During this journey of a lifetime you will be perplexed by the astonishing ingenuity and seemingly unlimited creativity in how humans survive, socialize and rejoice. A world where time is of no essence and attention for daily worries and pleasure is paramount. Nature will reveal itself in its most breathtaking form in the Triton bay crowded with extraterrestrial formations and the Kiti - Kiti waterfall thundering from steep cliffs straight down into the sea. Cultural highlight will be the display of Papua culture by the Asmat, where hundreds of warriors brandishing spears and shrieking in ecstasy will surround the Katharina to dispel the demons we carried from overseas. Experience how wonder and relaxation can change your life in a world without CNN, traffic jams and computer-screens.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 0: Prior to the cruise flight Denpasar-Ambon (via Makassar). Transfer to hotel Ambon Manise where we will spend one night. After check in visit of Siwa Lima Museum in the hills outside Ambon City where we can study the history and culture of the Mollucas.
Day 1: Flight Ambon-Kei, dep.07:00 arr.09:05*. Transfer from Langgur, airport of Tual to the Harbour, embarkation on board of the Katharina. After settling in and short exploration of the city of Tual we will set sail to Kei Besar.
Day 2: Arrival 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 Kiti - kiti 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.
Days 5 & 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 favourable, 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).
Days 8 & 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: Early morning arrival in Timika. Disembarkation and transfer to Timika airport from where we will have our return flight to Bali at 11.25, arrival in Denpasar at 13.50.
* 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: flight times are subject to changes
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 service
- Use of snorkeling gear, use of sea kayaks
- Inland Excursions (programmed tour)
- Experienced English-speaking Cruise Director
- Transfer airport-harbor (v.v).
Price Excludes:
- Domestic airfares
- Personal insurances
- Alcoholic beverages & gratuities.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Indonesia
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Boating and Sailing
Cultural Journey
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