Meet & Greet: Upon arrival at Singapore Airport, you will be met and then transferred to your hotel to check in.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon, you can relax after your long journey or explore Singapore on an independent basis.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (Quay Room)

Private transfer: Early this morning, you will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for your flight to Cairns in Australia.

Flight: SQ5339 Singapore - Cairns 08.40 - 17.30

Meet & Greet:  Upon arrival at Cairns Airport, you will be met and then transferred to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hilton Cairns (Deluxe King Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer:  This morning, you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the nearby airport. Here you will receive your 'welcome aboard' as one of the crew members will escort you aboard True North Adventure Cruises' very own charter aircraft! Now sit back and enjoy the comfortable flight to Kavieng.

Charter flight: Cairns - Kavieng. Actual flight times will be advised closer to the departure date.

True North Adventure Cruise: After clearing customs, you will be transferred to your waiting cruise ship and you will then board the True North. After checking in to your cabin, you will enjoy a welcome lunch onboard before your first visit of the cruise to a local island resort.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the True North (Ocean Class cabin - Main Deck)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

True North Adventure Cruise: The many islands around Kavieng and New Hanover are a cruise highlight. A morning sing sing will be a memorable event as every man, woman and child turns out in welcome. Off the beach you find ships, planes and even submarines wrecked in shallow water and beyond the reef it's time to encounter a marauder of another kind! A great place for diving and snorkelling.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the True North (Ocean Class cabin - Main Deck)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

True North Adventure Cruise: Today, cruise to the Vitu Islands which are a volcanic group with an area of 96 km2 located in the Bismarck Archipelago. Formerly called the French Islands, the group is also sometimes known as the Witu Islands. The islands are volcanic ocean peaks and although they are reef-ringed, they are not atolls and therefore highly fertile. The group is the chief copra centre of Papua New Guinea, although the main crop harvested is now cocoa (due to the depressed prices available for copra). Garove (or Big Witu) and Unea (Bali) are the largest islands. The islands are situated northwest of the Talasea Peninsula on the north coast of New Britain with Unea lying some 40 nautical miles southeast of the main group and the remaining islands - Mundua situated 7 miles NW of Garove, and Narage some fifteen miles NW of Mundua. The final extension of the chain being the Attilian Reef which is further NW of Narage and all but totally submerged making it dangerous to shipping.

Vitu's remote coral reefs remain largely unexplored. Few divers have visited this area and many reefs remain un-dived. The visibility is usually superb and pelagic fishes are abundant. Grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, dog-tooth tuna, rainbow runners and barracuda are seen on most dives. The fish assemblages on these reefs are distinctly oceanic in composition and a number of species that are rare closer inshore are very abundant here. "Krakafat" is a dive site of particular note - a sea of schooling barracuda, dog-tooth tuna, trevally and everything in between. Other sites worthy of exploration include "Dickies Nob", "Barneys" and the"Arches" at nearby Ningau Island.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the True North (Ocean Class cabin - Main Deck)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

True North Adventure Cruise: This morning, wake in Manus Province, a remote part of Papua New Guinea that very few travellers visit. The province consists of several island groups including the Horno Islands, the Admiralty Islands (including Manus Island), the Hermit Islands, Ninigo Islands and Wuvulu Island. The combined land area of the province is just 2,100 square kilometres however 220,000 square kilometres of sparkling sea surrounds it! Some 45,000 people live within the province boundaries. The name Manus is a traditional name for a group of fishing people who inhabit the coastal areas of Manus Island. The name differentiates them from other groups with differing customs and languages. These people were seafarers and traders. The outstanding feature of their society was individualism and self-reliance.

During the morning you will visit the island of Rambutyo - the second largest island (after Manus) in the Admiralty Islands. The island lies 40 kilometres to the southeast of Manus and here it is hoped you will encounter traditional garamut (split drum) dancers. There will also be opportunity for some short walks and, spectacular helicopter flights (payble locally) over the island group. In the afternoon, move to the northern end of Rambutyo - the fringing reefs here are amongst some of the most spectacular you will see anywhere in PNG with very high coral cover and spectacular walls dropping into deep water. The mosaic of small islands in the area offers a wonderful backdrop and provides a wide range of different habitats to explore. Oceanic currents move gently through the passes allowing a free ride as you observe the amazing biodiversity of these marine communities. Sailfish are also caught in the surrounding waters.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the True North (Ocean Class cabin - Main Deck)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

True North Adventure Cruise: Today, you have an entire day devoted to beautiful Ponam Island. Ponam played a major role in World War II. The island was occupied by Japanese forces in 1942 and retaken by Allied forces in 1944. American "Seabees" immediately constructed an airfield which was then handed over to the British Royal Navy. The British named the airfield HMS Nabaron and used it as a forward operations base. After encountering the enemy, it was not uncommon for damaged aircraft to crash when attempting to land and today the wreckage of several planes can be found in the surrounding waters. Of particular interest is Ensign Jensen's plane. The naval flyer was the only pilot to report a full-strength Japanese convoy that would have otherwise remained undetected. Unfortunately he was later killed when his plane crashed during a take-off from Ponam and the wreckage can be seen in a lagoon on the east side of the island. The terrestrial remnants of HMS Nabaron should attract the attention of shore parties whilst the snorkellers will be keen to explore the plentiful bommies and coral outcrops found inside the Manus Barrier Reef. Coral cover is high and brightly coloured butterflyfish and parrotfish are common. Game fishing for marlin, yellow fin tuna, trevally and mackerel is possible and bottom fishing can produce quality catches of snapper. Ponam is adjacent to the longest coral reef in Manus Province providing plenty of opportunity for SCUBA diving. The ship's helicopter (payable locally) will again swing into action offering a unique prospective of the island's many lagoons and, nearby Manus Island. There may even be time for a romantic stroll along your very own beach complete with coconut palms and a shimmering South Pacific sunset.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the True North (Ocean Class cabin - Main Deck)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

True North Adventure Cruise: Today, you visit a region that was highly rated by the underwater explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau. The Hermit Islands form a 22 kilometre long barrier reef. They are renowned for their clam gardens and the snorkelling is truly spectacular. The gently sloping reef edge disappears into the blue depths with visibility usually exceeding 40m, allowing excellent views of the marine life that inhabits the reef edge. Sharks, manta rays, turtles and large schools of barracuda and trevally all reside here along with the usual array of colourful reef fishes and invertebrates. For the divers -The Hermits also feature incredible reef formations where large schools of mobula rays, snapper, trevally and grey reef sharks are encountered! Fresh ocean currents also make for rip-roaring dives in channels chocked with giant sea fans and soft coral formations. Marlin and sailfish are also known to occur and hopefully the hikers will catch a glimpse of deer introduced by German colonists. In the afternoon the expedition boats will land at Luf Island - the only inhabited island in the Hermits. Join the crew to meet the locals and experience local village life.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the True North (Ocean Class cabin - Main Deck)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

True North Adventure Cruise: The Ninigo Islands are a large open-atoll structure surrounded by several smaller atoll formations. In total there are 7 atolls with around 50 small islets - plenty of opportunity for exploration. The largest component of islands forms a 34 km long by 18 km wide atoll that is open on its western side. The diving here is some of the best encountered in PNG. You will endeavour to explore as many of these picture-perfect islands as possible and it's likely that the day will be filled with magical snorkelling and diving experiences, leviathan struggles with rod and reel, exhilarating dips in the crystal clear lagoons and romantic strolls along the ever-present palm fringed beaches.

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the True North (Ocean Class cabin - Main Deck)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

True North Adventure Cruise: For the next three days you explore The Sepik. As far as adventure is concerned, it doesn't get much better, just the very name conjures up excitement. The Sepik River is the longest river in Papua New Guinea and, one of the great river systems of the world. It has a large catchment area and supports numerous landforms including swamplands, tropical rainforests and mountains. Biologically, the river system is possibly the largest uncontaminated freshwater wetland system in the Asia-Pacific region. The river's total length is 1,126 kilometres and it has a drainage basin of over 80,000 square kilometres! There is a 5-10 kilometre wide belt of active meanders along most of the river's course and a floodplain up to 70 kilometres wide includes extensive backwater swamps. However, unlike many other large river systems, the Sepik has no delta -it flows straight into the sea. The entire Sepik basin remains a largely undisturbed environment - there are no major urban settlements or mining and forestry activities in the river catchment.

Local villagers have lived along the river for many millennia and the river has formed the basis for food, transport and culture. European contact with the river started in just 1885 when German colonists first explored the area. In 1886 and 1887, further expeditions by steam boat were conducted by the Germans and over 600 kilometres of riverine was explored. Between 1912 and 1913 the Germans sent further expeditions to explore the river and surrounding areas. They collected flora and fauna, studied local tribes and produced the first maps. The station town of Angoram was established as a base on the lower Sepik for explorations, but with the beginning of World War I, exploration ceased. After the war the Australian government took trusteeship of the former German colony, creating the Territory of New Guinea. During this period the Australians established a station on the middle Sepik at Ambunti and conducted further exploration. In 1935 Sir Walter McNicolls, the new administrator of the Territory of New Guinea travelled up length of the Sepik to " have a look at the river people and the kind of country along the banks". The Japanese held the area throughout most of the Second World War. By the end of the war the Japanese had been completely surrounded however, the battle to defeat the remaining forces was hard fought and drawn out due to the terrain. The Australians eventually pushed the Japanese back to the village of Timbunke on the middle Sepik in July 1945. Eventually the Japanese were defeated and surrendered at Wewak in September 1945.

The Sepik is revered for its art. The tribes living along the river produce magnificent wood carvings and artful clay pottery. Many tribes use garamut drums in rituals; the drums are formed from long, hollowed out tree trunks carved into the shape of various totem animals. As part of an elaborate coming of age ceremony, young men are scarified with the image of a crocodile on the river bank.

The True North will arrive at the mouth of the Sepik at first light before proceeding on a 70 nautical mile Sepik River cruise. Then it's away in the expedition boats and the helicopter (payable locally) for days filled with exploration and discovery. Witness an elaborate coming of age ceremony where young men are scarified in the image of the crocodile. Other highlights include the township of Angoram - here the waterside market presents a fantastic opportunity to purchase local carvings. At Kambaraumba village you will be greeted by a sing sing featuring giant crocodile puppets that gyrate through crowds of dancers and drummers - truly a feast for the senses! You will also explore the maze of swamps and small waterways that lead to Lake Kambaraumba and its stilt village - a community of huts, churches, schools and animal enclosures built above the waters of the lake!

Accommodation: Stay onboard the True North (Ocean Class cabin - Main Deck)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

True North Adventure Cruise: Today, you arrive at Bagabag Island, a white-sand island offering excellent fishing, snorkelling, and diving. In the morning the expedition boats will survey the outer-reef which is teeming with fish, turtles and dolphins. The area is also renowned for its endless walls of sea fans, pristine corals and large pelagic species. The inshore coral will entertain the snorkellers and there will also be relaxed opportunities for swimming and beachcombing on a Bagabag beach. The ship's helicopter (payable locally) will also be away again- to explore the sounding area and nearby KarKar Island. Karkar is a larger oval-shaped volcanic island about 25 km in length and 19 km in width. In the centre of the island there is an active volcano with two nested calderas. The latest eruptions on this island occurred in the 1970s. The island has a relatively large population of approximately 50,000. The two main exports from the island are cacao and coconuts, which can grow in the same soil due to height differences. The large plantations are generally family owned. After lunch, you will go ashore to meet the Bagabag islanders - there are just 4 villages here and the locals are keen to introduce visitors to their unique culture and way of life. The island is rich in betel-nut, local pigs and other food. Life on the island can be quite interesting as there are very few people and they all know each other very well. Later you enjoy the charms of Christmas Bay - here the True North can be positioned within 10 metres of the beach - so it's all ashore for sunset drinks before a farewell dinner to remember!

Accommodation: Stay tonight onboard the True North (Ocean Class cabin - Main Deck)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

True North Adventure Cruise: This morning, you will arrive in Madang where you will disembark and bid farewell to the crew.

Private transfer: Afterwards, transfer to the awaiting charter flight and return to Cairns in Australia.

Charter flight: Madang - Cairns. Actual flight times will be advised closer to the departure date.

Private transfer: Upon arrival at Cairns Airport, you will be met and then transferred to your hotel to check in, relax and reflect on a fantastic adventure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Hilton Cairns (Deluxe King Room)

Meals: Breakfast