Depart for Singapore, crossing the international date line. Upon arrival, join a tour of Singapore that includes the National Orchid Gardens and an opportunity to take in the view from Mount Faber. Colorful workboats and water taxis have plied Singapore's waters for more than a century. Board one of these brightly painted “bumboats” for a ride along the Singapore River, offering countless photographic opportunities. That evening,embark the National Geographic Orion. 

Depart for Singapore, crossing the international date line. Upon arrival, join a tour of Singapore that includes the National Orchid Gardens and an opportunity to take in the view from Mount Faber. Colorful workboats and water taxis have plied Singapore's waters for more than a century. Board one of these brightly painted “bumboats” for a ride along the Singapore River, offering countless photographic opportunities. That evening,embark the National Geographic Orion. 

Depart for Singapore, crossing the international date line. Upon arrival, join a tour of Singapore that includes the National Orchid Gardens and an opportunity to take in the view from Mount Faber. Colorful workboats and water taxis have plied Singapore's waters for more than a century. Board one of these brightly painted “bumboats” for a ride along the Singapore River, offering countless photographic opportunities. That evening,embark the National Geographic Orion. 

Our first stop is the remote Anambas Archipelago where we’ll snorkel the unspoiled reefs surrounding Pulau Lintang, perhaps ending the day with a beach barbecue.

The remote Badas Islands offer excellent beaches and corals. Explore above and beneath the sea via kayak, glass-bottom boat Zodiac, snorkeling, diving, and beachcombing. The next day, enjoy life at sea as we sail south with talks and hands-on instruction by our National Geographic photographer and Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor. 

(B,L,D daily)

The remote Badas Islands offer excellent beaches and corals. Explore above and beneath the sea via kayak, glass-bottom boat Zodiac, snorkeling, diving, and beachcombing. The next day, enjoy life at sea as we sail south with talks and hands-on instruction by our National Geographic photographer and Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor. 

(B,L,D daily)

Set on a peninsula jutting out from the southern edge of Kalimantan, Tanjung Puting National Park is a trove of rare species and diverse habitats. While the park is home to some 220 bird species and numerous monkey species, its most famous residents are the endangered orangutans. Board local boats for a full-day excursion into the forest, gliding on black-water channels on the lookout for hornbills, crocodiles, and perhaps the unusual proboscis monkey. Our destination is Camp Leakey, a research station established in 1971 by primatologist Dr. Biruté Galdikas, a protégé of legendary paleontologist Louis Leakey and the founder of Orangutan Foundation International (OFI). A many-time National Geographic grantee, Dr. Galdikas joins us to discuss her efforts to save the orangutan from extinction through rehabilitation and habitat preservation. Our boats bring us to feeding stations throughout the forest, where we can observe these gentle creatures at close range. The following day, pay a visit to the OFI’s wildlife rehabilitation center to learn how captive and orphaned orangutans are rescued and rehabilitated. (B,L,D daily)

Set on a peninsula jutting out from the southern edge of Kalimantan, Tanjung Puting National Park is a trove of rare species and diverse habitats. While the park is home to some 220 bird species and numerous monkey species, its most famous residents are the endangered orangutans. Board local boats for a full-day excursion into the forest, gliding on black-water channels on the lookout for hornbills, crocodiles, and perhaps the unusual proboscis monkey. Our destination is Camp Leakey, a research station established in 1971 by primatologist Dr. Biruté Galdikas, a protégé of legendary paleontologist Louis Leakey and the founder of Orangutan Foundation International (OFI). A many-time National Geographic grantee, Dr. Galdikas joins us to discuss her efforts to save the orangutan from extinction through rehabilitation and habitat preservation. Our boats bring us to feeding stations throughout the forest, where we can observe these gentle creatures at close range. The following day, pay a visit to the OFI’s wildlife rehabilitation center to learn how captive and orphaned orangutans are rescued and rehabilitated. (B,L,D daily)

Enjoy the ship’s amenities and hear talks by our experts as we make our way towards our next destination.

(B,L,D)

Enjoy the ship’s amenities and hear talks by our experts as we make our way towards our next destination.

(B,L,D)

Spend a day exploring Komodo National Park, home to the world’s largest living lizard—the Komodo dragon, which can grow up to ten feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds. Learn about the conservation of these prehistoric giants from park rangers who join us on a morning hike to spot the lizards in their natural habitat. Then enjoy an afternoon of swimming, snorkeling, or beach combing at “Pink Beach,” where coral fragments gives the sand a glowing hue.

Forming the boundary between the Savu and Banda Seas, the Lesser Sunda Islands offer exceptional opportunities for exploration. Meet the people of Flores, known for producing some of the world’s finest ikat textiles, and learn about their history and customs. Head out on Zodiac, kayaking, and snorkeling excursions to discover the surrounding reefs. As we explore these wildlife-rich waters, join our naturalists on deck to search for whales and dolphins. 

(B,L,D daily)

Forming the boundary between the Savu and Banda Seas, the Lesser Sunda Islands offer exceptional opportunities for exploration. Meet the people of Flores, known for producing some of the world’s finest ikat textiles, and learn about their history and customs. Head out on Zodiac, kayaking, and snorkeling excursions to discover the surrounding reefs. As we explore these wildlife-rich waters, join our naturalists on deck to search for whales and dolphins. 

(B,L,D daily)

Sail into the heart of the Moluccas archipelago, also known as Maluku or the Spice Islands. A 

kora kora, or traditional war canoe, escorts us to the beautiful isle of Bandanaira, once a hub of the Dutch East India Company and a major source of nutmeg and mace. Stroll past centuries-old nutmeg trees and stately Dutch architecture. Visit Fort Belgica, built to protect the spice trade, and delve into the history of the spice wars between the British and the Dutch. Later, swim or snorkel in translucent waters within view of the conical volcano of Mount Api. 

(B,L,D)

Spend a day exploring the National Geographic Orion, talking to our National Geographic photographer, watching for wildlife from the observation deck with our expedition staff, or simply relaxing in your cabin. 

(B,L,D)

Situated off New Guinea’s Bird’s Head Peninsula, the archipelago of Raja Ampat has the richest coral reef biodiversity for its size in the world. Located at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the reefs are home to roughly 1,000 known coral species as well as more than 1,200 types of reef fish. Spend three days exploring here, gliding in Zodiacs and kayaks around the towering limestone pinnacles and white-sand coves of these lush islands. Discover groves of colorful coral fans as you snorkel or dive amid kaleidoscopic fish. Birders may also join a pre-dawn walk with our naturalists to glimpse red birds of paradise, sulfur-crested cockatoos, and more. 

(B,L,D daily)

Situated off New Guinea’s Bird’s Head Peninsula, the archipelago of Raja Ampat has the richest coral reef biodiversity for its size in the world. Located at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the reefs are home to roughly 1,000 known coral species as well as more than 1,200 types of reef fish. Spend three days exploring here, gliding in Zodiacs and kayaks around the towering limestone pinnacles and white-sand coves of these lush islands. Discover groves of colorful coral fans as you snorkel or dive amid kaleidoscopic fish. Birders may also join a pre-dawn walk with our naturalists to glimpse red birds of paradise, sulfur-crested cockatoos, and more. 

(B,L,D daily)

Situated off New Guinea’s Bird’s Head Peninsula, the archipelago of Raja Ampat has the richest coral reef biodiversity for its size in the world. Located at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the reefs are home to roughly 1,000 known coral species as well as more than 1,200 types of reef fish. Spend three days exploring here, gliding in Zodiacs and kayaks around the towering limestone pinnacles and white-sand coves of these lush islands. Discover groves of colorful coral fans as you snorkel or dive amid kaleidoscopic fish. Birders may also join a pre-dawn walk with our naturalists to glimpse red birds of paradise, sulfur-crested cockatoos, and more. 

(B,L,D daily)

Disembark today in Sorong, West Papua. After a brief tour, board our charter flight to Brisbane, Australia, and connect to flights home, arriving the next day. 

(Day 19: B,L)

Disembark today in Sorong, West Papua. After a brief tour, board our charter flight to Brisbane, Australia, and connect to flights home, arriving the next day. 

(Day 19: B,L)