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Western Pacific Odyssey - A Voyage from New Zealand to Japan
Tour Code: NZL04A 29-day holiday, including a 25-day cruise, from New Zealand to Japan, via Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, New Ireland (Papua New Guinea) and the Bonin Islands, to observe an endless list of seabirds, endemic land birds and a plethora of cetaceans!
£11,995 (Inc flights)
£10,495
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Known in birding circles simply as the 'WPO', this expedition incorporates many of the key birding areas in the south-west Pacific. This expedition offers the opportunity to see some of the rarest pelagic seabirds in the world, as well as many island endemics and an outstanding list of cetaceans, while there is also so much more to enjoy for anyone interested in taking a leisurely expedition cruise through a transect of the Pacific Ocean. Remote beaches, glowing tropical sunsets (with maybe a green flash or two!), flying fish, towering tropical rainforests and wild and remote oceans are just a few of the treats in store.
- 25 days aboard the luxurious Heritage Adventurer
- Visiting six different countries on this epic voyage
- See iconic species such as New Zealand Storm-petrel, Kagu and Short-tailed Albatross
- Observe some of the least-known seabird species in the world
- An incredible list of cetaceans
- Accompanied throughout by a Naturetrek tour leader
Grading
Grade A/B: Zodiac landings; some steep paths on New Caledonia
After departing Auckland, New Zealand, we sail for the rich waters of the Hauraki Gulf where there are numerous speciality seabirds, including New Zealand Storm-petrel. From there it's northward to Australia’s Norfolk Island with its endemic birds, Norfolk Island Pines and rugged shoreline. Our next stop is New Caledonia, one of the world’s most biologically interesting islands, where we search for the amazing Kagu and other endemic bird species at Rivière Bleue. Heading on through Melanesia we will call in at a couple of the largest islands, Guadalcanal and Bougainville, before cruising across the New Britain Trench, an area known to be extremely rich in cetaceans. As we sail along the coasts of Bougainville and New Ireland, we will look for two rarely seen seabirds: Heinroth's Shearwater and the critically endangered Beck's Petrel which was only rediscovered in 2007, both of which we have seen on almost all our previous expeditions in this region. Following a further stop at Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, we continue on our extension, sailing northward all the way to Japan. We will first arrive at the Bonin Islands (Ogasawara), some 1000kms South-southeast of Tokyo, where our route will take us to Chichi-jima, the largest island in the archipelago and where we have observed the critically endangered Bryan's Shearwater. We then intend to backtrack slightly to Haha-jima to look for Bonin White-eye and resume our northwards journey to Tori-shima Island where we hope to get great views of Short-tailed Albatross before we arrive at our last port of call in Osaka, Japan, where our voyage concludes.
This expedition is accompanied by a Naturetrek leader and some of the best pelagic birding guides in the world who have extensive experience of the seabirds of the West Pacific and have visited the islands we will be landing on multiple times. Optional excursions start at dawn and finish at sundown and our guide is there throughout the day to assist you and the 'reading of the bird list' each evening. This is one birding expedition you can't afford to miss!
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Food:
Breakfast in Auckland and all meals on board Heritage Adventurer are included. Lunches and dinners in Auckland and Osaka are not included.
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Oliver Smart
Following a childhood fascination with the natural world, Oliver went on to study ornithology at the University of Birmingham during his mid-twenties. Alongside an emerging interest in photography, learning the art of bird ringing and volunteering for the Avon Wildlife Trust, BTO and RSPB, Oliver has put time to good use. His main passion is birds and through photography he has built a diverse collection of imagery, which is represented by both RSPB Images and Alamy. Combined with a desire to travel, Oliver has explored many parts of the world; his favourite destinations usually including a seabird colony or two, where the sight, sound, smell and opportunities for a photographer are second to none. His claim to fame to date though is an image he took in the Seychelles which has been used on a bank note!
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
