasionally involve crossing a shallow stream. The rewards for the walk can be well worthwhile. 

   In the past, tree kangaroos have also been seen in the area, but you would need to very fortunate to spot one of these rare mammals. 

   Later, over a leisurely lunch back on board, you cruise to a small group of stunning and remote islands, where you spend the afternoon exploring the beaches and crystal-clear waters with a long snorkel over their vibrant reefs. These are some of the best reefs for snorkelling in the archipelago, with shallow waters and many spectacular species to look out for.

   In the late afternoon you set off heading west for the Raja Ampat National Park.

9. Day 9: Explore Misool for lesser bird-of-paradise

   Travelling through the night, this morning you awake to a picturesque archipelago of forest-covered limestone islets on the southern side of the beautiful island of Misool. After breakfast, you swim through an enormous ancient sea cave whilst marvelling at the giant stalagmites and stalactites throughout before heading to a small, secret lake where you can snorkel amongst thousands of stingless jellyfish.

   After lunch, you take to the ship’s tenders to explore the numerous bays and inlets searching for birds, admiring the abundant coral reefs and viewing prehistoric cave paintings said to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old.

   The evening is spent dancing and singing with the crew as you enjoy a beach barbecue prior to spending a quiet night at anchor.

10. Day 10: Birdwatching & snorkelling around Misool

    A full day of relaxation is spent snorkelling the coral reefs, utilising the ship's kayaks and paddleboards to peruse the inlets and local areas or sunbathing on the paradisiacal white sand beaches. As you appreciate a day of tranquillity, watch out for species such as black-capped lory, hooded butcherbird and palm and sulphur-crested cockatoos on their island perches or navigating the skies overhead.

    This evening, you head north on an overnight cruise to Waigeo Island, where the opportunity to view your next bird-of-paradise awaits.

11. Day 11: Explore Pulau Waigeo for Wilson’s bird-of-paradise and snorkelling

    Early this morning, you set off in search of the striking Wilson’s bird of paradise at its ground level lek site on the densely forested island of Pulau Waigeo. Under the low light of the forest canopy, this bird-of-paradise uses shafts of light from above to set its metallic colours aflame, hopefully rewarding you with a memorable display. You canalso seek the glossy-mantled manucode and many other birds of the virgin forest on the island. You spend the afternoon on a nearby island exploring its forest trails, birdwatching and snorkelling from its inviting beaches. Colourful nudibranchs, huge Napoleon wrasse and incredible wobbegong walking shark are all found in this region. 

    This evening, you discover some of the nocturnal wildlife of the island as you set off in search of the superbly camouflaged Papuan frogmouth and the beautiful Waiego spotted cuscus in the forest canopy, before returning to the boat for dinner.

12. Day 12: Explore Mioskon Island for red bird-of-paradise

    Starting well before dawn, you head ashore to meet with your local guides, who lead you through the forest to the lekking trees of the red bird-of-paradise, where you can hope to witness their outlandish courtship display. The male of this remarkable species has a long cape of red feathers on his back, which he quivers at the frenzied peak of his display. In addition to other forest birds, you may encounter a non-lekking bird-of-paradise, the glossy-mantled manucode.

    After a late breakfast on the boat, you move to another nearby island where you can snorkel and relax. 

    Come late afternoon, you visit a local inhabited island, where the children from the village show you around their beautiful home before performing some local folk dances.

    The evening is spent sailing south whilst partaking in a final night celebration dinner and party with the crew.

13. Day 13: Return to Jakarta & depart

    This morning you arrive back in Sorong Harbour. After saying your farewells, you transfer to the Sorong Airport to board your flight back to Jakarta, where you can take the shuttle to your nearby airport hotel to rest. Returning to the airport in the afternoon, check in for your flight back to the UK. 

14. Day 14: Arrive UK