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Peregrine Travel Centre

Untamed Wilderness: an Expedition from Papua to Fiji

Untamed Wilderness: an Expedition from Papua to Fiji

From AUD $19,550

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Description

Set sail from Papua and voyage deep into the Pacific — through the wild, storied islands of Papua New Guinea, the coral-fringed shores of the Solomon Islands, the volcanic landscapes of Vanuatu, and on to Fiji. This is the Pacific as few ever encounter it: ancient cultures, extraordinary nature, and coastlines that remain genuinely remote

Trip Name
Untamed Wilderness: an Expedition from Papua to Fiji
Days
17
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 115 meters Passenger Capacity: 158 Built: 2020-2021 The SH Minerva is a boutique expedition ship purpose-built for exploring far-flung destinations and remote polar regions in comfort and style. Crafted at Finland’s esteemed Helsinki Shipyard, she features a Polar Class PC5 ice-strengthened hull and advanced stabilisers, ensuring smooth sailing even in challenging waters. With just 158 guests served by 122 crew across nine decks, the atmosphere on board is intimate and welcoming. Elegant Scandinavian-inspired interiors, panoramic observation spaces, and a range of facilities – from the stargazing deck and library to the spa, heated outdoor pool, and fine dining venues – make every moment at sea a pleasure. Accommodation ranges from well-appointed oceanview staterooms to spacious premium suites, each offering thoughtful touches such as a flame-effect fireplace, Illy espresso machine, luxury toiletries, and complimentary binoculars for wildlife spotting. Many feature private balconies for uninterrupted views of the passing scenery. Attentive crew provide a warm, personalised service, ensuring that every guest feels at home while enjoying a journey that blends adventure with refined comfort. Whether navigating icy channels or gliding into sunlit harbours, the SH Minerva offers an unforgettable cruising experience.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Days 0 - 1 Sorong, Papua & Pre Cruise
Charter flights to the port of embarkation/disembarkation (Longyearbyen, Ushuaia, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, Honiara, Jayapura and Sorong)One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel (exemptions apply)The bustling port city of Sorong in West Papua is known as the gateway to the crystalline waters of Raja Ampat, the world's most biodiverse marine habitat, home to over 1,500 species of fish and 75 percent of the world's known coral species. In town, the Buddhist pagoda of Sapta Ratna stands tall on a hilltop overlooking the harbour. Local fishing boats come in with their catch at the bustling Pasar Jembutan Puri fish market
Day 2 - Day 2 Pulau Mansinam, Papua
Small Pulau Mansinam lies in Doreri Bay opposite Manokwari and holds a special place in the history and identity of West Papua. It is often described as the cradle of Christianity in Papua: on 5 February 1855, German missionaries Otto and Gustav Geissler landed here, marking the beginning of Christianity’s spread across the region. A monument on the island commemorates this event, and the landing date is still observed as an important moment in local history. Beyond its cultural significance, Mansinam is also surrounded by reefs that shelter tropical fish and a wide range of marine life. The island’s story also connects strongly to World War II: between 1942 and 1944, the Manokwari area and nearby islands were used by Japanese forces as a strategic base to control sea routes between New Guinea’s northern coast and islands such as Biak and Numfoor, before becoming part of the Allied campaign to liberate western New Guinea
Day 3 - Day 3 Day at sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers
Day 4 - Day 4 Jayapura, Papua
Jayapura, Papua's provincial capital, serves as a base to explore the rugged Baliem Valley. Winding trails lead through verdant highlands to secluded waterfalls and saltwater springs. Traditional life endures in tribal villages hidden in the rainforest, featuring religious ceremonies or mock tribal wars. In Jayapura, museums recount the intense WWII battles, where Allied and Japanese forces clashed for control of the Pacific theatre
Day 5 - Day 5 Wewak
Wewak, East Sepik's capital, is a coastal gateway to the vast Sepik River, a winding lifeline through lush sago swamps, nipa palms and tranquil lagoons. Along its banks, stilted villages uphold vibrant traditions, from canoe travel to crafting intricate masks, wood carvings and towering Haus Tambaran spirit houses. Wewak also holds echoes of WWII history, with relics and the Cape Wom Memorial marking Japan’s surrender in Papua New Guinea
Day 6 - Day 6 Kopar Village, Sepik River
The Sepik River gracefully winds through rainforest and swampland, revealing tribal villages and stilt structures on muddy banks. In these homesteads, traditional ways of life persist with tribal ceremonies, spirit houses, and stories behind intricately carved masks and totems. Crocodiles, symbols of power, coexist with revered birds of paradise like Goldie's and sicklebills, punctuating the landscape with bursts of bright plumage
Day 7 - Day 7 Day at sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers
Day 8 - Day 8 Rabaul
Rabaul, the former capital of New Britain in Papua New Guinea's northeastern tip, is a town with a remarkable volcanic history. Situated inside a flooded caldera and near the active Tavurvur volcano, Rabaul has been rebuilt multiple times, including after the 1994 eruption. Its bustling markets, rich wartime heritage and a strategic harbour make Rabaul an intriguing destination. An observatory oversees the country's volcanic activity
Day 9 - Day 9 Buka Town, Buka Island
Discover Buka Town, the administrative centre of Bougainville. Bougainville’s identity is strong and local, with many distinct languages and traditions, and a matrilineal culture where women are central to land and clan life. This is also a place in political transition. In the 2019 referendum, Bougainville voted overwhelmingly for independence, and might soon become the world's newest country
Day 10 - Day 10 Njari Island
Njari is a tiny, uninhabited island off Gizo in the Solomon Islands, a strip of white sand and tropical foliage set in clear lagoon water. The surrounding reefs sit in the Coral Triangle, so the sea life here is often rich and close to shore. It is a quiet pause in the day, with a feeling of being far from everything
Day 11 - Day 11 Honiara, Guadalcanal Island
The capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara sits on the northeastern coast of Guadalcanal at the mouth of the Mataniko River. A relatively new city, it grew up around a U.S. military base during and after WWII. In 1952 it superseded Tulagi as the premier city of these islands. Honiara’s U.S. War Memorial provides a comprehensive war-history lesson of the area. Today the town is laid-back and relatively tourist free with a real-life atmosphere
Day 12 - Day 12 Day at sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers
Day 13 - Day 13 Champagne Beach, Espiritu Santo Island
Espiritu Santo is the largest island in Vanuatu, where dense rainforest meets luminous blue lagoons and long stretches of white sand. Known for its clear waters and quiet bays, the island offers a relaxed rhythm shaped by nature and local life. Inland, hidden freshwater pools and forest trails invite unhurried exploration, while along the coast, coral reefs and historic sites tell stories of both natural beauty and a layered past.Champagne Beach is a quiet, sheltered cove where pale sands meet clear, gently lapping water. Named for the soft effervescence created by waves moving over volcanic rock beneath the surface, the beach offers a calm, almost meditative setting
Day 14 - Day 14 Ambrym Island
Ambrym Island is part of Vanuatu's Y-shaped, volcanic archipelago, spanning 1,300 km in the South Pacific. The fifth largest of Vanuatu's 80 islands, Ambrym features black-sand beaches and the awe-inspiring twin volcanoes of Mount Marum and Mount Benbow. Lush rainforest covers Ambrym, where villagers practise traditional magic and create renowned sand drawings. Kava, made from the root of the local plant, is the ceremonial drink
Day 15 - Day 15 Day at sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers
Day 16 - Day 16 Lautoka, Viti Levu
Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, and site of the nation's capital, Suva. Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city, is often referred to as ‘Sugar City’ because of its historical association with the sugar industry. The former Sugar Mill has been converted into an inviting museum, showcasing the rich history of Lautoka's sugar industry, the sugar production process and features vintage machineryGroup return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included)
Day 17 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
02-11-202818-11-2028AUD $0Oceanview D4
02-11-202818-11-2028AUD $0Oceanview M4
02-11-202818-11-2028AUD $0Balcony D5
02-11-202818-11-2028AUD $0Balcony M5
02-11-202818-11-2028AUD $0Balcony D6
02-11-202818-11-2028AUD $0Suite
02-11-202818-11-2028AUD $0Premium Suite

Inclusions

    • Expert-led Talks
    • Learn more about this isolated polar region from our on board team of experts.
    • Guided Hikes
    • Take guided walks on island trails and coastal paths, with time to stop for views, wildlife spotting, and photos.
    • Echoes of the Pacific War
    • Trace WWII history across the region, from island shores where rusted aircraft and shipwreck relics still sit in the landscape to places of remembrance, with expert context that brings the story into focus.
    • Meet the Tribes of the Pacific
    • Experience captivating indigenous performances, such as ritual traditions and dances, explore tribal villages and shop for handicrafts.
    • Snorkeling & Diving
    • Explore clear, warm waters where coral gardens attract reef fish, rays, and, at times, reef sharks.

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