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Indonesia. Indonesian Komodo Adventure: Voyage on Katharina [Currently Not Active]

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Day 1: Bali - Lombok

Depart early this morning from Sanur, south Bali, and take a pleasant ride through a largely unknown area of Bali (approx. 2 hours) to where the Katharina is anchored off the village of Amed in north-east Bali. After boarding and settling in on the vessel, set sail across the Lombok Strait. This stretch of water between Bali and Lombok marks an important ecological boundary, first described by Sir Alfred Russel Wallace, the 19th century British naturalist and contemporary of Charles Darwin who independently proposed his own theory of evolution due to natural selection. He noticed that flora and fauna of the islands west of this boundary are home to Asiatic animal and plant species, whereas the islands east of that “line” have a greater similarity to species found in Australia. In the afternoon, make your first stop at the small island of Gili Trawangan, off the west coast of Lombok, for a couple of hours of swimming, snorkeling and beach-combing. Later, head out on a north-easterly course for the overnight passage to east-Lombok. 

Katharina

Lunch, Dinner
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Day 2: Lombok Island

Docked in Labuhan Lombok, board a local coach for a tour into the interior of east Lombok, untouched by the crowds frequenting west Lombok. We will visit local traditional villages, and experience the culture of the Sasak people that are indigenous to the island. After re-embarkation if time allows we explore one of the local reefs close to the area.

Katharina

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Sumbawa Island

Head ashore for a visit of Pulau Bungin, a small settlement of ‘sea-gypsies’ (bajao) on the coast of Sumbawa. Stroll through narrow streets lined up by houses on stilts that are frequently underwater during the spring tides and witness the first local performance of traditional music and dance. Continuing on to the Southern point of Moyo, spend a few hours relaxing, swimming and snorkeling in the crystal blue waters. 

Katharina

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4: Satonda Island

Set foot on land at the little known island of Satonda with its stunning crater lake and beautiful coral gardens. Located just a couple of miles off the north-west coast of Sumbawa, Satonda is what remained of an extinct volcano, when nearby Mount Tambora erupted in 1815. It was the biggest volcanic eruption in the collective memory of mankind, much larger than Krakatoa. With an estimated volume of 160 cubic kilometers of rocks and ash ejected from the volcano the following year became known as the "year without a summer" because of the effect on North American and European weather.


Hike over a tiny ridge hiding a beautiful crater lake. Feel the eerie atmosphere surrounding this giant pond, all silent except the sound of a lonely bird or the odd gecko. Head back to the beach for some snorkeling. Swimming over the beautiful local reef just off the island enlightened by a rainbow of aquarium fish you’ll enter a world entirely different in colors but similar in silence. Another highlight of your visit to Satonda is the sight of thousands of flying foxes that commute at dusk from the island to feed on the mainland, returning before first light the next day. As evening approaches, the Katharina sails due east. 

Katharina

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5: Wera & Gili Banta Islands

Today we visit Wera on the east coast of the island of Sumbawa. Wera is a Buginese settlement famous for its boatbuilding on the east coast of the island of Sumbawa. Here all kinds of craft in various stages of construction are on display, much the way the Katharina was built in 1998. 

 

Later head to Gili Banta, an uninhabited island perfect location for some excellent swimming and snorkeling. During the night Katharina sails onward to the island of Rinca, part of the Komodo National Park.  

Katharina

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6: Komodo National Park

Wake up with the boat at anchor off Komodo Island, one of 80 or so islands of Komodo National Park. At Loh Liang ranger station we start on an early morning trek led by a ranger through the dry and rugged landscape. We will encounter, at a distance, the intimidating dragons that today come closest to resembling an animal from prehistoric times. After re-embarking, sail to a beach, called ‘red-beach’ because of the particles of red coral mingled with the sand where we snorkel over one of the ‘richest’ reefs in Eastern Indonesia. You may be stunned by the incredible variety of coral and fish on display. 

Katharina

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 7: Rinca Island, Komodo National Park

Today you wake up in front Gili Lawa, the northern most island in the Park. You may hike to the summit of one of the island’s hills for a look over the eighty islands of the Komodo Archipelago and the mainland of Flores. From the top of the hills, the scenery is spectacular. During the afternoon, sail past Makassar reef to Rinca where the ranger will show you the dens and nests of the dragons and you can learn a lot more about this mysterious creature. Apart from Komodo dragons, we may spot monkeys, wild buffaloes and deer. 

Katharina

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 8: Mesa & Sabalon Islands

Visit Mesa Island to meet a group of Bajau people, or ‘Sea Gypsies’, who live in houses on stilts over the water. Originally from Sulawesi and formerly fully nomadic by boat, the Bajau now often occupy more permanent settlements. After a stroll through the village sail onwards to the island of Sabalon where in the evening our crew will prepare an evening beach barbecue under the breathtaking expanse of a star-studded night sky. Late in the evening we will sail to the bay of Labuhan Bajo.

Katharina

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 9: Flores - Bali

In Labuan Bajo we say goodbye to the crew and travel into the interior of west Flores, taking a winding road uphill to the village of Melo. Here local ‘strongmen’ will perform the whip-dance, typical for the region. After the performance transfer to the airport for the flight back to Bali (included).Consider extending your trip with extra nights in Bali or additional travels in Indonesia. 

Katharina

Breakfast
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