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end of navigationWelcome to Birdquest
WESTERN PACIFIC ODYSSEY
New Zealand to Japan
Sunday 17th April -
Friday 20th May 2011
(34 days)
Leaders:
Pete Morris and Heritage Expeditions staff
Group Size Limit: 17
Tour Category: Easy (but a possibility of one Demanding hike)
Close encounters with the magnificent Short-tailed Albatrosses of Torishima will hopefully be the climax of our amazing voyage (image courtesy of Heritage expeditions)
(Note: This is a summary of the tour. For more information please download the detailed itinerary. The button is at the top right of the page.)
When one thinks of the remote places on our planet, one often thinks of the far flung polar regions or the difficult to reach high mountain ranges such as the Andes or the Himalayas. With four fifths of the globe covered in water, some of the most difficult areas to reach and explore are the great oceans and in particular the vast Pacific Ocean, where a number of endemic seabirds and landbirds are quite literally way off the beaten track. Anyone who has been on an expedition at sea will know just how exciting it is, and what a privilege it can be to be cast into the middle of the most difficult habitat to access, surrounded by seabirds that few have had the opportunity to see.
This particular voyage has been designed by birders for birders, and in particular, for the seabird enthusiast, and is a unique opportunity for those who love the thrill of a cruise in the Pacific. During the voyage, we will cover over 5,000 nautical miles, taking us right across the Western Pacific from New Zealand to Japan. En route, we will visit several remote islands and atolls, themselves home to some exciting endemic birds, and we should also encounter a number of rarely seen cetaceans.
Our adventure will begin at Tauranga, situated in the Bay of Plenty on New Zealand’s North Island, and we will spend our first day at sea looking for seabirds as we pass the outer reaches of the productive Hauraki Gulf. Here we hope to find such interesting species as Grey-faced and Black Petrels.
We will then make our way towards Norfolk Island. As well as several species of albatross more associated with colder water, we will also be on the lookout for a number of interesting petrels, such as Black-winged, White-necked, Tahiti and Kermadec Petrels. Weather permitting, our first landing will be on Norfolk Island, where we hope to find the endemic Norfolk Island Parakeet, Norfolk Island Gerygone and Slender-billed White-eye, as well as the more widespread Pacific Robin.
We will continue on our way north to New Caledonia, looking out for new seabirds, such as Collared and Gould’s Petrels, as we go. On New Caledonia, a visit to the Rivière Bleue National Park will be the highlight, for here we can find most of the New Caledonian endemics including the curious and unique Kagu. Other endemics may include New Caledonian Imperial Pigeon, Horned Parakeet, Southern Shrikebill, Yellow-bellied Robin, Streaked Fantail and Red-faced Parrotfinch and, with luck, Crow Honeyeater and Cloven-feathered Dove.
During our passage to the Solomon Islands we will again keep our eyes on the sea and should find more interesting species such as Providence Petrel and Polynesian Storm-Petrel. In the Solomon Islands we aim to visit four islands: Rennell, Makira, Gaudalcanal and Kolombangara, and although the montane endemics which require time and effort will be out of the question, we hope to see a good number (around a third) of the Solomon endemics, with highlights likely to include Rennell Shrikebill, Rennell Fantail, Rennell Starling, Rennell White-eye and Bare-eyed White-eye on Rennell; Chestnut-bellied Imperial Pigeon, White-headed Fruit Dove, Ochre-headed Flycatcher, White-collared Monarch, San Cristobal Starling, San Cristobal Melidectes, Sooty Myzomela and Mottled Flowerpecker on Makira; Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Ducorps’s Cockatoo, Yellow-bibbed Lory, Buff-headed Coucal, Brown-winged Starling, Black-faced Myzomela and Midget Flowerpecker on Guadalcanal and Roviana Rail and, with luck, Kolombangara Monarch on Kolombangara. We will also find some of the more widespread endemics such as the impressive Solomon Islands Sea-Eagle, a number of splendid pigeons and perhaps the gorgeous Ultramarine Kingfisher.
After our action packed four days in the Solomons, we will head for Bougainville and New Ireland where we will be hoping for two very poorly known seabirds, Beck’s Petrel and Heinroth’s Shearwater.
The passage north through equatorial waters is likely to see a lull in bird activity before we arrive in Micronesia. On Truk (or Chuuk), we will seek a series of endemics which include the delightful Caroline Islands Ground Dove, Caroline Islands Swiftlet, Caroline Islands Reed Warbler, Oceanic Flycatcher, Micronesian Myzomela, Caroline Islands White-eye and Micronesian Starling and, if time permits, we will also charter a speedboat to Tol South to look for Truk Monarch and, for those who can climb into the island’s interior, Truk (or Faichuuk) White-eye.
It is then a long, and for periods quiet, passage to the Bonin Islands, though we should pick up our first Bannerman’s Shearwaters, Bonin Petrels and Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrels on this leg. Having completed our Japanese Immigration formalities in the Bonins, we will set sail towards Torishima Island, home of the much-wanted Short-tailed Albatross, surely one of the greatest prizes of this epic voyage.
Having feasted our eyes on this rare bird we will head for the mainland of Japan, though there may still be the opportunity for a stop in the Izu Islands where, as well as Streaked Shearwaters, Tristram’s Storm-Petrels and Japanese Murrelets at sea, we will look for the Izu-endemic Ijima’s Warbler, Owston’s Tit and Izu Island Thrush, as well as other goodies including Japanese Woodpigeon and Japanese Robin. Our adventure will come to an end with our arrival in Yokohama in Tokyo Bay.
We shall be sailing on the Professor Khromov (capacity 48 passengers), a ship operated by Heritage Expeditions (who call her Spirit of Enderby). Ships of this class are Finnish-built vessels under Russian registry that were built in the 1980s and early 1990s under commission from the Academy of Sciences in Moscow. They were originally intended for oceanographic research, but were subsequently adapted for expedition-style cruising following the financial cutbacks that later affected all formerly Soviet research programmes. These ships are, of course, not ‘cruise ships’ in the traditional manner and will appeal most to those for whom exploring wild places and enjoying wild nature, rather than enjoying luxurious surroundings and ‘black-tie’ dinners with the officers, is the prime attraction.
Cabins are furnished with two berths and have some storage space and an outside view (many having en-suite bathroom facilities). Public facilities include restaurant, lounge/bar, lecture facilities and library. Food is plentiful, of good quality, waiter-served and prepared by European, New Zealand or Australian chefs. The ship carries a small complement of guest lecturers, including a naturalist, who give informal talks on the environment, wildlife and history of the region and also guide shore excursions.
As much of the sailing as possible is done at night, thus maximizing opportunities for going ashore and enjoying the beautiful islands and landscapes to the full, though clearly with so much ground to cover, several full days will be spent at sea too. Landings are carried out by means of a fleet of zodiacs, the rugged, fast-moving inflatables developed by Jacques Cousteau for expedition work which allow safe landings on remote coastlines in all types of conditions. The sheer speed and efficiency with which the crew carry out these landings, coupled with the small complement of passengers, allows everyone plenty of time ashore. Further information about the cruise, including photographs and details of the ship layout, including cabin layouts, are available on the Ocean Adventures (at Birdquest) website (www.oceanadventures.co.uk). The great advantage of taking this particular cruise, if you are especially interested in seeing the fantastic wildlife of the remote Western Pacific is that the itinerary and day to day schedule are strongly wildlife-orientated, and the group will greatly benefit by having our experienced ornithologist guide.
Those taking shore-based programme in New Zealand will enjoy a full day pelagic trip in the Hauraki Gulf, in particular to greatly increase the chance of seeing New Zealand Storm-Petrel, as well as shorebirds such as Wrybill and New Zealand Dotterel at Miranda and a number of other New Zealand specialities. Upon arrival in Japan will spend a night near Narita airport (as the ship will arrive at Yokohama too late to catch a flight to London that same day). We will visit an area of nearby marshes where targets will include the localized Japanese Swamp Warbler, Bull-headed Shrike and the attractive Japanese Reed Bunting, as well as a selection of other species.
Accommodation & Road Transport: The hotels in Snells Beach and Narita are of normal Birdquest standard. For details of the ship, see the introductory section. Transport on land will be by minibus for the pre and post cruise sections. During the cruise, any transport on land is usually by coach.
Walking: The walking effort is easy almost throughout , but there is the possibility of a strenuous uphill hike on Tol South, if time allows.
Climate: During this epic voyage we will experience a real variety of climates! In New Zealand at the beginning of the trip, conditions at this time of year are typically cool, with sunny periods and showers. As we head north the climate will gradually become warmer and by the time we reach New Caledonia it will be warm and fairly humid. Further north, from the Solomons until the Bonin Islands, it will be generally hot and humid, with a mixture of dry and sunny weather and overcast, rainy periods. Further north in Japan, conditions are likely to be warm, but less humid, with the possibility of rain. There is the possibility of some windy weather at sea, and during these periods, it can feel distinctly cooler.
Bird/Sea Mammal Photography: Opportunities are quite good.
Important: Please bear in mind that circumstances may be encountered during the voyage which will make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the planned itinerary. These circumstances include poor weather conditions and unexpected opportunities for making additional zodiac excursions. In particular, the landings on Chichi-jima and Miyake-jima are dependent on being able to clear Japanese immigration and customs in the Bonin Islands, which is by no means certain. The ship’s expedition leader will provide more information at the start of the voyage and keep us fully informed throughout.
Tour Price: £6923, €8169, $10038 Auckland/Tokyo including New Zealand and Tokyo shore-based programme, or £6206, €7323, $8999 Tauranga/Yokohama cruise-only, in a Main Deck triple-berth cabin with shared bathroom facilities. Supplement for a Main Deck twin-berth cabin with shared bathroom facilities: £679, €801, $984. Supplement for a Superior Cabin with private bathroom: £1489, €1757, $2159. Supplement for a Superior Plus Cabin with private bathroom: £1999, €2359, $2898. Supplement for a Mini Suite with private bathroom: £2758, €3254, $3999. Supplement for an Heritage Suite with private bathroom: £3204, €3781, $4646. In addition there will be a charge to cover the landing fees levied by the various governments of £345, €407, $500. Price includes all transportation (including all flights), all accommodations, all meals, some soft drinks, all excursions, all entrance fees, leader services. Gratuities for the expedition staff and crew, and the airport transfers to and from the ship, are not included in the tour price. Gratuities are entirely at your discretion. The staff work very long hours to make such cruises a success, including a great deal of night sailing, and we have been told that most passengers give gratuities of around US$310-465 for such a 31 days cruise.
Single Room/Cabin Supplement: Single occupancy supplement for the shore-based nights in New Zealand and Tokyo: £132, €156, $191. Single occupancy of most twin-berth cabins can be obtained in return for an 80% supplement on top of the Tauranga/Yokohama cruise-only price (but suites require a 100% supplement). Please note that if you are willing to share but no cabin-mate is available you will not have to pay the single occupancy supplement.
Deposit: 25% of the tour price. If booking more than 12 months ahead, the initial deposit is only 10% of the tour price.
Cancellation Charges: For cancellations made 121 days or more before departure, the cancellation charge is 80% of the deposit paid. For cancellations made 91-120 days before departure, the cancellation charge is 100% of the deposit paid. For cancellations made 1-90 days before departure, or on the day of departure or later, the cancellation charge is 100% of the tour price.
Important: Owing to the possibility, however small, of a severe airline delay, we would recommend that all participants not taking our shore-based programme, or otherwise already in New Zealand, travel out a day early and spend a night in Auckland. Kindly note that in the event you do not arrive in time, the ship will not wait and neither the cruise operator nor ourselves can make a refund in such circumstances. Arriving a day early also has the advantage that your luggage could still catch up with you, should it go astray. We can make hotel bookings for you on request if you do not wish to take our standard shore-based arrangements.
International Airfares: Return fares from London cost about £1070, €1270, $1610. We can also arrange international air travel from many other departure points. Please contact us about your air travel requirements.
Linking Birdquests: This tour can be linked with Japan in 2011. Please contact us for further information.
Our visit to the wonderful island of New Caledonia will revolve around seeing the fantastic Kagu, a bird in its own unique family (János Oláh)
The wonderful Rennell Shrikebill is one of the more charismatic Solomon endemics that we hope to find (Brian Field)
By the end of the voyage we will have accumulated a fantastic set of seabirds including gems such as the dainty White-faced Storm-Petrel (Pete Morris)
New Zealand waters are rich in seabirds and we shall begin our voyage with plenty to look at, with such goodies as Cook's Petrel (Pete Morris)
... Buller's Shearwater (Pete Morris)
... Black Petrel (Pete Morris)
... and Australian Gannet (Pete Morris)
We're also likely to encounter a few albatrosses such as Campbell Island Albatross (Pete Morris)
Heading on to New Caledonia, we will be searching dor a number of endemics, including the spectacular Kagu (Richard Thomas)
At sea, as we head for the Solomon Islands, we will be keeping a careful eye out for goodies such as the rare Heinroth's Shearwater (Brian Field)
In the Solomons, we will look for a number of special endemics such as the superb Claret-breasted Fruit-Dove (Brian Field)
... the rather dowdy Rennell Fantail (Brian Field)
... the impressive Solomon Islands Sea-Eagle (Brian Field)
... and the lovely Ultramarine Kingfisher (Brian Field)
As we head north of the equator, we'll pass through Micronesia and then enter waters where we'll find a new set of seabirds including Bonin Petrel (Pete Morris)
... Matsudaira's Storm-Petrel (Pete Morris)
... Bulwer's Petrel (Pete Morris)
... and as we approach Japan, Streaked Shearwater, which will become abundant (Pete Morris)
We will make our final stop in the Izu Islands, where we will find endemics such as Ijima's Warbler (Pete Morris)
... and Izu Islands Thrush (Pete Morris)
And with a little luck, we'll find the rare Japanese Murrelet (Pete Morris)
The air holidays shown are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2937.
ATOL protection covers those booking a tour with us that includes a flight from London or elsewhere in the United Kingdom, regardless of where in the world you live.
Birdquest Ltd is Registered in England, Company No. 01568270. The address of our registered office is Two Jays, Kemple End, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9QY
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