Made up of over seventeen thousand islands, Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country is a land of diverse cultures, histories and languages, unique flora and fauna and breathtaking scenery. During this exploration of some of Indonesia’s islands, we will visit places of deep spiritual significance, explore lush jungle, experience an underwater world teeming with life and areas of outstanding natural beauty. The islands we will visit are certainly not on the mass tourism circuit and their beauty and customs are relatively unscathed by the modern world. Our fleet of purpose built Zodiacs provides us with the freedom of spontaneity to explore and land in places where few travellers have been before us. We will land on otherwise inaccessible beaches, explore lagoons and coral reefs and encounter some truly remote communities. Obviously, such beauty and serenity is best enjoyed with a small number of travelling companions. After all, it would be disappointing to find yourself in the company of hundreds on what was a deserted beach.
As we island hop, we will encounter many diverse and splendid sights including the awesome Komodo dragons, vast crater lakes with surrealistic hues, lush spice growing islands, tropical forests and meet some extraordinary islanders. There will also be opportunities to snorkel in the pristine waters of some national parks including Bunaken National Park, a treasure trove of biodiversity, and whilst ashore there will be guided walks with our naturalists searching for the varied flora and fauna in some remarkable places such as the Tangkoko Nature Reserve, one of the oldest nature reserves in Indonesia.
A trip to Indonesia is so much more than a holiday and our expedition promises to be an adventure shared with like-minded travellers. We hope you will join us for this unparalleled opportunity to explore one of the most intriguing places on the map.
- Komodo dragons, Kelimutu’s coloured lakes and remote Nusa Tenggara islands
- Spice Islands history with Ambon, Banda Neira, Tidore and Ternate
- World-class wildlife and snorkelling in Sulawesi and Bunaken National Park
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Fly by scheduled flight to Bali.
Arrive and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel or explore the local area at your own pace. We will check out in the late morning and after lunch will transfer to the MS Island Sky moored in Benoa. Sail this evening.
Over the next few days we will be guided by our Captain and Expedition Leader for the best landing sites whilst we explore the Nusa Tenggara islands. We plan to visit Satonda Island, located between the large island of Sumbawa and the smaller Pulau Moyo. The island is wooded and uninhabited with a fringing reef and a small but swimmable crater lake where the trees are decorated with ‘wishing’ stones, shells and pieces of coral. From here we will sail to Komodo to see the distant cousins of the dinosaurs, the Komodo dragons. These rare, huge lizards grow up to twelve feet in length and were only known to the western world from 1910 when a Dutch lieutenant first laid eyes on them. Escorted by the islands’ wardens in the national park we will walk to the feeding station, witnessing the dragons in the wild. During our walk we also hope to see frigate birds, white buffalo and long tailed monkeys. We hope to include a call on the island of Flores in order to visit the remarkable Kelimutu National Park with its unique three coloured crater lakes. The lakes change colour from time to time and nobody can explain why, but stories vary from a changing mineral content of the water to angry ancestor spirits. Kelimutu is sacred to the local population, and they believe the souls of the dead go to the lakes. We will also visit the small island nation of East Timor (Timor–Leste) which gained independence from Indonesia in 2002. We will explore the island's history and take in the wonderful natural landscape of rich forested slopes teeming with wildlife and the Portuguese colonial towns.
Enjoy a leisurely day at sea to relax and listen to some lectures in the lounge.
Over the next few days we will sail between the Maluku Islands, also known as the Spice Islands. These islands had a thriving trade in spices and other goods in the Far East long before European vessels arrived in the 15th century. Over the following centuries, the Portuguese, Dutch and English fought for control of the lucrative trade in cloves, nutmeg, mace and cinnamon and the Dutch East India Company eventually secured the monopoly over the region’s spice trade. Today the islands are left with the forts these powers built to control the ports and islands as well as the still existent plantations. During our time in the region, we will visit some of the islands including Ambon, once the Dutch administration centre for the islands and known as the ‘Galapagos of Asia’. Whilst Charles Darwin was working on his theory of natural selection in the Galapagos, his contemporary Alfred Russell Wallace was taking up residence in the Spice Islands, primarily Ambon, and coming up with his own version of a similar theory based on his observations of the region’s wildlife. We also hope to visit Band Neira, the main port of the Banda Islands and see the remnants of an extravagant European lifestyle which remain from the port’s heyday as a spice exporter in the Dutch era. It is a charmingly friendly place and almost devoid of tourism as it is so difficult to reach. While on the islands of Halmaherea, Tidore and Ternate we will focus on the natural history of the islands, exploring the places that naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace visited and worked and had his epiphany moment during a bout of malaria when the pieces fell into place for his great work, the ‘Theory of Natural Selection’. Our expedition team and local guides will lead nature walks looking for some of the islands’ many natural wonders and there will also be time to swim and snorkel to discover some of the unique marine life.
On the north coast of the island of Sulawesi lies Bitung, known for its incredibly vibrant, varied and often bizarre marine life that thrives in the coastal waters. Whilst here we will explore the Tangkoko Nature Reserve, a conservation area on Mount Tangkoko that protects 8700 hectares of lowland rainforest. The reserve is known for its unique wildlife including tarsiers, the black macaque, maleo birds, cuscus and hornbills. The nocturnal tarsiers, the smallest primate in the world are only found in Sulawesi and Tangkoko is their last refuge. We will offer a range of guided nature walks here taking in the beautiful rainforest and its inhabitants.
This morning finds us at the Bunaken National Park, which is a treasure trove of biodiversity situated near the centre of the Coral Triangle. Here we will find nearly 400 species of coral, over 90 species of fish including bluestripe snapper and emperor angelfish, whilst seven of the eight species of giant clams are also found here. Meanwhile on land we can find macaque and deer whilst mangrove forests are home to crabs. We will use our Zodiacs to land on a local beach and set up snorkelling platforms to explore the remarkable underwater world whilst our naturalists will lead walks ashore.
Disembark this morning in Likupang and transfer to Manado for the onward indirect flight to Singapore. On arrival in Singapore we will transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Transfer to the airport this morning for our scheduled flight to London. Arrive this evening.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Island Sky
| Length: | 90 Metres |
|---|---|
| Built/Refurbished: | 1992/2018 |
With a maximum passenger capacity of only 116, a vessel of her size is capable of carrying many more but instead the MS Island Sky has the benefit of unusually large suites, luxuriously appointed public areas and spacious outside decks.
There is a high ratio of crew to passengers- the friendly crew of 75 crew and Scandinavian captains are experienced mariners, having been in service aboard large 2000 plus passenger vessels and who now prefer a less frantic life aboard a small ship. If, like them and us, you prefer a more peaceful life at sea, you will find the MS Island Sky the perfect ship. When choosing the vessel for your next voyage of discovery, you can select a ship with endless entertainment and impersonal service or come with us where peace, high quality service and attention to detail are the order of the day. We promise there will be no organised entertainment, fancy dress, deck games or any of the usual big ship experiences. The atmosphere on board is more akin to a private yacht or country hotel. A little music in the lounge or bar after dinner, guest speakers, informative port briefings from our cruise director and of course good food which may be enjoyed leisurely in the attractive dining room. After a day ashore you will return to the comfort and peace of a well run and exceedingly comfortable ship.
Your SuiteOnboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. All feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. The feeling of luxury is enhanced by the wood panelling and brass, which predominates throughout the vessel conveying the atmosphere of a private yacht. The passenger accommodation is arranged over five decks and all suites have outside views. Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring marble-topped vanity unit with sink and walk-in shower, large wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool and excellent storage. There is a mini-fridge, flat screen television with inbuilt DVD player which can also play CDs and a telephone in each suite. Bottled water, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort. Other facilities include a programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating. The suites on each deck have their own colour theme. Soft hues and blended tones enhance the traditional maritime style making the passenger accommodation an inviting and relaxing place to be.
Your SpaceThe spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The bar also features a 24-hour tea and coffee station. The onboard library is the perfect place to relax with a book and is stocked with reference books pertaining to the places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and two computers with internet access. Daily newspapers and magazines are also placed in the library depending on local availability. There is also WI-FI access throughout the vessel. Outside there is a rear sun deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade, a bar and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. On the top deck there is a Jacuzzi and further observation and sun deck. There is also a small hairdressers on board with appointments made on request.
Your DiningAnother benefit of a small ship is the quality of the cuisine. With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the galley is able to provide delicious meals. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, the chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. Such purchases enhance the well stocked larders and bring a local touch to the varied menus.
Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
