Set sail to seas holding a wealth of treasures and secrets, just waiting to be discovered. Isolated island cultures, almost untouched by the passing of time offer a glimpse of an unique and fascinating world while providing ample opportunities to collect artifacts and handicrafts unavailable elsewhere in the world.
We offer extended eight-day voyages of discovery from November through April Bali to Komodo Island to Flores or southeast via Sumba and Sawu to Flores.
Each of the islands you will visit has its own special sights. The great stone-slab tombs and indigenous villages of Sumba, the animistic beliefs on Sawu, the intricate ikat weaving of Sumba and Flores, the brilliantly colored lakes of Kelimutu in Flores, and the huge monitor dragons of Komodo rate as some of the finest attractions in South East Asia!
Journeys along the 
such cultural and natural diversity: towering active volcanoes, jungle-clad mountain ranges, and dry savannah, teeming with wildlife, quiet coastal villages, emerald seas, megalithic cultures, colorful market places, tribal rituals and architecture, not to mention a world of kaleidoscopic beauty under water.
This cruise will cover twice the Komodo area for snorkeling, beach combing and hiking through one of the most beautiful National Parks of Indonesia.
The Flores Highlands will be an opportunity to hike to some remote villages and witness the long-winding process of ikat weaving, practiced amid unsurpassed scenery of gigantic volcanoes, bamboo forests and intriguingly coloured crater lakes.
10 Days/9 Nights, BALI-FLORES-BALI 2008
Day 1
08.30 a.m. transfer from Sanur, south Bali to Amed, north-east Bali (2 hrs). Upon arrival in Amed we board the ‘Katharina’, settle in and sail to Gili Trawangan for swimming, snorkeling, diving (optional)* and beach-combing. Late afternoon onward sailing to Sumbawa.
Day 2
Arriving at Sumbawa this morning we disembark and explore the town of Sumbawa Besar on the west-side of the island. We visit the Sultan’s Palace, a raised wooden building built on the site of three former palaces, the pasar and a traditional Sumbawanese village. After lunch we sail to the southern tip of the Island of Moyo where we will spend a few hours relaxing swimming and snorkeling. Night sailing to east-Sumbawa.
Day 3
We will arrive in the morning in the village of Wera, at the east coast of the island of Sumbawa.
Wera is a Buginese settlement and famous for its boatbuilding.
We will see the manufacturing of all kinds of craft in various stages of construction, much the way the Katharina was built in 1998.
Midday sail toward Sangean Island, an active volcano towering 1800 meters above the surrounding waters. We will have a short afternoon stop to visit the tiny settlement on the island
and swim in crystal-clear waters. Night-sailing to Rinca.
Day 4
Rinca Island, the second biggest in the Komodo Archipelago, is also the richest in terms of fanuna. We will go hiking and looking for wild horses, water buffalo, wild boar, monkeys, and of course the famous "Komodo dragons" in spectacular scenery of savannah and emerald coves. Around noon sail to Sabalon, a famous reef with a huge variety of live coral and beautiful fish. Snorkeling, diving (optional)*, beach-exploration. in the afternoon proceed to the Riung Archipelago, north of Flores.
Day 5
In the morning arrival at Riung, a small archipelago of 17 islets, just north of the coast of Flores. Snorkeling, relaxing, beach-combing, climbing one of the summits for enjoying the panorama over the sea and Flores. In the afternoon proceed to Ropa, a small harbour at the coast of Flores.
Day 6
Early morning arrival in Ropa from where we will go by bus to the Kelimutu volcano, famous for its three coloured lakes. Experience the spooky atmosphere surrounding this natural phenomenon, unique in the world. Upon returning aboard the Katharina onward sailing to Labuhanbajo, at the westernmost point of Flores.
Day 7
Early morning, if winds allow, the crew of the Katharina will hoist the sails and show their skills in traditional Pinisi-sailing, a.o. by using the two side-rudders alternatingly.
Late morning arrival in Labuhanbajo, at the westernmost point of Flores. Here we will make a tour to a nearby village where we will attend the so-called caci (whip)dance for which the Manggarai district of Flores enjoys national fame. Midday sail to red beach, another breathtaking desert island where the beaches are red-coloured by pulverized red coral. Barbecue at the beach under the milky way, lit by the moon and the bonfire.
Day 8
Morning arrival at Komodo Island proper. Another opportunity to catch a glimpse of or even stumble over, the last representative of the Jurassic Park on earth, the infamous Komodo Lizard. In the afternoon visit of Lawa Darat to climb the local summit and enjoy a splendid panorama over the moon-scape islands of the Komodo Archipelago and the mainland of Flores. Late afternoon setting sail, heading west.
Day 9
Around noon arrival at the tiny island of Satonda, the top of an extinct volcano. We will visit the crater lake in the centre of the island, where we may meet colonies of flying foxes after a short walk. An afternoon of relaxation on the beautifully wild beach of Satonda and of lazy floating on the gentle currents over a stunning reefdrop just off the coastline. If time allows from Satonda we proceed to the Island of Moyo for a hike to an exquisite three-tiered where we will take a refreshing bath in the pool down below the waterfall. Late afternoon onward sailing 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.
* Opportunity for optional diving; to be booked in advance
NOTICE
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.
Price Per Pax :
Low Season : USD 2275
High Season : USD 2475
Program or dates do not fit ?
You are interested in one of the cruise itineraries, but no departing cruise corresponds to this particular itinerary or the dates of the departing cruises don't fit in with your time-schedule, then.
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