(Dates to be advised soon)
M.S. Katharina
Fly Auckland to Bali with either Air NZ or Emirates. Met on arrival and transferred to the Sadara Boutique Resort & Spa.
Transfer back to the airport and take the morning flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo, Komodo Island. Met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. This afternoon a trip into the highlands to visit the local tribes (B,L,D)
Early morning we are taken straight to our ship, the M.S Katharina where we will head out into Komodo National Park to Makassar reefs to snorkel with mantas and then to Pink Beach. Cruise to Rinca at night and anchor in the bay. (B,L,D)
Cruise to Rinca - Distance 6nM (one hour)
Wake up early and go ashore on Rinca Island to have an encounter with Komodo Dragons. Snorkel after breakfast on Siaba Reef to see turtles. Late afternoon around 4pm we will set sail for Riung Islands, enjoying sunset cocktails and we cruise along the northern coast of Flores. (B,L.D)
Overnight to Riung - Distance 86nM (14 hours)
Today we will wake up in Riung Island group for a full day of island exploration, snorkelling, paddling, kayaking and hiking. In the evening we will be anchored off-shore as thousands upon thousands of fruit bats come out from their roosting trees to head to the mainland to forage.(B,L,D)
Overnight to Paluweh Island - Distance 40nM (6 hours)
Today we will wake up off Paluweh Island, an active volcano that rises 3000m from the sea floor. Spend the day exploring the island and the surrounding reefs, with hikes, swimming, snorkelling and paddle boarding. Visit the Catholic village on the island (B,L,D)
Overnight to Capo de Flores - Distance 70nM (11 hours)
Wake up off the coast of the Capo de Flores, the Cape of Flowers as named by the Portuguese. We will spend the day snorkelling, paddling and exploring in this beautiful part of Flores. (B,L,D)
Overnight to Ile Api - Distance 50nM (7 hours)
We will wake up on Lembata Island in a mighty Waienga Bay, under the gaze of a massive live volcano called Ile Api – Island of Fire. We will go ashore to see some of the superb Ikat textiles produced in this region, while meeting weavers from some of the neighbouring villages. After a formal welcome and a demonstration of local weaving techniques, there will be an exhibition of textiles, which will be for sale giving you the chance to add a fabulous bide-wealth cloth to your collection. After lunch on the boat, we will sail across the bay for more snorkelling under the gaze of the volcano. Night at anchor (B,L,D)
Today we head for Solor, taking our time to cruise throughout the day, stopping off along the route for snorkelling and exploring. Leave at 7am having breakfast along the way. Along the way a stop to visit a Portuguese fort (B,L,D)
Overnight to Solor - Distance 40nM (7 hours of sailing in the day)
Overnight to Larantuka 24nM (4 hours overnight)
We will wake up once again under the gaze of another imposing volcano, this time the mighty Ile Mandiri off Larantuka. After breakfast, we will go ashore and be welcomed by the villagers of Lamaholot, who will show us in detail how they produce their fantastic earthy-brown ikats decorated with small white seashells. After lunch on board, we will move north along the Capo des Flores (the Cape of Flowers), to a great snorkelling site and beach, where we will snorkel, swim, paddle and play. We will then cruise off into the night at about 8, for our overnight passage in the direction of Maumere. (B,L,D)
Overnight to Kodia - Distance 60nM (10 hours of sailing in the day)
Arrivng just before dawn, we will be anchored off the coral atoll of Pangabatan and Kodia island, where we will have the chance for the final snorkelling of our trip. Spend the day playing and exploring (B,L,D)
Set sail at 5am and cruise into Maumere and go to Watublapi village for cultural performance. Back to boat for lunch and then to airport for an afternoon flight to Bali.
Meet upon arrival and transfer to the Sadara Boutique Beach Resort & Spa (B,L)
Kodia to Maumere - Distance 18nM (3 hours of sailing)
Transfer to the airport and return to Auckland on either Air NZ or Emirates overnight service (B)
Arrive Auckland (B)
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