The travel date Ternate - Sorong: 04.10.-15.10. will be guided by Dr George Beccaloni, head of the Wallace Correspondence Project and leading Wallace researcher. Under his guidance, you will have the opportunity to learn many research-backed details about the travels and discoveries of Alfred Russel Wallace.

Day 1: Arrival in the Moluccas, Visit of the Spice Islands of Ternate and Halmahera

• Ideally, you had already traveled to the small Moluccan island of Ternate a few days earlier and were able to acclimatize a bit in the meantime. Your sailing adventure tour starts today. Now it's time to check out of your Ternate accommodation, where your local tour guide is already waiting to welcome you and accompany you to your sailing yacht, which is the stately Ombak Putih.
• Once there, you can stow your luggage before setting off on your first discovery tour. You now have the opportunity to gain an insight into the still economically and politically important island of Ternate and learn about Wallace's work here. The small island of Ternate is the only one of the four sultanates of the Northern Spice Islands where the sultanate has existed without interruption since the beginning.
• On your tour you will visit the beautiful Fort Tolukko, built by the Portuguese, as well as the imposing Fort Oranje, built by the Dutch East India Company, the VOC. You will also visit the Sultan's Palace, where you can marvel at the rich collection of royal gifts to the local ruler of his time. You will also visit the probable site of Wallace's house (the precise location is still under research), where the Victorian naturalist wrote his 1858 essay on the natural selection of species and sent it to Charles Darwin.
• Your lunch will be served on the yacht.
• After the lunch break, we continue to the pretty little village of Dodinga, situated on the banks of a river on the island of Halmahera, where Wallace was staying when he discovered the mechanism of evolutionary change while suffering from malaria delirium. It was here that Wallace's theory on natural selection was born. A memorial plaque now honours this historic moment.
• Dinner is served on the yacht.
   

Day 2: Exploration of the Guraici Archipelago

• While your yacht sets course for the South in the morning, you can enjoy a cosy breakfast and take in the enchanting scenery as it passes by and get in the mood for your exciting sailing tour through Indonesia east of the Wallace Line.
• Today is all about exploring the Guraici archipelago, a chain of islands with white sandy beaches, lively coral reefs and some pretty villages. The islands are part of a government-controlled marine reserve, established with the aim of preserving the reefs and the beautiful marine life in all its diversity.
• You can spend the whole day here exploring, swimming, snorkelling, walking on the beach or simply reading and relaxing. A holiday just the way you like it :-)
• Lunch and dinner on your boat.

Day 3: Following Wallace's Footsteps in the Sultanate of Bacan

• This morning you will wake up off the Western coast of Bacan, one of the Spice Islands that make up another historically significant Moluccan sultanate. Bacan ist zudem derjenige Ort, an dem Wallace einige seiner herausragendsten zoologischen Entdeckungen machte.
• After breakfast, you will explore the wooded slopes where Wallace discovered the Wallace Standardwing Paradis bird, the Moluccan Cuscus, the largest bee in the world, the Megachile Pluto, and one of the largest butterflies, the magnificent Golden Birdwing.
  
  For Wallace, the latter was the most beautiful butterfly in the world, prompting him to add the following to his diary after his first sighting in 1859: ‘When I took it from my net and opened its magnificent wings, I was nearer fainting with joy and excitement than ever before in my life; my heart beat violently, and the blood rushed to my head, so that I had a headache for the rest of the day.’ Be one of the few Westerners, who will have the chance to see this rare butterfly species. As these are free-living creatures, we can't give any guarantees, but our guide will do his best to spot the Golden Birdwing with its fluttering company.
   
• In addition to this rare species, you will also be on the lookout for other animals, some of which are endemic and can only be found here on Bacan and the nearby islands. Look out for cockatoos, parrots, lorikeets and hornbills as well as the shy cuscus and the only species of monkey in the Moluccas, the endangered black crested monkey. With their habitat on Bacan, they actually live on the wrong side of the Wallace Line. However, the monkeys had been introduced to the Moluccan Spice Island some centuries ago.
• You will be returning to the boat for lunch.
• The afternoon, you can spend snorkelling. You will have the opportunity to snorkel in warm water, an anomaly caused by a nearby hot spring that flows directly into the sea from here. The warm surface of the water contrasts with the cooler deep water layer, creating a very unique swimming experience!
• Alternatively, you could of course stay on the boat and relax or take in the truly stunning island scenery.
• You can then round off the day with a delicious dinner on the yacht.

Day 4: Bacan - Pisang Island - Misool 

• While you enjoy your sumptuous breakfast on board, the crew sets sail and your adventure continues - next stop: the idyllic Pisang Islands, which you will reach in the morning.
• These tiny natural jewels are isolated in the vast waters of the Ceram Sea, a section of the Pacific Ocean measuring around one hundred and twenty thousand square kilometres between the often widely separated islands of the Moluccas in the far east of Indonesia. The sea areas around this archipelago were long ago a busy sea route as the highly sought-after spices such as nutmeg, clove, cinnamon and pepper originated from there, giving the islets of this region their legendary nickname and making them simply the Spice Islands.
• In the morning, you will have the opportunity to go ashore and take a look at the small island and the surrounding archipelago. You also have the opportunity to relax on the wonderful white sandy beaches, swim in crystal-clear water and explore the fantastic surrounding reefs. Egal wofür Ihr Euch entscheided, der Tag ist gemacht, um Abzuschalten und zu genießen :-)
• Lunch will be served on bord or on the beach.
• And your sailing adventure continues, along numerous small islands with tiny villages and past fishing boats until you reach the coast of West Misool.
• Welcome to Raja Ampat!
• Enjoy the end of the day with a sundowner on deck...
• ...and look forward to having another delicious dinner on board

Day 5: Misool including Lesser Bird of Paradise

• Your day starts exceptionally early today, because you will be able to observe the little bird of paradise in its natural habitat - if nature allows it today. This is a truly unforgettable experience! Get ready and don't forget to take your camera and binoculars with you.
• It's time to get up at around 4.00 am today. After a quick breakfast, you will go ashore, where a local guide will be waiting to take you through the forest and accompany you to the places where the little bird of paradise typically performs its enchanting mating dance. You will have plenty of time to watch this marvellous performance.
• Now it's eventually time to return to the boat where a hearty lunch awaits you.
• After a short lunch break, you will have the opportunity to go ashore on an uninhabited island in the afternoon and enjoy the beautiful white palm beach or snorkel around the island - just as you please.
• This evening you can also indulge in various sundowners and a delicious dinner as the sun sets :-)

Day 6: Misool including Snorkeling, Swimming & Relaxing

• Today, as usual, we're having a relaxed breakfast. You have all the time in the world, because pure relaxation is on the programme today.
• In the morning you have the opportunity to snorkel in a channel that separates two islands. Here you can see colourful fans hanging in the steep walls. The current, which is very rich in food at this point, also attracts many different species of fish.
• After a hearty lunch, you have the opportunity to enjoy the white sandy beach under the sun and palm trees on a leisurely walk in the afternoon.
• This is also another great opportunity for snorkelling, as young blacktip reef sharks can often be found along the reef.
  If you don't feel like it, feel free to join in a game of beach volleyball or simply pursue your daydreams. There's space and time for it here.
• As the day draws to a close, it's time to go back on board and round off a super relaxing day with a view of the sunset.
• Of course, a delicious dinner awaits you again today.
   

Day 7: Misool with Grotto, Jellyfish Lake and Karst Island Labyrinth

• When you wake up this morning, make sure you have your camera ready, because you're likely to see one of the beautiful sunrises over the picturesque chain of islands that form the eastern part of the Misool archipelago. The topography here is due to the ‘dissolution’ of the karst rock, which has led to the formation of an enormous number of tiny islets whose bases have been eroded over the centuries by the relentless rhythm of the tides.
• After a fairly early breakfast, you will be taken to the heart of the bay in one of the dinghies belonging to the yacht. Here there is a cave to marvel at, which is partly underwater and in which you can swim, snorkel or simply let yourself drift while admiring the unusual grotto with its remarkable stalactites. Solltet Ihr viel Abenteuerlust haben, konnt Ihr auch durch das dunkle Wasser paddeln oder schwimmen bis zum anderen Hohleneingang .
• After that, you will go to a mysterious jellyfish lake where you will get the chance to swim among thousands of stingless jellyfish - undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable experiences in Raja Ampat.
• After returning to the boat, you will have a good lunch and then go on another tour. Using dinghies, you will explore other parts of this truly impressive labyrinth of karst islands, both above and below the water.
• Here you will come across mysterious cave graves in sea cemeteries and prehistoric cave paintings, estimated by scientists to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old, depicting various human figures as well as plants, fish, vessels and tools.
• After this rather active day, you can look forward to a great dinner and round off the day with a cool drink.
   

Day 8: Batanta Island, Mantas & more 

• While you're still enjoying your breakfast, your crew gets the boat ready to go. Let's go!
• Today, you're off to Batanta Island.
• If you feel like it and the tides are in your favour, you can take a short walk along the riverbed, which will take you to the first of two jungle waterfalls. There you can take a cooling dip in its natural pool. And if you feel fit and adventurous enough, you can continue the climb up the rocks where a second, larger waterfall awaits you. The boat then takes you to Dayang Island where there is another great opportunity for snorkelling.
• Depending on the tide and luck, you may have the chance to see manta rays and explore new landscapes along the way. Macht Euch bereit, Batanta zu erkunden :-)
• After your return to the boat you will have a good lunch and then you will have the opportunity to go snorkelling again or explore your maritime surroundings with a paddle board or a kayak.
• In the late afternoon you will head north to a charming group of islands where you will spend the night.
• As usual, you will have dinner on the boat. Let us surprise you with what your cake chef has come up with for you today.
   

Day 9: Fam Islands & Arborek Village

• Welcome to the spectacular picture-book setting of the Fam Islands!
• When you wake up, you will find yourself anchored off the island of Penemu, a dreamy little island that offers truly fabulous views. So feel welcome to take on the somewhat rough but short climb to enjoy the fantastic view from a hill. Einfach zauberhaft!
• Here you also have the opportunity to explore the beautiful island reefs on a snorkelling trip and encounter countless species of colourful fish. Welcome to the centre of the coral triangle
• Afterwards, you will set course for the small island of Arborek. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the children of the only village on the island with a charming traditional dance. Lasst Euch begeistern!
• And of course you will have the opportunity to take a walk through the village and get an impression of the Asai culture, which is still kept very much alive by the locals of this remote place.
• With a bit of luck, you may also have the opportunity to encounter graceful manta rays while snorkelling.
   

Day 10: Dampier Street and Yenbeser on Gam Island

• Today offers you another opportunity to walk in the paths of the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace.
• To do this, you have to get up early again today. And after a quick breakfast, you head into the forest at dawn to observe the impressive Red Bird of Paradise, one of the bird species that Wallace wanted to collect at all costs. With a bit of luck and the help of a knowledgeable guide, you'll be able to witness this rare bird's elaborate courtship dance as soon as dawn breaks through the forest canopy.
• Upon returning to the boat, your attention will be drawn from the sky to the sea. Your yacht will now glide through the Dampier Strait, which is home to some of Raja Ampat's most beautiful reefs. If the currents are favorable, you may even be able to see some of the larger sea creatures that are attracted to the nutrient-rich waters of this strait.
• After a break for lunch, you will have the opportunity to spend the afternoon in the village of Yenbeser, where Wallace had lived for a few months. If the tides permit, you will also have the opportunity to visit a full-scale replica of Wallace's little hut, built by the villagers based on plans by 'Fauna & Flora International' and a grant from SeaTrek.
• Afterwards you can also visit a nearby small island where a local has set up a refuge for coconut crabs. The island is home to a small number of these monster crabs, whose zoological name is Birgus Latro and which are considered the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world. You can see these impressive and equally gentle animals up close.
   

Day 11: Gam Islands - Yenbuba, Mansuar Island - Mioskon Island

• Today we start early again. You will get up at 4.30 a.m. and after a short breakfast you will go ashore in the village of Saporkren. A dinghy will take you to the village in the dark and a local guide will take you on a short ride into the forest, as the aim of your early start today is to observe the beautiful Wilson's bird of paradise. With a bit of luck, the effort of setting off early will pay off and you'll have the special and rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of this bird's gorgeous courtship dance as day breaks over the forest canopy. You will certainly be impressed by the artistic dance.
• Back in the village, you will have time to socialize with the locals and perhaps visit the local school.
• However, you will be back on the boat in the morning and travel to Yenbuba on the island of Mansuar. You can snorkel there before lunch. This place is also known as the 'fish tank' because of the opportunity to encounter various species of fish in the bay. Afterwards we continue by boat to the island of Mioskon, where you can go snorkeling again. You will also anchor here for the night.
• But before that, you can admire a small natural spectacle. Shortly after sunset, things get very lively here as thousands of bats are now on the move to catch their dinner. You can watch the fluttering creatures well from the boat. Today will be your last evening on board. In the meantime you have seen and experienced a lot and have probably made a few friends with fellow travelers.

Day 12: Mioskon - Sorong

• The dinghy will take you ashore, from where you will be accompanied to the airport or your booked accommodation.
• We hope you enjoyed it, wish you a safe journey home or onwards and would be happy to welcome you back as our guests soon. Sampai jumpa lagi :-)