Wilderness Travel 2018 Catalog of Adventures

Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL HISTORY PARADISE OF THE ROCK ISLANDS

Palau’s phenomenally scenic Rock Islands rise out of a vast, serene lagoon like huge emeralds floating on a cerulean sea. On our unique Palau snorkeling and kayaking expedition—a journey we pioneered, and it’s still absolutely unique in the region—we

Bay, we snorkel in the absolutely pristine Blue Devil Gardens, where sparkling blue devil damsel fish shimmer 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 special limestone 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 we snorkel right amid them—a surreal experience! At the Big Drop-Off (Palau’s legendary Ngemelis Wall), 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.

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

bring you to a paradise of outer-reef walls teeming with massive schools of fish (an “underwater Serengeti”), to rare old-growth coral gardens and salt-water waterfalls, and to hidden marine lakes first discovered by our own expert Trip

“Over the top wonderful—I still wake up dreaming I am in my kayak! I have never had

so much fun in my entire life.”

DATES Nov 5-14, 2017 Jan 17-26, 2018

Feb 17-26 Mar 18-27 Sep 10-19

Diane H., Brandon SD

Leaders. Our private camps, tucked away on isolated beaches, are for our exclusive use and offer us solitude and special access to this natural history paradise, along with delightful barbecues, sunrises and sunsets beyond the imagination, and unbelievable stargazing. Days 1-4 Koror / Nikko Bay / Risong Bay In the Rock Islands, gorgeous Nikko Bay’s calm waters offer idyllic sea kayaking above wildly colorful old-growth coral forests, and at Risong

Oct 8-17 Nov 9-18 Jan 21-30, 2019

Feb 5-14 Mar 8-17

TRIP COST $6195 (4-9 members) Single supplement: $620

Internal airfare: $175 (subject to change) Palau’s Big Five extension: from $1895

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

At our exclusive private island camps, we are surrounded by the pristine natural wonders of the Rock Islands.

RON LEIDICH RON LEIDICH

BOB KRIST

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL PACIFIC@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 100