Dances, Dragons & Magical Lakes: Komodo to Bali
Aboard Katharina or Ombak Putih
April – September 2020
April – August 2021

Overview:

Immerse yourself in the Komodo National Park and Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands from an intimate perspective, cruising through a panorama of islands and encountering new wonders on a daily basis. This adventurous, eight-day inclusive voyage of discovery aboard the 24-passenger Ombak Putih or the 12-passenger Katharina offers a cross-section of remote beaches, quiet coastal villages, jungle-clad mountain ranges, towering volcanoes, rivers, waterfalls, tribal rituals, a mysterious lake, and the legendary Komodo Dragons. As always, there will be ample opportunity to snorkel and view the kaleidoscopic beauty of the underwater world. Unlimited use of the stand-up paddleboards and sea kayaks onboard will add yet another dimension to your nature explorations.

Brief Itinerary:
Day 1: Sanur (Bali) to Labuan Bajo
Day 2: Labuan Bajo / Melo / Embark Ship / Komodo
Day 3: Rinca Island / Siaba Island
Day 4: Komodo Island / Makassar Reef / Vili Lawa Darat
Day 5: Banta Island / Pulau Sangean / Satonda Island
Day 6: Satonda Island / Moyo Island / Lombok
Day 7: North Lombok / Senaru Village / Gili Sulat
Day 8: Amuk Bay / Disembark Boat

Interested in more information? Please contact Expedition Easy by calling 1-800-617-2319 or click here to e-mail the Expedition Easy Team.

Dances, Dragons & Magical Lakes: Komodo to Bali
Aboard Katharina or Ombak Putih
April – September 2020
April – August 2021

 

Day-by-day Itinerary:

DAY 1 – Sanur (Bali) to Labuan Bajo
After flying from Bali in the early afternoon, you will be transported to a beachside resort just outside of the port town of Labuan Bajo, the gateway to the Komodo National Park. You will have the afternoon free to relax and unwind with a swim or a snorkel, or even a walk around the town. It’s also an opportunity for those unfamiliar with snorkeling to have a lesson with our tour leader. In the evening, we will enjoy sunset drinks on the beach before dinner with your fellow guests as you get better acquainted for the voyage ahead.

DAY 2 – Labuan Bajo / Melo / Embark Ship / Komodo
After breakfast at the resort, at about 9am we will leave the resort for a trip to the village of Melo. Here, local ‘strongmen’ will perform the ‘Caci,’ a ritual whip-fight between two rivals in which the players, each armed with a rattan shield and a whip, will try to hit each other while dancing to the rhythm of traditional acoustic instruments. The men of Western Flores are famous for this test of daring and skill, requiring lightning quick moves to dodge the infliction of a wound. The winner is loudly applauded and cheered by the village. Besides this, the cultural group will also showcase other traditional dances. After our visit to Melo we will return to Labuan Bajo where you will get your first glimpse of your splendid pinisi boat. We will have plenty of time to settle in and get acquainted with the crew and fellow passengers as we cruise to the island of Kelor. Once there, we can enjoy a swim or a snorkel, kayak, or have a little bit of fun on a paddleboard. We will also have the option of visiting the adjacent island of Kukusan where we will meet a settlement of ‘sea-gypsies,’ the Bajao people who build their homes on stilts over the sea. At around sunset we will be able to witness the departure of thousands of flying foxes departing their roosts to feed, and later that evening we will cruise to Komodo dragon country.

DAY 3 – Rinca Island / Siaba Island
Today we will visit the ranger station of Loh Buaya on Rinca Island where we will have a ranger-led nature trek in search of Komodo dragons, which are indigenous to this small group of islands. Rinca is also well known for its diverse wildlife, so we may spot monkeys, wild buffaloes and deer as well. From the top of the hills along the walks, the scenery is breathtaking. In the afternoon, we can go snorkeling in the rich waters of Siaba Island and then later we will head to the gorgeous Pantai Merah ‘red-beach,’ which takes its name from the particles of red coral mingled with the sand. Here we will swim and snorkel, relishing the unforgettable spectacle of the region’s many varieties of coral and marine life. With over 1000 species of fish in the waters of the national park, there is much more to this wildlife reserve than just dragons.

DAY 4 – Komodo Island / Makassar Reef / Vili Lawa Darat
When we wake up, the boat will be anchored off the famous Komodo Island, one of approximately 80 islands that make up the Komodo National Park. We will go ashore at the ranger station in Loh Liang for an early morning ranger-led trek through the park searching for Komodo dragons. In this savannah-like setting of dry, rugged landscape, we will encounter, at a safe distance, these awe-inspiring, giant lizards – Indonesia’s living dinosaurs. We may spot deer, wild boar, sulphur-crested cockatoos, butterflies, rare orchids, and jungle chickens among the strangle-fig trees and the distinctive lontar palms. During lunch, we will head to Makassar Reef, where we will look for manta rays, and if we are lucky enough to spot them we will go snorkeling with these gentle giants. We will then head to Gili Lawa Darat for some snorkeling and a hill climb to watch a magical sunset, then will get our toes in the sand for a beach barbeque. With a raging bonfire, great food, dancing and the crew singing and playing guitars, this celebration under the stars is a quintessential SeaTrek experience.

DAY 5 – Banta Island / Pulau Sangean / Satonda Island
We will wake up off the coast of Banta Island with its pinkish-white sand beach. We will go ashore and enjoy a morning of swimming, snorkeling and hill climbing for the fit. After lunch on the boat, we will then proceed to Pulau Sangean, an active volcano that towers 1,800 metres above sea level. We will go ashore to a small and very simple village, which, because of the active nature of the volcano, is only inhabited for short periods during the year when the local people come to tend their crops and small herds of buffaloes. Luckily for us, the local community of boatbuilders on the mainland has started construction of a brand new and very large pinisi boat on the beach at Sangean village. We will have the opportunity to see the process that built both the Ombak Putin and Katharina in action; truly an impressive sight and a marvel of engineering. We will snorkel on both a nearby reef and maybe a location on the north of the island where volcanic gasses escape in the form of bubbles from the sea floor among the corals, a most interesting sight. At sunset we will head for Satonda Island.

DAY 6 – Satonda Island / Moyo Island / Lombok
Today we reach the strange and mystical volcanic island of Satonda with its beautiful coral gardens along the coastline. Satonda has a sunken crater lake in its centre that was filled with saltwater when the nearby Mt Tambora erupted in 1815, causing a tsunami that flowed into the crater. The eruption was the biggest volcanic explosion in the collective memory of mankind; it had roughly four times the energy of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, and gave rise to the ‘year without a summer’ because of the effect on North American and European weather. Local people believe Satonda to be magical, and with this in mind, we will walk to the lip of the caldera to view the mysterious lake, alongside which are trees believed to be ‘wishing trees.’ Visitors to the island tie a small stone to a tree and make a wish. If your wish comes true, you are bound to return to the island to offer thanks. From Satonda we will cruise to the island of Moyo where we will moor off Labuan Aji village and walk to Diwu Mba’i waterfall. Here, we can swing on a rope and jump into the deep clear river pool below, or simply bathe in the refreshing cool water. Returning to the sea, we will find time for snorkeling on the reef, and later relax under the stars aboard the Ombak Putih as we will continue our westward voyage to Lombok.

DAY 7 – North Lombok / Senaru Village / Gili Sulat
Moored off the coast of North Lombok, we will have breakfast and then go ashore and then head off by bus or car into the interior of the northern side of the island to the traditional village of Senaru. Here, we will be taken on a tour, by one of the local women-guides, of the simple thatched houses and gardens of fruits and spices, which will give us an insight into the culture of the indigenous Sasak people. Our mellow adventure will then lead us down a well-trodden flight of steps through the tropical forest to Sindang Gila, a roaring 40-metre tiered waterfall. The small gravel beach and flat rocks at the base of the falls are a meeting place for the local people, and if we want we can take a dip under the full force of the intense flow. Our walk will continue alongside an old irrigation canal offering panoramic vistas of rice fields stretching towards the sea. The area around Senaru and Bayan was the birthplace of Lombok’s unique Wektu Telu belief system in which ancient animist practices are combined with Islam. If we have time, we will visit Bayan Beleq, a grass-roofed mosque with woven bamboo walls. Said to have been founded in the 16th century, this is the oldest mosque in Lombok. We may also see some weavers and spinners demonstrating their age-old skills. After lunch we will snorkel on nearby Gili Sulat before heading of in the direction of Bali. Tonight, under s starry sky we will have a last night party with the crew on board.

DAY 8 – Amuk Bay / Disembark Boat
We will wake up off the coast of east Bali under the majestic gaze of Mt Agung, Bali’s mother mountain. Here we will go for a final snorkel and swim before heading south along the coast to our disembarkation point of Amuk Bay. Here we say farewell to our crew and will join a bus for the 90-minute trip back to south Bali.

*Please note: This itinerary is subject to change. In the spirit of expedition travel, plans may change slightly to take full advantage of encounters with the destination and its people, culture, and wildlife.
Seatrek-SD2019

Dances, Dragons & Magical Lakes: Komodo to Bali
Aboard Katharina or Ombak Putih
April – September 2020
April – August 2021

Vessel:

The Katharina

The Katharina is a traditional Indonesian pinisi, built in 1995 in Kalimantan using only the very best grades of ironwood. Her slim hull was originally being planned for commercial sailing carrying freight before we spotted her in the making. We bought her and fitted her out as a cruising vessel, and then again in January 2014, the Katharina was the subject of a major interior refit. Working with the unique heritage this vessel represents, her transformation is a conservation exercise back to authenticity, using only the best traditional materials, shaped by highly skilled Indonesian craftsmen. Yet, what goes on behind the scenes is the use of the most up-to-date technology and she is now equipped with a super yacht grade AC station and we are optimizing our systems to the latest safety standards.

Not only is the Katharina very elegant on the water, she is also fast becoming a classic yacht, as very few of these original designs remain. Katharina’s overall length is 40 metres, providing comfortable accommodation for up to 14 guests in six cabins located below decks. All cabins offer creature comforts and necessary amenities including double beds or twins, private en-suite bathrooms, natural light, safety boxes, individually controlled air-conditioning and storage space
including a safe.

Led by Captain Iwan, the Katharina is catered to by an all-Indonesian crew of 12, with each member dedicated to making your stay aboard truly memorable.

Services Profile
• Spacious twin-share cabins with twin bunks or double beds
• Each cabin has a private bathroom with toilet and hot shower
• Washbasin and toiletries provided in your cabin
• Each cabin has individually controlled air conditioning
• Towels and beach towels provided and regularly changed
• Each cabin has a mini safe for valuables and travel documents
• Free tea, soft drinks, juices, coffee and mineral water
• Excellent food and snacks (vegetarian and special menus on request)
• Fine selection of wines, beer and spirits for sale
• Professional cruise directors
• Outdoor sleeping facilities
• Complimentary snorkeling equipment and two sea canoes (add SUP)
• Television, DVD and music centre in lounge
• Dining in spacious air conditioned lounge
• Teak wooden furniture in lounge, cabins and on deck
• Spacious sun and semi-covered decks

Ombak Putih

Led by Captain Agung, with a crew of 14, Ombak Putih means ‘White Wave’ in the Indonesian language. Her keel was first laid down in Kalimantan in 1995, and she became operational in 1997. At 42 metres long, she is the larger of our two ships, providing accommodation for up to 24 guests in 12 comfortable cabins. Approximately 400 square metres of public space is divided over her two main decks, including a large salon, as well as covered and open areas, allowing plenty of room for our guests to spread out, relax, and enjoy as much company or solitude as they wish.

SLEEPING CONFIGURATION

6 x double bed cabins

2 x triple cabins (one double bed & one upper single bunk – bunk ideally suitable for child 12 or under)

4 x twin bunk cabins (one above the other)

Dances, Dragons & Magical Lakes: Komodo to Bali
Aboard Katharina or Ombak Putih
April – September 2020
April – August 2021

Rates:

April – September, 2020
Approx $3,280.00 per person sharing

April – August, 2021
Approx $3,610.00 per person sharing

Rates are based on per person sharing and are approximate until the time of booking. Rates are quoted in USD and subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances beyond our control; i.e. fuel increases, currency fluctuations, etc.

Flights:

International Air Not Included.
Note: ‘Dances, Dragons and Magical Lakes: Komodo to Bali travels inbound from Flores to Bali; guests fly to Flores from to meet the ship. The airfare is not included in the cruise price.

Rates are approximate until the time of booking. Please note rates are subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances beyond our control; i.e. fuel increases, currency fluctuations, etc. Airfare prices are subject to change until booked and ticketed

Included:

– All meals during the cruise
– Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks, Mineral Water
– Excursions listed in the itinerary
– Park Fees
– Towels, Use of Snorkeling gear, stand-up paddles, sea canoes and all water sports equipment
– European or multilingual tour guide
– Transfer to and from the ship in all harbours (except Bali)
– Transfers to and from the ship in Bali will be in our meeting point: Café Batu Jimbar

Not Included:

– Domestic Airfares
– Alcoholic beverages
– Gratuities
– Travel & Health Insurance
– Passport & Visa Fees
– Travel medications and vaccinations
– personal items such as souvenirs
– All other items not indicated as included in the itinerary

Deposit & Payments

A completed & signed Expedition Easy Reservation Form, along with your 25% trip deposit and full regional and/or domestic air payment (if applicable) is required at the time of booking.

Reservations

This itinerary is subject to the availability of all services at the time of making a reservation. No space is being held at this time. Please contact Expedition Easy for the full terms and conditions that apply. We are happy to answer questions and discuss your trip.

To reserve space on a trip on the Expedition Easy website, please contact Expedition Easy by calling 1-800-617-2319 or click here to e-mail the Expedition Easy Team.


Multiple departures April - September, 2020 & April - August, 2021

Contact Expedition Easy with preferred dates of travel