Ultimate Indonesian Yachts THE ULTIMATE INDONESIAN ADVENTURE: 36-DAY ITINERARY FROM SUMATRA TO KOMODO SUMATRA - KALIMANTAN - JAVA - BALI – LOMBOK – KOMODO NATIONAL PARK INTRODUCING INDONESIA From Sumatra, home to Southeast Asia’s largest lake, dense jungles and the orangutan, Indonesia stretches 5000km to Papua; the largely unexplored eastern province home to the once ‘headhunting’ Asmats, peaceful Dani and breath-taking mountain ranges. Indonesia is as varied as it is unique, from the Hindu-Buddhist monuments of Borobudur to the famous Komodo Dragons, countless deserted beaches and natural wonders grace an archipelago filled with mystique and beauty. For those searching for the true exotic, who challenge themselves with experiences that are rare and magical yet appreciate service, quality and an unique insight into a destination, Indonesia presents an opportunity to fulfil the ultimate travel experience. Pairing land and sea is a natural marriage in Indonesia, and a luxurious sailing sojourn allows visitors to access parts of these islands that are usually unreachable to land travellers. HIGHLIGHTS ! Encounter orangutans in conservation projects in Sumatra and Kalimantan ! Explore Kalimantan’s jungle on a traditional riverboat and meet the Dayak tribes ! Witness sunrise over Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world ! See the smouldering volcanoes, lush forests and mineral lakes of Java ! Wander among ancient temples and traditional villages in Bali’s untouched north ! Relax in an eco-friendly retreat in laid-back Lombok ! Set sail for Komodo National Park, the land of dragons, on a private yacht www.ultimate-indonesian-yachts.com Ultimate Indonesian Yachts SUGGESTED ITINERARY SUMATRA - KALIMANTAN - JAVA - BALI – LOMBOK – KOMODO NATIONAL PARK DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MEDAN (SUMATRA) Upon arrival in Medan, guests will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred to a local hotel in Medan, where the rest of the day will be at leisure. DAY 2: MEDAN TO BUKIT LAWANG (SUMATRA) After breakfast at the hotel, guests will embark on the road trip to Bukit Lawang, a journey that should take approximately 3! to 4 hours. Bukit Lawang is located on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, close to Sumatra’s best-known orangutan conservation area. The scenic road journey passes through rubber, palm oil and cacao plantations and there will be the opportunity to stop and admire the photogenic panoramas. On arrival in Bukit Lawang, the rest of the day may be spent at leisure in the jungle lodge. DAY 3: BUKIT LAWANG - ORANGUTAN CENTRE & JUNGLE WALK (SUMATRA) This morning, guests will visit the nearby Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where they can watch the orangutans as they swing to the centre’s feeding platforms. Here, these rare creatures are looked after and prepared for release back into their natural habitat. After time observing these fascinating creatures, guests may enjoy a gentle walk deeper into the surrounding jungle, looking for Ucok or Mina, two of the park’s most famous orangutan inhabitants. In the forest, guests will have the opportunity to see several other species of indigenous flora and fauna, including the Thomas Leaf monkey, long-tailed macaque or some of the one hundred bird species found in the park including sunbirds and honey-eaters. The walk will take approximately 3 hours, before guests return to their eco lodge. DAY 4: BUKIT LAWANG TO TANGKAHAN (SUMATRA) This morning guests will be picked up at around 11am for the drive to Tangkahan, passing through plantations and dense jungle. On the way, they will stop at the oil-palm, rubber and cacao plantations, and local schools. The drive takes around 2 hours. It’s partially off-road and passes several interesting places where stunning panoramas can be witnessed. Arriving in Tangkahan, guests will cross the Batang River by local raft or by new bridge to their jungle lodge, where they may spend the remainder of the day at leisure or take a walk along the bank of the Buluh River to see thousands of butterflies and enjoy a swim. www.ultimate-indonesian-yachts.com 2 Ultimate Indonesian Yachts DAY 5: TANGKAHAN – ELEPHANT CAMP - MEDAN (SUMATRA) After breakfast, a guide will take guests to visit the elephant camp, where they can watch the mahouts bathe Sumatran elephants. After that, guests may join a ride for around 1 hour to explore the Leuser National Park. At the end of the ride, guests can enjoy tubing - floating down the Buluh River on rubber rings. The last visit of today is village where guests will have a chance to meet the locals and learn about their culture. After lunch, guests will return to Medan and overnight once more at a local hotel. DAY 6: MEDAN TO PALANGKARAYA (KALIMANTAN) After breakfast, guests will depart for the airport to catch a flight to Palangkaraya (via Jakarta). Upon arrival at Palangkaraya, the capital of Central Kalimantan, guests will be met by the local guide and transferred to their comfortable cabin onboard the Rahai i Pangun river cruise boat. The Rahai’I Pangun is 22 x 6 metre traditional Kalimantan river boat known as a bis air, which was converted into the beautiful, rustic boat she is today. The design and spesifications were implemented by teams of Indonesian master boat designer and engineers, using local craftsmen. Guests will pass stilted villages and traditional floating houses as the boat departs Palangkaraya and cruises along the Kahayan River, the largest river in Central Kalimantan. In the late afternoon when the climate is at its most temperate, guests can hop onto a small canoe and look for wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, hornbills and Brahmini kites on the shores of the Black Water lakes. Return to the boat for a peaceful dinner amid an idyllic jungle setting. DAY 7: KALAWEIT ISLAND - BAPALLAS ISLAND - LAKE TAHAI (KALIMANTAN) Guests will enjoy a leisurely breakfast with wonderful views on the upper deck as the boat continues slowly upstream along the Rungan River. This afternoon, guests will transfer to motorised canoes and travel to the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) pre-release island of Bapallas. Here, they will have the opportunity to observe orangutans and learn about the pre-release program, which was established in 1991 and is dedicated to the conservation of the Bornean orangutan and its habitat. Returning to the boat, lunch will be served as the boat passes Kaja pre-release island en route to the riverside village of Kanarakan. Upon arrival, village elders from the Ngaju Dayak tribe will perform a welcoming ceremony and invite guests to drink locally spiced coffee or herbal tea. This is followed by the opportunity to walk through the village with a local host and learn how the community lives and works in such a remote location. Later, guests will return to the boat and continue downstream towards picturesque Lake Tahai, where the boat will moor for the night. www.ultimate-indonesian-yachts.com 3 Ultimate Indonesian Yachts DAY 8: LAKE TAHAI - SEI GOHONG - MUARA RUNGAN (KALIMANTAN) Early this morning, there is the option to take a bird-spotting excursion by canoe on Lake Tahai before the boat sets sail for the village of Sei Gohong. Upon arrival at the village, guests will meet with the village healer and take a short walk into the forest to learn about the local plants and how they are used in traditional medicines for the Ngajus Dayak tribes people that live here. Cruising back downstream, the boat will pass the islands of Bapallas and Hampapak (where there is the opportunity to catch sight of more orangutans), en route to Muara Rungan where the boat will moor for the final night. DAY 9: MUARA RUNGAN - PALANGKARAYA – JOGJAKARTA (JAVA) Guests will enjoy breakfast as the boat heads back to Palangkaraya. Upon arrival at the harbour, guests will be transferred to the airport in order to connect with their onward flight to Jogjakarta (via Jakarta). Upon arrival in Jogjakarta, guests will be met and escorted to the exquisite Amanjiwo retreat, located in a natural amphitheatre in the Menoreh Hills. These luxurious villas (some with private plunge pools and some with views to Borobudur Temple) are the perfect place to relax for a few days in some of Indonesia’s most beautiful surrounds. Here, guests can spend time hiking, cycling through local villages, volcano trekking or visiting the nearby Borobudur Temple. DAY 10: DIENG PLATEAU (JAVA) This morning, guests will visit the Dieng Plateu. Situated at an altitude of almost 2,100 metres, the spectacular Dieng Plateau is home to some of the oldest Hindu temples in Java. Meaning “Abode of the Gods,” it is believed that around 400 temples originally stood on this volcanic caldera, but today only 8 remain. Dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, the temples were abandoned but rediscovered in 1856. In addition to the temples, the area is one of great scenic beauty surrounded by volcanic craters, sulphur springs, hot muddy geysers and mineral lakes. The drive to the Dieng Plateau itself is a spectacular one, taking guests through the tea and tobacco plantations of the Sindoro-Sumbing valley. DAY 11: BOROBUDUR SUNRISE & CANDIREJO VILLAGE - KETEP PASS (JAVA) Guests will have an early start this morning, departing the hotel at 4.15am to arrive at Borobudur Archaeological Park in time to witness dawn breaking over the temple complex, the biggest Buddhist temple in the world. Afterwards, guests will head to Candirejo, a peaceful village surrounded by plantations and lush scenery where they can learn about harvesting and other local activities. Getting to the village is part of the fun, traversing the countryside by bicycle or horse cart to and from the village. www.ultimate-indonesian-yachts.com 4 Ultimate Indonesian Yachts DAY 12: JOGJAKARTA CITY & PRAMBANAN TOUR (JAVA) Guests will be collected from Amanjiwo this morning and taken to Jogjakarta.