snorkeling mask opens a window into wonder in the pristine waters of Papua New Guinea’s Kimbe Bay, home to more than 60 percent of all of the coral species that exist in the Indo-Pacific. It’s just one small peek at the exuberant biodiversity — both below the ocean’s surface and above — that awaits in one of the most intrepid travel destinations on Earth.

A guided tour is the best way to experience Papua New Guinea due to both the often-complicated logistics of getting between destinations in these remote landscapes and the sheer cultural diversity to navigate. Papua New Guinea’s more than 5,000 clans speak more than 850 languages, and traveling with expedition guides who can interpret all you’re experiencing makes all the difference for truly rewarding travels.

“As the most culturally diverse nation on Earth, PNG has always been an anthropological mecca, as well boasting high biodiversity from snow-capped summits through dense tropical rainforests to the coral reefs and deep ocean trenches,” said Rob McCallum, founder, EYOS Expeditions. The private superyacht expedition company offers fully customized itineraries aboard its 12-passenger Hanse Explorer that might include visiting a village in East New Britain to witness the awe-inspiring Baining fire dance or exploring Rabaul’s World War II sites, volcanoes and local markets when you’re not scuba diving or snorkeling colorful reefs.

Red carnation coral © Conchasdiver | Dreamstime.com

Small-ship expedition company Coral Expeditions offers 12-night sailings with just 120 passengers connecting Cairns in Australia and Madang on Papua New Guinea’s North Coast that include ports of call in places such as the Sepik River village of Bien and the Trobriand Islands and Fly Islands, where you might be privy to intimate meetings with locals to discuss things like sea level rise and food resilience in the remote regions where they live.

“Papua New Guinea is one of the last true frontiers of adventure where you can feel like a true explorer. It is a place of ancient culture and customs, striking landscapes and rich biodiversity that is such a close neighbor of Australia,” said Jeff Gilles, chief commercial officer, Coral Expeditions.

And for an immersive land-based experience, consider a trekking expedition with World Expeditions. The company’s Kokoda Track adventure includes nine days of guided hiking along the route made notorious during World War II battles between Australian and Japanese forces. Along the way you’ll stay in traditional villages and jungle camps for a fully immersive experience in these places so few outsiders have the privilege of getting to know.