Whale Sharks, Corals & Dragons By World Journeys

Fill your senses with nine days of snorkelling, trekking, iconic wildlife encounters and tropical island exploration as we cruise along Indonesia’s Ring of Fire.

Swim with whale sharks, one of the largest but most gentle animals in the ocean. Walk near the fascinating and ancient Komodo dragons – the world’s largest lizard, and enjoy the beauty of colourful coral reefs and their biodiversity.

** Days 1 & 2: Komodo National Park**
After taking the early morning flight from Bali, you will be met at Komodo Airport and be driven to your boat. And as you settle into your new home, you will head to your first snorkelling spot; a coral restoration project where you will see how the corals and fish populations have grown since they were first transplanted in 2014.

Go ashore on Komodo Island in search of the fearsome Komodo dragons, found only in the Komodo National Park. This is the world’s largest lizard, growing up to a length of three metres and weighing up to approximately 70kg.

Enjoy some magnificent snorkelling on some of the Komodo Park’s best reefs. Swim with manta rays as they feed on the current and circle the so-called cleaning stations, where small fish remove parasites from their skin. Snorkel at a favourite hangout of sea turtles, where you will have a chance to swim with these gentle reptiles as they cruise along the shallow water of the reef.

**Days 3 & 4: Gili Banta & Satonda Island**
Wake up off the coast of a beautiful uninhabited island with a beach of pure white sand with some sparkles of powdered red coral, creating the effect of a “pink beach”. You will spend the morning here, swimming, paddle boarding, and snorkelling on the beautiful coral reef that lies parallel to the beach.

Over lunch, you will cruise to a nearby active volcanic island where you will see a large wooden pinisi boat, with the same pedigree and history of SeaTrek’s very own ships, being built on the beach. Walking around this small village, get a feel for their simple way of life, chat with the locals and maybe buy some handmade textiles as a souvenir.

Spend the day at a strange and mystical volcanic island with a sunken crater lake in its centre that was filled with saltwater when the nearby Mt Tambora catastrophically erupted in 1815. Here you will swim, kayak and paddleboard on the lake, while the more adventurous can go trekking around the crater rim.

Experience incredible beach BBQs under a night sky filled with millions of stars as you feast on the amazing local delicacies prepared by our chef, and all accompanied by live musical entertainment from our talented crew. Another highlight of your visit to the island will be the sight of thousands of flying foxes that fly at dusk from the island to feed on the mainland.

**Days 5 & 6: Sumbawa Whale Sharks & Moyo Island **
Today you will have chance for an early morning swim with whale sharks, the gentle giants of the sea. These massive but harmless animals have long congregated in the bay. However, now, as a result of cooperation with local fisherman, visitors can use small fishing platforms in the bay to get closer to the whale sharks in the area. *Whale sharks live freely in the wild, but fingers crossed you will see them during your visit.

After an early start,  spend the day on a beach located on a small limestone island nearby, kayaking, swimming and snorkelling, and exploring the local karst formations. You will cruise to Labuan Aji village on the island of Moyo to visit the village and walk to a scenic waterfall where you can bathe in the refreshing cool water.

**Days 7 & 8: Sangeang Island & Gili Lawa Darat**
Enjoy a unique snorkelling experience where volcanic gasses escape in the form of bubbles from the sea floor among the corals, with the metallic black volcanic sand below being home to an abundance of very interesting invertebrates.

Entering the Komodo National Park again we will go drift snorkelling in one of the best and healthiest coral reefs in the park, and for those who want to take the land-adventure to another level, you can do a sunset hike up to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the other islands in the park.

Visit Rinca Island, which is well known for its diverse wildlife, and maybe spot dragons, monkeys, wild buffaloes and deer. From the top of the hills, the scenery is breathtaking.

**Day 9: Flores Island & Melo Village**
After breakfast on your last day, take a scenic drive towards Melo Village, where you will witness the traditional Caci dance performance. Local strongmen perform a ritual whip-fight between two rivals in which the players, each armed with a rattan shield and a whip, will try to hit each other while dancing to the rhythm of traditional acoustic instruments.

After lunch on the boat, say farewell to the crew and your fellow shipmates as you disembark and are transferred to Komodo Airport.

Inclusions 

• All meals and soft drinks, tea, coffee, snacks
• Wine, beer and selected cocktails at beach BBQ
• Selected wines with special farewell dinner
• Local English speaking tour leaders
• All port fees
• All park fees, cultural performances, local guides, and off boat activities
• Daily room cleaning
• Two pieces of laundry each day
• Complimentary cotton backpack, luggage tag, fan, stainless steel water bottle, which guests are encouraged to take home and keep
• Use of all facilities on board including snorkelling gear, paddle boards, kayaks, board games
• Airport transfers from/to Komodo Airport

Terms & Conditions 

• Please enquire for triple cabin rates
• Please contact us about adding ‘Orangutans & Dragons’ in Kalimantan at an additional costNot Included:

• Airfares (except for Orangutans & Dragons add on activity)
• Alcoholic drinks outside of special dinners and beach BBQ as listed
• Personal expenses on land
• Travel insurance
• Gratuities
• An additional US$400 fuel surcharge appliesGratuity:

• Gratuities are voluntary and can be given at the end of your cruise if you are pleased with services provided
• Suggested tipping amounts are US$30 – US$50 per passenger per cruise day which is shared amongst all crew; and US$20 – US$30 per passenger per cruise day which is shared between all tour leaders

General Terms & Conditions: Deposits & final payments will be required to secure bookings. Strict amendment & cancellation conditions apply. Travel agent professional service fees will apply. We welcome all major credit cards however a credit card processing fee will apply. Whilst every care is taken to accurately present the information & pricing we reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions. Further terms & conditions apply.