Papua New Guinea

March 16 - 28, 2011

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Aboard the Oceanic Discoverer
M
ysterious Papua New Guinea (PNG) is, in the truest sense, one
of the world’s wildest frontiers. Here the physical environment
dominates all aspects of life. Mighty rivers, creeping jungle, razor-
sharp mountains, coastal lowlands and pockets of golden beach shelter over
five percent of Earth’s biodiversity. From coral reefs to glaciers, PNG is a
land of contrasts where you will be overwhelmed by the country’s unspoiled
beauty. We will have the great pleasure of traversing some of the nations most
stunning coastlines. Beginning in moon-like Rabaul, our journey aboard the
Oceanic Discoverer will be one of discovery as the islands reveal themselves
to us.

Each tiny island village has its own culture and traditions – PNG has over
1,000 recognized languages! Many of these communities have existed in
isolation for centuries as natural barriers limited their interaction with other
communities and the outside world. This is particularly true in the highlands
where certain tribes encountered their first Westerners in the 1950’s.

Villagers are eager to welcome you into their community and share with
you their traditional songs and dances. Visit schoolhouses, “men’s houses”,
family homes, village squares and participate in the famous singsings of
PNG. Perhaps the greatest treat is meeting the local people and spending
one-on-one time with them as they show you around their home.

When not enjoying the company of local hosts we can explore an array
of natural habitats. Our vessel is a perfect base from which to explore the
above and below the water, with it’s innovative Xplorer landing craft, glass-
bottomed boat and onboard diving and snorkelling equipment. Beachcombing
and hikes into the jungle will allow you to stretch your legs while searching
the canopy for birdlife, including the spectacular birds of paradise.

With over 3,000 species of orchids, 250 species of mammals, over 750 species
of birds, 8 species of tree-kangaroo, 600 species of fish and 800 species of
coral, the nature lover in you will not be disappointed. Join us in Papua New
Guinea for a rare chance to immerse yourself in a culture as rich, intricate and
inspiring as the landscape that surrounds it.

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 “We want to tell you how much we enjoyed
our experience. The trip was everything we had
hoped for and more. Your itinerary, planning and
execution was excellent. We noticed the care and
consideration given to us – and to all passengers -
by crew members and expedition staff at all times
and always with a smile. We were particularly
appreciative of the way in which our special dietary
requirements were provided for and we thought the
cuisine and service was of the highest standard.”

Jeff and Naomi, UK

– Aboard the Oceanic Discoverer, 2009

Our Intended Itinerary Highlights

Day 1 Port Moresby Day 8 Madang

• Visit smoldering Rabaul, a rugged moonscape
Day 2 Rabaul Day 9 Tuam and Tami Island
• Visit Japanese war tunnels
Day 3 Rabaul and Watom Islands Day 10 Lababia
• Be part of a traditional sing-sing ceremony
Day 4 Witu Islands and Garove Day 11 Tufi
• Two days on the mighty Sepik River
Day 5 Crown Island Day 12 Trobriand Islands
• Chat away in Tok Pisin (Melanesian Pidgin
Day 6 Sepik River Day 13 Alotau
English) with locals
Day 7 Sepik River and Manum
• Play a game of soccer with friendly villagers
• Visit a spirit house
• Early morning birding on the Sepik tributaries
• Meet and purchase carvings & pottery from some
of the best artists in the South Pacific
• Jungle walking
• Visit historic and beautiful Madang
• Do a wall dive
• Snorkel in warm waters
• Visit the Kamaili Wildlife Management area, and
possibly hike the David Suzuki Trail
• Gaze down at the colourful marine life on our
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glass bottom boat
A Rich and Colourful Culture
Personal decoration plays a big part in Papua
New Guinean tribal life. Shells have played an
important part in Papua New Guinea culture,
both as means of trade and as bilas (jewellery).
The Chief or ‘Bigman’ may wear kina around
his neck as a show of wealth.
Tribal dress varies tremendously from village
to village, and comprises a headdress, face and
body painting, ornaments and sometimes wigs.
Face paints are made from natural materials,
for the most part the pigment being applied
with a stick after oiling the skin first to create a
foundation. However, manufactured paints have
crept in to use, as has white correction fluid
used in offices. Penis gourds are worn by some
tribal men during ceremonial occasions, and
some tribes still practise tattooing. Once this
was done using sharp pieces of wood or bone,
and was restricted to people of a high status.
Nowadays, tattoos may come from the tip of
a felt pen - rather less painful, and no regrets
later!
Decades ago, cannibalism and head hunting
were fairly commonplace amongst the remote
tribes of main island Papua New Guinea.
Warriors raided other villages for the heads
of neighbouring clan members. These heads
were preserved by smoking over an open fire
and often buried in the ground underneath the
spirit house as it was erected. These masks were
thought to possess powerful magic and protect
from evil, for instance to provide protection
against the spirit of a slain enemy. Hanging
the head in the doorway of the house was also a
means of keeping women and the uninitiated out
of the spirit house. Deceased family members’
bodies were sometimes eaten to show respect and
affection, and their bones preserved to bring good
luck, often being worn as part of traditional dress
as a means of keeping loved ones’ spirits close to
those left behind. The Korowai tribe of the south
east are said to be one of the last tribes in the world
to engage in cannibalism, which has now been
outlawed in Papua New Guinea. Nowadays, trophy
heads fashioned from wood are buried under the
spirit house poles in lieu of the human variety.
Papua New Guinea is still a raw and primitive
country, largely untouched by 21st century
development. An understanding of all the origins
and symbolism of the numerous craft and art
forms, and for that matter, individual tribal
idiosyncrasies is still in its infancy and profound
knowledge remains only with its people. Much
of Papua New Guinea’s culture is based on very
secret traditional folklore, handed down from
generation to generation and outsiders are not privy
to this knowledge or the basis for the mystic and
spiritual rituals and customs.
Sadly, as in many indigenous communities, the
passing of wisdom and craft from generation to
generation is dying as younger tribal members
succumb to the dubious pleasures of city living.
Whilst the country remains largely inaccessible,
or at best, difficult to penetrate, the mystery, the
symbolism and allure of this colourful, exotic and
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magical civilisation will remain.
 The Oceanic Discoverer

Built in 2005 the Oceanic Discoverer is a joy to travel on. Well designed she is comfortable and
sophisticated. The dining and lecture rooms boast full floor to ceiling windows allowing you to enjoy the
passing landscape while sailing. All 36 staterooms have an ocean view, en-suite facilities, settee, large
wardrobe, desk, luggage storage, individual air-conditioning control, and are serviced daily.

Oceanic Discoverer is equipped with the latest technology active stabilizers and is fitted with state-of-the-
art safety and navigational equipment and is the only Australian passenger ship registered with full SOLAS
compliance allowing opportunities to explore a multitude of international voyages. She is equipped with
zodiacs and the “Xplorer”, a specially designed aluminium excursion vessel used for the majority of our
excursions. This vessel has high horsepower engines and will accommodate all passengers at one time. The
“Xplorer” will be used for landings and for extensive exploration of rivers and tributaries. For your added
convenience and comfort, the “Xplorer” is equipped with an awning and toilet.

What is Included What’s Not Included

Category Amenities Pricing in USD • Airport Transfers • International and domestic Flights
Main Deck, 2 lower berths, Junior King or twin, • 10 nights aboard the Oceanic Discoverer • Mandatory Emergency Medical Insurance
1 porthole window
$9,185 USD
• 2 nights at the Rapopo Plantation Resort • Personal Expenses
Superior Main, 2 lower berths, Junior King or twin,
• Meals lunch day one through breakfast day • Scuba Diving
2 two small windows
$9,980 USD thirteen • Additional Expenses resulting from de-
• Guided day program in Port Moresby lays or itinerary changes
Promenade Deck, 2 lower berths, Junior King or twin,
3 large picture window
$10,380 USD • Guided tour of Rabaul and surrounding area • Discretionary tips to ships crew
• Use of snorkeling equipment • Visas / Inoculations if required
Superior Promenade, 2 lower berths, Junior King or
4 twin, large picture window.
$10,680 USD • All admissions and park fees • Physicians fees confirming you are fit to
• Team of resource specialists travel
24 Bridge Deck, 2 lower berths, Junior King or twin, • Educational program and pre-departure materials • Possible Fuel Surcharges
5 large picture window
$11,595 USD
• Service charges and port fees • Optional Highland Extension
“Our Oceanic Discoverer trip could not be
faulted. The crew, from the Captain through
to the newest deckie were always most
helpful, responsible, pleasant, co-operative
and thoroughly courteous... we rate the
accommodation as amongst the best we
have experienced. It was a five star hotel
experience albeit in bare feet with food and
service above and beyond expectations.”

- Bob and Claire, Queenland, 2008

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 Please call to confirm availability before sending in completed registration form.
Registration Form contact Us 905-271-4000 or 1-800-363-7566 Release
The undersigned hereby agrees with these terms and
conditions and further agrees that Adventure Canada
shall have no liability or responsibility whatsoever for
SELECT YOUR TRIP SELECT PREFERENCES CORRESPONDENCE damages to or loss of property, or injury which may be
sustained by reason of, or while engaged on, any Adven-
Trip: Double Email I/We have read, signed & I/We understand final ture Canada tour, whether due to (i) Adventure Canada
(AC), Eagle-Eye Tours (EE), Oceanwide Expeditions (OE)
Single Smoker Phone agreed to the Terms & payment is due 120 days and Polar Star Expeditions (PS) ownership, maintenance,
To Share Non-Smoker Mail Conditions. before departure.
use, operation or control of any manner of conveyance
used in carrying out the tour (including, without limitation,
Category: Zodiac embarkations involving descending
gangway stairs with double handrails and step-
ping into the Zodiac from a small platform at
water level); (ii) the use of transportation or other
Passenger 1 Passenger 2 services of owners, operators, or public carri-
ers for whom Adventure Canada acts only as
Full Name: Title: First: Last: Title: First: Last: agent; (iii) passenger’s lack of proper travel
documentation (such as visas, passports, etc.); (iv)
(as on passport) any act, omission or event occurring during the
time that passengers are not aboard AC/EE/OE/

Badge Name: PS carriers or conveyances; or (v) any act of war,

insurrection, revolt or other civil uprising or military ac-
tion occurring in the countries of origin, destination or
Date of Birth: MM/DD/YY Place of Birth: MM/DD/YY Place of Birth: passage, or changes caused by sickness, weather, strike,
quarantine or other causes beyond the control of AC/

Address: Street: Street: EE/OE/PS. The undersigned hereby waives any claim
it may have against Adventure Canada for any such
damage, loss or injury. The passenger understands and
acknowledges the ticket in use by the carriers concerned
City: Prov/St: City: Prov/St: (when issued) shall constitute the sole contract between
the transportation companies and the purchaser of
these tours and/or passage. Adventure Canada of
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (Ontario Registration
Country: Postcode: Country: Postcode: No. 0400 1400) acts only as agent for all services
described herein. AC/EE/OE/PS and its sponsoring or-

E-mail: ganizations do not assume any responsibility or liability

Telephone:
Occupation:
Emergency Medical & Evacuation
Insurance is mandatory for this
Home: ( ) Work: (
I require emergency medical insurance
) Home: (
I require Cancellation and Interruption insurance, please get me a quote fies that he/she does not have a mental, physical or other
) Work: (
whatsoever for any claims, damages, expenses or other
financial loss related to the operation of this
) tour. All legal questions and actions against
Adventure Canada must be brought in Missis-
sauga, Ontario, Canada, and by its acceptance
hereof the passenger waives any right to bring an
action in any other forum. The passenger hereby certi-
condition or disability that would create a hazard for
him/herself or other passengers. The passenger agrees

program. No, I do not require insurance, I will provide you with my policy information. to deliver the medical form provided by Adventure Can-
ada, duly completed by the passenger’s certified physi-
cian, prior to departure.
Participant(s) Signatures: Passenger 1 Passenger 2 The undersigned passenger clearly understands
(indicates agreement to Release
and Terms and Conditions ) SIGNATURE REQUIRED SIGNATURE REQUIRED that the liability of AC/EE/OE/PS is definitively
limited as aforesaid. The undersigned passenger has
carefully read the terms and conditions set out herein
as well as the materials regarding the tour provided
Where did you first hear by AC/EE/OE/PS and is aware that such tour involves
the risk of personal injury or death and damage or
of this trip? loss of property. In consideration of the benefits to be
derived from participation in the tour, the undersigned
VISA voluntarily accepts all risk of personal injury or death and
property damage or other loss arising from participation
Method of Payment for Card Number: Exp: on the tour and hereby agrees that he/she and his/her
dependents, heirs, executors and assigns, do re-
$1,000 deposit per person MASTERCARD lease and hold harmless Adventure Canada and its
employees, officers, directors, trustees and represen-
to hold space tatives from any and all claims, including claims of
Cheque Enclosed Signature: negligence, illness, personal injury, death or property
damage or loss, however caused, arising from or re-
lated to this tour. The undersigned has read carefully
this agreement, and will abide by the conditions set by
AC/EE/OE/PS and in the terms and conditions hereof
Please send this completed and signed registration form with payment to: or elsewhere published. The undersigned affirms that
59
he/she has not received or relied on any oral or writ-
Adventure Canada 14 Front St. S., Mississauga, ON, L5H 2C4 or by fax: (905) 271-5595. Please make cheques payable to Adventure Canada. ten representation of Adventure Canada as a basis for
executing this Release.

Release, Terms and Conditions
Please read this important information carefully. The delivery by the passenger of the deposit together with a signed copy of this document to Adventure
Canada shall constitute the passenger’s consent and agreement to all of the provisions contained herein. Please note that fuel surcharges may be levied
to offset rising oil prices.
Payment Schedule and Rates
A deposit of $1,000 USD per passenger is required to reserve a position for a tour. The balance of payment for the tour must be received by Adventure
Canada at least 120 days prior to the scheduled departure date. Adventure Canada will only issue pre-departure boarding documents to a passenger
once it has received full payment together with all required documents duly completed by the passenger. Tour fees quoted are based on (i) prices in
effect at the time of printing (December 2009) and as such are subject to change without notice prior to departure and (ii) group participation. Prices are
cash/cheque discounted, and in US dollars. Credit Card pricing is as follows: Papua New Guinea - C1 $9,552 C2 $10,380 C3 $10,753 C4 $11,107 C5
$12,059. For wire transfers, passengers should note that the transferring financial institution may charge a service fee, which shall be at the passenger’s
expense. Returned cheques, credit card changes and refunds are subject to a $25 USD fee. Adventure Canada is a member in good standing of the
Travel Industry Council of Ontario (“TICO”) which administers the Ontario Travel Compensation Fund, a fund established by registered travel agents and
travel wholesalers in Ontario to insure payments such as those made to Adventure Canada in connection herewith. For more information on TICO, visit
www.tico.on.ca .
Cancellations and Refunds
All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Upon Adventure Canada receiving a written notice of cancellation at least 120 days prior to
the scheduled date of departure, the passenger shall receive a full refund of its tour fees, less an administrative penalty of $500 per person. If a written
notice of cancellation is received by Adventure Canada between 91 and 120 days prior to the scheduled date of departure, the passenger shall receive
a refund of 35% of its tour fees. Please note that within the 90-day limit, all fees, deposits and tariffs received by Adventure Canada are forfeited.
For these and other reasons mentioned below, passengers are strongly advised to obtain trip cancellation insurance. No refunds shall be made to
passengers who do not participate in any part of, or otherwise do not complete, the tour for any reason whatsoever.
Delays
In the event of a delay, passengers will be responsible for all costs and expenses associated therewith, including, without limitation, any additional food,
lodging or transportation costs resulting from such delay.
Baggage
Baggage is solely at the passenger’s risk and expense. Baggage is limited to a maximum weight of 20 KG in most cases. Also, airline luggage
allowance is typically two pieces per passenger and one piece of carry-on luggage, subject to weight restrictions, but please check with your airline for
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current standards. Excess baggage is not permitted on charter flights. Any excess baggage charges for commercial flights are the responsibility of the
passenger.
Land-Based Group Size and Trip Costs
In keeping with our philosophy of small group travel, most of our land based programs operate with 10 - 30 participants. If we do not get the
20
YEARS
Since 1988
14 Front St. S
Mississauga, ON L5H 2C4
Tel: 905-271-4000
1-800-363-7566
www.adventurecanada.com
info@adventurecanada.com
required number of people and cancel a tour, you will be notified as soon as possible. In the event of a cancellation, all deposits and tariffs
paid will be returned to the passenger in full with no further obligation on the part of Adventure Canada (AC), Eagle-Eye Tours (EE), The
Human Nature Company (HNC) and Wildland Tours (WT). Single rooms, if available, will be provided on request for an additional fee as
outlined in program literature. For participants travelling alone, but wishing to share, AC will arrange for a room if possible. If a roommate is
not available, a single supplement will be charged.
Insurance
Due to the nature of the tour in which the passenger will be participating, passengers should have in place prior to departure comprehensive insurance
coverage including without limitation medical, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, accident and baggage insurance. Emergency medical and
evacuation coverage is mandatory for trip participation and policy documentation will be required. Any losses sustained by the undersigned passenger
as a result of its failing to obtain proper insurance coverage shall be the sole responsibility of the passenger. For full coverage passengers are
recommended to obtain insurance at the time of deposit.
Images and Privacy
On these trips we take many photos, some of which we use for promotional purposes. If you would not like photos which include you to be used, please
let us know in advance. We may also celebrate your birthday onboard, let us know if you would like to abstain.
Itinerary
The itineraries/programs described are subject to change at the discretion of the ship’s master. These are expeditions to remote parts of the world. AC,
reserves the exclusive right, in its sole discretion, to alter or omit any part of the itinerary or change any reservation, staff member, feature and/or means
of conveyance without notice and for any reason whatsoever including but not limited to weather conditions, availability of anchorages, force majeure,
political conditions and other factors beyond our control and without allowance or refund and with any and all extra costs resulting there from paid by
the passengers. AC, expressly reserves the right to cancel, without prior notice to the passengers, any tour prior to departure, in which case tour fees
will be refunded without further obligation on the part of AC, including, but not limited to the payment of interest accrued thereon. Decisions to alter the
itinerary/program as aforesaid shall be made in the best interest of all passengers aboard the vessel. AC, expressly reserves the right in its sole discretion
to cancel the reservation of, or remove from the tour, any passenger at any time.
Additional Documentation
Adventure Canada is a sub-charterer of the Clipper Adventurer, Oceanic Discoverer and Ocean Nova. Prior to boarding the vessels, passengers
will receive a Passage Contract Ticket, which is the standard passenger contract and liability waiver of the vessels mentioned herein. Passengers are
encouraged to read this document upon receipt. In accepting this Passage Contract Ticket, passengers agree to be bound by its terms and conditions.