INDONESIA
REEFS, ISLANDS & DRAGONS
OCT – NOV 2017 • 22 DAYS • 12 GUESTS
Experience an ocean oasis of indescribable beauty and biodiversity on this extraordinary expedition through Indonesia. Journey into the heart of the Coral Triangle and explore the incredible underwater riches of Raja Ampat, Komodo National Park, the Banda Islands and Ambon on a divers and snorkelers dream adventure. On land get close to the largest lizard on earth, the Komodo dragon. Rise early to see the spectacular Bird-of-paradise and see thousands of flying foxes fly overhead at sunset. Walk through rice paddies, visit bustling colorful markets, temples, traditional villages and meet the friendly locals. Be pampered, dine on delicious cuisine at a private Balinese villa and onboard our privately chartered luxurious yacht.
Start your expedition in Komodo National Park in your beachfront bungalow at a private island resort. Surrounded by stunning island landscapes go in search for Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Be astounded by the diversity of marine life as you dip into the warm tropical waters. Discover an abundance of colorful reef fish on the shallow reefs, mantas circling over cleaning stations, patrolling sharks and pelagic fish schooling off the current-swept seamounts, walls and pinnacles.
Head to Ubud in the highlands of Bali for a two night stay in a stunning Balinese villa, reserved exclusively for our Wild Earth Explorers. Walk through lush rice paddies, visit picturesque temples, stroll through the colorful local markets, learning how to cook a traditional meal and experience the Balinese way of life.
Board the luxurious yacht MY Damai I to dive and snorkel what has been hailed the #1 marine biodiversity hotspot in the world, the Coral Triangle. Explore the wonders of northern Raja Ampat with its plethora of reef fish (27 endemic), numerous crazy critters all co-inhabiting its spectacular reefs, seamounts and cleaning stations. The jewel-like islands are caressed by a convergence of swift nutrient-rich currents boosting an enormous variety of life. Visit Penemu lagoon and climb the hill for fantastic panoramic views. Head down to southern Raja Ampat for the colorful soft coral reefs surrounding Misool. Here the pulse of marine life thrives from the sea floor to the surface where the kaleidoscope of corals can start in less than a meter of water. The experience of drifting along miles of exquisitely hued reef, brimming with activity, is simply breathtaking. Stop at the island of Koon for passing pelagics on your way into the Banda Sea. Soak up the history of the Banda Islands, famous for their spice trade, discover its incredible reef drop offs brimming with schools of fish before finishing your expedition in Ambon.
Post Extension - Ambon Muck Diving & Critters
NOV 2017 • 4 DAYS • 8 GUESTS
Divers, join the Post Extension to Ambon and stay at a lovely beachside resort in bungalows over looking the Ambon Bay. Muck diving in the region has become undoubtedly famous, with a huge array of critters that can be observed and photographed during long dives at the shallow sites close to the resort. Be taken on an unusual adventure to a river filled with freshwater eels.
HIGHLIGHTS
World class diving and snorkeling in the heart of the Coral Triangle.
Visit colorful markets, temples, traditional villages and meet the friendly locals.
Sail through stunning Raja Ampat, Komodo Islands, the Banda Islands and Ambon.
See impressive Komodo dragons, Bird-of-paradise and thousands of fruit bats.
Explore spectacular coral gardens, seamounts, and coral covered drop offs.
Experience the Balinese way of life at a stunning private villa in Ubud.
Search for weird and wonderful critters in the Muck.
“You certainly gave us the most amazing and varied adventure. I am still riding high on it all. Such an experience. In fact the whole trip was utterly fabulous. I lay in bed and go through it all from beginning to end. Not only was the trip such good fun the company was superb. What a great bunch of people and all chivvied along with your great sense of fun and brilliant ‘i’ dotting organisation. ”
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
REEFS, ISLANDS & DRAGONS
Day 01 Depart Home / En Route to Bali, Indonesia
Day 02 Bali / Relax at 5* beach resort
Day 03 Fly to Flores / Komodo Resort / Rinca Island
Day 04-06 Komodo National Park
Day 07 Komodo Resort / Fly to Bali / Ubud
Day 08 Ubud
Day 09 Ubud / Evening flight to Makassar
Day 10 Fly to Sorong / MY Damai I / Dampier Straits
Day 11-20 Raja Ampat / Misool / Banda Islands / Ambon
Day 21 Fly home / OR Ambon Post extension
Day 22 Arrive home
POST EXTENSION – AMBON MUCK DIVING & CRITTERS (Divers Only)
Day 01 Disembark MY Damai I / Ambon Harbor
Day 02-03 Ambon Muck Diving / Land tour
Day 04 Ambon Resort / Fly home via Jakarta
Day 05 Arrive home
M/Y DAMAI I
MY Damai I was built in 2009 in Tanjung Bira, South Sulawesi, by Pak Hadji Baso, the most prestigious builder in the area. The collaboration of traditional skills with years of experience in the Indonesian live-aboard diving industry has created a remarkable vessel. MY Damai I has been designed to offer a personal service that only a vessel of this size, dedicated to small groups, can provide. With an overall length of 40 meters (130 feet) and a beam of over 8 meters (26 feet) the vessel has 7 staterooms with a choice of twin cabins, doubles and two spacious master cabins (sold on a first come first serve basis). All cabins are furnished with either queen or king sized beds, en-suite bathrooms and a/c. The vessel has been designed with three large deck areas for relaxing in both the sun or shade and for indulging in a massage. Specifically designed for divers, the vessel offers large dive stations with individual rinse tanks and a camera room with separate camera work stations with integrated 110v and 220v charging station for each photographer. The vessel is the first in Indonesia to offer a dive master/guide to customer ratio of 4 to 1. Ensuring the best service underwater as well as onboard with 18 crew. The vessel has been specifically designed for cruising, diving and snorkeling the tropical waters of Indonesia. With passenger well-being always the top priority, Damai has set a new standard for safety and comfort. The crew have been specially trained in all aspects of safety, emergency and evacuation procedures. The yacht is equipped with the latest safety features including Oxygen, well equipped 1st aid kit, Life Jackets, Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Alarms, Emergency Long Distance Radios, and Satellite Phones. There are 2 kayaks and a paddle-board onboard.
With our private charter, Wild Earth Expeditions has been able to negotiate and include all costs for dive gear rental and Nitrox onboard, plus we are including a glass of house wine with dinners. Any additional purchases onboard incur a 10% government tax and can be paid in USD cash, by Visa or MasterCard (with an additional 3% credit card surcharge).
360 DEGREE PANORAMA VIEWS – MY DAMAI I
Click to view: BELOW DECK MAIN DECK BRIDGE DECK
WILD EARTH LEADERS
PHOTO CREDIT © Thomas & Natalia Baechtold, Patra Jasa Bali Resort, Komodo Resort, MY Damai I, Andrina Bindon & Maluku Divers Resort