The end of the road for the famous Western Pacific Odyssey?

August 14, 2024

Heritage Expeditions has told us that they are not planning to operate the Western Pacific Odyssey again, so the spring 2025 expedition looks like being the last of its kind!

This epic journey from New Zealand to Japan has become famous over the years for being one of the world’s ‘Ultimate Pelagics’. It is also a great way to see Norfolk Island endemics and most New Caledonia endemics including the wonderful Kagu as well as many other birds, so we are very sorry to see it go. The reasons have not been revealed, but it seems highly likely that the main cause is the impossibility of operating summer cruises in the Russian Far East and Northeastern Siberia since the invasion of Ukraine. Heritage used to have a very adventurous and successful expedition cruise programme in the region.

There are still cabins available for the 2025 Western Pacific Odyssey. The Birdquest guide is veteran Mark Van Beirs. Please contact the Birdquest office if you are interested in going