Join Ombak Putih on a unique Indonesian voyage devoted to the flavors and spices of the archipelago. Sail in the company of Ubud Food Festival Founder and Director, Janet DeNeefe, renowned Australian food photographer, Petrina Tinslay, and Indonesian cult-chef Rahung Nasution as they share their skills both in the kitchen and behind the lens with demonstrations and presentations. Experience Komodo National Park and Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands from an intimate perspective, cruising through a diverse landscape of islands and discovering new wonders each new day. Enjoy ample opportunities to snorkel and view the kaleidoscopic beauty of the underwater world. Unlimited use of the stand-up paddleboards and sea kayaks onboard add yet another dimension to your explorations.
Highlights
Join this unique cruise in collaboration with the Ubud Food Festival
Swim and snorkel over one of the richest reefs in Eastern Indonesia
Visit Wera and have a look at the hand-built boats in construction
Take a walk up to Satonda's volcano and view its lake and "wishing trees"
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Start your adventure in the airport in Bali with an early morning flight to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. Upon arrival take a private bus to the inland village of Melo. Here, local ‘strongmen’ perform the ‘Caci,’ a ritual whip-fight between two rivals in which the players, each armed with a rattan shield and a whip, try to hit each other while dancing to the rhythm of traditional acoustic instruments. The men of Western Flores are famous for this test of daring and skill, requiring lightning quick moves to dodge the infliction of a wound. After your visit to Melo return to Labuan Bajo. Enjoy plenty of time to settle in and get acquainted with the crew and fellow passengers as you cruise to the island of Kelor. Once there, swim or a snorkel in the bright blue sea, ply the waters in a sea kayak, or have a little bit of fun on a paddleboard.
Today visit the ranger station of Loh Buaya on Rinca Island from where you head off on a ranger-led nature trek in search of Komodo dragons, which are indigenous to this small group of islands. Rinca is also well known for its diverse wildlife, so you may spot monkeys, wild buffaloes and deer as well. From the top of the hills, the scenery is breathtaking. After returning to the ship, cruise to the gorgeous Pantai Merah ‘red-beach,’ which takes its name from the particles of red coral mingled with the sand. Here swim and snorkel over one of the richest reefs in Eastern Indonesia, relishing the unforgettable spectacle of the region’s many varieties of coral and marine life. With over 1000 species of fish in the waters of the national park, there is much more to this wildlife reserve than just dragons.
Wake up at the famous Komodo Island, one of approximately 80 islands that make up the Komodo National Park. Go ashore at the ranger station in Loh Liang for another early morning ranger-led trek through the park searching for more Komodo dragons. In this savannah-like setting of dry, rugged landscape, encounter, at a safe distance, these awe-inspiring giant lizards – Indonesia’s living dinosaurs. Spot deer, wild boar, sulphur-crested cockatoos, butterflies, rare orchids, and jungle chickens among the strangle-fig trees and the distinctive lontar palms. During lunch, cruise past Makassar Reef towards Gili Lawa Darat, the northernmost island in the park. Guests who’d like to go ashore can hike to the summit of one of the islands’ hills where the horizon opens up to a complete vista overlooking all 80 islands within the Komodo Archipelago and the mainland of Flores. The sight of the long white sandy beaches with clearly visible coral formations, the savannah-like landscape of Komodo Island, and volcanic island silhouettes in the background is a unique photo opportunity and a cherished memory for many guests.
In the morning enjoy your breakfast off the beach at Gili Banta, an uninhabited island that is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Following this daily excursion among the denizens of the reef, proceed to Wera, a Buginese settlement on the northeast coast of Sumbawa, opposite the active, 1800-meter, volcanic island of Sangean. Here, at Wera, the men build wooden boats along the black-sand shores and the village women spend days weaving brightly colored cloth. Visit the village and have a look at the hand-built boats in various stages of construction. Some of these boats are colossal in size, and it is fascinating to see how they are constructed. Tonight relax on the deck as you continue west toward Satonda.
Today reach the strange and mystical volcanic island of Satonda with its beautiful coral gardens along the coastline. Satonda has a sunken crater lake in its center that was filled with saltwater when the nearby Mont Tambora erupted in 1815, causing a tsunami that flowed into the crater. The eruption was the biggest volcanic explosion in the collective memory of mankind; it had roughly four times the energy of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, and gave rise to the ‘year without a summer’ because of the effect on North American and European weather. Local people believe Satonda to be magical, and with this in mind, walk to the lip of the caldera to view the mysterious lake, alongside which are trees believed to be ‘wishing trees.’ Visitors to the island tie a small stone to a tree and make a wish. If your wish comes true, you are bound to return to the island to offer thanks. From Satonda cruise to the island of Moyo and moor off Labuan Aji village and walk to Diwu Mba’i waterfall. Here, swing on a rope and jump into the deep clear river pool below, or simply bathe in the refreshing cool water.
Moored off the coast of North Lombok, enjoy a hearty breakfast before going ashore and boarding a private bus for a trip into the interior of the northern side of the island and the traditional village of Senaru. Here, take a tour of the simple thatched houses and gardens of fruits and spices, which gives you an insight into the culture of the indigenous Sasak people. Re-embark in the west of Lombok, and cruise towards the island of Tangkong where, in the late afternoon, you are treated to a quintessential experience and a highlight for many guests. On this deserted island with your feet in the sand and the stars rising in the vast Indonesian sky, the crew builds a bonfire and prepares a beach barbecue as a final celebration of your memorable voyage.
Day 7: Bali | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Depending on the weather conditions, either visit the island of Nusa Penida, the island of Nusa Lembongan, or Amuk Bay in Bali. Then have a final swim and a snorkel before cruising to a mooring in either east or southeast Bali. Finally, say goodbye to the crew, and disembark before seeing everyone off to their next destination.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,950
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Cabin Deck
Cabin Deck. Spacious, air-conditioned twin-share cabins with twin bunks or double beds and private bathroom with toilet and hot shower.
Notes
- All rates are quoted in USD and represent cost per person, based on double occupancy.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.75 times the published rate.
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 131 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 131 reviews on
21 hours ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.
Jennifer Howard Schroeder
1 day ago
Kevin got right on our request and had us booked within the week
Linda Cummings
2 days ago
The info on the website was laid out very well. I did some comparisons with other tours and found Adventure Life met a lot of what I wanted in an Antarctica trip at the cheapest price. Requested a quote on Claudia contacted me right away. She answered a lot of questions the I had via email even though she offered to discuss via phone call. I’m more of an email person so appreciated how she accommodated that and answered all my questions. And when I was ready to book, she quickly got the ball rolling with getting our spots reserved on the trip my friend and I wanted. Thanks again, Claudia!
Hazel Araza
2 days ago
(1) great information on the website and throughout all the "materials." (2) Jane Packer is great: knowledgeable, responsive, takes a personal interest and tone, seems to care about the customer as a person not a sale.
Larry Bethune
2 days ago
great people doing a wonderful job to make our voyages happen.