LAUNCH OFFER - SAVE UP TO £1000 PER PERSON Circumnavigation of Sumatra An in-depthaboard exploration the MSth ofOctober Caledonian the wonders 2016 Sky of Sumatra 8th to 24 Clown Fish Lake Toba oin us for a rare event, a circumnavigation of the world’s Our View sixth largest island. Opportunities to visit Sumatra, a land of After our successful voyages MALAYSIA J Gunung Leuser history and mystery are scarce and are usually limited to one around Sumatra in 2013, we Banda Aceh National Park region of the island. Our visit in the autumn of 2016 will be all are delighted to be returning Belawan once again with an in-depth Medan encompassing and include opportunities to see orangutans in Simeulue Islands Malacca exploration of the island. Lake Toba Nias Island their natural habitat, to snorkel over coral reefs, to visit remote Separated from mainland Asia Singapore Bukittinggi by the Strait of Malacca and from islands where native indigenous people still live in isolation, SUMATRA free to practice their timeless tribal lore and to explore where Java by the Strait of Sunda, Sumatra Siberut Island Padang lies at the heart of geological and few have been before. Our voyage will be one of contrasts, Bengkulu Belitung cultural crossroads. Spectacular Islands from lush rainforests to diverse cultures, spectacular wildlife volcanoes and mysterious calderas Krakatau and an intriguing history, all of which will be made all the more are many along the Barisan Island captivating by our onboard expedition team who are experts in Mountains, the long spinal range of Marco Polo and is often the island following Sumatra’s west referred to as the Isle of Gold: the natural world. coast. Perpetual warmth and the sailing around its diverse shores, presence of high peaks have made exploring its coastal communities and Known in ancient times as the ‘Island of Gold’, Sumatra was an the natural environment of this large occasionally venturing inland, we will landmass one of the most diverse be able understand why.’ early arrival point for trade and new religions. Gold and other in the world: the many national natural resources made it a land of wealthy chiefs and princes parks of the island are an attempt to Monkey between the 7th and 13th centuries. Today, the island is home protect this increasingly endangered to twelve ethnic groups speaking more than 25 languages and treasure. With the Indian Ocean to the west and the south-east Asian the cross cultural exchanges of past centuries have created archipelagos to the east, Sumatra’s a unique and diverse land. However, for many the greatest history is rich and the island is home draw is the island’s incomparable natural history and stunning to many fascinating peoples. Our mountain and jungle landscapes. Larger than life in all respects, voyage will explore their cities, towns and villages, from Aceh at the it is one of the world’s last untouched frontiers. The privilege north western tip of Indonesia, to of exploring this remarkable land from a small ship and in the the Bataks and Minangkabau of the company of knowledgeable expedition team members and local central highlands, and the Nias of offshore archipelagos. Sumatra was guides is an opportunity not to be missed. revealed to the western world by Bukittinggi Expedition Highlights • Full circumnavigation of the sixth largest island on earth. • Great natural world experiences including the opportunities to see Orangutans in Bukit Lawang, searching for the world’s largest flower near Bukkitingi and snorkelling amongst fish and corals in Pulau Weh, Mentawai and Belitung Islands. • Chance to enjoy walks on the slopes of Krakatoa volcano. • Visit to remote tribal cultures in Siberut and Nias. • Historically significant port of Bengkulu where Raffles once governed. • Visit to remote islands including Simeulue which is well off the traditional tourist route. Mellaca Orangutans Singapore The Itinerary MALAYSIA Day 1 London/Manchester to Toba. At over 1145 square kilometres visit the 19th century Maimoon from the Sumatran coast and with Gunung Leuser Banda Aceh National Park Singapore. Fly by scheduled flight. it is the largest lake in South East Palace, a 30 room palace featuring white sand beaches, vast coral reefs Belawan Asia found in the volcanic peaks of Malay, Mogul and Italian influences and a pristine blue sea dotted with Medan Arrive this the island. After an early breakfast before continuing to the Mesjid Raya a multitude of seamounts, atolls and Simeulue Islands Malacca Day 2 Singapore. Lake Toba afternoon and transfer to the we will start our journey inland (Grand Mosque). We will explore small islets, Simeulue Island is well Nias Island Singapore Shangri La Hotel (or similar) for an passing through the palm oil, rubber the collections at the Musuem of off the traditional tourist route. We Bukittinggi overnight stay. The remainder of the and cocoa plantation en-route to Northern Sumatra including stone will use our Zodiacs to land on one SUMATRA Siberut Island Padang evening is free. Parapat, the gateway town located carvings from Nias Island and items of the local beaches for swimming, in the beautiful and fertile volcanic from the Hindu, Buddhist, and snorkelling and nature walks. Bengkulu Belitung Islamic periods as well as colonial Islands Day 3 Singapore. Enjoy a leisurely basin at the northern end of Bukit morning to either explore Barisan mountains’ range. The and military history. Our guided Day 10 Nias Island. We continue Krakatau Island independently or relax at the hotel. scenery is stunning and after lunch tour will end at the Chinese pagoda south and land on the island of Nias In the early afternoon there will be in a local restaurant we will board before returning to the ship. some 70 miles from the west coast a guided tour of Singapore which our boat to cruise across the Lake to of Sumatra. Its very isolation has will include the National Orchid the central island of Samosir, passing Day 7 At sea. We have a day to protected its cultural heritage. We Garden, Chinatown and the Sultan lovely coves with white sandy relax as we cruise the coast to the will see some wonderful examples Mosque before we continue to the beaches to where colourful Toba northern tip of Sumatra. Maybe take of tribal art and unique architecture. MS Caledonian Sky for embarkation. Batak villages cling to the shore. We in a lecture by the onboard experts After an island drive we will witness Welcome drinks and dinner will be visit the traditional beautiful houses or find a spot on deck. a stone jumping demonstration in served as we sail the Malacca Strait, and ancient tombs of Laga Siallagan, a traditional village. Here, talented named after the Malacca Sultanate the first raja of Ambarita. In front of Day 8 Pulau Weh & Banda Aceh. local villagers leap over six foot tall that ruled over the archipelago the traditional houses we find the This morning we anchor off Pulau stone megaliths in a rite of passage. between 1414 and 1511. It is from Banyan tree with the stone chair of Weh where our Zodiacs will take us The higher they jump, the better here that early traders from Arabia, King Siallagan, the location where all to Gapang Beach. Here we have a chance they have of acquiring Africa and Persia would trade important judicial and village matters chance to snorkel in the clear waters a wife. However, the tradition glassware, camphor, ivory, sandal where traditionally administered. considered some of the best in originated to train them for warfare wood and perfumes and today the Continue to the local market before Indonesia. Alternatively relax on the and defence. This colourful culture Strait is one of the most important returning to the MS Caledonian Sky. beach or take a walk through the developed separately to Sumatra shipping lanes in the world. small town. We will sail over lunch and the island has a history of head Day 6 Belawan. There will be a to Banda Aceh. Many will recall the hunting, warfare, slaves and gold. Day 4 Malacca, Malaysia. Before choice of excursions today, either destruction caused to this port on After lunch onboard we have the setting off for Sumatra we spend choose from a long but rewarding the northern tip of Sumatra by the chance for a quick swim or snorkel the morning in the historic port day as we leave the vessel at sunrise 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. Enormous before continuing our journey south of Malacca. With more than and drive inland to the eastern side effort has been made to rebuild since in the late afternoon, crossing the its fair share of colonisers from of the Gunung Leuser National the fateful day and we will visit the equator this evening. Malaysian princes, the Portuguese, Park and visit the Orangutan Tsunami Museum, memorial and Dutch, British and Japanese Rehabilitation Centre at Bukit educational centre that document Day 11 Siberut Island. This morning this strategically placed city has Lawang. This is now one of the the impact. We will also visit the we will anchor off the Mentawai a fascinating history brought world’s most important conservation State Museum and the Baiturrahman archipelago. Like Nias, these islands vividly to life in the excellent projects as orphaned orangutans Mosque, one of the dominant have a unique culture, flora and Ethnographical Museum. Other are brought here to learn how to landmarks in downtown Banda Aceh fauna due to their isolation from the places will include the 16th century live in the wild again. We can watch with seven domes and four towers rest of the country. On arrival local Portuguese fortress, the former them at play and feeding and learn with one main tower.