Welcome to your eastern Indonesia expedition—where traditional whaling villages meet prehistoric dragons, and every island reveals cultural traditions shaped by centuries of isolation and maritime heritage.
Over the next 11 days, you’ll witness water buffalo races staged in your honour, swim alongside gentle whale sharks in pristine bays, and walk cautiously among Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. This isn’t cultural observation—you’ll participate in traditional ikat weaving demonstrations, join village ceremonies unchanged for generations, and snorkel vibrant coral reefs where traditional fishing communities maintain sustainable practices passed through countless generations.
Each morning brings new discoveries across Indonesia’s eastern archipelago, where 24 pristine islands create marine sanctuaries and remote villages preserve distinctive traditions. You’ll explore traditional whaling communities demonstrating ancient seafaring skills, witness elaborate textile creation using natural dyes, and discover megalithic ceremonial sites where spiritual practices connect communities to ancestors spanning hundreds of years.
From walking among the world’s largest lizards to experiencing one of Earth’s last traditional whaling cultures, every encounter connects you with ways of life few travellers witness. Our small expedition community of just 30 guests ensures authentic cultural exchanges and intimate wildlife encounters, whether you’re learning traditional crafts from village artisans or sharing meals with families whose ancestors navigated these waters for millennia.
This is expedition travel where ancient traditions meet remarkable wildlife: respectful, educational, and utterly transformative. Your eastern Indonesia adventure begins the moment we depart from Timor-Leste.
This expedition also runs in reverse. For dates and details, please click here.
Day-by-Day Adventures
Bali
- start your adventure in bali
Board Paspaley Pearl on this island paradise where Hindu traditions create distinctive cultural landscapes of terraced rice fields and ancient temples. Meet fellow adventurers while our expedition team prepare you for encounters with traditional communities and remarkable wildlife across Indonesia’s remote eastern archipelago.
DAY 1
Badas
- BUFFALO RACES AND TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES
Witness traditional buffalo races (Barapan Kebo) staged specially in your honour, where decorated buffalo pairs thunder across muddy fields while riders balance on wooden plows. Experience ceremonial events rooted in ancient agricultural traditions while observing traditional rice pounding, weaving demonstrations, and possible wedding processions.
DAY 2
Saleh Bay, Sumbawa
- ENCOUNTERS WITH WHALE SHARKS
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 marine creatures.
DAY 3
komodo national park
- eNTER THE DRAGON
A UNESCO World Heritage Site where the 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 and surrounding marine ecosystems.
DAY 4
kOMODO nATIONAL pARK
- Pink Sands and Colourful corals
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 eco-region location creates remarkable evolutionary combinations of Australian and Asian fauna through millions of years of isolation.
DAY 5
17 Islands Marine Park
- VIBRANT ECOSYSTEMS
Explore pristine islands featuring stunning limestone formations scattered across crystalline waters. Board expedition vessels to discover secluded beaches with powdery white sand, explore dramatic karst caves, and snorkel vibrant coral gardens while most islands remain uninhabited sanctuaries for nesting seabirds.
DAY 6
MAUMERE, Flores
- LOCAL CRAFT
Meet the Sikka people whose culture blends indigenous traditions with Portuguese-influenced Catholicism. Join village tours witnessing stunning ikat weaving demonstrations creating bold geometric patterns that tell ancestral stories, observing life centred around traditional “Sa’o” clan houses with characteristic high-peaked roofs.
DAY 7
Lamalera, Lembata
- SEAFARER COMMUNITIES
Visit one of Earth’s last traditional whaling communities where skilled seafarers practice subsistence hunting using methods unchanged for centuries. Explore traditional wooden boats called ‘peledang’ while learning about community structures, boat-building techniques, and protocols expressing deep respect for marine creatures.
DAY 8
Kalabahi, Alor
- Ancient traditions and cultural performance
Journey to Takpala Village where Abui people maintain ancient traditions in thatched-roof houses built on stone foundations. Witness cultural performances, learn about mysterious “Thousand Mokos” bronze drums from Vietnam’s Dong Son culture, and observe traditional weaving and craft demonstrations preserving ancient techniques.
DAY 9
Kupang, West Timor
- Portuguese port city
Explore this bustling port city blending Portuguese and Dutch colonial heritage with modern development. Tour vibrant markets showcasing unique eastern Indonesian cuisine while walking streets where historical buildings create fascinating architectural contrasts in this important regional transportation hub connecting remote islands.
DAY 10
Dili, Timor Leste
- Museums and cultural exchanges
Conclude your expedition in South-east Asia’s youngest nation, where Portuguese colonial heritage blends with independence resilience. Visit the iconic Cristo Rei statue overlooking the Timor Sea while exploring museums documenting the remarkable 20-year struggle for independence, carrying memories of extraordinary cultural exchanges.
DAY 11
Departure dates
Ocean Double/Single Stateroom
$17,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$18,495
Ocean Stateroom
$19,995
Horizon Suite
$24,995
Pearl Suite
$29,995
Prices are in AUD$ 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
$17,495
Ocean Twin Stateroom
$18,495
Ocean Stateroom
$19,995
Horizon Suite
$24,995
Pearl Suite
$29,995
Prices are in AUD$ per person based on twin share. Single supplement pricing is available on application. *Sole occupancy of stateroom #107 attracts no single surcharge.
Download Itinerary
