Asian Island Odyssey

Asian Island Odyssey 19 Days

Prices From £10,050pp
June to July | 18 nights

Up To 20% Discount!

Single Cabins Available

Asian Island Odyssey 19 Days

Aboard: Heritage Adventurer

Chase the horizon on an island-hopping expedition from mountain-ringed Taipei to the reefs and rainforests of the Coral Triangle, finishing in Darwin, Australia. Sailing by small ship, you’ll reach hard-to-access islands and hidden coastlines best explored expedition-style, with a flexible mix of guided walks, Zodiac cruising, snorkelling, and cultural encounters in communities far from the usual tourist trail.

Along the way, expect standout natural wonders and remarkable wildlife, from Yehliu Geopark and Taroko’s Marble Gorge in Taiwan, to the Chocolate Hills and a Philippine tarsier sanctuary on Bohol. Conditions permitting you will also have the unforgettable chance to swim with whale sharks in Gorontalo. Indonesia adds highlights such as Tangkoko Nature Reserve’s endemic species, Tojoman Lagoon’s stingless jellyfish, Banda Neira’s Spice Islands history and Fort Belgica, and the pristine beaches and reefs of Kei Kecil. Optional birding excursions with dedicated guides and sea kayaking provide even more ways to tailor the adventure.

Highlights

  • Take an epic small-ship island-hopping voyage from Taiwan to Australia, crossing the Equator
  • Visit remote tropical islands, hidden coves and beaches far from the usual routes
  • Gaze at iconic landscapes including dramatic gorges, limestone karsts and volcanic scenery
  • Enjoy outstanding snorkelling in clear waters with vibrant coral reefs and marine sanctuaries, including an unforgettable swimming with whale sharks experience
  • Rich wildlife encounters on land and at sea, including multiple rare and endemic species
  • Meaningful cultural experiences and village visits in lesser-visited regions
  • Expedition-style exploration with guided walks, Zodiac cruising and flexible daily plans
  • Optional specialist activities including dedicated birding excursions and sea kayaking

What's Included

  • Transfers to and from ship for arrival and departure
  • One night's hotel stay in Taipei pre-voyage, including dinner & breakfast
  • All meals on board ship, with wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch & dinner
  • All shore excursions and activities shown in itinerary
  • Programme of expert lectures and talks by noted naturalists

Up To 20% Discount!

Book select departures by 30th June and receive up to 20% discount off all cabins! Rates shown include discount.

Offer applicable when booked before 1st July 2026

Full terms & conditions apply. New bookings only, subject to availability. Discount applies to voyage cost only and does not apply to landing fees that are included in the trip cost. / Available on selected dates/vessels.

Single Cabins Available

This vessel offers single occupancy cabins, which is a perfect option for solo travellers. Travelling alone is often the best way to see the world. No responsibilities, no difficult choices and no trying to please anyone else…just you, your itinerary and your adventurous spirit!

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Taipei, Taiwan
1Day

Taipei, Taiwan

Your itinerary begins in Taipei, Taiwan’s dynamic capital, which is set in a dramatic bowl of surrounding mountains and crowned by the striking Taipei 101 skyscraper, once the city’s World Financial Centre and designed to resemble a soaring bamboo stalk. On arrival, you’ll transfer to your hotel, where the group will settle in for the first night of the expedition. This evening, meet your fellow travellers and expedition team over a relaxed welcome dinner at the hotel.

Keelung - Embark
2Day

Keelung - Embark

After breakfast at the hotel, set out to discover the energy of the surrounding area. Taiwan is celebrated for its street food culture, so take the chance to nibble your way through local xiaochi (little snacks) as you explore key sights such as the Chinese-style Martyrs’ Shrine, the grand Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and the National Palace Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of Chinese art. If you’d rather swap city scenes for the outdoors, opt for a visit to Yehliu Geopark, renowned for its otherworldly honeycomb textures and mushroom-shaped rock formations carved by wind and sea.

Later this afternoon, board your ship in Keelung. Settle into your cabin, get oriented around the ship, and meet the expedition team in the Bridge, Observation Lounge or out on the Observation Deck as you sail towards Hualien.

Hualien
3Day

Hualien

Your first stop brings you to Hualien, Taiwan’s second-largest city and the jumping-off point for one of the island’s most iconic natural wonders, Taroko National Park. From here, journey into the celebrated 19km Marble Gorge, where sheer marble cliffs rise well over 300 feet and lush bamboo forests soften the canyon’s dramatic edges, offering a truly memorable introduction to Taiwan’s wild eastern landscapes.

Covering around 227,000 acres and spanning elevations from near sea level at the Liwu River mouth to peaks above 12,000 feet at Mount Nanhu, Taroko’s changing altitude creates a remarkable variety of habitats. This diversity supports an impressive range of wildlife and plant life, including a significant proportion of Taiwan’s vascular plants, many of its mammal species, the rare Nanhu Salamander, and more than 140 resident bird species.

Calayan Island, Philippines
4Day

Calayan Island, Philippines

Step ashore on Calayan Island, one of the Philippines’ most isolated and least-visited gems. This raw, unspoilt paradise feels a world away from the usual travel trail. Part of the Babuyan Islands, Calayan sits between the windswept Batanes province and the northern tip of Luzon, and its dramatic coastlines are tailor-made for true expedition-style exploring. Expect big views from Nagudungan and Bangaan Hills, along with hidden coves, sea caves, and wild shores that are rarely seen by visitors.

Wildlife is a highlight here. Keep watch for the endemic Calayan Rail, found nowhere else on Earth. Out on the water, stay alert for marine life too as these seas are known for sightings of whales and dolphins, adding to the sense of adventure on this wonderfully authentic day.

Divilacan Bay
5Day

Divilacan Bay

Today you’ll discover the tropical beauty of Divilacan Bay, a standout corner of Isabela Province which is sometimes called the “Queen Province of the North”. Here, dense rainforest meets a vivid coastline, creating a wonderful mix of onshore exploration and time on the water. You may also visit the locally loved Honeymoon Island, famous for its distinctive heart shape, and learn about conservation work focused on protecting the critically endangered Philippine Crocodile, an endemic species found only in the country.

Plans here are designed around expedition-style discovery and local conditions, with possible activities including guided walks in the forest searching for wildlife, snorkelling over offshore reefs, Zodiac cruising through mangrove-fringed waterways, and visits that offer insight into the lives and traditions of nearby indigenous communities.

Polillo Island
6Day

Polillo Island

We now sail to Polillo Island, a wonderfully off-the-radar tropical frontier and the largest of the Polillo group’s 24 islands and islets. With its mix of forested interior and coastal waters, the island offers a range of ways to explore, from snorkelling and swimming to waterfall visits and wildlife spotting, depending on conditions and local opportunities.

Polillo’s lowland forests are recovering after past large-scale logging, and two protected reserves now safeguard key habitats for an impressive cast of species. Keep an eye out for the Philippine Cockatoo and an array of endemics, including the Philippine Brown Deer, Javan Warty Pig, and Large Rufous Horseshoe Bat. The island is also known for Gray’s Monitor (Butaan Lizard), a tree-dwelling relative of the Komodo dragon, while dugongs are sometimes seen in surrounding waters.

Caramoan Peninsula National Park
7Day

Caramoan Peninsula National Park

Arrive at Caramoan Peninsula National Park, a tropical showpiece that many recognise from TV’s “Survivor”, and a place that’s often a standout of this voyage. The scenery here is spectacular. Jungle-draped limestone karsts rise dramatically from the sea, framing powdery white beaches and luminous, clear-blue water.

With so much to explore, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Conditions permitting, spend the day discovering snorkelling spots renowned for visibility, weaving waterways and forest trails, and striking natural features such as deep gorges, winding rivers, an islet lake, and even an underground river. This is an ideal setting for expedition-style adventure.

Samar Island
8Day

Samar Island

Remote, wild and still largely off the radar, Samar Island Natural Park feels like a true last frontier. It blends the classic hallmarks of island paradise, like powder-soft beaches and glass-clear seas, with the Philippines’ largest remaining stretch of lowland rainforest, threaded with dramatic karst formations that add a rugged edge to the scenery.

This rich landscape supports an astonishing variety of life. The park is known to host 38 mammal species, 215 birds (including the iconic Philippine Eagle), 51 reptile species, and more than 1,000 plant species, with over half considered endemic. With exploration shaped by conditions on the day, Samar delivers an exceptional expedition experience both on land and along its spectacular coastline.

Bohol Island
9Day

Bohol Island

Today’s focus is Bohol Island, home to the legendary Chocolate Hills, often described as an “Eighth Wonder of the World”. More than 1,200 perfectly conical karst hills ripple across roughly 50 square kilometres, and in the dry season the grass turns a rich brown, creating the “chocolate” effect that makes this landscape so distinctive. A climb of around 200 steps to the main viewing point rewards you with sweeping panoramas that are well worth the effort.

Beyond the hills, you may spend time exploring Bohol’s lush countryside and visiting a tarsier sanctuary to spot the tiny Philippine tarsier, one of the world’s smallest primates. You might also sample local specialties, including Bohol’s famous broa (ladyfingers). Later, swap inland scenery for island bliss on Balicasag Island, where white-sand beaches meet a protected reef and marine sanctuary, ideal for snorkelling vibrant coral gardens and underwater drop-offs alive with tropical fish, and, with luck, sea turtles.

Bucas Grande Island
10Day

Bucas Grande Island

Spend the day exploring Bucas Grande Island, a beautiful and still relatively quiet neighbour to the better-known surf haven of Siargao. This pristine tropical escape packs in an impressive variety of landscapes, with palm-fringed beaches, tumbling waterfalls, emerald lagoons, mangrove waterways, ironwood forests, inland lakes, intricate coral gardens, and extensive limestone cave systems. It’s also the gateway to the spectacular Sohoton Cove and National Park, a dramatic coastal wilderness stretching for around 60 kilometres.

Adventure here is best experienced by sea, with Zodiac cruising along the coastline to uncover hidden coves and secluded beaches. Keep watch for wildlife such as the Rufous Hornbill, and look forward to standout natural attractions including Tojoman Lagoon (Sohoton Jellyfish Sanctuary), where thousands of stingless jellyfish thrive, and the iconic Blue Lagoon, a maze of limestone islets and waterways offering fantastic swimming and snorkelling in crystal-clear water.

At Sea
11Day

At Sea

After several action-packed days, enjoy a well-earned chance to slow down as we spend the day at sea. Take in the changing ocean views from the deck, join talks and briefings from the expedition team, or simply unwind with a book as the ship glides onwards. It’s also the perfect time to sort through photos, catch up on your travel journal, and watch the world go by from the comfort of the Observation Lounge.

Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Indonesia
12Day

Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Indonesia

Today we arrive in Indonesia and set out for the wildlife-rich jungles of Tangkoko Nature Reserve, one of the country’s oldest protected areas. Covering around 8,800 hectares and stretching from coastal beaches up to the slopes of Mount Tangkoko, this reserve shelters an exceptional concentration of endemic plants and animals.

Accompanied by local guides, explore the lowland tropical rainforest in search of some of Sulawesi’s most iconic species including the critically endangered Crested Black Macaque, instantly recognisable by its jet-black “mohawk” and distinctive colouring, as well as the wide-eyed tarsier and the Sulawesi Bear Cuscus. Birdlife is also superb, with chances to spot knobbed hornbills, kingfishers, Sulawesi myna, lorikeets, and the remarkable maleo. You may also encounter other fascinating forest residents such as the colourful Forester moth and the gliding Draco (flying) lizard. Later this afternoon, enjoy a choice of water-based activities to round out the day.

Gorontalo
13Day

Gorontalo

Today may be a highlight for many as we call into Gorontalo, a lesser-known gem on Sulawesi that blends cultural heritage with dramatic equatorial scenery. The mountainous landscape is steeped in history, with traces of the past including centuries-old Portuguese forts, while the surrounding seas have earned Gorontalo a strong reputation among divers, particularly for encounters with whale sharks.

At Botubarani, a small coastal village, the plan is to experience the thrill of swimming and snorkelling alongside these gentle giants, which can grow to over 12 metres in length. With local boats and guides, we’ll head into Gorontalo Bay, where plankton and baitfish often draw in the world’s largest fish. A truly unforgettable experience. The afternoon is then left open for you to explore at your own pace, or simply relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Seho & Taliabu Islands
14Day

Seho & Taliabu Islands

This morning is dedicated to the wild, little-visited beauty of Seho Island, a remote tropical haven where white-sand shores and vibrant reefs give way to forested hills and jungle interiors alive with wildlife. Choose how you explore today. You can take a Zodiac cruise along the coast scanning for birds and other fauna, stroll the beaches, or slip into the water to snorkel over reefs draped in a kaleidoscope of soft corals.

Later, we shift to Taliabu Island with a visit to the town of Bobong. Wander through local markets, learn about the island’s spice-growing traditions with time around plantations, and enjoy a closer look at the everyday culture and character of this far-flung corner of Indonesia.

Buru Island
15Day

Buru Island

Today we visit Buru Island, a rarely travelled destination set on the boundary between the biogeographic worlds of Asia and Australia. This meeting of regions has helped shape an impressive level of endemism, with many of the island’s birds and mammals found nowhere else, including 10 endemic bird species and 4 endemic mammals, alongside several species that are almost exclusive to this area.

This morning, explore Buru’s remote shores in the company of your expert naturalists and local guides. Depending on conditions, there may be opportunities for forest walks in search of wildlife, as well as welcoming village visits that offer a glimpse of local life and the warm hospitality the island is known for.

Banda Neira
16Day

Banda Neira

Arrive at Banda Neira, the historic heart of Indonesia’s famed Spice Islands and the main settlement in the chain of ten small volcanic Banda Islands. Long linked to the global nutmeg trade thanks to the islands’ native Myristica trees, Banda Neira still feels steeped in earlier centuries, with atmospheric colonial-era architecture and reminders of its strategic past. A highlight is Fort Belgica, the distinctive five-sided stronghold overlooking the harbour, first built in the early 1600s and later restored, offering a striking window into the island’s layered history.

Just across a narrow strait rises the dramatic cone of Gunung Banda Api, an active volcano on its own island, where birds and other wildlife can be found among the slopes. Beneath the clear sapphire water, Banda’s position near the centre of the Coral Triangle comes to life in rich coral fields and prolific marine life, from reef fish and unusual critters such as scorpionfish and ghost pipefish, to larger species that may include Napoleon wrasse and, if conditions and luck align, even hammerhead sharks. Time ashore also allows for village visits and cultural encounters, including the chance to see Banda Neira’s famed kora-kora canoes in action.

Kei Kecil Island
17Day

Kei Kecil Island

For our final Indonesian stop before disembarkation, we spend the day on Kei Kecil Island, a lesser-known tropical treasure in the Kei Archipelago of the southeast Maluku Islands. Set on the edge of the Coral Triangle, this is the kind of place that looks almost unreal: powder-white sand, clear turquoise water, vibrant reefs, and palm-fringed jungle all within easy reach.

The star attraction is Ngurbloat Beach (locally called Pasir Panjang), where flour-soft sand stretches for around five kilometres, backed by endless coconut palms and lapped by calm, glassy seas. Offshore, the fringing and barrier reefs offer outstanding snorkelling in some of the planet’s most biologically rich waters, with sightings that may include colourful reef fish, nudibranchs, cephalopods, dogtooth tuna and graceful eagle rays.

At Sea
18Day

At Sea

Enjoy a final day at sea to unwind and savour everything you’ve experienced along the way. Swap stories with fellow travellers, spend time on deck taking in the ocean views, and join the team as we look back on the voyage’s standout moments. This evening, come together for a special farewell dinner on board, offering the perfect close to an unforgettable adventure.

Darwin, Australia - Disembark
19Day

Darwin, Australia - Disembark

This morning we arrive in Darwin, Australia’s laid-back “northern gateway”, known for its sparkling harbour, significant World War II history, and easygoing tropical lifestyle. After breakfast, disembark and transfer via complimentary coach to either a central Darwin hotel or Darwin International Airport.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Heritage Adventurer
Mid range vessel

Heritage Adventurer

Previously known as the MS Hanseatic, the Heritage Adventurer is a renowned authentic expedition ship. Purpose-built with ice-strengthened hull, the vessel combines the highest passenger ship iceclass rating (1A Super) with an impressive history of Polar exploration. Designed to match Heritage’s signature experiential expedition travel, the ship accommodates up to 140 guests in welcoming and spacious cabins that feature outside views, separate lounge areas, TVs, en-suite bathrooms and double or twin beds.

Communal areas include a lounge, two restaurant areas including an al-fresco bistro, gym and spa, lecture theatre, library, passenger lifts and outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Indonesia, Papua New Guinea adventure for you.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Having amassed a host of extraordinary adventures in destinations all over the world, Sheena’s experience, skills and enthusiasm for helping clients plan their ideal itinerary will help make your holiday unforgettable, action packed and life-changing.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry and continues to be inspired by the people, places and wildlife he discovers. His in-depth personal knowledge of a diverse range of destinations ensures your adventure itinerary will be a holiday like no other.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

As Senior Travel Expert, Simon has an absolute wealth of experience in adventure travel in some of the most fascinating places in the world. With in-depth knowledge and fantastic organizational skills, Simon’s first-hand experience and genuine passion drive him to work to create your perfect itinerary.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

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Outside the uk
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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

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Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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