Itinerary

NOTE: This is the 2013 Bali to Komodo itinerary.
View 2012 Bali to Komodo itinerary »

Days 1-3

U.S. / Denpasar, Bali / Ubud

Fly independently from the U.S. to Denpasar, crossing the International Date Line en route. Our home for the next four nights is the five-star Kamandalu Resort and Spa. (Meals Aloft)

Day 4

Ubud: Monkey Forest and Tanah Lot

Explore Ubud, Bali’s cultural center, taking in the town’s ancient sites, temples and craft centers. Travel to the Sacred Monkey Forest, where there are approximately 340 Balinese long-tailed macaques from four distinct troops. The primates in this forest are protected because in Balinese Hinduism monkeys can be the embodiment of both positive and negative forces. Encounter the amazing creatures on a walk through the forest. Continue to Tanah Lot, venerated by the locals and perhaps the most photographed temple in Bali. Tanah Lot temple is built atop a huge rock, surrounded by the sea. Built in the 16th century, Tanah Lot's rituals include paying of homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. Poisonous sea snakes found in the little caves at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders. Tanah Lot is particularly beautiful in the evening so you enjoy dinner here as the sun sets over the sea. (B,L,D)

Day 5

Ubud: Bali Bird Park, Mas and Petulu

Begin our day at the Bali Bird Park, a lush tropical garden filled with 250 species, including birds of paradise, green peafowl, Asian pied hornbill, Javan kingfisher and Bali starling. A private local ornithologist will accompany the group through the park. Travel to the village of Mas, famous for its skilled and artful woodcarvings and masks. Visit the heron sanctuary in the village of Petulu, home to the Java pond heron and plumed egrets. See thousands of herons returning to roost in select trees for the night. Local legend tells that the birds are reincarnations of the men and women who died during the civil unrest throughout Bali in 1966. Many of those Balinese who died were laid to rest near the roosting grounds. (B,L,D)

Day 6

Ubud: Bali Village

Meet and interact with Balinese people and experience some of their daily life. Visit an elementary school, singing songs with the children. A family welcomes our small group into their home for a glimpse at life in a traditional Balinese house compound, learning how families live together in Bali. Sample seasonal fruit juices while learning how rice is grown. Guests are invited to participate in cultivating the rice and other village activities. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Ubud. (B,L)

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Day 7

Embark Benoa Harbor / Padang Bay

Embark the Sea Safari VII. Cruise toward Lombok, where we spend an afternoon snorkeling. (B,L,D)

Day 8

Lombok Island

Absorb amazing views of the surrounding forest and the Gili Islands. Head into the island’s scenic interior, passing lush green rice paddies as the local culture unfolds for our small group. Wander through the markets and temples. Stop at pottery and weaving villages. (B,L,D)

Day 9

Moyo Island

Moyo Island is surrounded by untouched coral reefs, ideal for snorkeling among white-tipped reef sharks, blue-spotted sting rays and tropical fish. Much of the island is a game reserve, so we may observe wild boar, banteng or flying foxes. (B,L,D)

Day 10

Wera / Banta Island

Explore the small agricultural village of Wera, meeting some of the village’s 1,500 farmers and skilled wooden boat builders. Snorkel just off the coast of Komodo at Banta Island, where submerged sea bank attracts dogtooth tuna, Spanish mackerel and more. Weather permitting, enjoy a peaceful barbecue dinner on the beach. (B,L,D)

Day 11

Rinca Island / Komodo Island

Set out on a nature walk to explore Rinca Island, one of the two preserved habitats of the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo dragon. Rinca is also home to crab-eating macaques, wild water buffalo, deer, horses and pigs. This afternoon, journey to nearby emerald isles, and spend the afternoon searching for birdlife and snorkeling in one of the world’s best locations. Sail to Komodo itself, where we anchor for the night. The park is located in the region known as Wallacea, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian bio-geographical areas. This overlapping ensures an interesting mix of bird species including yellow-crested cockatoos of Australian origin, and monarch flycatchers and kingfishers originating from Southeast Asia. (B,L,D)

Day 12

Komodo Island

Spend our morning on Komodo Island. On ranger-guided walks, observe Komodo dragons and learn their amazing story of survival. Individual Komodo dragons live over 60 years, but the species has been around for 10 million years. Weighing up to 350 pounds, these fearsome hunters can bring down a variety of herbivores including barking deer, feral pigs and even wild horses. Set sail this afternoon for Bima. (B,L,D)

Day 13

Sumbawa Island: Bima

Head to the main port town of Bima, taking in its horse-drawn carts and colorful markets. (B,L,D)

Day 14

Satonda Island

This small, uninhabited island is actually the top of an extinct volcano which erupted in 1815, wiping out the Tamboran culture. A lakeside walk offers good birding and close-up views of fruit bats. There is ample time to swim or snorkel. (B,L,D)

Day 15

Benoa Harbor / Sanur Beach

Disembark the Sea Safari VII in Benoa Harbor. The rest of the day is free to soak-up the sun-drenched beach and rolling surf. Spend tonight at the five-star Hotel Sanur Beach. (B,L)