Description
Heritage Expeditions, pioneers in authentic small ship expedition cruising, invites you on the ultimate tropical island-hopping cruise from Osaka, Japan, through the Philippines and Indonesia to Darwin, Australia, aboard luxurious expedition ship Heritage Adventurer.
Our adventure begins exploring the Buddhist temples, gardens, castles, history, culture and cuisine of Japan including one of its most famous sites Itsukushima Shrine with its renowned overwater torii gate, Hiroshima Peace Park, the eco-paradise and UNESCO World Heritage status of Yakushima Island, the primeval subtropical Kinsakubaru Virgin Forest and centuries old traditional process of making Oshima Tsumugi silk on Amami Oshima and the beauty and history of the ‘Hawaii of Japan’ Okinawa Island.
We then weave our way through hard-to-reach and rarely visited tropical islands where impossibly blue waters gently lap white sand beaches and pristine coral gardens and walls abound with neon-lit fish, fascinating rare birds and wildlife dwell in primeval jungles, intriguing time-forget cultures and traditions await discovery and World War II relics, wrecks and history can be found both above and below the water.
Highlights include Taiwan’s Yehliu Geopark and 19-kilometre-long canyon Taroko National Park and Marble Gorge with its 300 feet high marble walls, Philippines historic Batan Island, Hundred Islands National Park, the ‘Galapagos of Asia’ Sibuyan Island, visiting the ‘Whale Shark Capital of the World’ and swimming with the gentle giants and discovering the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ on Bohol Island.
We also plan to delve into the fascinating history of the Spice Islands at Banda Neira, visit the famed palace of the Sultan of Ternate, look for the world’s smallest primate the saucer-eyed Tarsier, and snorkel pristine coral reefs including “the mother of all living coral reefs”, sample local delicacies and experience thrilling cultural exchanges at villages where traditional life continues unchanged.
Set sail where few have gone before and join us on an authentic expedition as we expedition cruise the remote, rarely visited tropical island paradises of Japan, Philippines and Indonesia by ship and Zodiac on this incredible voyage.