The ethereal tones of the sasando, a 12-string lontar-leaf harp, evoking the nostalgia of the Portuguese era on the island of Roti. The beach of Sawu under the gracious feet of virgins dancing at a thanksgiving ceremony following harvest. The earth of Sumba being trampled by horses carrying ferocious warriors. This, plus a sure meeting with Jurassaic monsters in Komodo National Park, is the kind of experience this cruise to Indonesia prior to monotheism is made of. On board our traditional Phinisi, Katharina, where your sundowner will be served while you gaze in total relaxation at the Sea around you.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival by air in Kupang, West Timor. After our transfer from the airport to the harbour and embarkation aboard Katharina, we will set sail to the nearby island of Semau. Here we will have a stroll on the long white sandy beaches, do some snorkeling or hike to an inland village. Night sailing to the island of Roti.
Day 2: Arrive in Baa, the capital of Roti Island. Roti has been long under the influence of Portugal, which is demonstrated by the local handicraft. Here is your chance to buy silver ornaments, distinctive Rotinese ikats, and pinnacled hats plaited from lontar leaves. We may be entertained by music and dances produced by the sasando, a 12-string lontar-leaf harp originating from this tiny island. The music is reminiscent of the Fado music and the Saudade sentiments of Portugal. Evening sail to the island of Sawu. If time allow we will attend a music and dance performance.
Day 3: Arrive in Sepa Sepa, Savu. Here we may be greeted by ikat-clad tribesmen on horseback who might escort us to the sacred gathering place of the elders of Savu, which only a few outsiders are allowed to visit. We’ll ask for permission from the local elders to visit this place. The impressive circle of stones commands respect to the wise men which ensure the continuance of timeless adat traditions. The ikat of Savu are some of Nusa Tenggara’s finest and there will be opportunities to shop for them. Admire the female of Savu who are reputed in the whole archipelago for their beauty. We wander by foot or on horseback about the interior of Sawu, breathing the timeless atmosphere of the island, visited and admired by Captain Cook and his crew. Late afternoon we sail onward to either the island of Raijua or to Sumba.
If sea conditions allow, we make a stop in Raijua island; as everywhere in the Savu area, it is, for the casual visitor, a return to a strictly rural, animistic society, with all villages built and organised in a strictly traditional way, giving everyone a sense of being back in a sort of garden of Eden; expect Midday sail to uninhabited Dana island for a Robinson Crusoe experience and an beach BBQ in splendid isolation . If conditions do not permit we will sail onward straight to the island of Sumba.
Day 4: If Raijua was skipped we will arrive today in Waingapu, the capital of Sumba. After a short inspection of the bustling centre, we will make a bus ride (non-AC) to the traditional villages of Rende and Prailiu, where we will admire the intricate and long-winded art of ikat weaving. The local population is stark and dark and inspires a strong sensation of being half way Asia and Polynesia. Upon re-embarkation night sail along the north coast of Sumba to from Waingapu to Waikelo. West-Sumba.
Day 5: Arrival at Waikelo, West Sumba. Today we will visit by local bus (non-AC) some of the traditional villages of West Sumba, where time seems to have lost direction and life appears not to have changed for ages. We will admire the megaliths erected on ancestral tombs and will have time to shop for ikat weavings, the distinctive Sumba motifs stunning the modern visitor. Along the way we will find a place to picnic and eat our lunchbox prepared by the crew. Late afternoon re-embarkation aboard Katharina and departure heading north for the Komodo Archipelago. Where our forst stop will be on Rinca Island.
Day 6: Early morning we will trek on Rinca Island, the second largest island of the Park, offering a wider variety of wildlife than Komodo Island: wild horses & water buffalo, feral deer & boars, rare megapode birds, and of course the famous Komodo dragons. Rinca’s unsurpassed savanna scenery is accentuated by deep blue coves and inlets. At midday we’ll sail to Padar Island for an afternoon swim and snorkeling or a short trek up to the summit of the grassy hill for superb panoramas of the surrounding islands. In the evening, we’ll barbecue on a deserted beach under the star-spangled sky.
Day 7: Early morning another opportunity to spot the giant Komodo Lizard. After a short trek into the interior (45 min.) of Komodo island proper, we will almost stumble over the bloodthirsty creatures, who likely will cross our path. After this meeting we will do swimming and snorkeling over one of the best reefs of the area at the so-called ‘red beach’. Night sailing to Wera, east-Sumbawa.
Day 8: Arrival in Wera, a traditional east-Sumbawanese village famous for their boat-building We will see all kinds of craft in various stages of construction under the palm trees on the beach. The same way the Katharina was built in 1998. Around noon sailing to Sangeang Island, a volcano towering 1600 meter over the sea. After a short visit of the local village, where we will wonder how people manage to survive, we will head west to islands north of Sumbawa.
Day 9: Arrival at Satonda island, the tip of an ancient volcano; here we see the huge crater-lake just a few minutes from the beach. Reefs around the island are spectacular and mostly in pristine conditions, excellent for snorkelers. Before noon sailing to Moyo. Upon arrival at Moyo, we will hike through the monsoon forest to a lovely three-tiered waterfall for a dip or a swim in complete wilderness. Later afternoon onward to Lombok.
Day 10: Early morning arrival at the harbour of Lembar, southwest Lombok. From here we will make a tour over west-Lombok, visiting a few original Sasak villages where we will admire the local arts of pottery and hand weaving. Before noon we re-embark the Katharina to set sail to Serangan (turtle island). Serangan is connected with the mainland of Bali. Arrival in Serangan before sunset. End of the cruise and individual transfer to your hotel.
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 in 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, use of sea kayaks
- Inland excursions (programmed tours)
- Experienced English-speaking Cruise Director
- Transfer airport-harbour (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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