Compare Papua New Guinea New Britain Extension I by Rockjumper Birding vs Amalfi and Capri Magnifica Walking Tour by Tourissimo

Day 1: Port Moresby to New Britain. New Britain is the largest island of the Bismarck

Archipelago and supports many seldom-seen endemics for which we will be searching. Situated between the Bismarck and Solomon Seas, this narrow mountainous island is over 600km (375 miles) long, but only 80km (50 miles) at its widest. The fertile, exploited volcanic soils of the eastern portion of the island present a striking contrast to the western half, where Western influences began mostly during and after the Second World War. Today we will take a connecting flight to the city of Hoskins in West New Britain and begin our exploration of the wide variety of habitats on the island. From Hoskins, it is an hour’s drive to our hotel on Kimbe Bay. This is primarily a dive resort, but is  conveniently located for exploring the most accessible birding sites of the region. If time permits, we  may commence our birding around the lodge gardens where possibilities include the scarce Red- chinned Lorikeet, Sacred and Common  Kingfishers, New Britain Friarbird, Shining Flycatcher, Black  and Olive-backed Sunbirds, Red-banded Flowerpecker and Variable Goshawk.

Days 2 to 4: New Britain and surrounding islands.

Over the next three days we  will bird various sites from our Kimbe Bay base, including Garu Forest Reserve, Kilu Ridge and some of the smaller islets of Kimbe Bay. These are the key areas for many of the birds that are either endemic to New Britain or the Bismarck Archipelago. A healthy proportion of these are highly sought-after species with extremely limited ranges. We will spend time in forested habitats searching for such specialties as Black Honey Buzzard, New Britain Sparrowhawk, the scarce White-mantled Kingfisher, spectacular Blackcapped Paradise Kingfisher, huge Violaceous and distinctive White-necked Coucals, New Britain Boobook, rare and elusive Bismarck Kingfisher, Black-tailed Monarch, active Ashy and Black-bellied Myzomelas, the attractive Red-banded Flowerpecker, Velvet Flycatcher, Long-tailed Myna, White-rumped Swiftlet, Bismarck Crow and Buffbellied Mannikin. Other more widespread species we hope to encounter include Pacific Baza, Moustached Treeswift, Shining Bronze, Chanel-billed and Brush Cuckoos, Rainbow Bee-eater, magnificent Blyth’s Hornbill, White-bellied and Barred Cuckooshrikes, Northern Fantail and Varried Triller. We will be sure to spend some time searching for Melanesian Megapode at their breeding colonies amongst the warm, sandy, coastal forests near our resort. Columbids and Psittacids are well represented on the island and include the more widespread Bar-tailed and Slender-billed Cuckoo Doves, Stephan’s Emerald Dove, Superb Fruit Dove, miniscule Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot, Eclectus Parrot and Red-flanked Lorikeet. Of the endemics, we will be looking for Red-knobbed, Black, Yellowish and Finsch’s Imperial Pigeons, elusive Pied Cuckoo-Dove, Knobbilled Fruit Dove, Blue-eyed Cockatoo, gaudy Purple-bellied Lory, scarce Song Parrot and Bismarck Hanging Parrot. One of the days we will embark on a half day boat trip into Kimbe Bay, our objective being to visit some of the smaller islets for the island endemics and specialties. These include MacKinlay’s Cuckoo-Dove, unpredictable Island Imperial Pigeon, Collared and Beach Kingfishers, IslandMonarch, Mangrove Golden Whistler, Sclater’s Myzomela  and the beautifully adorned Nicobar Pigeon, while Whitebellied Sea Eagle and Eastern Osprey may be spotted soaring overhead. During our journey to and from the islands we may also encounter both Greater and Lesser Frigatebirds, Black and Brown Noddys and a variety of terns including Swift, Lesser Crested, Black naped and Bridled. Exposed mudflats near our accommodation could yield Grey-tailed Tattler, GreaterSand Plover or Pacific Reef Heron. After what promises to be a very productive and exciting morning’s birding, we then have the added opportunity to don masks, snorkels and flippers and partake in some excellent snorkelling off Restorf Island. The crystal clear ocean here is a deep turquoise blue and teems withthe most elaborately coloured fish one could ever imagine! We will head back to shore around midday for lunch. The afternoon will be spent either at one of the forest sites mentioned above or at a new site searching for whatever species we may still require

Day 5: New Britain to Port Moresby.

After breakfast we will depart our lodge and drive back to Hoskins for out return flight to Port Moresby

Day 1: Capri

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Capri  (alternative Gatto Bianco)

Terrain: Flat

Hike: 1 to 2 hrs

After a boat ride from the mainland to Marina Grande, the main dock in Capri, a taxi will take you to the hotel where you will meet your guides. A light lunch together will allow your guides to give you an overview of the tour. In the afternoon you can enjoy a warm up walk on the paved streets of Capri to the Faraglioni, gigantic coastal rocks formed by erosion from sea waves. Enjoy the sunset over the Faraglioni and the Capri coastline before heading back to the piazzetta for our first aperitivo and a toast to the beauty of Capri.

Day 2: Anacapri

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Capri  (alternative Gatto Bianco)

Terrain: Hilly

Hike: 2.5 to 3 hrs

After breakfast we will take a bus to the town of Anacapri on the opposite side of the island. An easy path will lead us to the top of Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island, in about one hour. Once at the top we will enjoy panoramic views of the island that include Marina Grande and Marina Piccola (the two ports of the island), the Faraglioni and Villa Jovis, on the top of a cliff. On a sunny day views extend to Naples and to Mt. Vesuvius. You can walk back down or take a chairlift right to the center of town where we can have lunch. Shopping time is mandatory in Anacapri to try on the Capresi sandals that are handmade by a craftsman following the old tradition. The shopping street of Anacapri is also the beginning of the path that will take us back to Capri, walking down the steps of the Phoenician Staircase, an old path that the islanders used to walk up and down before the road was built. In 1.5 - 2 hours we will be back to the hotel. A public bus is also available all day long should you wish to spend more time shopping or wandering through the town of Anacapri and inside some of its old palaces. One that stands out is Villa San Michele, a wonderful palace with gardens, built by a Swedish doctor and veterinarian, Axel Munthe, for his retirement.

Day 3: Capri

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Capri  (alternative Gatto Bianco)

Terrain: Rolling

Hike: 3 Hrs

This morning we will walk to Villa Jovis, one of Tiberius’ villas, in about 1.5 hrs. A visit of this ancient Roman site is a great opportunity to see how good the ancient Romans were in constructing their noble mansions. They also created the forefather of the modern spa, the thermal baths, remains of which you can still admire at this villa. Our lunch stop will be on the way back to the center of Capri and in the afternoon we can take another short walk to visit the Augustus Gardens or spend some time shopping in Capri and relax before dinner.

Boat ride to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting). This is the most famous sight on Capri, where visitors from around the world form long lines to get a peek inside for just a few magical moments. This natural cavern is 25 meters wide and 60 meters long, with a tiny entrance less than a meter high. To enter, visitors lay back in wooden rowboats and glide through the low cave mouth. Once inside, the boats bob in the dark, suspended on the surface of water so blue that it seems dream-like.

Day 4: Amalfi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Rufolo

Terrain: Rolling

Hike: 2.5 to 3 hrs

Leaving Capri is never easy but we have to look ahead from the jet boat and to see our next destination: Amalfi. We will not regret this transfer on the mainland, since Amalfi will welcome us with its lively port and square and streets full of small shops and coffee bars. From Amalfi centre we will walk along La valle delle Ferriere and back to Amalfi. A lunch in Amalfi will be followed by visit to an old paper mill, now a museum, where each of you can make his own paper sheet in the old traditional way and using the original machineries! This will be our gift to be taken home with you. Don’t forget to taste a Delizia al Limone, a lemon spongecake, at the pastry shop next to the Cathedral square before starting our visit of the town with a local guide. The Cathedral and its cloister and treasure will be a highlight of the day! Some free time for shopping and to discover Amalfi on your own and then we will take a bus to Ravello. A pottery handcraft shop visit in Ravello is another interesting activity that we suggest to complete this rich day. In Ravello it’s possible to enjoy a classic music concert in Villa Rufolo. Check the program with the guides in advance.

Day 5: Positano

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Terrain: Rolling

Hike: 3 Hrs

Today we leave Ravello and we head north to Positano. A private transfer will take us to the town of Bomerano, near Agerola, where our hike starts. We will walk to Positano today, following Il sentiero degli Dei (The Path of the Gods) to Nocelle, just above Positano. The 7.8 km path is about 3 hours and has stunning views. Our lunch will be a picnic along the path with focaccia and mozzarella from Agerola, or a late lunch in Nocelle square, before taking the bus down to the center of Positano where we can rest at our hotel. A fish dinner in Positano with a view over the coast will be our reward for this long walk.

Day 6: Positano

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Palazzo Murat (alternative Poseidon)

Terrain: Rolling

Hike: 2 Hrs

A leisurely day in Positano. For our last day we suggest a short and easy walk to the old cemetery of Positano from where you can admire the entire town. On the way back to the hotel we can learn some of the history of Positano by visiting some of its quarters. Lunch will be in town by the sea and then enjoy some souvenir shopping and a good gelato al limone (lemon ice cream) before we get ready for our celebration dinner in the wonderful location of Furore, a canyon carved by the sea. A shuttle will take us there (and back) for a last night view of this incredible coast!

Day 7: Positano

Meals: Breakfast

Terrain: Departure

Ride: None

After breakfast a shuttle will take you to Naples airport or to another destination according to your travel plans.