In pictures: Kon-Tiki voyage recreation

A team of explorers is on Monday due to set sail from Peru on a wooden raft across the Pacific to recreate the dramatic journey of Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl 59 years ago.

The six-member Norwegian crew will embark on an 8,000km (5,000-mile) voyage from the Peruvian port of Callao to Polynesia.

The 17-metre (56ft) balsa raft, the Tangaroa, is a replica of vessels used by indigenous peoples of South America.

However, the Tangaroa is equipped with solar panels, a satellite navigation system and has a link to the internet.

Olav Heyerdahl (left), the 28-year-old grandson of the legendary explorer, is one of the crew.

Thor Heyerdahl wanted to prove his theory that Polynesia was populated by ancient mariners from South America. He died in 2002, aged 87.

Thor Heyerdahl started his journey on the Kon-Tiki balsa raft on 28 April 1947, reaching the Tuamotu islands in 101 days.

Back

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Next