Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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Palau’s phenomenally scenic Rock Islands rise
out of a vast serene lagoon like huge emeralds
floating on a cerulean sea. Our unique
snorkeling and kayaking expedition, a journey
we pioneered—and still unmatched in the
region—brings you to dramatic outer reef
walls teeming with massive schools of fish
(it’s been called an “underwater Serengeti”), to
rare old-growth coral gardens and salt-water
waterfalls, and to hidden marine lakes
surrounded by high limestone walls, which
were first discovered by our expert Trip
Leaders. Our private camps, tucked away on
isolated beaches (we have exclusive permission
to camp here), offer special access to this
captivating paradise, along with delightful
barbecues, sunrises and sunsets beyond the
imagination, and wonderful stargazing.
Days 1-4 Koror / Nikko Bay / Risong Bay
In the Rock Islands, kayak and snorkel amid a
glorious world of jewel-colored parrotfish and
old-growth corals, including Blue Devil Gardens,
where blue damselfish dart between the corals.
Days 5-6 Milky Way / Long Lake Snorkeling
above the wreck of a Zero airplane from World
War II, we look for colorful angelfish and
butterflyfish, and paddle across a cove known
as the Milky Way. A rushing current carries
our kayaks through a mangrove forest alive
with birdsong to a mile-long lake, a hidden
oasis for nesting birds and baby fish.
Days 7-10 Jellyfish Lake / Big Drop-Off /
Peleliu Jellyfish Lake is home to millions
of non-stinging jellyfish, and you’ll snorkel
amid them—a surreal experience! At the Big
Drop-Off (Palau’s legendary Ngemelis Wall),
a sheer rock face plunging nearly a thousand
feet deep, we discover a vibrant world of tube
sponges, sea fans, Moorish idols, pyramid
butterflyfish, square anthias, sergeant majors,
and yellowtail fusiliers. After visiting battle
sites on Peleliu, the scene of fierce fighting
during World War II, fly to Koror and depart
on Day 10.
EXTEND YOUR ADVENTURE
Enjoy rare encounters with Palau’s “Big Five”
marine species—pilot whales, spinner
dolphins, dugongs, sharks, mantas—on
kayaking, boating, and snorkeling excursions.
QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL 105
Amazing snorkeling, kayaking in turquoise seas, fascinating Palauan culture, great scenery, delightful camps—we’ve got it all!
GEORGETTE APOL
SHAWN ODA RON LEIDICH
FRITS MEYST
RON LEIDICH
HIGHLIGHTS
• Snorkel and kayak the Rock Islands, a
dream realm of hidden lakes, coral
gardens, marine tunnels, and thousand-
foot-deep walls teeming with sea life
• Experience Palau’s kaleidoscopic marine
life, with 700 coral species and 1,500
species of reef fish
• Visit a Palauan “men’s house,” snorkel
in magical Jellyfish Lake, explore Peleliu
Island with its World War II relics
DETAILS
• 10-day trip begins and ends in Koror
• 3 nights beach resorts, 6 nights
full-service camping
• All meals included except Day 1
DATES
Nov 1-10, 2016 Oct 5-14
Jan 13-22, 2017 Nov 5-14
Jan 29-Feb 7 Jan 17-26, 2018
Feb 26-Mar 7 Feb 17-26
Sep 6-15 Mar 18-27
TRIP COST
$5995 (4-9 members)
Single supplement: $620
Internal airfare: $175 (subject to change)
Palau’s Big Five extension: from $1795
TRIP LEVEL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Snorkeling, easy to moderate sea kayaking
on sit-on-top kayaks, 3-5 hours a day