This 8-day trip from Komodo island to Bali takes you to some of the most popular destinations in southern Indonesia. After searching for the renowned Komodo dragon, embark aboard the Katharina and set sail for surrounding islands to explore local towns and snorkel around vivid coral reefs. Hike for breathtaking views of the lush islands, and then cool off with a swim in the crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant fish. Learn about traditional ways of life and shipbuilding techniques with a village visit, and swim in a lake at the heart of an extinct volcano. As you swim, snorkel, kayak, and paddleboard look for countless tropical fish species and keep an eye out for the majestic gentle giants, whale sharks. End your journey in famed Bali, an island known for its rich culture and spectacular natural beauty.
Highlights
Visit local communities to learn about their way of life.
Snorkel vibrant coral reefs and spot bright tropical fish.
Enjoy a barbecue picnic on the beach.
Discover unique species that can be found in this region.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive at Komodo airport and transfer to your hotel, where you can relax by the pool, swim in the sea, and brush up on your snorkeling skills with your tour leader. Gather at sunset for evening cocktails before sitting down to an Indonesia buffet dinner as you get acquainted with your fellow guests who will be joining you on the cruise ahead.
In the morning, take a short drive to a traditional local village high up in the hills, where you will be witness to the fast and imposing caci whip dance by the local villagers. Here enjoy their hospitality with coffee, betel nut and a highly potent local arak (not for the faint-hearted!), before being treated to a selection of traditional dances by their men and women. By late morning board the boat, and as you enjoy a buffet lunch it will cruise out into the Komodo National Park where you will have your first snorkel amongst the corals. In the early evening at cocktail hour, the ship will anchor off Kalong Island to see thousands of fruit bats emerge from their mangrove homes and fill the sky as they head off to the mainland in search of food.
Visit Rinca Island and go on a trek in search of Komodo dragons. See monkeys, dear, pigs, buffalo, and myriad species of birds as you walk through the forests and savannahs of this large island. Swim with schools of manta rays as they feed on the current and circle the so-called "cleaning stations," where small fish remove parasites from their skin. Hover above these giant and noble beasts for as long as you like. Later, snorkel at Siaba Island, a favorite hangout of sea turtles, where you will have a chance to swim with these gentle reptiles as they cruise along the shallow water of the reef.
Spend the morning on Gili Banta, a deserted island with a beautiful white sand beach. Explore the magnificent coral gardens, hike to the crest of the surrounding hills for a view of the surrounding islands, swim, paddle, kayak and play. Cruise across the sea as the crew raises the sails and sets course for Sangeang Island, where local villagers are in the process of building a fifty-plus meter, traditional wooden pinisi boat, with the same pedigree and history of your ship. 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 memento. In the afternoon, snorkel on a vibrant coral reef just off the shore filled with fish and marine creatures from all shades of the color spectrum, including a meadow of hundreds of glass eels.
Wake up off Satonda Island, an extinct volcano with a brackish lake at its heart, where you can swim, snorkel, kayak, paddle board and explore the surrounding forest if you wish. The lake was created when it the crater was flooded by a tsunami caused by a massive volcanic event from the nearby Tambora Volcano, which in 1815 was the largest eruption in recorded history. Set sail for Moyo Island and take a walk through a village to a jungle waterfall and play with local kids as they take the lead on a rope swing above a cool, deep jungle pool to show you how it’s done.
Wake up early off the coast of Sumbawa, where you can hopefully swim with a group of whale sharks that congregate off fishing platforms, where local fishermen catch small baitfish and keep them suspended in nets, which attract the sharks. Spend the afternoon on a nearby beach where you can snorkel, paddle, kayak and explore the lush jungle surroundings.
Visit a village of the famous Bajao "Sea Gypsies" of Southeast Asia, and see how they live their lives so close to, on and in the water. Another relaxing afternoon awaits as you land on a nearby uninhabited island, where once again you can relax and enjoy snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding. Enjoy Indonesian hospitality as your crew hosts a beach barbecue this evening. On offer is plenty of good food, music, cocktails, dancing, and frivolity as you dance and sing the night away next to a bonfire under a clear tropical night sky.
Wake up at anchor off the coast of Bali under in the shadow of Bali’s Mt. Agung, the mother mountain of all Balinese people, and the most imposing figure on the whole landscape of Bali. Enjoy an early morning swim or snorkel before saying goodbye to the crew and starting your tour back to the south of Bali. Along the way, experience the best that East Bali can offer can offer with a tour of its deep culture and glorious landscapes. Visit water palaces, ancient villages, see lush rice terraces and jungles and the islands volcanic peaks, and dine on some of Bali’s freshest and most delicious traditional cuisine.
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.
$3,890
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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.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day 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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
