ENQUIRY EMAILS ABOUT 2028 EXPEDITION

Hi XXX,

Thanks for your interest in Kalawai Adventure’s expeditions, and apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

Our 2027 expeditions are now fully booked, but I’m pleased to let you know that the 2028 expedition dates are now confirmed and available on the Dates & Rates page of the Kalawai Adventure website.

With only 12 guests on each expedition, the trips tend to fill well in advance, so if the 2028 dates work for you, I’d encourage you to get in touch rather than waiting until next year.

I thought I’d also give you a little more information about the expeditions to complement what’s on the website.

Kalawai expeditions are designed for travellers curious about what lies beyond the usual itinerary. Rather than concentrating solely on Raja Ampat, we travel approximately 1,500 km through a much larger and rarely visited part of West Papua, from Raja Ampat across the Vogelkop Peninsula to Cenderawasih Bay. Along the way, we reach places that very few foreign travellers ever experience.

There is a strong sense of exploration. We snorkel extraordinary coral reefs and swim with whale sharks, but the marine world is only part of the experience. We also explore rainforests and remote beaches, search for birds of paradise and other wildlife, observe nesting leatherbacks, spend time in Papuan villages and learn about local conservation efforts.

The idea is not simply to see West Papua, but to develop a deeper understanding of its wildlife, landscapes, people and the connections between them. My background is in marine biology and oceanography, so I try to provide a science-based, naturalist-style experience rather than simply moving from one attraction to the next. I also rely on a network of Papuan friends, former colleagues and guides, some of whom I’ve known for more than 20 years. These relationships allow us to visit places and meet people that would be difficult to experience on a conventional liveaboard itinerary.

The trips are deliberately small and informal. Most travellers are fit retirees, although I’ve taken guests ranging in age from 4 to 84. Flexibility, curiosity and a sense of adventure matter much more than age. If you’re expecting a glass of celebratory champagne after each snorkel session, you may be knocking on the wrong door!

These are expeditions rather than conventional cruises. We don't follow a rigid day-by-day itinerary, and plans sometimes change because of weather, wildlife, sea conditions or what we discover along the way. For the right traveller, that uncertainty is part of the adventure rather than an inconvenience.

The TripAdvisor reviews are worth reading if you’d like an independent perspective. Some are very detailed and probably give a better sense of what travelling with Kalawai is actually like than anything I could put in a brochure.

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You can find the 2028 overall itineraries, dates, prices and more detailed information on the Kalawai Adventure website, particularly the Expeditions, Dates & Rates and FAQs pages.

If one of the 2028 expeditions works for you, the next step is to make sure the expedition is a good fit for you. I’ll first send you a few short written questions about expedition travel for you to answer. If it seems like a good match, we’ll then arrange a 20-minute video chat before I accept a booking.

If you’ve had a look at the information and would like to proceed, just let me know and I’ll send you the questions.

Best regards,

Geoffrey