Orangutans And Dragons - Indonesia Sailing

Description

Snorkelling and Sailing Adventures in Indonesia, See Coral Reefs, Birdwatch, Search for Rare Birds and Animals, Learn About Cultures and History, Explore or Just Relax with a Cool Drink and a Good Book.

Generations of seafarers before you have sailed the trade winds of Indonesia, in quest of exotic cultures and their goods, charting the famous spice routes. SeaTrek’s four sailing collections follow those same historic trade winds taking you on journeys of discovery to many of the still remote areas of the Indonesian archipelago. Come explore with us aboard authentic wooden sailing ships much like the ones used by those legendary adventurers.

The flights between Bali or Jakarta and Borneo / Borneo to Bali / Hotel night(s) on day 4 (and 5) are included.

The flight from Bali to Komodo or reverse is not included.

Some of the trips are listed as 13 days and some as 12 days because sometimes both the flight schedules are out by a day and we need to match them up – the extra night in Bali is included as and when necessary.

Trip Name

Orangutans And Dragons - Indonesia Sailing

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Yacht Length overall: 38 metres Passanger Capacity: 14 Led by Captain Ferdi and operated by a crew of 12, the 38-metre Katharina sits low in the water, making her a most beautiful looking boat. Built in 1995 in Kalimantan, her slim hull was originally planned for use as a commercial freighter before she caught our eye with her simple lines and sleek structure. After her 2014 interior refit, her transformation is a conservation exercise back to authenticity of a mighty seafaring tradition. Not only is the Katharina very elegant on the water, she is also fast becoming a classic yacht, as very few of these original designs remain. Accommodating just 12 guests in six cabins, with a salon & bar, two sun decks, and an outdoor dining area, she offers a more intimate experience.

Itinerary

Day 1 - D A Y 1

Meet at Bali airport early in the morning for your flight to Borneo in the company of your SeaTrek guide, and be escorted to your river boat to start your journey.- Cruise past the stilted and floating houses of the and continue upstream along the forest lined river, passing local villages along the way and catching glimpses of wildlife in the canopy.- Visit a local village to visit the local library foundation, before continuing upstream to a beautiful black water lake system, where we take canoes out at sunset. Later we find a quiet location to anchor overnight.

Day 2 - D A Y 2

- The boat moves upriver as you enjoy breakfast to a pre-release island operated by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS). We take a motorised canoe to observe the orangutans and later continue to the BOS Education Centre where orangutans are awaiting release in socialisation cages and we can learn about the BOS history and rehabilitation programs.- Over lunch we cruise upstream passing more orangutan pre-release islands, where we can see the great apes in their natural environment. Here we transfer to small canoes to have closer observation of the orangutans before heading for a refreshing swim in the black water lake.

Day 3 - D A Y 3

- Early in the morning we travel by car to visit a local Dayak to see the cultural spirit houses and learn about their ancient forest culture. We are met by the village elder with Dayak Ngaju welcoming ceremony then stroll around with him to see the village home gardens, rubber field & rubber tapping demonstration, and other village livelihoods.- Visit to the elder’s house and enjoy the traditional spices coffee while sharing stories, before returning to the boat for lunch as we cruise downstream through the forest, relaxing and looking out for wildlife along the way.

Day 4 - D A Y 4

- After breakfast, the boat cruises to a local village where we disembark for the short trip to a Dayak village, where we see the ancient Dayak painted sandungs and watch a traditional dance.- We head back to the boat boat for the final cruise to Palangkaraya, where we will check out and head to the airport for our flight to Bali.- Upon arrival in Bali, you will be escorted to your hotel for the night.

Day 5 - D A Y 5

- After breakfast in the hotel where you meet your fellow guests, experience the best that Bali can offer with a tour of East Bali with 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.- In the late afternoon you will arrive at your beachside resort in East Bali and have a chance to unwind, swim, or have a snorkelling lesson with your tour guide. In the evening join all your fellow guests for a welcome dinner and drinks in the hotel’s beachside restaurant.- Sleep in the shadow of Bali’s active volcano Mt Agung, the mother mountain of all Balinese people, and the most imposing figure on the whole landscape of Bali.

Day 6 - D A Y 6

- Watch a spectacular sunrise from the beach in front of your resort as hundreds of small traditional ‘jukung’ fishing boats return from their overnight expeditions, as your SeaTrek boat comes into view.- Sail across the Wallace Line, the deep-sea boundary that represents the biogeographical separation point between Asia and Australia, where the landscapes, animals and plant life separate into distinctly different groups.- Snorkel the magnificent coral gardens of the Gili Islands off the northwest corner of Lombok.

Day 7 - D A Y 7

- Wake up off the coast of Kenawa Island under the gaze of Lombok’s towering Mt Rinjani, the largest volcanic peak in Indonesia, and spend the morning swimming, snorkelling and exploring.- Visit a village of the famous Bajao ‘Sea Gypsies’ of Southeast Asia, and wee how they live their lives so close to, on and in the water.

Day 8 - D A Y 8

- Wake up early in Saleh Bay, where we will hopefully swim with a group of whale sharks that congregate off the local people’s fishing platforms that sit in the bay.- Swim, snorkel, kayak and paddle board in a deep lake on a volcanic island lake on Satonda Island, whose caldera filled by water from a tsunami caused by a massive volcanic event from the nearby Tambora Volcano, which in 1815 was the largest eruption in recorded history.- Drink sunset cocktails as we float on the current while tens of thousands of giant fruit bats emerge from their forest lair and fly out directly over the boat on their nightly foraging missions.

Day 9 - D A Y 9

- Step ashore on an active, smoking volcanic island, where local villagers are in the process of building a fifty-plus metre, traditional wooden pinisi boat, with the same pedigree and history of SeaTrek’s very own ships. 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 momento.- Snorkel on a colourful and vibrant coral reef above small geothermal fissures where air bubbles are released from the volcanic chambers below the seabed.- After a few hours under sail, spend the afternoon time on a deserted white sand beach on another volcanic island, this time an extinct one. Explore the magnificent coral gardens, hike to the crest of the surrounding hills for a view of the surrounding islands, swim, paddle, kayak and laze away the day before enjoying sunset cocktails on the sand.

Day 10 - D A Y 1 0

- Wake up in the most northerly part of the Komodo National Park and enjoy a morning of sea-based activities including a fantastic drift snorkel over the reef, kayaking and SUP at Gili Lawa Darat 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.- Spend the late afternoon on a local sandbar, where we will enjoy snorkelling, swimming and relaxing on the sand.

Day 11 - D A Y 1 1

- Visit Rinca Island and go on a trek in search of the ancient Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard. See monkeys, dear, pigs, buffalo, and myriad birds as we walk through the forests and savannahs of this large island.- Snorkel at Saba Island, a favourite hangout of sea turtles, where we will have a chance to swim with these gentle creatures as the cruise along the shallow water of the reef.- Enjoy Indonesian hospitality as your crew host a beach barbeque in your honour on a deserted island. On offer is plenty of good food, music, cocktails dancing and frivolity as we dance and sing the night away next to a bonfire under a clear tropical night sky.

Day 12 - D A Y 1 2

- Cruise into harbour as we eat our last breakfast on the boat, before taking a short drive to a traditional local village. Here we will enjoy their hospitality with coffee, betel nut and a highly potent local ‘arak’ before (not for the faint hearted), before being be treated to a selection of traditional dances by their men and women.- Enjoy a final lunch on the boat before being escorted to the airport for your onward flight to Bali.

Day 13 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Cruise the rivers of Kalimantan (Borneo) and the islands of Komodo National park