: & EXPEDITION

JULY 31 - AUGUST 14, 2009 Indonesia is a nation of four thousand islands, distributed across a vast region of the equatorial Indo-Pacific. Beckoning naturalists since the time of Alfred Russell Wallace, Indonesia is geologically dynamic, rich in wildlife, and possessed of astonishing human cultural diversity. This summer Betchart Expeditions is offering a trip to three of the most exciting and distinctive places in Indonesia: North , () on , and the island of Bali. From Singapore, we will fly across the Straits of to Medan, Sumatra, to embark on the first leg of our Indonesian adventure. Here we will explore volcanic landscapes, montane forests, and distinct ethnic groups in the tropical highlands of this enormous island.

The highlight of our visit to is Lake Toba, the largest volcanic caldera lake in the world. Toba is situated at 3,000 feet in elevation, and is a deep, elliptical body of water more than 50 miles long. Dominating the lake is the uplifted dome of Samosir Island, ancestral home to the , a deeply traditional culture isolated until the late 19th Century. The grace and hospitality of the Batak provides a wonderful cultural counterpoint to Lake Toba's awesome geological history. The caldera, encircling Lake Toba, with walls more than 2,000 feet high, was created 70,000 years ago in a massive volcanic explosion, by far the biggest of its kind in recent geological history. The date of this explosion corresponds to a time of exceptionally cold temperatures worldwide, and it is supposed that the hundreds of cubic miles of ash thrown into the atmosphere by this event may have nearly extinguished the human race early in its history. Recent genetic evidence indicates a population bottleneck of Toba-age, during which people were as rare as giant pandas are today. North Sumatra is also home to the Sumatran Orangutan, one of the seven species of Great Ape alive on the planet today. We will visit Bukit Lawang at the entrance to Gunung Leuser National Park where some of these animals, rescued from captivity, have been released into their natural environment. The next leg of our journey will take us to Yogyakarta, Central Java, and the nearby Buddhist complex of Borobudur. Yogyakarta exemplifies Java's artistic and intellectual heritage. The city is administered by a sultan who presides from his walled palace-compound or kraton. In Yogyakarta, the fine arts of , Javanese singing and classical dance have evolved to a high level of sophistication. Silver casting and batik are important local handicrafts. Borobudur is a globally significant Buddhist religious complex built in the 8th Century. Massive labor was required to transport and carve the two million stone blocks required for its construction. Yet, soon after completion, the site was buried in volcanic ash and largely forgotten. Recently excavated and carefully restored, Borobudur today rivals Angkor Wat as Asia's finest expression of religious architecture. This World Heritage Site is set in a landscape of carefully tended rice fields, with a backdrop of intermittently active volcanic peaks that rise to elevations exceeding 10,000 feet. Its shape represents a mandala or diagram of the cosmos as envisaged by the early Tantric Buddhists, its apex indicating the blissful state of nirvana. Details carved at the base depict Javanese life as it was a thousand years ago. After visiting the Borobudur complex, we'll fly onward to the island of Bali to enjoy a three night stay in the verdant, mountain-slope town of Ubud, center for Balinese performing arts and the percussive, yet richly textured music of the Gamelan orchestra. The distinctive animist-tinged Hindu culture of this fabled island sets Bali apart from all of the rest of Indonesia. Its productive volcanic soils and abundant rainfall have provided leisure time over the centuries to hone a range of distinctive fine arts for which the island is justly famous today. Looking inland, the Balinese derive their livelihood from farming more than fishing, and the demands of terraced rice agriculture have given rise to the subak system, a sophisticated form of cooperation among villages to equitably share critical water resources. From our base at Ubud, we will make excursions to places of interest throughout the island of Bali. In town, there will be opportunities to visit museums and some excellent galleries and handcraft shops and to view performances of traditional dances like Legong and Becak. We will conclude the journey with flights from Bali to Singapore and home. Those who wish may extend their stay in Singapore. This renowned city-state has developed in recent decades into a prosperous and surprisingly lively commercial focal point for maritime Southeast Asia. We are excited about the opportunity to offer this new program in Indonesia and sincerely hope that you will be able to join us. Sincerely, Dr. Chris Carpenter Expedition Leader

ITINERARY Days 1/2 - San Francisco to Singapore Depart on a group flight on Singapore Airways from San Francisco International Airport to Singapore.

Day 3 - Singapore to Medan, Sumatra Arrive Singapore August 2 in the early morning. Rest and freshen up at the airport transit hotel. We will then connect to a flight to Medan, Indonesia, at 7:30 am. We will arrive in Medan, principal city in North Sumatra at 7:55 am. Transfer to our hotel for a day of leisure. In the afternoon, enjoy an introductory tour of the Museum of North Sumatra, Malmoon Palace, or Great Mosque of Medan. Welcome dinner. Medan Tiara Hotel. D

Day 4 - Berastagi This morning, we will drive from Medan to Berastagi. Approaching Berastagi, we will gain elevation and pass the cone of Sibayak volcano (7,000 feet in elevation), with sulfurous fumaroles on its flanks. We will have lunch in Berastagi with a visit to the local flower market. In the afternoon, we will begin to get acquainted with the cultures of Sumatra with a visit to the traditional communal homes of the Batak . We will also enjoy a walk in the countryside in this cool and pleasant highland area near two volcanoes. Possible evening visit to a nearby hot spring or cultural performance. Hotel Sibayak International. B,L,D Day 5 Tuktuk, Samosir Island This morning, we will depart for Lake Toba, with stops at Dokan (a Batak Karo village with traditional homes and a Protestant church) and Sipiso Piso Waterfall. Our first views of Lake Toba will come as we approach the rim of its vast encircling caldera. The gradual descent through forests of tropical pine will bring us to the lakeshore town of Parapet, from which we board a ferry for the one hour crossing to Samosir Island in the center of the lake. The balance of the afternoon will be at leisure to explore the local community of Tuktuk or swim in the lake. Evening presentation on the geological history of Lake Toba and its possible significance to the evolution of early modern mankind. Hotel Carolina (2 nights). B,L,D Day 6 Tuktuk, Samosir Island In the morning we'll set forth on a boat excursion to places of interest around Lake Toba, including the shore of the Sumatran “mainland” and cultural sites in villages around the edge of Samosir Island. The island is about the same size as Singapore. Of special interest in this area are the small museum and cultural center at Simanindo, and a local Batak king's residence at Ambarita. Evening cultural performance. B,L,D Day 7 Berastagi Today we'll return to Berastagi, traveling around the northern end of Samosir Island before crossing a bridge to the mainland and climbing out of the caldera. Our approach to the highlands that surround Lake Toba is signaled by the appearance of tree ferns that thrive in the cloudy high elevation areas. Along the way we'll visit a village where Ikat textiles are produced with a traditional backstrap loom. After circling the north end of Lake Toba's massive caldera, we'll cross North Sumatra's central mountain axis to the Berastagi Highlands, passing through dense montane rainforest along the way. Arrive Berastagi in late afternoon. Possible late afternoon visit to Sibayak Hot Springs where there is a geothermal plant that provides electricity for Berastagi town. Hotel Sibayak International. B,L,D Day 8 Bukit Lawang & Gunung Leuser National Park This morning, we will drive from Berastagi to Bukit Lawang, via Medan. En route we may stop at a farm to see palm sugar production, and rubber and oil palm -- two major tree crops of maritime South East Asia -- as well as several other local tree crops. In the late afternoon, arrive Bukit Lawang, which is situated on the eastern edge of the giant Gunung Leuser National Park,. Enjoy a late afternoon birding excursion at the forest’s edge. Hotel Rindu Alam or Bukit Lawang Eco- Lodge (2 nights). B,L,D

Day 9 Bukit Lawang -- Orangutans Gunung Leusur National Park is one of the finest remaining habitats in the world for orangutans. These arboreal mammals are found today only in Sumatra or Borneo, though their range used to include China and Java. Several thousand are found in Gunung Leuser National Park. This morning, we will visit the famous Bohorok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre which was established in 1973 to help orangutans readjust to the wild after being in captivity or after losing their habitat. The orangutans which are ready to go back into the wild are introduced into the forest at the Gunung Leuser National Park near the rehabilitation center. This way, they can come to the feeding station, if their natural diet is not sufficient, or they can just go further into the national park. We will have an opportunity to visit the orangutan feeding station at the edge of the park and see these spectacular animals for ourselves! Time permitting, we may have an excursion to Bukit Lawang where one may see a small population of Rafflesia acehensis, a member of the strange parasitic plant genus that includes the world’s largest flower. This visit is conditional on local stream conditions and whether or not Rafflesia is in flower at the time of our visit. B,L,D Day 10 To Medan & Borobudur We will have an early morning bird walk, and then return to Medan for our 3:30 pm flight to Jakarta, connecting to Yokyakarta for an evening arrival. Near Yokyakarta is the fantastic archaeological site of Borobudur. Completed during the 9th century AD, this Buddhist complex, is situated on a hilltop and is one of Asia's most spectacular spiritual sites. Buried under volcanic ash until the early 19th century, the array of terraces and stupas, comprised of more than two million bricks, was stabilized in 1983 and has since been designated as a World Heritage Site. Sarawati Borobudur Hotel (2 nghts). B,L Day 11 Borobudur Archaeological Site We will rise early to visit the Borobudur temple complex -- the most important cultural site in Indonesia. The huge pyramid at Borobudur was built around 750-850 AD, and is one of the greatest cultural features in southeast Asia, along with Angkor Wat and Bagan in Burma. Little is known about the early history of the area, but the construction must have required an enormous number of workers. In 1815, when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles governed Java, they cleared the site and the scope of Borobudur was uncovered! Afternoon visit to the nearby Archaeological Museum and the smaller Mendut Temple with its spectacular Buddha image. We may have time to visit and walk in the surrounding, lush Javanese countryside. Return to Borobudur Temple complex for sunset. B,L,D

Day 12 Yokyakarta to Bali Today we'll enjoy a tour of the city of Yokyakarta, Java's center of learning and culture. Pronounced “jogjakarta” or “Jogja” for short, the city is the center for the arts in Java. The city is still headed by a sultan who lives in the kraton, a walled palace that provides a focal point for traditional life in this city. Jogja has many craft industries and both traditional and contemporary arts are fluorishing. Highlights include the Sultan’s Palace and a thriving cottage industry in silver smithery set in the nearby town of Kota Gede. We’ll then fly to Bali, one of Indonesia's most appealing islands. On arrival, we'll transfer to the picturesque and culturally significant hill mountainside town of Ubud, which will serve as our base during our stay on the island of Bali. Bali Spirit Hotel (3 nights). B,L,D

Day 13 Bali In the morning, take a walking tour among Ubud's meticulously terraced rice fields, and visit the Mandala Wisata “Monkey Forest” Sanctuary, home of numerous Balinese macaques, and several forest temples that exemplify the distinctive form of Hinduism that prevails in Bali. Afternoon visit to Besakih Temple on the western slope of Gunung Agung, Bali's tallest volcano. This important temple complex offers spectacular views downslope to the coast, weather permitting. Evening cultural performance in Ubud. B,L,D Day 14 Bali Today we'll visit Bukit Peninsula on the southern coast of Bali where precipitous headlands drop to the Indian Ocean. Here the temple of Lahur Ulu Watu offers an excellent vantage out over the Southern Sea. En route to the Bukit Peninsula, we'll visit the Negeri ethnographic museum in , which houses an excellent, comprehensive collection of Balinese antiquities dating back to prehistoric times, and a collection of contemporary handicrafts. We will also visit the sprawling market of Pesar Badung. Return to Ubud in time to explore this fascinating town. Farewell dinner in celebration of our journey! B,L,D Day 15 Bali - Singapore - San Francisco In the early afternoon fly to Singapore and take a connecting flight to San Francisco, arriving the same day. Or begin optional independent extension in Singapore. B

COSTS & CONDITIONS Expedition Fee: $2,995 per person twin share (plus air fare of $1,195 + tax from San Francisco to Medan, with return Denpasar, Bali, to Singapore and the USA + $470 in-tour flights). Expedition Fee Includes: Land transport; group airport transfers; accommodations twin share; most meals as indicated; tips to driver and local guides; entrance fees; baggage handling; leadership; administration. Expedition Fee Does Not Include: Air fare (quoted separately); three meals; personal items such as laundry, phone calls, snacks, alcoholic beverages; gratuity to expedition leader; visa fee; personal insurance; foreign airport departure tax.

What to Expect: A great adventure for enthusiastic travelers, this expedition is an ecological and cultural journey of discovery on three of Indonesia’s islands (Sumatra, Java, and Bali). With leadership by Dr. Chris Carpenter, we will explore national parks and cultural sites, look for the orangutans, and learn about Indonesia’s fascinating heritage. The itinerary includes the volcanic crater now filled by Lake Toba which may have enormous significance in the prehistory of mankind. Travel by motorcoach or scheduled flights. There will be daily outings by coach, van, or foot at a leisurely pace suitable for learning and discovery. The trip is planned for travelers with an appetite for adventure who like to explore and learn about local cultures and parks, and who can accept a few drives on less than ideal roads for the opportunities the trip provides. (No smoking in vehicles, or during lectures or meals, please.) Air Fare & Airline Ticketing: Air fare quoted is a group fare with Singapore Airlines from San Francisco to Medan, with a return from Denpasar, Bali to Singapore and home. In-tour flights are on Garuda Airlines. AIR FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Reservations, Deposits & Payments: To reserve a place on this expedition, please phone Taunya DeYoung at Betchart, (800) 252 4910 and mail a deposit of $500 per person to: Indonesia Expedition, Betchart Expeditions Inc., 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435. Balance is due 60 days before departure. Accommodations: Are based on twin share with bath in first class or comfortable and well located local-style hotels and lodges. Limited singles are available for a supplement of $495. If you do not have a roommate, or we cannot provide one, you must pay the extra cost of the single. ------RESERVATIONS #1091 YES! I/We want to join the Indonesia Expedition, July 31 - August 14, 2009, offered by Betchart Expeditions Inc. Please reserve _____ space(s). As a deposit, I/we have enclosed a check for $______($500 per person), payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. Name(s) ______Age ______Sex ______Age ______Sex ______Address ______City ______State ______ZIP ______Phone: Home (____) ______Work (____) ______Email #1: ______#2: ______Membership (please circle): AAAS Sigma Xi ACS Planetary Society Accommodations Preference: _____ Twin _____ Twin share _____Single _____ Nonsmoker _____ Smoker Signature: ______Date: ______Signature: ______Date: ______Please mail to: 2009 Indonesia Expedition Betchart Expeditions Inc. 17050 Montebello Road Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 ------

Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit is refundable up to 60 days before departure less a handling fee of $100 per person. There is no refund after the 60-day period unless your place is resold, then only the $100 per person handling fee is withheld. There are no refunds for unused meals, or other expedition features. Questions? Please phone Taunya DeYoung (800) 252-4910 or (408 252-4910. Fax: (408) 252 1444. Email: [email protected]

Responsibility: Betchart Expeditions Inc. acts only as agent for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels and exercises every care possible. Betchart can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident, or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, terrorism, quarantine, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or to cancel any tour prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participiants. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. c 2009 Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. CST#2036304-40