LUXPEDITIONS CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ITINERARIES KOMODO ISLAND RAJA AMPAT SPICE ISLAND CENDRAWASIH BAY EXPEDITION VESSELS INTRODUCTION Centrally located along ancient trading routes - composed of over seventeen thousand islands encompassing the realm of the Komodo Dragons, the underwater kingdoms of Raja Ampat, the historic Spice Islands and the remote biologically diverse Cenderawashi Bay. Indonesia is truly one of the world`s last untouched environments and most captivating destinations. With unparalleled regional expertise and meticulous approach to luxury hospitality Discover Indonesia enables you to charter the uncharted on one of our recommended custom built expedition vessels for an aqueous Indonesian odyssey you will never forget. DESTINATION Raja Ampat Cenderawasih Bay Spice Islands Komodo Island KOMODO ISLAND KOMODO ISLAND Trek ashore with the largest lizard on Earth the Komodo Dragon, Dive and snorkel this diverse and acclaimed sea scape in the Nusa Tenggara archipelago. From colourful reefs, rolling hill sides and sandy white beach’s this national park is a forgotten Eden. Encounter antediluvian creatures unchanged since prehistoric times – these two islands are the only places that the infamous Komodo dragon can still be found. Follow expert rangers to view these mighty monitor lizards in their natural habitat, the Komodo National Park, a World Heritage Site spanning the islands of Rinca and Komodo. BEST FOR Exploring the National Parks reefs by diving or snorkelling, trekking ashore to view local wildlife in its natural habitat. Short or extended breaks, minimum three nights recommended five with longer charters available. WHEN TO VISIT Between the months of March and October during the dry season SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 1 Your expedition begins when you board your vessel and receive a warm welcome from her crew, depart Labuan Bajo into the National Park cruising to Sabayor island for the first snorkel or dive of the trip. After a refreshing time in the water sail to Gilli Lawa Darat. Late afternoon you can trek up Gilli Lawa Darat for a sun set silhouette of Sangyang volcano. Day 2 The morning offers chance to dive or snorkel the action packed reefs that surround this area. As you lunch cruise down the Komodo straits passing many small islands towards Makassar reef for a chance to snorkel with Manta Ray. After the day on the beach or in the water cruise over to Wainilu Island close to Rinca Island for your overnight anchorage and a star lit BBQ on the beach. Day 3 An early morning trek onto Rinca Island will take you around the national park where you will have another chance to view the Dragons and other varieties of life that somehow survive on this desolate island. Also to be found are buffalo, boar, monkeys and wild horses as well as a wide variety of birds. After your trek sail to Padar Bay for an afternoon of diving or snorkelling. Day 4 An early morning wake up call offer’s the opportunity to trek up Padar island for a sun rise viewing over Flores and Rinca islands. On return to your boat you breakfast and sail towards Tattawa Island to enjoy diving or snorkelling where you can see shark, turtle and reef fish or simply enjoy the pristine white beach. Before sunset anchor in position to view thousands of bats as they take flight in search of food. Day 5 Spend the morning diving and snorkelling Batu Bolong, this incredible dive site sits in the straight between Komodo and Rinca island’s in the path of sweeping currents being exchanged from the Indian Ocean and Flores Sea. During lunch sail to Sabulon Besar, enjoy your last afternoon in the waters around these two small islands Ideal for Kayaking or Paddle-boarding. KOMODO ISLAND ROUTE MAP ROUTE : Day 1: Labuan Bajo to Gili Lawa Darat Day 2: Makkasar Reef to Rinca Island Day 3: Rinca Island Day 4: Padar Island to Tattawa Island Day 5: Sabulon Besar RAJA AMPAT RAJA AMPAT Known as the Four Kings, these 40,000 square kilometres of the Indonesian archipelago contain the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. These nutrient-rich waters nurture magnificent coral reefs and marine life unlike anywhere else. Scuba diving and snorkelling around Raja Ampat is an exceptional experience with over 1,300 species of fish and three-quarters of all known coral types. As well as beauty below the waves Raja Ampat’s landscape is cloaked in exotic flora and fauna such as karst forests of endangered orchids – look up to see sea eagles and the famed Cenderawashi bird of paradise. Explore the hidden jungle caves of Tolomol, kayak through giant sea caverns and discover the treasures of the mangroves of Yanggeffo. BEST FOR Snorkelling and diving the extraordinary underwater seascape. Longer breaks recommended seven nights or more, routes are designed to best suit the trip’s duration. Nature enthusiast`s, access national parks rarely seen by tourist’s. WHEN TO VISIT Between the months of November and March SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 1 Arrive at Sorong to be transferred to your vessel and your warm welcome from the crew, Cruise to Day 6 Mioskon Island in the Dampier Straights, this six-hour cruise takes you past the many spectacular Depart for east Wayag where you spend the morning on the edge of the National Park facing the islands including Batanta and Kri as you leave behind the hustle and bustle of every day life. Pacific Ocean. Here you have wonderful sites for a snorkel or dive before an evening transit south to the calm overnight anchorage of the mangroves at Yanggefo. Enjoy sunset from the deck as it sets on Day 2 the horizon off your Starboard bow. Awake with Mioskon and Waigeo in view. Dive or snorkel Mioskon and then cruise over to Cape Kri. This site holds the world record for the most numerous amount of different species found on one dive, Day 7 also a wonderful snorkel with the chance to float above huge Bumbhead Parrot fish. Late afternoon In the morning take a short cruise to get the chance to dive or snorkel with Manta Ray at Arborek Village, cruise over to Yanggefo while hugging the Waigeo coastline passing by local villages. Over night in this these creatures can have up to a 5-meter wing span. Visit the village and see how the Papuan people peaceful wilderness. live in this remote area of the world. As you lunch cruise over to Frimbonda Island in the Dampier Straights for your last look at the National Park, perhaps sun set on the beach or a last snorkel before Day 3 your transit to Sorong for your outbound flight. Awake to the sounds of the many different birds that have made this area their home, we can then either dive, snorkel, swim or kayak before setting course for Yeben a small sandy island just over an hour away surrounded by coral reef a wonderful place to snorkel and dive. While you lunch sail further north to Wofo, two rocky islands with a white sandy beach. Day 4 During breakfast take a short cruise to Eagle Rock a Manta cleaning station attracting local Reef Manta and Oceanic Manta from the Pacific Ocean, snorkel or dive to view this wondrous display of nature. Sail north for Kawe and the equator islands where you can dive or snorkel over the equator, a truly unique experience. Then cruise to the picturesque Wayag for an overnight anchorage in the magnificent lagoons that make up this spectacular group of islands. Day 5 Climb Mt Pindito to absorb the breathtaking views. From here we can see as far as the eye will let you. Dive, snorkel or kayak around this beautiful area, staying overnight for a starlit BBQ on the beach with just the stars and sounds of breaking water against the shore for company. RAJA AMPAT ROUTE MAP ROUTE : Day 1: Sorong to Mios Kon Day 2: Mios Kon to Cape Kri then on to Yanggefo Day 3: Yeben to Wofo Day 4: Kawe to Wayag Day 5: Wayag Day 6: Wayag to Arborek Day 7: Frimbonda Island “Never a ship sails out of a bay, but carries my heart as a stowaway" Roselle Mercier Montgomery SPICE ISLANDS SPICE ISLANDS Four and a half degrees south of the Equator, the seven volcanic islands of the Banda archipelago were for centuries the world’s only source of nutmeg, earning the Moluccas their nickname – the ‘Spice Islands’. Each tropical paradise is covered in dense forests, and the water surrounding the islands Is teeming with sea life, ensuring unbeatable diving. Charming villages can be found on five of the Islands, with traces of Dutch forts on Banda Neira, Banda Besar and Run. At 666 metres high, Gunung Api – Banda’s Fire Mountain – dominates the landscape BEST FOR Historical charm, the Spice Islands have centuries of stories to tell. Culture, the Spice Islands valuable commodity resulting in European influence have created a unique culture which has barely changed due to its remote location. Snorkelling and diving the underwater gardens: lava flows have created a subaquatic wonderland. WHEN TO VISIT October and November SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 1 Board your yacht in Ambon and sail for Banda, spotting dolphins and sperm whales along their migration route. Day 2 See Gunung Api in the dawn light, as you arrive at your first Spice Islands, Ai. This small island is surrounded by pristine coral reef, perfect for diving or snorkelling; the small village is home to a Dutch storehouse from the 1600s and nutmeg plantation containing trees over 100 years old. After pausing for some locally brewed ginger tea on the beach you return onboard and enjoy a sun set sail to Banda Naire for an overnight anchorage.