Benedict Allen was described by the Daily Telegraph as one of the two greatest British explorers alive today, and it's easy to see why. His many daring exploits include traversing the widest part of Amazonia on foot unaided; travelling solo by camel through the Namib desert; taking a dog sled alone through Siberia during its “worst winter in living memory”; and crossing Papua New Guinea(PNG)'s  Central Mountain Range before being shipwrecked trying to reach Australia by canoe. During his time in PNG, Benedict underwent an excruciating Sepik River tribal initiation ceremony to make him “as strong as a crocodile”, something no outsider had ever done.

In Reef & Rainforest's A TRULY ADVENTUROUS EXPLORATION OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA group tour, Benedict will revisit the Sepik River, one of PNG's most authentic cultural regions, with only 12 lucky guests, as well as the highlands and coast. The rich culture of those areas will be vividly evident and there will also be the chance to spot a number of birds of paradise species and snorkel on vibrant coral reefs.

Benedict will be giving talks and on hand to provide personal insights into PNG and its remarkable facets: a destination truly on the last frontiers of travel. This is a truly unique itinerary which will take you to the heart of PNG in the company of one of its most famous explorers.

Accommodation will range from very basic village homestays, through small pleasant hotels up to a really comfortable seaside resort for three nights at the end (individual extensions are possible here for more snorkelling and diving). The price will be: £6,980 per person sharing, including all international and domestic flights. Departure is on 10 October, 2017. Maximum number: 12 + Benedict Allen and local guides.

NEW SERIES WITH FRANK GARDNER: Benedict Allen has spent a large part of 2016 filming in PNG with Frank Gardner, BBC TV's security correspondent who was left wheelchair-bound after a gun attack in Riyadh in 2002. The two-part series detailing their intrepid adventures – made more precarious by Frank's condition – will be broadcast by the BBC in early 2017, so keep an eye out for that.