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Includes  Why Go? ...... 792 With mountains to climb, untouched reefs to dive, and an- Atauro Island...... 798 cient traditions that have survived the ravages of war, Asia’s Baucau...... 799 newest country offers some of the world’s last great off-the- Maubisse...... 802 beaten-track adventures. Get an insight into Timor-Leste’s dark history in Dili’s museums, then venture out of the Hatubuilico & capital for wild cultural experiences. Head for the hills to Mt Ramelau. . . . . 802 hike to jungle caves, wander misty mountain village mar- Same & Betano . . . 802 kets, and sip local coffee on the terrace of a grand Portu- Oecussi ...... 803 guese pousada. Bump along diabolical roads in search of your own perfect beach, stopping for photos of the stunning seascapes as you grip the rugged cliffs along the north coast road. Strap on a snorkel and marvel at the pristine reefs that Best Colonial fringe the north coast and Atauro Island, or delve deeper Relics with Dili-based dive companies, which have spent the past ¨¨Pousada de Baucau (p799) decade discovering world-class sites. Trailblaze your way through this amazing country, and find out what everyone ¨¨Balibo Fort Hotel (p801) else has been missing. ¨¨Pousada de Maubisse (p802) ¨¨Prisão do Apelo (p801) When to Go ¨¨Escola do Reino de Venilale (p800)

Best Places for Culture ¨¨Resistance Museum (p792) ¨¨Balibo Flag House (p801) ¨¨Santa Cruz Cemetery (p792) May–Nov (Dry Sep–Nov It’s Dec–Apr (Wet Season) There’s whale-watching Season) Heavy rain ¨¨Chega! Exhibition (p792) little rainfall and season as pods makes the land- ¨¨Lospalos Cultural Centre good weather, of whales migrate scape lush; some (p801) though it can get through the roads are impassa- very dusty. Strait. ble in the districts. - ITINERARIES One Week One for pho- stopping east, to the island’s off Dili it’s From overnighting before coast along the spectacular tos Perdido Mt Mundo and hike Ossu to Head in Baucau. cave to on a smaller hike or take World) (Lost at Hotel the river spending the night by before hideouts Tutuala, lunch then onto for Com to Next, Wailakurini. Island for Jaco the sacred reach can you where from - muse explore to to Dili Return snorkelling. magnificent to out by heading your trip off and cap ums and markets, one night. at least Island for Atauro Month One Dili for to then return itinerary the one-week Complete - luxury camp for Liquiçá to west diving and head some the Indonesian toward Continue ing at Caimeo Beach. at Overnight lunch. for Fort at Maubara stopping border, Flag House), Balibo (opposite Hotel Fort Balibo the new Suai, to and Bobonaro via Marobo south heading before then turn east and beach, villages traditional with its to or Same Ainaro via the mountains into back and head Dili via to back Head climb Mt Ramelau. to Hatubuilico Maubisse. misty Essential Outdoor Activities Outdoor Essential - diving and snorkel excellent There’s Diving & Snorkelling Dili) and off of east (particularly ling along the north coast are waters turquoise Island’s Jaco Sacred Island. Atauro 30m up to (with best are Diving conditions snorkel-heaven. during the dry season. visibility) casual from for hikers terrain tempting offers Timor-Leste Hiking unheard not are hikes coast north-to-south 10-day serious; to highest the nation’s include Mt Ramelau, hikes day Popular of. from a diversion offers Atauro on while Mt Manucoco peak, hikers. serious more beckons Mt Matebian beach-bumming. on routes. info for Check www.trekkingeasttimor.org der arrivals. major population throughout Good coverage Mobile Phones SIM cards Telemor and Telkomsel Telecom, Timor centres. phones. in unlocked be used can At a Glance be paid can under US$1 Anything (US$). dollars US Currency (cv). Centavos Timorese in East Bahasa languages), (official Tetun and dialects. local , Expensive Dili. outside scarce very ATMs International Money cards. credit take hotels 30 for US$30 or seaport; at Dili airport on arrival Visa Visas land bor for in advance need a visa nationalities Most days. 115 333 US$0.70 US$1.12 US$0.79 US$1.53 % % A$1 €1 S$1 UK£1 (local bus) from from bus) (local

14,870 sq km sq 14,870

DON’T MISS DON’T One of the world’s the world’s of One concentrations highest dolphins and whales of channels ply the deep north Timor-Leste’s off eyes your keep coast; cetaceans peeled for to trip during the boat Island. Atauro Australia Euro Singapore UK

Country - Interna Lobato Nicolau centre to Taxi tional Airport minutes). 10 (around US$10 Mikrolet Dili, In central Dili Seaport US$2. city the around taxis Entering the US$0.25. main road US$45–50 Single dive meal restaurant Local US$3–12 Dorm bed US$12–15 Dorm Daily Costs Exchange Rates police police Emergency Area Dili Capital Fast Facts 1283 and ambulance fire

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