Day 1
You will arrive in Bali
– Meet at Bali airport early in the morning for your flight to Borneo in the company of your SeaTrek guide, and be escorted to your river boat to start your journey.
– Cruise past the stilted and floating houses of the and continue upstream along the forest lined river, passing local villages along the way and catching glimpses of wildlife in the canopy.
– Visit a local village to visit the local library foundation, before continuing upstream to a beautiful black water lake system, where we take canoes out at sunset. Later we find a quiet location to anchor overnight.
Day 2
This morning we will fly to Palangkaraya,
– The boat moves upriver as you enjoy breakfast to a pre-release island operated by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS). We take a motorised canoe to observe the orangutans and later continue to the BOS Education Centre where orangutans are awaiting release in socialisation cages and we can learn about the BOS history and rehabilitation programs.
– Over lunch we cruise upstream passing more orangutan pre-release islands, where we can see the great apes in their natural environment. Here we transfer to small canoes to have closer observation of the orangutans before heading for a refreshing swim in the black water lake.
Day 3
The boat moves up the Rungan River as we enjoy breakfast.
– Early in the morning we travel by car to visit a local Dayak to see the cultural spirit houses and learn about their ancient forest culture. We are met by the village elder with Dayak Ngaju welcoming ceremony then stroll around with him to see the village home gardens, rubber field & rubber tapping demonstration, and other village livelihoods.
– Visit to the elder’s house and enjoy the traditional spices coffee while sharing stories, before returning to the boat for lunch as we cruise downstream through the forest, relaxing and looking out for wildlife along the way.
Day 4
there will be the option for canoeing to Lake Tahai for bird watching,
– After breakfast, the boat cruises to a local village where we disembark for the short trip to a Dayak village, where we see the ancient Dayak painted sandungs and watch a traditional dance.
– We head back to the boat boat for the final cruise to Palangkaraya, where we will check out and head to the airport for our flight to Bali.
– Upon arrival in Bali, you will be escorted to your hotel for the night.
Day 5
After your breakfast in a hotel, depart with your fellow ship mates for a day exploration of beautiful East Bali
– After breakfast in the hotel where you meet your fellow guests, experience the best that Bali can offer with a tour of East Bali with its deep culture and glorious landscapes. Visit water palaces, ancient villages, see lush rice terraces and jungles and the islands volcanic peaks, and dine on some of Bali’s freshest and most delicious traditional cuisine.
– In the late afternoon you will arrive at your beachside resort in East Bali and have a chance to unwind, swim, or have a snorkelling lesson with your tour guide. In the evening join all your fellow guests for a welcome dinner and drinks in the hotel’s beachside restaurant.
– Sleep in the shadow of Bali’s active volcano Mt Agung, the mother mountain of all Balinese people, and the most imposing figure on the whole landscape of Bali.
Day 6
Upon waking, your boat will be anchored and waiting for us just off shore
– Watch a spectacular sunrise from the beach in front of your resort as hundreds of small traditional ‘jukung’ fishing boats return from their overnight expeditions, as your SeaTrek boat comes into view.
– Sail across the Wallace Line, the deep-sea boundary that represents the biogeographical separation point between Asia and Australia, where the landscapes, animals and plant life separate into distinctly different groups.
– Snorkel the magnificent coral gardens of the Gili Islands off the northwest corner of Lombok.
Day 7
Moored off the coast of Northeast Lombok
– Wake up off the coast of Kenawa Island under the gaze of Lombok’s towering Mt Rinjani, the largest volcanic peak in Indonesia, and spend the morning swimming, snorkelling and exploring.
– Visit a village of the famous Bajao ‘Sea Gypsies’ of Southeast Asia, and wee how they live their lives so close to, on and in the water.
Day 8
This morning we will moor off Labuan Aji village on the island of Moyo
– Wake up early in Saleh Bay, where we will hopefully swim with a group of whale sharks that congregate off the local people’s fishing platforms that sit in the bay.
– Swim, snorkel, kayak and paddle board in a deep lake on a volcanic island lake on Satonda Island, whose caldera filled by water from a tsunami caused by a massive volcanic event from the nearby Tambora Volcano, which in 1815 was the largest eruption in recorded history.
– Drink sunset cocktails as we float on the current while tens of thousands of giant fruit bats emerge from their forest lair and fly out directly over the boat on their nightly foraging missions.
Day 9
We will wake up off the coast of Pulau Sangean
– Step ashore on an active, smoking volcanic island, where local villagers are in the process of building a fifty-plus metre, traditional wooden pinisi boat, with the same pedigree and history of SeaTrek’s very own ships. Walking around this small village, get a feel for their simple way of life, chat with the locals and maybe buy some handmade textiles as a momento.
– Snorkel on a colourful and vibrant coral reef above small geothermal fissures where air bubbles are released from the volcanic chambers below the seabed.
– After a few hours under sail, spend the afternoon time on a deserted white sand beach on another volcanic island, this time an extinct one. Explore the magnificent coral gardens, hike to the crest of the surrounding hills for a view of the surrounding islands, swim, paddle, kayak and laze away the day before enjoying sunset cocktails on the sand.
Day 10
When we wake up, the boat will be anchored off the famous Komodo Island
– Wake up in the most northerly part of the Komodo National Park and enjoy a morning of sea-based activities including a fantastic drift snorkel over the reef, kayaking and SUP at Gili Lawa Darat island.
– Swim with schools of manta rays as they feed on the current and circle the so-called cleaning stations, where small fish remove parasites from their skin. Hover above these giant and noble beasts for as long as you like.
– Spend the late afternoon on a local sandbar, where we will enjoy snorkelling, swimming and relaxing on the sand
Day 11
Today we will visit the ranger station of Loh Buaya on Rinca Island
– Visit Rinca Island and go on a trek in search of the ancient Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard. See monkeys, dear, pigs, buffalo, and myriad birds as we walk through the forests and savannahs of this large island.
– Snorkel at Saba Island, a favourite hangout of sea turtles, where we will have a chance to swim with these gentle creatures as the cruise along the shallow water of the reef.
– Enjoy Indonesian hospitality as your crew host a beach barbeque in your honour on a deserted island. On offer is plenty of good food, music, cocktails dancing and frivolity as we dance and sing the night away next to a bonfire under a clear tropical night sky.
Day 12
After breakfast in Labuan Bajo
– Cruise into harbour as we eat our last breakfast on the boat, before taking a short drive to a traditional local village. Here we will enjoy their hospitality with coffee, betel nut and a highly potent local ‘arak’ before (not for the faint hearted), before being be treated to a selection of traditional dances by their men and women.
– Enjoy a final lunch on the boat before being escorted to the airport for your onward flight to Bali.