Welcome to your Indonesian expedition—where ancient volcanoes meet gentle giants of the sea, and every day brings encounters with wildlife and cultures shaped by fire and water.
Over the next 12 days, you’ll journey by traditional klotok boats to witness endangered orangutans at Camp Leakey, walk across Mount Bromo’s otherworldly “sea of sand,” and swim alongside magnificent whale sharks in Saleh Bay’s pristine waters. This isn’t passive observation of nature —you’ll experience first-hand, traditional buffalo races staged in your honour and explore prehistoric landscapes where Komodo dragons roam free.
Each morning brings new adventures shaped by Indonesia’s extraordinary diversity. You’ll navigate between 17,000 islands spanning dramatic geological contrasts, from Borneo’s pristine rainforests to Java’s active volcanic peaks. Walk among living dinosaurs on remote islands, and join village celebrations where ancient customs blend with Islamic and Hindu influences.
From tracking proboscis monkeys through Tanjung Puting’s Sekonyer River to snorkelling coral-tinted sands at Pink Beach, every experience connects you with environments few traveller’s witness. Our small expedition community of just 30 guests ensures intimate wildlife encounters and authentic cultural exchanges, as well as opportunities for snorkelling rich areas of marine wildlife.
This is expedition travel where geological forces meet biological wonders: immediate, educational, and utterly extraordinary. Your Indonesian adventure begins the moment you board Paspaley Pearl.
Day-by-Day Adventures
Bali
- Cultural Gateway to the Indonesian Archipelago
Board Paspaley Pearl this afternoon in Bali, where Hindu traditions create a distinctive cultural landscape evident in daily offerings adorning streets and temples. Our crew will welcome you aboard with refreshing cocktails, before setting sail through the harbour past traditional fishing communities. Tonight, join our expedition team for briefings about the remarkable volcanic landscapes and diverse cultures we’ll encounter across Indonesia’s vast archipelago.
DAY 1
Sumenep, Madura
- The Soul of Madura's Architectural Treasures
Explore architectural treasures reflecting Chinese, Arab, and European influences in “the Soul of Madura,” discovering the homeland of Indonesia’s third-largest ethnic group. Walk through multicultural heritage sites while learning how this region’s Majapahit Empire connections influenced the colours of Indonesia’s national flag.
DAY 2
At Sea
- Crossing to Borneo's Pristine Wilderness
Connect with expedition community during our crossing toward Borneo as naturalists prepare you for extraordinary wildlife encounters. Learn about orangutan conservation, proboscis monkey behaviour, and remarkable “bird lakes” while understanding Dr. Biruté Galdikas’ revolutionary primate research at the world-renowned Camp Leakey conservation centre.
DAY 3
Camp Leakey & Tanjung Puting National Park
- Orangutan Encounters
Journey by traditional klotok boats through pristine rivers to witness endangered orangutans during feeding times. Walk rainforest boardwalks where proboscis monkeys display distinctive features while over 220 bird species create forest symphonies, exploring unique “black rivers” serving as vital waterbird rookeries.
DAY 4
At Sea
- Volcanic Landscapes Ahead
Reflect on primate encounters while expedition team prepares you for Indonesia’s dramatic volcanic landscapes. Join enrichment sessions about geological forces creating these islands, learning about Mount Bromo’s active crater and the indigenous Tengger community’s spiritual connections to volcanic environments.
DAY 5
Probolinggo (Mount Bromo)
- Walking on the Moon
Journey by 4WD across Mount Bromo’s spectacular “sea of sand” to walk crater rims of this active volcano named after Brahma. Watch the changing light transform the 10-kilometre Tengger caldera while learning how indigenous communities maintain sacred traditions including casting offerings into active craters.
DAY 6
At Sea
- Marine Conservation and Traditional Fishing
Join enrichment sessions about marine conservation and traditional fishing practices preparing for extraordinary marine encounters ahead. Learn about whale shark behaviour, traditional ‘bagan’ fishing platforms, and conservation efforts while scanning waters for wildlife during our approach to Sumbawa.
DAY 7
Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
- Swimming with Gentle Giants
Experience intimate encounters with magnificent whale sharks around traditional floating fishing platforms called ‘bagans’. Swim in crystal-clear waters alongside gentle giants reaching over 12 meters in length, known locally as ‘gurano bintang’, while supporting sustainable eco-tourism initiatives protecting these remarkable creatures.
DAY 8
Komodo National Park
- Land of the Dragons
Enter this UNESCO World Heritage Site where world’s largest lizards roam free. Join park rangers for guided walks through savanna grasslands searching for Komodo dragons growing over 3 meters long, exploring dramatic landscapes while learning about conservation efforts protecting these prehistoric predators.
DAY 9
Komodo National Park
- Pink Sands and Vibrant Reefs
Visit Pink Beach—one of only seven such coloured beaches worldwide—and snorkel vibrant coral reefs teeming with over 1,000 fish species. Continue dragon tracking while understanding how this Wallacea ecoregion location creates remarkable combinations of Australian and Asian fauna through evolutionary isolation.
DAY 10
Badas, Sumbawa
- Traditional Buffalo Racing Spectacle
Witness traditional buffalo races (Barapan Kebo) staged specially in your honour, where decorated buffalo pairs thunder across muddy fields while riders balance on wooden ploughs. Experience ceremonial events rooted in ancient agricultural traditions while observing traditional rice pounding and weaving demonstrations.
DAY 11
Bali
- Journey's End with Lasting Memories
Return carrying memories of Indonesia’s extraordinary diversity from swimming with whale sharks to witnessing endangered orangutans, walking active volcanoes to encountering living dragons. Final opportunities exploring Bali’s artistic traditions provide perfect conclusions to your remarkable journey through one of Earth’s most biodiverse regions.
DAY 12
Departure dates
Ocean Double/Single Stateroom
$19,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$20,495
Ocean Stateroom
$21,995
Horizon Suite
$27,495
Pearl Suite
$32,995
Prices are in AUD$ per person based on twin share. Single supplement pricing is available on application. *Sole occupancy of stateroom #107 attracts no single surcharge.
Ocean Double/Single Stateroom
$19,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$20,495
Ocean Stateroom
$21,995
Horizon Suite
$27,495
Pearl Suite
$32,995
Prices are in AUD$ per person based on twin share. Single supplement pricing is available on application. *Sole occupancy of stateroom #107 attracts no single surcharge.
Ocean Double/Single Stateroom
$19,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$20,495
Ocean Stateroom
$21,995
Horizon Suite
$27,495
Pearl Suite
$32,995
Prices are in AUD$ per person based on twin share. Single supplement pricing is available on application. *Sole occupancy of stateroom #107 attracts no single surcharge.
