During this voyage, you can enjoy jungle trekking and swimming with whale sharks off Papua’s southwestern coast, dreamlike bays and beaches of the South Sea, and exploration of the remote archipelagos of Gorong and Watubela and their villages. To top all of this, pay a visit to the historical and mysterious Spice Islands of the Banda Archipelago. Search for evidence of the spice trade and colonial history, and there is an opportunity to climb a famous volcano, not to mention the exploration of amazing coral reefs for some exceptional snorkeling. This is a spectacular tour for explorers of nature and culture: A diverse and intense programme for all of those who like to explore “new territories”, learn about the history and connect with the local communities, as well as enjoying the species-rich flora and fauna below and above sea level.
Highlights
Search for cliff paintings – glyphs and pictorial-signs on a speedboat
Snorkel and swim under the Kiti-Kiti waterfall
Tour in Banda Neira, visiting Fort Nassau, Belgica, and remains of VOC era
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrived at Kaimana airport, you are taken to the harbor, where the Katharina awaits us. Depart straightaway for the island of Namatote. After lunch you can search by speedboat for cliff paintings – glyphs and pictorial-signs – left by ancient inhabitants high on the cliff galleries along the coast. The rest of the afternoon you'll have time for beach activities and snorkeling in the area. With some luck, you may have a chance to swim with the whale sharks that are often visiting this area.
In the morning, the ship sails to the nearby Triton Bay, one of the natural wonders of western Papua. You will be surrounded by small eroded cliffs mushrooming from the sea, like flying saucers landed from outer space. In the morning, explore the area and do some snorkeling at one of the reefs around. In the afternoon you may visit the village Lobo to experience village life in this remote area of Papua. If time allows, do some more snorkeling in the late afternoon.
On this second day in the Triton Bay area, start early morning for a jungle walk from the village Lumira towards a beautiful mountain lake. The trekking will last till midday, strenuous but very nice. Enjoy lunch at the lake. During the night, sail up north along the coast in the direction of Kiti-Kiti.
In the morning you can go snorkeling near the Kiti-Kiti waterfall and end up with swimming under this impressive waterfall running from the mountains into the sea. The rest of the day we spend at a nice beach in the area for snorkeling, swimming, relaxing, and all kind of water sport activities. Overnight, sail in south-west direction of Gorong Archipelago.
Today, visit the Gorong Islands, first stopping at the village Amar Sekaru on Manawoka Island. The villagers will happily guide us to the two little lakes of Sole, connected with the sea by a small tunnel. Swimming in these lakes and the tunnel evokes the feeling of discovering an unknown planet. Midday, sail Southwards to the island Igar, the most Northern island of the Watubela Archipelago. In the afternoon you'll have the chance to snorkel from the beach or just walk around this uninhabited little island. Overnight, sail to Watubela.
The exploration in the Watubela area continues with a nice three hour walk starting from the village of Iliur on the island Kasiui, and leads through nutmeg and clove plantations. On the way you'll will visit caves that are the natural graves for possibly World War II fighters. The walk ends on the South side of the island in the village Lahema. In front of this village you can enjoy snorkeling at a fantastic reef. In the afternoon, start your sail too the Banda Islands, famous for its natural beauty and its cultural heritage from the times these Spice Islands were the target of the European colonizers.
In the morning, anchor in a small, protected bay in the lea of the mighty volcano Gunung Api, just across the capital of the Banda islands: Banda Neira. Start the day with snorkeling near the volcano Gunung Api, on the side where in 1988 the lava flew into the ocean. In the afternoon, tour the village of Banda Neira, visiting Fort Nassau (1600), Fort Belgica (1611), some restored planters’ mansions, a church, cemetery and other remains of the VOC era. All of it will give us a feel for the rich history of the place.
In the morning, pay a visit to Banda Besar, also called Lonthor, the biggest island of the Bandas, to see the clove and nutmeg cultivation that has been nurtured since the VOC times. On the way we pass Fort Hollandia, as well as some planters’ mansions from the old days. In the afternoon you'll have the opportunity to visit another beautiful reef nearby for snorkeling, or to wander around the historic streets of Banda Neira by ourselves and do some shopping.
For those who are brave and fit enough: before dawn you can climb the 640m high Gunung Api along a narrow track, to experience a stunning view over the Banda archipelago. An alternative can be a much easier and shorter walk on the island Gunung Api towards the fortress Colombo, followed by snorkeling in front of the nearby island Keraka. Before lunch, depart for the most western island of the Banda: Run, the source of much warfare between the English and Dutch in the 17th century. After visiting the village and the remains of the British built Fort Swan, there will be very nice snorkeling in front of the island. Early this evening depart for Ambon, overnight sailing.
Day 10: Pulau Ambon | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark the Katharina on P. Ambon. Depending on departure time for onward flights, you may visit Fort Amsterdam and the oldest mosque on Ambon (1414) in Wapauwe or do a city tour of Kota Ambon. Transfer to the airport of Ambon for the return flight to Bali, Jakarta or elsewhere.
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.
Select a Date
Cabin Deck
Cabin Deck. Spacious, air-conditioned twin-share cabins with twin bunks or double beds. Private bathroom with toilet, washbasin, 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.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
