Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival from Denpasar by air in Labuhanbajo. Transfer from airport to the harbour, embarkation aboard the Katharina. Set sail to Bonerate.
Day 2: Arrival at Bonerate in the middle of the Flores Sea. Visit of the main village. Sandy streets, houses built on stilts in typical Makasserese style. On the beach construction of the elegant Lambo boats. After inspection of the village, swimming, snorkeling and lounging on the beaches at the northwest side of the island. Night sailing to Batuata Island, southwest Sulawesi.
Day 3: Arrival at Pulau Batuata, southwest Sulawesi. After setting foot ashore, we pay respect to the local Chief, ask for permission to go around and see the island. We visit the local school, hear the children singing the latest local hits, drink tea in the ‘cityhall’ and experience the remoteness of this place destitute from the comforts of modern life. In the evening we sail onward to the Tukang Besi archipelago, southeast Sulawesi.
Day 4: Arrival in the Tukang Besi archipelago, world famous for its pristine coral reefs which belong to the most diverse in Indonesia. For two days we will wander about this unique geographical area inhabited by a tribe of daring seafarers, shipbuilders and maritime traders.We will look for small coves and inlets, the best soft corals, meet fishermen, local blacksmiths (tukang besi = blacksmith), visit local markets and may come across the perfect location for a barbecue.
Day 5: Extension of Day 4. Late afternoon departure headed for Gunung Api.
Day 6: In the course of the day arrival at Gunung Api (fire mountain/volcano) in the middle of the Banda Sea. Here we hope to meet a mixed colony of seabirds, predominantly Frigate Birds and John-of-Gaunts. The Birds may carry out raids on the Katharina if they feel threatened in their habitat. In the evening onward sailing to the Lucipari archipelago.
Day 7: Arrival at the Lucipari archipelago, a volcanic outcrop in the north eastern part of the Banda Sea. As is the case with Gunung Api, no reports have come in from the Lipari since the late nineties when ornithologists mentioned colonies of migrating birds and groups of migrating fishermen. A destination of discovery in the true sense of the word!
Day 8: Spare day. Night sail to Banda
Day 9: Arrival in the Banda Archipelago, famous for its natural beauty and its cultural heritage from the time the Spice Islands were the target of the European colonizers. We will tie the bow to a palm-tree in the garden of a hacienda style hotel in Bandanaira the only (small) city of Banda. We will stroll through the city, visit old fortresses and admire the planters’ mansions from the old days.
Day 10: Today we will visit a few of the other islands of the archipelago, Ai, Revenge and Hatta and will see what remains of the ancient plantations, churches and cemeteries. We will breathe the atmosphere of the time that the Banda youth was sent to the most expensive boarding schools of Europe and dream about the splendid, but short-lived glory during this remarkable episode in world history.
Day 11: Leisure day. In the evening departure to the island of Saparua, east of Ambon.
Day 12: Arrival at Saparua, one of the former strongholds of the Dutch in colonial times. Fort Duurstede located in the heart of Saparua, one day in the early 19th century was conquered by Pattimura, one of the heroes of Indonesia. This story is told in the museum inside the fort in a realistic diorama. It is nice to tour the island with its tall clove trees and many sago palms. Sago once was the staple food on Saparua. On the market women in traditional dress still sago vreads.
Day 13: Today we may decide to stay another day in Saparua, go snorkeling and relaxing on a nearby beach or to sail onward to Haruku squeezed by the islands of Saparua and Ambon whee we may visit fishing villages and study the local economy. In the evening onward sailing to the bay of Ambon.
Day 14: Early morning arrival in Ambon bay. After a short sightseeing of the city of Ambon and a visit of Fort Victoria, another fort dating back to colonial days, we say farewell to the crew of the Katharina and catch our flight from Ambon to Makassar at 15:30 After changing planes in Makassar we will depart for Bali at 18.05. Arrival in Bali approx. 19.20.
Please: Flight times are subject to changes.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Haute cuisine meals
- All beverages except alcohol
- Use of snorkeling gear, sea kayaks
- All inland tours
- Local fees
- Services of English speaking Cruise Director
- Transfer airport-harbor v.v.
Price Excludes:
- Insurances
- Airfares
- Gratuities.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Indonesia
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Boating and Sailing
Cultural Journey
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