Jungle & Sea – Indonesia's Unknown Tropical Islands

Day 2: Experience Denpasar & Embarkation

After a relaxed breakfast, you will have time to explore the cultural and historical treasures of the Balinese capital.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Heritage Adventurer, where you will be warmly welcomed on board by your captain and the expedition team before setting course for the island of Sumbawa.

Day 4: Komodo National Park

A protected area for the giant monitor lizard – the Komodo dragon: a wooded path leads to a viewpoint from which you can observe these prehistoric reptiles up close. The animals can grow up to 3 meters in length and weigh up to 135 kilograms. The surrounding forests are also home to Timor deer, the dragons' favorite prey, and elegant yellow-crested cockatoos.

Afterwards, a first snorkeling trip is planned at the beautiful Pink Beach – a truly exclusive diving experience that is often described as "swimming in an aquarium. "

Day 6: Buru Island

Rarely visited, Buru Island lies on the biogeographical border between Australia and Asia. An impressive number of the bird and mammal species living here are found exclusively on Buru, including ten endemic bird species, four endemic mammal species, and numerous near-endemic species.

This morning, you will explore these remote coastlines together with your experts and nature guides. Look forward to exciting forays through the forests in search of unique wildlife and rare species. During visits to traditional villages, we will also experience the warm hospitality of the local population firsthand.

Day 10: Misool Island

Once part of the Sultanate of Tidore during the Spice Wars, Misool is the second-largest island in the maritime paradise of Raja Ampat. The "Realm of the Four Kings" is named after its four main islands – and is also your gateway to a spectacular underwater world. Although once colonized by the Dutch, Misool has retained its cultural identity: traditional lifestyles, indigenous architecture, folk dances, and a deep-rooted respect for nature characterize life on the island.

On land, you will discover hidden caves in the midst of lush forests with rock carvings that are over 5,000 years old. Underwater, a colorful world of protected reefs opens up, home to dugongs, Napoleon fish, clownfish, manta rays, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp, and pygmy seahorses, among others.  Mysterious sea caves once served as cemeteries. During the day, you will explore a labyrinth of caves and waterways and hike to viewpoints where Raja Ampat lies at your feet in all its beauty. A day full of goosebump moments.

Day 12: Triton Bay

Days 14-15: Asmat villages

Ten thousand square miles of mangrove forests, bamboo, and sago palms have always protected the Asmat region from outsiders. At high tide, our ship navigates through the shallow channel of the Flamingo River and anchors near the village of Agats, the regional capital of Asmat.

A remote river world unfolds as Zodiacs carry you along narrow waterways lined with the intertwined branches of dense mangrove forests, home to Torresian Imperial Pigeons, sulfur-crested cockatoos, and bright red lorikeets.

Upstream, you will encounter villagers—shouting and singing, wearing elaborate war paint and traditional equipment—who paddle energetically in artistically carved canoes to escort you to the shore, where a warm welcome awaits.

A walk along elevated wooden walkways takes you to a cathedral with outstanding carvings and a museum with exhibits of totem poles, drums, face masks, shields, daggers, and skulls —a striking reminder that cannibalism and headhunting were once practiced by the ancestors of some of the villagers.

Asmat carving is known for its powerful lines and bold, expressive motifs and is considered by collectors and art historians to be one of the world's most important woodcarving traditions. Many of these works of art can be purchased directly from the village craftsmen.

Day 18: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – Cairns, Australia