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Lawa Darat in Komodo, Indonesia

Orangutans and Dragons

Bali-Komodo - Example 13 Day Cruise aboard Katharina
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Immerse in Indonesia's wildlife and culture with a 13-day multi-part tour and cruise aboard Katharina. Starting in Bali, take a flight to Borneo for a river cruise that includes a visit to an island operated by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. Discover more about these magnificent creatures and conservation efforts in the region. Afterward, spend a few days in a local Dayak village to learn about their customs. Return to Bali and begin the cruise to some of the most striking islands in Indonesia. Take part in activities such as snorkeling over vibrant coral reefs, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding among tropical fish. Explore volcanic islands, unwind on sunny beaches, and observe Komodo dragons in their natural habitat.
Tropical island in SabahKomodo Dragon in IndonesiaMountain Range in Komodo National Park, IndonesiaOrangutans in IndonesiaLawa Darat in Komodo, Indonesia
Highlights
  • Spend time getting to know a local Dayak community
  • Learn about orangutans and conservation efforts in Borneo
  • Snorkel over vibrant coral reefs and spot bright tropical fish
  • Spot the distinctive Komodo dragon in the wild
Places Visited
  • Asia
  • Bali
  • Indonesia
  • Komodo Island
  • Lesser Sunda Islands
  • Melo Village
  • Moyo Island Adventures
  • Pulau Sangeang Adventures
  • Rinca Island
  • Satonda Island
  • Sumbawa Island
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Pulau Kaja | Bukit Rawi | Embark River Cruise

You will meet either on arrival at the airport or in your hotel lobby. At 8 am, you are transferred 40 minutes to the tiny village of Sei Gohong where you board local canoes to observe orangutans on the beautiful forested island of Pulau Kaja. The island is managed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation or BOS. After observing orangutans in their island habitat, you transfer to BOS’s nearby Education Centre in Nyaru Menteng for more information on their activities.

Returning to Palangka Raya harbor, you board the Rahai’i Pangun for lunch and a short cruise through the city upstream. Boarding vehicles, travel 30 minutes to the historic towns of Bukit Rawi and Sigi to see the magnificently painted sandungs, receive a Dayak welcome, and learn about history.

You then return to the boat to start the cruise downstream and moor overnight in a quiet location.

Note: Please be aware that this itinerary is designed to be flexible. The aim to follow the schedule as described, but due to weather, tides, preferences of trip members, and other factors such as the learning of the opportunity to investigate exciting new discoveries, can sometimes need to change course. The boat captain and your Trip Leader make the decisions to maximize trip safety and your overall enjoyment—come prepared to be flexible!

Day 2: Lake Bagantung | Pusaka | Badak Islands

In the early morning, use motorized canoes to visit the extensive blackwater Lake Bagantung. This is a unique peatland swamp ecosystem where you have the opportunity to spot birds, other wildlife, and fishing activities by the villagers.

Returning to the village of Pusaka, you learn the local self-defense or shadowboxing exercise. Try it yourself! Returning to the boat, continue the cruise downstream to Tumbang Nusa village. On arrival, you have a walking tour of the village to see some of their traditional livelihoods.

The boat continue to cruise downstream, passing the large forested Selat and Badak Islands, where it may be possible to spot orangutans. You then find a quiet place to tie up overnight.

Day 3: Village of Pilang

The boat continues downstream to the village of Pilang where you take a short walk in the forest area near the village to see the process of rubber tapping (Mamantat) and rattan harvesting (Manetes). The village guide also points out some local medicinal plants growing in the forest.

You then have a walking tour of the village to see some of their traditional livelihoods. Watch the local ladies at their rattan weaving process and meet the villagers. Over a special tea and coffee, with traditional Dayak cakes, be entertained with a Kacapi (two-stringed instrument) performance.

Escaping the heat of the midday sun, you return to the boat for lunch. The boat cruise downstream to find a quiet mooring place for overnight

Day 4: Sebangau National Park | Disembark | Fly to Bali

You have a relaxed breakfast before the very special visit to the Sebangau National Park. For this adventure, you pack the bags and transfer to the car for the journey to Kereng Bangkirai village (40 minutes). Here you join a canoe to travel a half-hour across the amazing reflections of Lake Sebangau to the tiny Koran River.

Explore the boardwalks and forests on the eastern boundary of the park. Visit the information center established there and walk along boardwalks provided for visitors to more easily explore the area to catch sight of birds and perhaps wild orangutans.

Return to the village of Kering Bangkirai for a cool drink for transfer to the vehicle and return to the airport. Upon arrival in Bali, you are escorted to your hotel for the night.

*Flights from Borneo to Bali are included with the cruise

Day 5: Komodo | Embark

Taking the early morning flight from Bali, you are met at the airport in Komodo by your tour leaders and taken straight to your boat. As you settle into your new home, head to your first snorkeling spot; a coral restoration project where you can see how the corals and fish populations have grown since it were first transplanted in 2014

*Flights from Bali to Labuan Bajo in Komodo are included with the cruise

Day 6: Komodo Island | Dragons & Mantas

Go ashore on Komodo Island in search of the fearsome Komodo dragons, found only in the Komodo National Park. This is the world’s largest lizard, growing up to a length of three meters and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms. Enjoy some magnificent snorkeling on some of the Komodo Park’s best reefs. Swim with manta rays as it feed on the current and circle the so-called cleaning stations, where small fish remove parasites from their skin. Snorkel at a favorite hangout of sea turtles, where you have a chance to swim with these gentle reptiles as it cruise along the shallow water of the reef.

 

Day 7-8: Gili Banta | Sangeang Island | Satonda Island

Wake up off the coast of a beautiful uninhabited island with a beach of pure white sand with some sparkles of powdered red coral, creating the effect of a “pink beach”. You spend the morning here, swimming, paddle boarding, and snorkeling on the beautiful coral reef that lies parallel to the beach. Over lunch, you cruise to a nearby active volcanic island where you see a large wooden pinisi boat with the same pedigree and history of SeaTrek’s very own ships being built on the beach. Walking around this small village, get a feel for their simple way of life, chat with the locals and maybe buy some handmade textiles as a souvenir. Spend the day at a strange and mystical volcanic island with a sunken crater lake in its center that was filled with saltwater when the nearby Mt Tambora catastrophically erupted in 1815. Here you swim, kayak and paddleboard on the lake, and the more adventurous can go trekking around the crater rim. Experience one of the famous SeaTrek beach BBQs under a night sky filled with millions of stars as you feast on the amazing local delicacies prepared by the chef, and all accompanied by live medical entertainment from the talented crew. Another highlight of your visit to the island is the sight of thousands of flying foxes that fly at dusk from the island to feed on the mainland.

Day 9-10: Sumbawa ( Whale Sharks) | Moyo Island (Jungle Waterfall)

You have chance for an early morning swim with whale sharks, the gentle giants of the sea. These massive but harmless animals have long congregated here in the bay but now, thanks to travelers like you, a formed a mutually beneficial alliance with the local fisherman who have their traditional small floating fishing platforms in the bay that attract the sharks. Spend the day on a beach located on a small limestone island nearby, kayaking, swimming and snorkeling, and exploring the local karst formations. You cruise to Labuan Aji village on the island of Moyo to visit the village and walk to a scenic waterfall where you can bathe in the refreshing cool water.

Day 11-12: Sangeang Island | Gili Lawa Darat Island | Rinca Island

Enjoy a unique snorkeling experience where volcanic gasses escape in the form of bubbles from the sea floor among the corals, with the metallic black volcanic sand below being home to an abundance of very interesting invertebrates. Entering the Komodo National Park again you go drift snorkeling in one of the best and healthiest coral reefs in the park, and for those who want to take the land-adventure to another level, you can do a sunset hike up to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the other islands in the park. Visit Rinca Island, which is well known for its diverse wildlife, and maybe spot dragons, monkeys, wild buffaloes and deer as well. From the top of the hills, the scenery is breath taking.

Day 13: Melo Village | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
After breakfast on your last day, take on a scenic drive towards Melo Village, where you witness the traditional Caci dance performance. Local strongmen perform 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. After lunch on the boat, you say farewell to the crew and your fellow shipmates as you disembark and continue onto your next destination.

Ship/Hotel

Katharina

Sail on board the Katharina
Katharina ship
Katharina

Bali - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$8,400 2-3 travelers
Katharina Cabin
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.
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 12 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • First aid kit containing all major medicines.
  • Use of sleeping bags for sleeping on deck.
  • Complimentary cotton backpack, luggage tag, fan, and stainless steel water bottle, which guests are encouraged to take home and keep.
  • Two pieces of laundry each day.
  • Beach BBQ with complimentary wine, beer, and selected cocktails
  • English-speaking SeaTrek tour leaders
  • Full board including all meals and soft drinks, tea, coffee, snacks. Starting and ending with lunch on first and last days.
  • All port fees
  • Welcome drink and cold towel upon boarding the boat on the first day and each time guests return from all off-boat excursions
  • Daily room cleaning
  • Towels and linens
  • Sunscreen lotion but do bring your own
  • Soaps, shampoo and conditioner
  • Selected wines with special farewell dinner
  • Use of on-board TV and multimedia facilities
  • Library of books, kids’ games and TV documentaries
  • Unlimited use of espresso machine
  • All park fees, cultural performances, local guides, and off-boat activities
  • Use of all facilities on board, including snorkeling gear, paddle boards, kayaks, board games
  • All transfers to and from the boats in ports
  • Flights from Borneo to Bali and Bali to Komodo
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Domestic Flights
  • Alcoholic drinks outside of special dinners and beach BBQ.
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
  • Transit hotels
  • International Flights

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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

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