Katharina: Raja Ampat and Triton Bay, 9 nights, Kaimana to Sorong

– How does gliding through a dreamy, fairytale landscape of karst limestone spires, mysterious caves, ancient rock paintings, and endless secret coves filled with corals and fish of every colour sound?

– Or swimming with whale sharks at a local fisherman’s ‘bagan’ platform at dawn, as they come to feed on the many small baitfish that the fishermen catch and share with the sharks as an example of humans and animals living in harmony. If you are lucky, there will be schools of dolphins and flights of diving seabirds to add to the excitement.

– How about floating in body-temperature water, watching endless species of fish swim below over the backdrop of kaleidoscope corals, or rolling over and floating on your back when you hear the screech of a sulphur-crested cockatoo flying past, highlighted against the backdrop of a lush green landscape?

– Maybe the otherworldly experience of drifting among masses of rare stingless jellyfish in an actual forest pool of evolution?

– For a more terrestrial experience, how about an early morning cool and misty forest walk to see the secret and seductive dancing of the iconic birds of paradise?

– Explore the wondrous landscapes and forests of Triton Bay and stand in the cold waters of a waterfall that erupts from the rainforest and into the warm seawater below.

If this sounds like you, then let us bring you into the wonder that is Raja Ampat.

Triton Bay is a place of unsurpassed natural splendour, where time and tides have sliced the limestone landscape into tall cliffs and numerous islands separated by lagoons and narrow channels. Heading through the Namatote Passage, we will see an impressive collection of ancient cave paintings high up on the cliffs.

It is also home to fishermen who collect baitfish and keep them in nets attached to specially built platforms, also known as ‘bagans’. It is these and their fish that attract whale sharks. We will head out in the tenders in the early morning light to see if the sharks are around, and if we are lucky, we will spend a couple of hours in the water with these magnificent creatures.

Take a short walk into the forest to see a most spectacular jungle waterfall surrounded by virgin rainforest, and take a dip in its cool refreshing waters.

We have the chance to swim with wild dolphins, and also enjoy some spectacular snorkelling and beach time on a remote white-sand beach.

Experience a most serene and primal scene of a second jungle waterfall, where a roaring river pours directly into the sea. Here we will swim and play in the waterfall as we take in this most tranquil tropical scenery.

Enjoy more relaxing time snorkelling on the reefs, exploring the inlets and local areas by paddle board and kayak, or swimming and sunbathing from the white sand beaches of this beautiful piece of paradise.

Visit the Pisang Islands, a small group of picture-perfect islands, where we will spend the morning exploring the beaches, crystal clear waters, and vibrant reefs with our snorkels.

On the mainland of Papua, where we will visit a local village and meet the residents, who will welcome us into their village, sharing with us their way of life, which consists of fishing and growing nutmeg.

Visit a locally initiated programme where the villagers are replanting mangroves in their coastal areas to prevent erosion and to provide safe environments for juvenile fish to thrive. We will get our hands on and plant a few of them for ourselves, and hear from the founder of the project.

Snorkel on a nearby reef and visit a traditional village, where the locals will perform some traditional songs and dance for us. Bring your dancing shoes because you will be invited to join in.

Trek to a viewpoint high above an aquamarine lagoon that overlooks a picturesque limestone karst chain of islands.

Take an early morning trek in the jungle to see the Red Bird of Paradise and the Wilson’s Bird of Paradise in their jungle home as they perform their mating rituals in the trees and on the forest floor.

Visit small islands for some fantastic snorkelling and beach time, swimming, paddling, and kayaking. We will explore the jungle-clad coastline by dinghy, enjoying the scenery and looking for birds before enjoying cocktails on the upper deck, waiting for the hornbills flying back to their roosting trees.