Max group size: 110

Itinerary

Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14

USA

Independent flight from USA to Bali. Day lost due to crossing the International Date Line.

Monday, March 15

Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia / Sanur

This afternoon we arrive in Denpasar, the capital of Bali, and transfer to our hotel in Sanur. A festive atmosphere permeates the island; it is the day before Nyepi, the Balinese New Year celebrated as a day of silence based on the Hindu rituals of spiritual cleansing. Today, though, the entire population celebrates with noisy revelry and carnival-like processions where large hand-made monsters, called Ogoh-Ogoh, are carried up and down the streets and then burned as a way to exorcise their evil spirit. Observe this lively, colorful, and unique procession, then enjoy dinner and the evening on your own. By 6 a.m. the following morning Bali grows completely silent and remains so for 24 hours.

Tuesday, March 16

Sanur

We join the citizens of Bali in observing Nyepi, and spend today in our lovely hotel setting. We enjoy lunch and dinner here, with a briefing on our upcoming adventure. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Wednesday, March 17

Sanur / Ubud / Embark Clipper Odyssey

For centuries, Bali has captivated the imagination of artists, writers, and travelers with its landscapes of emerald terraced rice fields, lush forests dwarfed by the sacred volcano of Mt. Batur, and exquisite Hindu temples. This morning, as Balinese life returns to its lively routine, we drive to Ubud, surrounded by the sacred Monkey Forest, where a major artisan community displays their talents in painting, sculpture, silver-working, and batik. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy time at leisure for strolling among the countless galleries, small museums, and artisans' workshops. Transfer to Benoa in the late afternoon to embark the Clipper Odyssey and sail eastward into the Flores Sea.

Thursday, March 18

Satonda Islands / Sumbawa Island

This morning we stop at deserted Satonda, a small circular island that is the ancient cone of a volcano. Snorkel over enchanting reefs that boast more than 64 pieces of coral, or ascend the ridge to view the island's interior sacred lake. The surrounding trees here are adorned with 'wish stones' hung on the branches by hopeful visitors - it is believed that when the wind knocks down your stone, your wish will come true. We return to the ship for lunch as we position to Sumbawa.

Soaring above the landscape on Sumbawa's north coast is the massive Tambora Volcano whose 1815 eruption was the largest in recorded history. Zodiacs take us ashore to the small village of Kananga, home to about 500 traditional Muslim fishermen and their families. We are greeted with drumming, dances, and pole-climbing competitions by young, nimble boys.

Friday, March 19

Sumba Island

Sumba is known for its unique high-peaked architecture, colorful dyed batiks, and elegant woven ikats whose themes include mythical animal motifs. At Waikeilo Village we are greeted with a merapu, welcome ceremony, and enjoy a cultural performance of distinctive singing and drumming. Keep your camera ready as we attend one of Indonesia's most unusual traditions - the exotic pasola. We walk out onto an open field where island horsemen stage elaborate mock battle scenes, hurtling long spears while riding bareback astride galloping horses.

Saturday, March 20

Komodo Island

Komodo National Park is a sanctuary for the fabled prehistoric giant monitor lizard, the Komodo dragon (known as oras by the locals). We walk along a forested pathway to a viewing area for a close inspection of these enormous reptiles which grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 300 pounds. The surrounding forest is home to Javan rusa deer, the favorite prey of the Komodo dragons, as well as elegant yellow-crested cockatoos, friarbirds, and megapodes. In the afternoon enjoy snorkeling, diving, or a glass-bottom boat ride over the undersea spectacle off splendid "pink beach."

Sunday, March 21

Tiger Islands

Spend the morning snorkeling and diving among colorful coral reefs that are home to angelfish, fairy basslets, and butterflyfish. This afternoon watch for spinner dolphins as we sail along the coast of Sulawesi.

Monday & Tuesday, March 22 & 23

Optional Overnight Excursion to Toraja, Sulawesi Island

From Palopo, join us for an optional, overland excursion into the highlands of Sulawesi for a two-day exploration of Toraja. We ascend from the east via a stunning mountain road once used by gold smugglers, stopping along the way at villages known for their weavings. The terrain becomes a veritable Shangri-la of rugged mountains and granite outcroppings towering over valleys lush with terraced rice paddies, bamboo groves, and grazing water buffalos.

The Toraja are Christians, yet have retained an intact system of ritual beliefs passed down from their ancestors. Legends say that the early Toraja came from the north, possibly Indochina, and were blown off-course by a storm. Their boat-shaped houses perhaps reflect this seafaring legacy, with a soaring "prow" that slopes skyward.

The Toraja bury their dead in graves chiseled into vertical cliffsides, in keeping with the belief that ancestors repose halfway between heaven and earth. Beside these honeycombed graves, gazing out over the valleys are life-like wooden effigies, providing a receptacle for their souls to guard the gravesites. We walk through several villages and investigate the gravesites, markets, and ornate rice barns of the region. Meals and overnight are at our hotel. The following day, we make our way down 4,000 feet to the west coast where we reboard our ship in Pare Pare in the evening.

Monday & Tuesday, March 22 & 23

Palopo & Pare Pare, Sulawesi Island

Alternatively, relax on board as our vessel coasts along the shore, passing small islands. We scan the sea for marine mammals, seabirds, and colorful local boats plying their fishing trade. On arrival in Pare Pare we take an afternoon tour of this small port city.

Wednesday, March 24

At Sea

Our naturalists and historians add insight to our cultural and natural encounters with onboard lectures as we sail into the tropical waters of the Celebes Sea.

Thursday, March 25

Islands of the Celebes Sea

Off the coast of Borneo is the small, unique Berau archipelago of rarely visited idyllic islands and coral reefs barely visible above the water. We plan to make expedition stops at Kakaban or one of the other island gems which form an Indonesian Marine Park. Here, divers find an underwater wonderland, and snorkelers hover over iridescent reefs abounding in gorgonian sea fans and barrel sponges, beautiful nudibranchs, giant clams, and the unusual ghost pipefish. Or, stroll the beaches with our naturalists, watching for seabirds and breeding green turtles.

Friday, March 26

Tarakan, Kalimantan, Borneo

We arrive in the oil-producing city of Tarakan early this morning and board local boats for the journey up the Kayan river to visit a traditional Dayak village, the original inhabitants of Kalimantan. On arrival we are warmly greeted by villagers in beaded ceremonial attire and elaborate headwear who perform songs and dances for us in the longhouse. Photographic opportunities here are exceptional. An early afternoon departure gives us a chance to relax and listen to enlightening lecturers from our expedition staff.

Saturday, March 27

Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia

After a late morning arrival, we drive through the modern city of Sandakan set on a beautiful natural harbor. We pass colorful markets and a water village on our way to an area of lowland rain forest, home to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. Here, beneath a cathedral-like canopy, we watch young orangutans as they swing through the trees to a feeding platform. These gentle arboreal apes, often orphans, are rehabilitated and taught to live in the wild before eventual release into their natural habitat.

Sunday, March 28

Expedition Stop

This afternoon we arrive at an isolated, sparsely-populated island, fanned by lanky coconut palms and fringed by white sandy beaches. We make an expedition stop in the area to snorkel and dive in the clear warm waters.

Monday, March 29

Muara, Brunei Darussalam

We arrive in the port of Muara this morning and birders set out for a half-day tour to Tasek Merimbun, an ASEAN heritage park. The rest of us tour the sultanate of Brunei, a small monarchy encompassing both the ultra-modern capital city of Bandar and ancient villages. We visit the Brunei Museum with its displays of unique tribal artifacts and glittering Islamic art. The Royal Regalia Building highlights the history and memorabilia of the Sultan's family legacy and on our way back to the ship we stop to photograph Brunei's two most magnificent mosques. As we enjoy lunch on board or ship sails for Vietnam.

Tuesday, March 30

At Sea

Relax on board today and enjoy the final lectures of our series.

Wednesday, March 31

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

We arrive in Ho Chi Minh City today and after lunch on board we set out for a tour of this bustling city that sits at the crossroads of past and future. Passing by Buddhist, Chinese, and Taoist temples, we stop to visit the Presidential Palace, now called Reunification Hall. Time permitting we visit the Ben Than market in the Cholon Chinatown District. The ship remains alongside and we enjoy our final dinner and overnight on board.

Thursday, April 1

Ho Chi Minh City / USA

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your independent flight to the U.S., arriving the same day due to crossing the International Date Line.

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