ITINERARY
BASIC TOUR ITINERARY
as of June 1, 2011
Iron Bottom Sound is best known as a mecca for scuba divers
(Some modifications may occur due to routing and schedule changes in the region prior to the time of the tour. Hotels are those currently known as of June 2011 and are typical of the region. Prices are those in effect as of the date above and may change due to currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges for ground transport caused by escalating oil prices or increases mandated by ground operators. RING OF FIRE EXPEDITIONS does its best to keep prices in line as far in advance as possible. Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended just in case you or a companion becomes ill or is forced by circumstance to miss the tour–unless this insurance is already included in the tour package.)
May 13 (Monday) FIJI TO GUADALCANAL
Depart Tarawa (from core tour). After a short layover on Fiji, depart for Guadalcanal and arrive at historic “Henderson Field”. The largest island in the Solomons is Guadalcanal. The main port of entry into the Solomon Islands is at Henderson Airport which is approximately 10 minutes drive from the capital of Honiara. The town is situated on the northern coastline and includes a small, picturesque seaport at Point Cruz.
We transfer to our hotel, with time to settle in and refresh before departing for our Honiara briefing and orientation from a vantage point atop Mount Austen. Sites pointed out will be “Red Beach,” the site of the 1942 landing; Henderson Field, Ed-son’s Ridge, the Tenaru River (Alligator Creek); Lunga Point, and other pertinent sites. Later we will tour the U.S. Memorial on Skyline Ridge for another panoramic view of the island from this vantage point. Sites pointed out will be Tulagi, Gavutu-Tanambogo, and the Florida Islands. Also, we will orient on Savo Island, “Iron Bottom Sound”: as well as key terrain features ashore. We will see Point Cruz, the Matanikau River, Cape Esperance, and other key sites that played significant roles in this landmark land and sea battle. Overnight Guadalcanal. Hotel: King Solomon (B/L/D)
King Solomon Hotel, Honiara
Sunset in Honiara
May 14 (Tuesday) GUADALCANAL
This morning we will visit the Solomon Islands Cultural Center, the Vilu Open Air WWII Museum (with its open air display of relics: SBD, Wildcat, P400 remains, Corsair, P38, assorted wings, Japanese artillery and lots of smaller items) and the busy city markets. The bustling town centre in Honiara is a shaded and lovely area, filled with interesting shops including some for local handicrafts and duty free products, although the range of merchandise is limited. The town centre is where the banks, post office, restaurants, telecom, tourist information and local tour operators are located. Its outdoor markets provide the perfect setting to meet the locals and experience some great Solomon Islands shopping.
You get to convert your money into local Solomon Island dollars
At the market, you can be sure to find local produce, including fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, betel nuts and peanuts and other items such as carvings, calico lava-lavas, basket-ware and shells. The locally crafted mother-of-pearl carvings with brown streaks, pandanus baskets, trays and bags, all with intricate detailing, are popular purchases.
We travel east to Tetere, current home to a massive Amtrac boneyard left behind at the end of the war. We return west to visit Red Beach, site of the initial landings around Henderson Field. Hotel: King Solomon (B/L)
Armored vehicle remains at Tetere
Local islanders
May 15 (Wednesday) GUADALCANAL
We depart today for a tour of the Botanical Gardens to enjoy the tranquility of the many ECO walks and visit an authentic working village. After lunch, we will spend time on Bloody Ridge, known also as Edsons Ridge, where the Japanese were halted in their attempts to reach Henderson Field, in one of the pivotal battles of the Pacific War. From here we view Fighter One, the field from which the Cactus Air Force and famous aviators like Joe Foss flew. We also visit the Betikama Museum and Cultural Center, an excellent place to purchase local souvenirs, before our Farewell Dinner. Located to the east of Honiara, at the Betikama School there is a small museum with relics and aircraft on display. Collected decades ago, the museum gets a steady stream of visitors. Overnight Guadalcanal. Hotel: King Solomon (Meals: B/L/D)
WWII relics at the Betikama Museum.
May 16 (Thursday) GUADALCANAL
Locations of some of the major wreck diving places.
Free day to explore the island, swim, or just relax by the pool. Those interested in wreck diving should be aware of the opportunities here. The diving in the Solomons is with out doubt some of the best in the world in terms of water clarity, temperature, sea life and beauty. Most of the diving there is on a couple of Japanese wrecks near Honiara. Their bows are on the surface and their sterns are at 200+ feet (60+m) due to the steep sea walls.
Since the Allies had control of Henderson airfield in the latter part of 1942, re-supply of the surviving Japanese troops on Guadalcanal by surface vessel had become difficult and several vessels including the Hirokawa Maru, the Kinugawa Maru, the Kyushu Maru, and the Azumasan Maru were lost. The Imperial Japanese Navy ordered the submarine force to organize a supply system for the garrison on Guadalcanal. By January 1943, the Japanese forces on Guadalcanal only had control of the northwest corner of the island, a fairly mountainous area around Cape Esperance, with the US forces moving along the north coast towards them.
The Japanese transports Hirokawa Maru and Kinugawa Maru were sunk in November 1942 quite close to the beach near Bonegi Creek, about 8 miles (13 km) west of Honiara. Another transport, Azumasan Maru, lies a little further west near Tasivarongo Point. The big Japanese cruiser submarine I-1 lies on the outside of the reef off Tambea which is a small village about 25 miles (40 km) west of Honiara. The American troopship USS John Penn lies on its starboard side off Lungga Point, east of Honiara, at 180 feet (56 m). The cruiser USS Atlanta lies off Honiara at 430 feet (130 m) well beyond the range of recreational divers.
A list of possible wreck dive sites includes the following:
Hirokawa Maru: The Japanese transport Hirokawa Maru, built in 1940 and originally about 481 ft (146 m) long. The ship lies on a steep slope on its port side with the bow completely shattered and the stern section in reasonable condition. You’ll find excellent coral growth and fish life here, and it is considered one of the best wreck dives in the Solomons.
The underwater view of the Hirokawa Maru
Kinugawa Maru: This Japanese transport was beached in an attempt to off load supplies and the wreck lies close to Bonegi 1. The engine block protrudes from the water, making easy access for snorkellers and good swim throughs for divers, while the stern lies in 20m plus. There are some excellent photo opportunities, particularly in the aft section of engine room (the cathedral), while lots of blue spotted rays bask on the sand.
The Kinugawa Maru
Azumasan Maru: Discovered by divers in 1970. Intact and upright in excellent condition, it is known as “Deep Ruanui (Deep Ruaniu)”. Clear water brings in the larger pelagics and the bow gun is covered with soft corals.
IJN Submarine I-1: The big Japanese cruiser submarine I-1 lies on the outside of the reef off Tambea which is a small village about 25 miles (40 km) west of Honiara. The submarine was 320 feet (97 m) long with an endurance of 60 days and a range of 24,000 miles. The I-1 ran aground on the reef in January 1943 after a battle with two New Zealand corvettes. The submarine now lies with the shattered bow in 15 feet (5 m) and the stern in 100 feet (30 m) of water.
USS John Penn: The huge American transporter USS John Penn measured 140 m (462 ft) long and 18 m (59ft) wide. It was sunk in 1943 by a torpedo which set off a secondary explosion. Severe damage caused the stern to separate and it can be found 1204 ft (365 m) away from the main part of the ship. The wreck lies on its starboard side at Lungga Point, east of Honiara, in 190 ft (60 m) of water. The ship is in two parts with most dives done on the bow section. A deep dive, for experienced divers only.
Diving at one underwater wreck site.
Overnight Guadalcanal. Hotel: King Solomon (Meals: B/L/D)
May 17 (Friday) GUADALCANAL TO FIJI
Last opportunity to pick up any souvenirs. Departure by air from Guadalcanal to Fiji.
Example of souvenirs
We transfer to our flight back to the US. Cross the International Dateline and arrive back in Los Angeles (LAX) on the same day. (B/D provided on plane)
PRICING
PRICING
USD$2037. credit card price (cash price $1959.) LAND ONLY per person beginning in and ending in Fiji, double occupancy. Add USD$619. credit card price (cash price $595.) for single supplement (if available).
DUE TO THE 2 YEAR TIME FRAME BEFORE THE TRIP OCCURS, PRICES SHOWN ARE APPROXIMATE AND INTENDED TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY MIGHT COST TO THIS REMOTE AREA. ACTUAL PRICES WILL BE REFINED IN 2012. AN AIR PACKAGE (ROUND TRIP FIJI TO GUADALCANAL AND BACK) WILL BE OFFERED IN 2012 WHEN AIR PRICING IS FIXED. NOTE THE PRICE ABOVE CONTAINS NO AIR SEGMENTS. SORRY, NO CHILDREN UNDER 12.
BASIC TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
- accommodation as indicated in itinerary with private facilities
- all tour features as listed in the itinerary
- all touring by private, air conditioned, motor coach with experienced driver / guide
- most meals (as shown)
- airport transfers if you are arriving and returning with the group
- services of English-speaking guides
- entrance fees at attractions listed in the itinerary unless otherwise not
- beverages only where specified
BASIC TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- meals not stated, drinks, visas (if required)
- no airfare is included at this time (a separate air package will be announced about 11 months prior to the tour when it has been scheduled)
- room use outside of normal check-in/check-out times
- porterage: you must be in a position to carry your own bags
- optional cost tours
- beverages unless specified
- tips and gratuities
- personal expenses and anything else not included in the ‘tour includes’ features list
PAYMENT SCHEDULE (per person)
BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2012…………………………USD$525. DEPOSIT credit card price (cash price USD$500).
JANUARY 1, 2013…………………………………………..BALANCE DUE.
CANCELLATION FEES (per person)
BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2012………………………….USD$250. EXCEPT IF YOU FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR YOURSELF. THEN, NO PENALTY.
AFTER JANUARY 1, 2013……………………………….100% OF THE TOTAL TOUR COST
Travel Leaders/Future Travel recommends that each client purchase adequate trip cancellation insurance, medical, baggage, accident and other personal effects insurance (unless it has been included with the tour package already). Clients should be aware that we cannot guarantee the weather for this astronomical event or any other. Contact Travel Leaders/Future Travel for details.
