Micronesia Travel Guide

Highlights

In the midst of the vast Pacific Ocean, Micronesia offers a remarkable change to truly get away from it all. If this is your first luxury Micronesia travel experience Palau, Chuuk and Kosrae are simply a must-see for your first visit to Micronesia Islands

PALAU

Palau has some of Micronesia's richest flora and fauna, both on land and underwater. As part of the western Caroline Islands, the westernmost part of Micronesia, this tightly clustered group of islands is made up of high islands, low coral atolls, and limestone Rock Islands. The main group of Palau islands all lie within a single coral reef.

With over 1500 varieties of reef and pelagic fish and 4 times as many species of coral than the Caribbean, Palau is one of the world's truly spectacular snorkeling spots. Things to be seen during your trip to Palau include immense tabletop corals, interlocking thickets of staghorn coral, soft corals of all types and colors, manta rays, sea turtles, moray eels, giant clams, gray reef sharks, sea snakes, the rare dugong or chambered nautilus.

PALAU CULTURE

Spend a day during your Palau tour with a Palauan guide who will provide a local's insight into this rich culture. Your guide will explain how this culture expresses itself in its intricately carved wooden story boards, its delicate woven artifacts, its dance, music, myths and legends. You'll visit the bai, the public meeting center which affords a glimpse into Palauan society through the painted carvings that tell a story on its interior posts, beams and gables.

KOROR TOUR

Spend a half day exploring the capital of Palau. Visit the Palau National Museum, the Sakurai Memorial, the restored Japanese Shinto Shrine, and a remote village. Visit the local jail to see some of the best storyboards being made. There is a gift shop in the jail which sells the finished products.

SEA KAYAKING

The silent kayak is the perfect vehicle to tour Palau and its intricate network of sheltered bays, marine lakes, tropical beaches, mangrove channels and coral gardens. The kayak guides are all trained naturalists committed to sharing their knowledge of this diverse archipelago. Take a snorkel stop in azure waters and explore hidden beaches, while paddling in and out of the amazing mushroom-shaped rock islands.

ULONG ISLAND TOUR

Ulong Island is an historian's dream come true. Explore ancient Palauan rock art, forgotten Yapese stone money and historical monuments. Enjoy world-class snorkeling sites, tropical beaches and a journey into Jurassic Lake.

NIKKO BAY TOUR

Nikko Bay provides a fantastic mix of beautiful coral gardens, marine lakes and WWII historic sights. Enjoy paddling through tunnels, into marine caves and around rock islands.

JELLYFISH LAKE

One of the most fascinating snorkeling sites in the world isn't in the ocean at all, it's inland, on the island of Palau. At Jellyfish Lake, millions of stingless jellyfish float and undulate in slow motion through the salty, emerald water. A must see on any Palau tour, the lake is an unusual ecosystem in that it is an isolated marine lake inhabited by millions of harmless jellyfish that have no natural predators. An ethereal, other-worldly experience.

TARZAN TOUR

Plan on a day of action which will include cliff jumps, rope swings and underwater cave exploration. You'll kayak through a tunnel into Lost Lake, then brave Cassiopeia Lake, which is guarded by jellyfish and giant barracuda.

LONG LAKE TOUR

This Palau tour is a relaxing mix of kayaking, snorkeling and exploring. A rushing current through a crystal clear mangrove channel carries you into Long Lake. The lake is filled with giant clams, turtles, eagle rays and soaring birds. Other highlights include the Palauan burial cave, Secret Lake and the Milky Way.

SPORT FISHING

Discover the bounty that lies inside Palau's pristine reefs and along the island's beautiful coastline. Explore uncharted fishing grounds aboard a fully equipped 26-foot power Seacat, casting for giant trevally, snapper and grouper along the reef and trolling for tuna and marlin. Enjoy a day of catch and release sport fishing on your Palau trip.

SUNSET CRUISE

Enjoy Palau's spectacular sunset aboard the Eclipse.

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KOSRAE

This high volcanic island has peaks draped in lush tropical greenery and is sometimes shrouded in clouds. Rich in natural beauty, Kosrae's coast is a combination of beaches, mangrove swamps, and unspoiled coral reefs.

SNORKELING

A stop on the island of Kosrae during your Micronesia trip affords excellent snorkeling. Possible sightings may include groupers, barracudas, hump-headed parrotfish and small, docile whitetip reef sharks.

HIKE TAFUNSAK GORGE

Hike up the narrow gorge with numerous waterfalls and pools that local children swim in. Marvel at the falls, some 70 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide in places.

HIKE TUWE TO MT. FINKOL

The best and most rewarding hike on the island, with incredible views that include the island's 3 harbors. This hike is strenuous. It takes 8-10 hours and requires a guide.

ANCIENT RUINS OF LELU

Built in 1400 AD, it is the same style and nearly as impressive as the ruins in Pohnpei, but it is more easily accessible. Located at the center of Lelu island, it's hidden by thick, tropical vegetation behind the homes of island residents. The ruins cover 1/3 of Lelu island and once inside the complex, the outside world feels far away.

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CHUUK

An essential Micronesia travel destination and one of the country's many unique highlights, Truk Lagoon is virtually an underwater museum with an entire Japanese fleet resting on the floor. Many of these wrecks are just a couple feet below the surface and Chuuk's clear, calm waters make it easy to enjoy the wreck by boat or snorkeling.

The waters within Truk Lagoon have been declared an underwater historical park. Spend a day or several days exploring this underwater snapshot in time.

WENO ISLAND TOUR

Visit the one-room Ethnographic Center. Hike to the top of Mt. Tonaachaw. Explore Nefo Cave to see the Japanese naval gun and the spectacular views of Weno Center. Enjoy a lovely walk up the river to Wichon Fall.

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TWO WAYS TO EXPERIENCE LUXURY Micronesia TOURS

Join a small group of like-minded fellow travelers on a perfectly crafted Micronesia luxury tour. Or create your own personalized, private departure for just you, your family and friends. See the possibilities at Custom Trips to Micronesia .

Group Trips

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Adventures

Have more time, venturing to Micronesia for a second time, or looking for something specific? Here are some additional adventures when creating your custom travel plan.

POHNPEI

This mountainous island with lush vegetation, jungle hillsides, streams, rivers and tumbling waterfalls is not only a beautiful South Sea tropical island, but it is also Micronesia's archaeological treasure. Pohnpei's landmark site is the cliff face of Sokehs Rock.

The ancient city of Nan Madol was built on 100 artificial islets off the south-east coast and is Micronesia's best known archaeological site.

NAN MADOL

Enjoy a boat tour of the ancient city of Nan Madol, frequently referred to as the "Venice of the Pacific." This site is comprised of over 90 islets, and is truly an awe-inspiring experience. The construction of this site began some 800 years ago, and continued for another two to three hundred years. The oddly constructed stone pillars, some of them 25 feet in length, were brought to the site by raft. This abandoned city remains an archeological mystery to this day, providing few clues as to its origin and eventual abandonment. Conclude your day with a swim at the Kepirohi waterfall, the most photographed waterfall in Pohnpei, where water pours over basalt cliffs into a gorgeous swimming pool.

KOLONIA DAY TOUR

During your Micronesia tour, be sure to explore the capital of Pohnpei. Begin your tour with a trip to the Pohnpei Lidorkini Museum, which houses artifacts from Nan Madol, sakau pounding stones, handicrafts and remnants of the Japanese occupation. Move on to the German Tower and the Spanish Fort, followed by a trip to Kapingamarangi Village. This village is home to a group of Polynesian people whose architecture is nearly without walls. They welcome visitors and are proud to display their beautiful weavings and carvings which may be purchased from the artisans themselves.

SOKEHS RIDGE

The Sokehs Ridge is a labyrinth of tunnels, and affords spectacular views of Kolonia and the surrounding reef. You'll be able to spot nesting tropical birds and fruit bats. The hike to the top is not difficult, and takes about 45 minutes.

NAN KAWAD & LIDUDUHNIAP WATERFALL

This nature trail offers a great opportunity to view birds like the Pohnpei lorikeet, Micronesian pigeon, cardinal honey eater, and Pohnpei flycatcher. Wander amidst the huge rocks which the ancient Pohnpeians used for shelter in the rainforest. End your hike at the Liduduhniap Falls. Below the falls, the deep pools are ideal for swimming.

PAHN TAKAI & MT. KUPWURISO

Pahn Takai, literally translated, means "beneath the rock." It is a site with an enormous limestone rock wall and a unique strip-like waterfall. Beneath the rock wall is a cave occupied by wild bats. Kupwuriso is the third highest mountain in Pohnpei. On the way up Kupwuriso, the nature trail passes through groves of agroforest and native upland forest. On the top of the mountain there is a variety of attractions which include Japanese cannons from WWII, drums filled with artillery shells, and caves. Pohnpeians believe that Kupwuriso is one of the two places that have Engitik en Nahna, a special type of wind that Pohnpeians use to cure deep sorrow or pain. It is gentle, soft, and sweet.

LEHNPAIPOHN WATERFALL

During your tour of Micronesia, be sure to take a morning hike to Lehnpaipohn Waterfall. You'll be transferred to the trail through a jungle of ferns and tropical trees. After a short hike you'll arrive at the waterfall beneath which lies an idyllic pool where you can enjoy a swim.

POHNPAIP PETROGLYPHS

Visit an enormous rock, located at Sapwalap village in Madolenihmw-its length is about 100 feet and width is about 90 feet. There are numerous ancient petroglyphs on this gigantic rock. Legend has it that the brothers Mwohnmwur and Sarapwahu stole a bed sheet from Kitti which Lapango (a ghost) transformed into a stone.

SAKAU CEREMONY

This traditional drink is made from the pepper shrub (Piper methysticum) and was historically reserved for ceremonial times. The traditional method of making sakau was pounding the pepper shrub on a stone and squeezing the pulp by hand through hibiscus bard. Participation in this uniquely Pohnpeian ceremony offers visitors an unforgettable Micronesia travel experience as, mixed with water and served in a coconut shell, this drink has the affect of a mild narcotic.

PAHNSILE WATERFALL

In the heart of Madolenihmw lies the Pahnsile waterfall, with a pool ideal for swimming. On the walk up to the waterfall you will find many specimens of an important native tree called dohng. This large tree grows to over 100 feet tall, and has very large leaves and small fruits and flowers. The dohng is used to build the main body of canoes, its leaves are used for fans and food plates, and other parts are used for medicine.

DOLOPWUROPWUR

History buffs will appreciate a stop in Dolopwuropwur during their Micronesia tour as this fascinating site harbors World War II relics, including guns and storage for artillery shells, as well as spectacular vistas of the great coastal reef and Mount Takaiuh.

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YAP

This is the island of stone money. Made up of four tightly clustered islands and over 100 outer islands, Yap proper is still very much set in traditional ways. Although many people now dress in western clothing, it's not uncommon to see some men and boys in their brightly colored loincloths and some women only in their traditionally woven hibiscus skirts.

CULTURAL TOUR

Take a cultural tour of Micronesia during your trip to Yap and visit the Ethnic Art Institute of Micronesia, where elders teach craft skills to younger artists. You'll then go to view some old war artifacts, like the German cable station and a Japanese bomber. Visit a traditional meeting house surrounded by Yapese stone money. End the day at the Cultural Center.

SNORKEL WITH MANTA RAYS

An awe-inspiring Micronesia travel experience, you'll board a boat to go out and experience Yap's true treasures: manta rays. These gentle giants glide like birds with wingspans ranging of up to 16 feet across. You'll spend the first stop at M'il Channel, famous for manta rays which frequent this area to feed. After this fantastic site, you'll make your way to a second stop to view the incredible hard and soft corals and tropical fish life this island offers.

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