The remote Eastern Indonesian islands are, in their great majority, only accessible by sea and the lack of regular shipping routes prevents the ordinary traveler from visiting them. Our cruises are a privileged way of discovering Eastern Indonesia. We use our own sailing vessels, wooden schooners recently built in the tradition of Indonesian Phinisi boats. Reasonably sized and easy to handle in high as well as low waters, they are able to reach any tiny island we’d like to set foot on.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1 - Flight Ambon-Kei, dep.07:00 arr.09:05*. Transfer from Langgur airport to the harbour of Tual, embarkation on board of the Katharina. We settle in and in the evening we will explore Tual, the capital of Kei.
Day 2 - Early morning we’ll depart from Tual harbour and make a first stop at Kei Besar where we will explore coastal villages, snorkel or make a trekking into the local forest. Afternoon onward sailing to the mainland of Irian Jaya.
Day 3 - Arrival at the Nautilus Strait, between Pulau Adi and the mainland of Irian Jaya. We will stop at the Giti Giti waterfall running from the mountains into the sea. From here we will cross to the island of Namatote where we will search for some cliff painting – glyphs and pictorial-signs - left by ancient inhabitants high on the cliff galleries. Watch for whales as the area is a known breeding ground.
Day 4 - Today we will sail into the narrow bay of Triton, one of the natural wonders of Irian Jaya. We will be surrounded by small eroded rocks mushrooming from the sea. Like flying saucers landed from outer space. We will explore the vicinity at closer range from our tender.
Day 5/Day 6 - During these two days we will explore the virginal coastal areas and bays east of Triton. Here Westerners rarely ever set foot ashore and this day will be surely full of interesting surprises. Late afternoon we will depart for our crossing to Agats, the main village of the Asmat area.
Day 7 - This entire day we will sail along the swampy coast of Irian Jaya. When winds are favorable, we will hoist the sails and share the experience of Sir Alfred Wallace who described Phinisi vessels as “more comfortable than the modern day steamers” during his Odysseys through the “Malay Archipelago” (1854-1862).
Day 8/Day 9 - Early morning arrival at the coastal area in front of Agats. The distance from the shore will vary in conjunction with the tide from 1 mile to 7. Today and the next day will be filled with ceremonial welcome rituals meticulously and over many days prepared by the Asmat population in anticipation of our arrival. The Katharina will be surrounded by an armada of war-canoes, the air will be filled with shrieking and shouting of the tribal people expressing their joy with our coming. This and other rituals will be carried out in line with the local adat so as to not disturb the balance between the living and the deceased, between gods and men. Late afternoon of day 9 we will set sail for our final journey to Timika.
Day 10 - Spare day to be taken up along the route in response to spontaneously emerging conditions.
Day 11 - Arrival in Timika, disembarkation and transfer to Hotel Sheraton where we will spend our last night before turning back to civilization.
Day 12 - End of cruise trip. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Bali or Jakarta.
*Due to the early departure of this flight, one night overstay in Ambon must be taken into account. Domestic flights and accommodation may be booked through our office.
NOTE: Participants are informed that itinerary and program of our sea voyages occasionally may be modified due to factors beyond our control: unfavorable weather conditions, delay in processing harbor clearances, modified schedules of domestic flights. The cruise director and captain of the Katharina will adjust the program accordingly to the best interest of all.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 3 quality meals per day, coffee, tea, snacks, soft drinks, wine at dinner;
- Laundry services;
- Use of snorkeling gear;
- Inland excursions (programmed tours);
- experienced English-speaking Cruise Director;
- Transfer airport-harbour (v.v.).
Price does not include:
- Domestic airfares;
- Personal insurances;
- Alcoholic beverages & gratuities.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Indonesia
Boating and Sailing
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