Ruins of Japanese Air Command building on Tinian

War in the Pacific: Operation Forager

4.4 - 8 reviews

Length of Tour:

9 days | 8 nights

Saipan, Tinian, Guam

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On the War in the Pacific: Operation Forager Tour you will travel to the islands where the battles raged on the land, air and sea. Operation Forager was the codename for the Allied campaign to secure the Mariana Islands—Saipan, Tinian, and Guam—in order to establish air strips and bases within striking distance of Japan by B-29 long-range bombers. Led by historians who are experts on the Pacific Theater, you will learn how this hard-fought campaign led to the Allied victory.

You will travel to Guam, Saipan and Tinian, where you will explore the remote island beaches, caves and jungles that were the battlegrounds of the Pacific front. You will also visit key command centers and memorial sites, including the launching field for the Enola Gay and Bockscar. These B-29 bombers dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hastening Japan’s surrender on September 2, 1945, and forcing an end to the War in the Pacific.

This tour provides the historical context and narrative leading up to the Battle of Iwo Jima; however, a visit to Iwo Jima is not included in the standard itinerary. Guests who wish to include a visit to the island must arrange it separately by contacting the Iwo Jima Association of America directly, as access can only be coordinated through the Association.

Tour Video

Highlights

Suicide Cliffs

Travel to Marpi Point on Saipan to see where thousands of Japanese soldiers and civilians, influenced by Japanese propaganda, jumped to their deaths

Landing Beach of the Northern Mariana Islands

Walk the beach where the U.S. Marines landed during the Battle of Saipan and see remnants of the Japanese bunkers and tanks

Atomic Bomb Assembly Area on Tinian

See the atomic bomb assembly site and the pits where the “Little Boy” and “Fat Man” bombs were loaded onto the B-29 bombers

Runway Able

See the Tinian airfield where the B-29 bombers, the Enola Gay and Bockscar, took off for Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Obata’s Last Command Post

Visit the Command Cave of Japanese Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata at Mount Mataguac, the site where the Japanese made their final stand and where Obata resorted to suicide to avoid capture

Itinerary

You will arrive in Guam and make your way to the designated tour hotel. Overnight stay in Guam.

Leisurely morning before joining your fellow and guests for your first lecture, an overview of what you will experience on the tour.

Cocktails and dinner this evening. Overnight stay in Guam.

In the morning, you will board a quick flight to Saipan for a 3-night stay, including a day trip to the nearby island of Tinian. On Days 3 and 5, you will explore Saipan:

You will go to Mount Tapochau, the island’s highest peak and a key strategic point in the fight for the island, and Aslito Airfield and Marpi Point. It was at Marpi Point that hundreds of Japanese civilian families, influenced by Japanese propaganda, jumped to their deaths. Droves of Japanese soldiers also committed suicide at the many cliffs around Saipan, either jumping to their death or by grenade.

At the invasion beaches and battle sites of Operation Forager, our historians will discuss the nature of combat between the Americans and the Japanese during the 24 days it took to secure the island. The names given to parts of the island by Allied servicemen testify to the bitter fighting and harsh terrain: Death Valley, Purple Heart Ridge and Harakiri Gulch.

On Day 5 you will board a short chartered flight to the nearby island of Tinian, a few minutes away by air, including an aerial overview tour of the island. Tinian is famous as the launching site for the atomic bombs, which were delivered to the island aboard the USS Indianapolis. Your historians will share the story of the USS Indianapolis, one of the most harrowing tales in WWII history. After being struck by two Japanese torpedoes, the ship sunk within minutes. For the next five nights and four days, almost 300 miles from the nearest land, the men battled injuries, sharks, dehydration, insanity. Only 316 of 900 men survived.

You will spend some time focusing on the Tinian airfield that was built by the Allies immediately after the island’s capture. Here, you will see the atomic bomb assembly site and the pits where the bombs were loaded onto the B-29 bombers, Enola Gay and Bockscar. It was perhaps the busiest airfield in the world in 1945 because of the nonstop bombing missions to Japan,

In the late afternoon, the group will return by chartered aircraft to Saipan.

The group will head back to nearby Guam on a short morning flight. A U.S. Territory since 1898 with a U.S. civilian population, Guam was attacked at the same time as Pearl Harbor and occupied by the Japanese.

You will visit the U.S. III Amphibious Corps landing beaches at Agat and Asan, and view gun emplacements and caves, as well as other wartime sites and structures. The beaches and offshore area are relatively untouched and provide a good impression of how they looked in 1944.

You’ll go to Fonte Plateau, an elevated position held by the Japanese where American troops met some of the heaviest resistance, and you will visit the Command Cave of Japanese Lieutenant General Hideyoshi Obata at Mount Mataguac, the site where the Japanese made their final stand and where Obata resorted to suicide to avoid capture.

You will also see the site of the Battle for the Orote Peninsula and the sites of several heroic actions during the Battle of Guam in 1944, which led to four U.S. servicemen receiving the Medal of Honor.

A unique moment in the day will be a visit to the War Dog Memorial, which honors the dogs, primarily Dobermans, of the Marine Corps’ War Dog Platoon. They were killed in action performing duties such as leading scouting parties, exploring caves and serving as sentries.

At Apra Harbor, you will see the Pan Am “Clipper” Dock, an early center for trans-ocean aviation which served as a key site for seaplane operations during the war.

There will be one morning drop-off at Guam International Airport (GUM) to catch your flight home.

For guests who may need another day to rest on Guam before returning home, please contact us to make arrangements for another hotel night.

Koror and Peleliu Addition

You will spend 3 days exploring Koror and the nearby island of Peleliu, which the group will travel to by boat.On Koror, you will visit the Belau National Museum, where you’ll learn about the Japanese occupation, the American invasion, and how the war impacted the local population.

You will take a boat through the beautiful Rock Islands of Palau, home to hidden WWII relics, on your way to Peleliu Island. Along the way, you will see the wreckage of Japanese Zero and Betty bomber aircraft downed in the war that is still lying in shallow waters. Peleliu, a U.S. National Historic Landmark, is the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific. Here, you will walk White Beach and Orange Beach, where the U.S. Marines landed, see the rough terrain of Wildcat Bowl box canyon, and venture into the jungle to view a Sherman tank destroyed by a mine.

In Horseshoe Valley, you will view Japanese fighting positions and battle remnants, including the air compressor used by the 81st Infantry Division to clear caves. At Radar Hill, you will see a Japanese tank and the Japanese headquarters building, and you’ll explore caves, gun bunkers and artillery pieces at Hill Row. You will also step into Thousand Man Cave, part of a vast network of underground tunnels and chambers used by the Japanese.

On day 5, you will gather for a relaxing dinner, before departing for a return flight to Guam. From there you will fly home.

Dates & Prices

Dates

Double Occupancy

Single Occupancy

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Tour Includes

Professional historian traveling with you throughout the tour, lecturing and answering questions
Tour manager to handle guest needs and on-the-ground logistics
Educational road book of maps and historical information
First-class accommodations in four or five-star hotels
Hotel taxes and service charges
Touring by air-conditioned motor coach
A Welcome Reception, daily breakfasts, and several lunches and dinners
All entrance fees to museums and attractions

Flights

Guests are responsible for their flights to and from Guam.
Flights from Guam to Saipan, Saipan to Tinian, Tinian to Saipan, and Saipan to Guam are included in the tour price.

Flights

Guests are responsible for their flights to and from Guam.
Flights from Guam to Saipan, Saipan to Tinian, Tinian to Saipan, and Saipan to Guam are included in the tour price.

Activity Level

Main Tour: The Northern Marianas

This main tour of the Northern Mariana Islands involves a moderate level of physical activity suitable for travelers in reasonably good health. Participants should expect to walk on uneven terrain, climb stairs at historical sites, and spend time outdoors in warm tropical weather. Excursions may include guided hikes to scenic viewpoints (especially on the Island of Iwo Jima), and standing on uneven terrain, such as beaches and rocky shores, all of which can require standing or walking for extended periods. Travelers should be prepared for sun exposure, humidity, and occasional rain. While activities are paced comfortably, a baseline level of mobility and stamina is necessary to fully enjoy the experience.

This tour is not recommended for those with limited mobility, but is ideal for travelers looking to explore natural beauty and historical heritage through active participation.

Extension: Peleliu

The Peleliu tour extension involves moderate to challenging activity due to the island’s rugged terrain, tropical climate, and limited infrastructure. Touring battlefields, including Bloody Nose Ridge and Japanese bunkers, requires walking over uneven ground, exposed coral rock, and navigating steep, narrow paths that may be slippery or overgrown. While the distances are relatively short, the combination of heat, humidity, and terrain can be physically demanding. Visitors should be prepared for extended periods on foot, occasional climbs, and minimal shade. This segment is best suited for participants with good mobility.

Wheelchair Policy

If you use a wheelchair, please read our Wheelchair Policy.

Choose Your Dates

Customize this Tour

If you would like to customize this itinerary for your alumni travel association, educational organization, high school, family or other private group, please see our private tours page.

Guest Reviews

8 reviews for 'War in the Pacific: Operation Forager'

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April 22, 2023

Iwo Jima Tour 2023

Bill Bivens says:

5.0

What a great time and a great group of people. It was 3 years of waiting after COVID canceled the 2020 75th Anniversary Tour.

The wait was worth it, I got to go with my son, Alden, who is 13 years old. He got to have a blast and maybe he doesn’t realize it yet, but he got to meet the WWII veterans that were part of our trip. When he gets older and the last of them are gone, this will be a special moment for me and for him. We are forever grateful for them and for the heroes that never made it home.

It has been about a month since we got back and I am still recovering from all the stuff we saw and got to absorb. From abandoned air raid bunkers left by the Japanese Military, to tanks and LST’s in the water from the numerous D-Day type of invasions on Saipan, Guam and of course Iwo Jima.

Overall, the historians had unimaginable knowledge of not only the battles themselves, but who was in charge, who was relieved of command, and a host of other knowledge that put us in a place that we could imagine what it was like, of course without bullets flying at us.

I can only imagine what the other trips to Normandy and other historical sites might be like, but Iwo Jima in particular had significant meaning for my family and I want to thank all that went and made this trip of a lifetime possible.

Thanks SAHT for a great trip.

December 25, 2018

War in the Pacific - 2014

David Stapleton says:

5.0

My son Ryan and I were on this tour in 2014. This was my first experience with SAHT, both of us were immensely impressed. If fact I have enjoyed 3 additional tours since then.
Starting on Oahu we viewed all of the key sights associated with the Japanese raid on Dec 7. Many of these were behind the scenes and not accessible to the average tourist.
From there we proceeded to Saipan. Tinian and Guam. All were very interesting and our guide Mr. Ron Drez was able to paint a picture of the fighting and historical significance that took place in every place we stopped. Driving across Tinian on what was in reality a ghost town compared to the frenzy of 1944 allowed you to transport yourself back to that time.
The high point of this trip was the time spent on Iwo Jima. Standing on top of Mount Surabaci accompanied by a handful of veterans was a humbling experience. Ryan and I watched as these men raised a flag exactly on the spot where the well known picture was taken. I was honored to be in the company of these heroes, sharing that experience with my son was priceless. Moments that neither of us will ever forget.
Like all SAHT tours all accommodations and arrangements were first class and amazingly organized.

November 21, 2018

2018 War in the Pacific and Iwo Jima Tour

Ron Huntington says:

5.0

I had been thinking about this Tour for five years and finally made a commitment to plan my calendar around this Extraordinary Opportunity this year. It so vastly exceeded my expectations on every level. Ron Drez and his wife, Judy, were both exceptional Guides and Hosts every step of the way. I thought I knew most everything about Pearl Harbor, but Ron’s connections and knowledge took us to places and stories that were all new, and added immensely to my historical body of knowledge. Amazing trips followed to Guam, Saipan and Tinian – places where my father had been during his service in WWII aboard the US Navy Attack Transport USS Oconto. The opportunity to retrace his journey was priceless.

The Crown Jewel Highlight, however was the Reunion of Honor flight and visit to Iwo Jima. Standing atop Mount Suribachi and walking along the Black Sand Invasion Beaches was a Lifetime Dream come true. The experience of being on Iwo Jima with the few remaining WWII Veterans who were there, along with young Marines serving today who hosted us on the island, made for one of the Best Days of my Life. Worth every penny and every day invested to get there! Thanks to Ron, Judy and Ambrose Tours for organizing and orchestrating an unforgettable Tour experience. I would do it again someday, without thinking twice about the decision.

June 13, 2018

Iwo Jima Tour: War in the Pacific

Douglas Shearer says:

5.0

My wife and I made the tour in 2016 and the post tour to Peleliu. This trip was incredible with access to normally closed areas on Ford Island and Hickam Field. Seeing the loading pits for the Enola Gay and Bockscar on Tinian and the enormity of North Field really helped to bring the size of the US commitment into perspective. Climbing the black sand beaches of Iwo Jima and then Mt Suribachi was followed by the opportunity to talk with survivors of the battle. On to Peleliu with its coral caves filled with Japanese saki bottles and seeing the relatively undisturbed leftovers of war was amazing. Ron Drez provided a lot of information and insight into the various sites. Highly recommend both the main trip as well as the Peleliu post tour. Only downside was heat and humidity on Peleliu, but that only helped to further elucidate the difficulties of that miserable battle. Thanks to Mark Lettow (earlier review) for bringing the flag for pictures atop Mt. Suribachi.

May 2, 2018

War in the Pacific Tour

Mark Lettow says:

4.5

We took the Pacific Tour in 2016 and we still can’t stop thinking about it! It was the best travel experience of our lifetime. Saipan, Tinian, Guam, and Iwo Jima all provide lasting memories of the sites we saw and the things we learned. It was an adventure with moving experiences. We felt safe and comfortable the entire time. Our tour guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and gave us time to explore a little on our own as well. I was able to pay honor to my uncle who was a veteran of several Pacific battles before being killed on Saipan. I will be forever thankful that I was able to do that for our family. Pack smart and make room for a flag in your daypack!

March 18, 2018

Deeply moving and exceptional

Fred Patton says:

5.0

Iwo Jima was deeply moving and exceptional. The historian’s observations and comments truly enhanced the struggles and memories of the is battle, which can never be over emphasized.

February 23, 2018

Amazing, inspiring and challenging experience

Dr. David Goodwillie says:

5.0

Ultimately PEOPLE made the trip. Our group was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, friendly and positive….Being able to converse and rub shoulders with the old gentlemen vets was one of the highlight. Our brief time on Iwo was historic, mythic, eerie, prayerful and extremely moving. Suribachi looming ominously over the killing fields and cold surf washing up on the iconic black sand beaches, it was an amazing, inspiring and challenging experience.

January 1, 2018

Such an honor

Dr. Cynthia Ferris says:

5.0

We enjoyed all of the tour, but in particular Iwo Jima, the island itself, and Tinian. It was such an honor to get to see it and especially to visit with the veterans about what it means to them.