15-night Tropical Odyssey Between Indonesia And North East Australia Cruise

Benoa (Tanjung Benoa) is a modern Balinese resort - a government-run dreamland of coconut palms, white sand beaches and pristine waters located near the island's southernmost tip. Geologically, the area is quite different from the rest of Bali, and even from the rest of the Bukit peninsula upon which it rests. Instead of rice fields or limestone cliffs, there is sandy soil reaching down to a long, sandy beach protected by a reef. Coconut trees are everywhere. The climate here is also drier than the rest of Bali, freshened by a mild ocean breeze.

Destination Guide

Excursions

Bali Highlights & Twin Lakes - 9 hours - Benoa — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

• Your adventure begins at the conclusion of your welcoming ceremony.
• After boarding your motor coach you’ll drive through the emerald green hills and into central Bali.
• Your first stop is Sangeh Monkey Forest, a 34-acre sanctuary for hundreds of monkeys.
• Visit the 400-year-old Pura Bukit Sari Sangeh Temple.
• Next on your itinerary, you’ll see Lake Bratan. Located almost 4,000 feet above sea level, this sparkling lake sits in the crater of Mt. Catur.
• Then, you’ll make a photo stop at a viewing area where you can look out over the “twin lakes,” Buyan Lake, the smallest lake in Bali, and Tamblingan Lake.
• Continuing on, you’ll head over to the highland village of Munduk for lunch.
• After lunch, you’ll visit the colourful Pasar Candi Kuning market. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, you can also purchase handicrafts, paintings, and fabrics.
• Your final destination is the village of Tohpati, famous for its fine batik. After observing the batik process you can try your hand at painting traditional batik designs.
• Later, you're invited to browse for souvenirs, gifts and fine Balinese crafts.
• When your exciting highland exploration comes to an end, you’ll return to your motorcoach, perhaps laden with crafts from the market or Tohpati, for the relaxing ride back to your ship.

• Pick up/ Drop off at Benoa Port
• Entrance Fees, English speaking guide assistance, Welcome dance
• Soft drinks/ mineral water/ refreshments, Lunch

• Personal expenses, telephone, laundry service, tips and gratuities, personal travel insurance
• All services which are not mentioned on the program above.

Bali’s Heritage Sites – 9 hours - Benoa — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

• After a traditional Balinese pendet welcome dance, you’ll board your motorcoach and travel to Tohpati near the capital city of Denpasar. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful landscapes of coastal plains, lush terraced hillsides, rice paddies, and fruit and spice plantations.
• Once you arrive in Tohpati, you’ll visit a factory to see first hand the entire batik process.
• After observing the batik process you can try your hand at painting traditional batik designs.
• Later, you're invited to browse for souvenirs, gifts and fine Balinese crafts.
• Re-board your coach and travel to Penglipuran Culture Village. The village people live under strict rules just like their ancestors centuries ago.
• Continuing on, you’ll visit Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple of Bali. Perched over 3,000 feet up the gentle slopes of Mt. Agung, Bali’s largest and holiest temple dates back 2,000 years.
• Next, is a delicious buffet lunch featuring Indonesian dishes in the village of Rendang. As you enjoy your meal, marvel at the breathtaking views of the rice paddies and Mt. Agung.
• Following lunch, you’ll journey to the village of Klungkung for a photo stop at Kertha Gosa.
• Finally, you’ll travel to your ship with photos and memories to share with everyone back home.

• Pick up/ Drop off at Benoa Port
• Entrance Fees, English speaking guide assistance, Welcome dance
• Soft drinks / mineral water / refreshments / lunch / snacks

• Personal expenses, telephone, laundry service, tips and gratuities, personal travel insurance.
• All services which are not mentioned on the program above.

Mt. Batur & Rural Bali with a Local Family – 8 hours - Benoa — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

• This unique full-day excursion not only introduces you to a local family but offers you the opportunity to learn a little bit about their culture and language.
• Your day begins with a pendet welcome ceremony at the pier.
• Then, you’ll board your motorcoach and travel into central Bali.
• You’ll continue on to a charming village and disembark at a Balinese home and meet a local family. After a warm welcome, you’ll join them for a traditional Balinese breakfast, which may include fried banana fritters and rice cakes served with coffee or tea.
• Later, you’ll go for a stroll through the village and stop for a welcome dance performed by local children. Then, you’ll walk through the farms and watch the farmers at work in the rice fields.
• To experience the spiritual side of Bali, you’ll climb back aboard your coach bound for Kehen Temple, considered the most beautiful Hindu temple on the island.
• You’ll then proceed to an Indonesian buffet lunch in the village of Kintamani, which sits on the edge of Mt. Batur. Relax over your delicious meal while marvelling at the outstanding views of the active volcano and the sparkling waters of Lake Batur
• Kemenuh is the centre of the intricate art of woodcarving. You’ll visit a woodcarving studio and watch skilled craftsmen.
• Before returning to port, you can comb through the gallery and purchase these wooden works of art that capture the spirit of this incredible place.

• Pick up/ Drop off at Benoa Port
• Entrance Fees, English speaking guide assistance, Welcome dance
• Soft drinks/ mineral water/ refreshments, Balinese breakfast, lunch

• Personal expenses, telephone, laundry service, tips and gratuities, personal travel insurance
• All services which are not mentioned on the program above

A rare discovery awaits the traveler who ventures onto this remote island of Komodo. Walking through the dense vegetation, hearing and seeing a variety of bird and animal life, you may feel you've landed in another epoch. Indeed, the last vestiges of long-gone dinosaurs survive here, in the form of the legendary, giant lizards called Komodo Dragons.

Destination Guide

Excursions

Komodo Dragon Adventure with Pink Beach – 4 hours - Komodo — Optional Private Excursions
Highlights:

• During your half-day adventure, you’ll take an approximately 30 minute moderately active trek through the dry, tropical grasslands to a viewing point for a look at these massive creatures, later, you’ll cool off in the sparkling waters of nearby Pink Beach.
• After boarding the tender, you’ll cruise across the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean to Komodo Island.
• Once you step off at the park’s entrance, you’ll be met by a friendly English-speaking guide and a park ranger who will share their intimate knowledge of the park as you head out on an approximately 30 minute moderately active walk.
• After arriving at the viewing point have your camera ready, a Komodo dragon or two may make an appearance.
• To experience this undersea phenomenon for yourself you’ll return to the jetty for the transfer by boat to Pink Beach where you can swim and dive in the inviting waters (snorkelling gear will be provided).
• Then, take in the splendid views as your boat glides through the ocean on your return trip to your ship with wonderful memories to share both with passengers and family back home.

• Pick up/ Drop off at Loh Liang Jetty
• National Park Entrance Fees, English speaking guide assistance
• Soft drinks / mineral water / refreshments
• Snorkeling equipment

• Personal expenses, telephone, laundry service, tips and gratuities, personal travel insurance
• All services which are not mentioned on the program above.

Kalabahi is the only town on Alor Island, in Indonesia. The waters around Kalabahi are excellent for scuba diving and snorkeling and there are a number of dive companies with rental equipment in the area. There are a number of mountains on the outskirts of the town, and hiking to the top of these peaks is a fantastic way to get an idea of the unspoiled natural beauty of the area.

Cape York and the Gulf Savannah are the last Australian frontier. Located on the northern most tip of Australia, Cape York Peninsula is a wild and sparsely populated wilderness area and is only accessible during the dry months of April to December. Its rugged coastline points towards New Guinea while the eastern side of Cape York is fringed by the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef.

The seemingly undeveloped land of Cape York will surprise and delight. The dusty tracks contrast dramatically with the abundant river systems, crystal clear creeks and spectacular waterfalls. This is a vast area of unexplored wilderness, magnificent national parks, sacred Aboriginal sites, unexplored rainforest, rugged mountains and swampy marshlands. This is a land of climatic extremes where the creeks run dry, or ten feet high.

If you love bushwalking, four-wheel driving, wildlife, fishing birdwatching or camping then Cape York is the place for you. The Cape York region is one of the largest wilderness areas in the world that remains relatively untouched, maintaining its original beauty and variety of sights. You'll be amazed by the 40,000 year old tradition and culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders - Australia's Indigenous people. See the unique wildlife including kangaroos and the unusual dugongs. With all this untamed beauty the area offers an escape from the man-made pressures of the city.

Destination Guide

Lizard Island is one of a kind - nature's amazing work of art. It is located right on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and is a private paradise with 24 powdery white beaches just waiting to be explored. During his epic voyage of 1770, Captain James Cook climbed the peak on Lizard Island to chart a course out to sea through the maze of reefs which confronted him. Today there are many magnificent walks to be enjoyed on this island, and on at least one you can expect to glimpse a Monitor, the lizard after which the island was named. Lizard Island is renowned for its diving. At the world famous 'Cod Hole,' you can come face to face with a massive yet curious Potato Cod swimming right up to inspect you with child-like curiosity. You can also snorkel off a secluded beach to discover a garden of giant clams, some reputed to be over 120 years old.

Cairns is the sunny garden city where the Great Barrier Reef meets the Wet Tropics Rainforest, mountains and the gulf savannah not too far away. The city's water front boasts a world class marina and wharf used by visiting cruise liners, yachts and tour vessels. Cairns is situated in the Northern end of Tropical Queensland Australia. It's a modern city with a good location to explore some of Australia's vast array of flora and fauna. With a magnificent Casino, Cairns is alive with more activities than a visitor will ever have time for. The principal attraction is the over 60 national parks from the wet tropical rain forests and lush tablelands to the truly wild Cape York Peninsula and the Great Barrier Reef.

Destination Guide