I loved the variety in this trip, it's three different holidays in two weeks ! From jungle... Sarah Coupland, 2019 See more reviews
A fantastic holiday, you see and do a lot including the two main highlights of the trip ... Rebecca Fawcett, 2018 See more reviews
The trip was very well organised and the local guides were incredible. Although the trip is only... Isabella Campbell Harry, 2018 See more reviews
This trip packs in so much. Close encounters with orangutans, Komodo dragons and an amazing... Rita Jones, 2018 See more reviews
This was an exceptional trip. Our guide Elly was very caring, had a great sense of humour,was... simon cappin, 2018 See more reviews
This is a highly varied trip which includes a number of iconic species (Orangutans, Thomas Leaf... Kev Sheard, 2018 See more reviews
I really enjoyed this trip and I was very lucky with all the wild life I saw. The people of... Andy Stroud , 2018 See more reviews
This trip fits a lot in to the two weeks but delivers some very special experiences with both the... Dave Renvoize, 2017 See more reviews
An excellent trip seeing the highlights of Indonesia - both animals and scenery - plus the... Susan Parsons, 2017 See more reviews
The best bits of Indonesia in a whistle stop tour of this friendly and vared country. Carol Taylor, 2016 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all Medan to Ubud Day 1 Depart London Depart London Day 2 Start Medan, Sumatra; drive to Bukit Lawang Those not flying with the group from London will meet the tour leader at the airport at 9:00am (subject to change - see Final Joining Instructions) and will then meet the rest of the group there (it is normally possible to meet the tour leader at our pre-tour hotel at 7:30am and go with them to the airport to meet the rest of the group – though this needs to be arranged beforehand). From the airport we drive to Bukit Lawang (approximately 4-5 hours) on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park stopping for lunch on the way. The rest of the afternoon is free to simply relax after the flight and explore the village. Bukit Lawang is one of the most accessible places to spot orang-utans, thanks to an orang-utan conservation programme that has been operating on the eastern edge of the park since the 1970s. The Gunung Leuser National Park is one of the orang-utan's last remaining strongholds, with more than 5000 animals thought to be living in the wild. Sumatran elephants, Sumatran rhinos and Sumatran tigers are all also found in the park, though very rarely seen. The village is attractive, built along one side of the river; relaxing at the river side it is not uncommon to see wild orang-utans come down to the water to drink. Rindu Alam or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Walk in Gunung Leuser N.P. in search of Orang-utans This morning we will head into the Gunung Leuser National Park which is one of the two remaining habitats for Sumatran orang-utans. This is one of the largest national parks in the world, containing over 800,000 hectares of virgin rainforest. We will spend time with our guide and have an opportunity to explore the trails, searching for orang-utans and other wildlife. The hike itself is a leisurely couple hours and there is a good chance of seeing Thomas leaf monkeys and Long-tailed macaques as well as, hopefully one of the orang-utans who inhabit the forest. Our hike ends at the ex-feeding station. Whilst orang-utans are no longer fed here it is still a good place to have good chances of seeing them. Rindu Alam or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Full day with local guides in Gunung Leuser N.P home to Gibbons, Orang-utans, monkeys and many different bird species This morning we return to the old orang-utan rehabilitation centre. Those who want will then venture further from the park headquarters, discovering the flora and fauna of the park, and continuing our search for orang-utans and other wildlife. The park is host to approximately 700 different species of animals, more than 175 mammals, 320 birds, 190 reptiles and amphibians including Thomas leaf monkeys, macaques and gibbons. Other mammals found include the Sumatran elephant and the elusive Sumatran tiger and rhinoceros, although the last is unfortunately facing imminent extinction. We are unlikely to encounter these shy animals. This excursion will last approximately 6 hours, including time spent at the feeding station, and can be taxing given the steep, muddy terrain and hot and humid climate. Reasonable fitness is required and, therefore, completely optional. For anyone who chooses not to undertake the jungle-hike the rest of the day is at leisure to relax at the lodge.Rindu Alam or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Morning village walk and cooking demonstration; afternoon return to Medan This morning we explore Bukit Lawang’s cultural side. Following a walk through the village we head to a local house where we watch an Indonesian cooking demonstration by one of the villagers. This is followed by a local, home-made lunch. In the afternoon we return to Medan (approx. 4 hours) where we will spend the night before our early morning flight tomorrow.Aryaduta Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 6 Fly to Denpasar, Bali; transfer to Sanur We fly to Bali via Jakarta. We aim to catch an early morning flight with good connections to minimise travel time but this may not always be possible and we may have to take a later flight. If all goes as planned, we will be arriving in Bali in the early afternoon and will transfer to our hotel in Sanur near the beach. The rest of the day is free to relax and plan any optional activities for tomorrow.Swastika Bungalows / Taksu Hotel Sanur or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Free day to relax on the beach or optional activities in Sanur Today is a free day to enjoy what Sanur has to offer. There are numerous options both on land and water whether you're feeling active, want to take in some culture or just relax on a nearby beach. Some of these options include a full-day temple tour; downhill biking tour; rafting; or a Bali village tour.Swastika Bungalows / Taksu Hotel Sanur or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 After a relaxed morning; fly to Labuan Bajo, Flores Today we fly to Labuan Bajo at the westernmost tip of the island of Flores. This town is the main entry point into the Komodo National Park and as such has been growing in popularity as a tourist destination. We aim to catch the afternoon flight which means we will be leaving for the airport around 12:30 and will be arriving at our hotel in Labuan Bajo later this afternoon.Luwansa Beach Resort / Puri Sari Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Board the boat; look for Komodo dragons on Rinca Island Komodo National Park, established in 1980, is comprised of islands and the surrounding sea and includes mangrove forests, sea grass beds, and colourful coral reefs. The three main large islands are Komodo, Rinca and Padar although many smaller islands come within the park boundaries. Boarding the boat early we set sail for the next three days. Our first destination is Rinca Island which we shall visit after lunch. Rinca is one of the islands which houses Komodo dragons but is also known for its wild pigs, buffalos and birds. Going ashore we head out on a trek accompanied by a local island ranger and go looking for Komodo dragons in their natural environment. Afterwards we return to the boat and set sail for Padar Island where we go snorkelling in the pristine waters. In the late afternoon we have the opportunity to walk up to the top of one of Padar’s hills to watch a panoramic sunset over the national park. Accommodation on the boat is fairly basic and is a mix of bunks and mattresses on deck. On board the boat Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 10 Track Komodo dragons and snorkelling excursion to see Manta rays This morning we make our way to Komodo Island. Upon arrival we take a trek to Banunggulung, the river bed where the dragons used to be fed fresh goats (until the mid-2000s). The hike takes us through spectacular scenery and there many unusual plants along the way. It is estimated that there are about 2,000 Komodo dragons on the island along with wild boar, deer and buffalo. There is also good bird-watching with cockatoos and Gosong birds amongst others. Following this, we'll visit Pink Beach where we have time to go snorkelling with good chances of seeing parrotfish, clownfish and, with a bit of luck, various other sea-creatures including sea turtles. There is ample time to swim and snorkel and enjoy the beach before we head towards Manta Point - so-named as giant Manta rays, some with a wing-span of 4m, are regularly seen here. Our final leg today takes us to Gili Laba Island where we will drop anchor for the night.On board the boat Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 11 Final day in Komodo N.P. before returning to Labuan Bajo For those who wish, we will get up before dawn in order to head to a viewpoint on Laba Island from which to see the sunrise. Later on there is the opportunity to do some more snorkelling around Laba Island before setting sail again. Time permitting we will make one final snorkelling stop at Kanawa Island on the way back to Labuan Bajo. Returning to Labuan Bajo we will transfer back to our hotel for the night.Luwansa Beach Resort / Puri Sari Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Day 12 Fly to Bali; transfer to Ubud; Bali's cultural heartland We fly back to Denpasar (the flight times can vary) and drive (approx 2 hours) to Ubud, surrounded by rice fields and temples, our final destination. Ubud gets its name from the Balinese word ubad (medicine); the town was originally important as a source of medicinal herbs and plants, but these days is known for its artistic community, awash with artists' workshops and art galleries. Ubud's history can be traced back to the 8th century, when a Buddhist priest came to Bali from Java, he meditated at the confluence of the two Wos rivers at Campuan, just west of the modern day town centre. A shrine was established and later expanded by Nirartha, a Javanese priest who is regarded as the founder of Bali's religious practices and rituals as we know them today. When Ubud became a Dutch protectorate at its own request, the colonialists interfered little, allowing the traditional arts and culture of the area to remain relatively unchanged. From the 1930s onwards western artists and intellectuals arrived furthering the local art scene, amongst them Charlie Chaplin and H.G. Wells. Ubud is still a haven for literati, glitterati and art collectors.Sahadewa Resort Ubud or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 13 Hike to Batur Volcano; visit Gunung Kawi Temple, Tirta Empul Temple and Tegalalang Our first stop on our tour of Central Bali is the Kintamani area where we will go on a short hike (4.5km) from the rim of the Batur caldera, descending through black lava fields. We have the opportunity to learn more about the volcano and enjoy views over the crater and surrounding area. Our tour continues to the Tampaksiring area where we visit Gunung Kawi Temple. Set amidst rice terraces this 11th century temple feature ten rock-hewn candi (shrines) carved into the cliff face itself. They stand at 7m and combine both Hindu and Buddhist attributes. The descent to the candi involves numerous stairs (which we also have to climb back up!). After this we can visit Tirta Empul Temple known amongst Balinese Hindus for its holy waters which are believed to wash away bad spirits. The final stop of the day is at Tegalalang for sweeping views over the island’s most impressive rice paddies.Sahadewa Resort Ubud or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 14 Free day in Ubud; optional trekking or rafting Today is free to wander through the vibrant streets of Ubud enjoying the town’s cafes, shops, temples and theatres or go on another optional trip exploring other parts of the island. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on how best to spend your time.Sahadewa Resort Ubud or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 15 Depart Ubud. Trip ends after breakfast for Land only clients. Those on the group flights will be taken to Denpasar airport in time for their flight home. Meals included: Breakfast Day 16 Arrive London
Gili Extension Extend your adventure with our perfectly designed Gili extension. Only a short boat ride away the Gili islands epitomise tropical paradise with white sand, palm trees and warm waters teeming with rays, sharks and all kinds of marine life. Spend a couple days snorkelling, diving or just relaxing by the turquoise sea and taking in the atmosphere on Gili Trawangan. This is a 4 day extension; you will spend 3 nights in a resort right by the beach with 2 full days at leisure. The best place to jump out of bed and into the sea in the morning. Please ask your sales consultant for more details. Extension Day 1 - Early morning pick up from hotel (where your tour ends), transfer to Serangan/Padang Bai Harbour; ferry to Gili Trawangan You will be picked up early in the morning from your hotel and transferred to the harbour in time to check in for the ferry. Upon your arrival by ferry at Gili Trawangan (usually mid-morning), you will be transferred to your resort and then the rest of the day is free to explore or simply relax and soak up the sun! Desa Dunia Beda Resort or similar Extension Day 2 - Free day- Gili Trawangan Free day at the beach/leisure Desa Dunia Beda Resort or similar Meals included: Breakfast Extension Day 3 - Free day- Gili Trawangan Your second full free day at the beach/leisure Desa Dunia Beda Resort or similar Meals included: Breakfast Extension Day 4 - Transfer back to Bali; end Denpasar Airport This morning enjoy breakfast at the hotel before being picked up and transferred to the ferry back to Bali. The ferry usually departs Gili Trawangan around 11:15 and arrives back to Serangan/Padang Bai Harbour in Bali at 14:00. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by private transfer to Denpasar Airport (approx. 30 minutes) where your Gili Trawangan beach extension ends. Meals included: Breakfast Important: If you have booked this Gili island (Gili Tranwangan) extension after the MOI, AOJ or WOZ trip and intend to depart Bali on the day the extension ends, the boat back to Bali is scheduled to arrive in Bali at around 14:00. However there can be delays depending on currents. Therefore, if booking your own flight and flying out of Bali (Denpasar Airport) on the same day we recommend you book a flight no earlier than 20:00 in the evening.
Indonesia Many nationalities, including British, can now get a visa free of charge upon arrival at Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya, Batam, Bali and Yogyakarta. Where a free visa is not available the cost is generally US$35. The Indonesian government may change the visa policy on short notice and start charging for the visas so be prepared to pay for a visa in case this happens.
Indonesia There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis should be considered if your trip goes to Flores, Komodo, parts of Sumatra, Kalimatan or Sulawesi but not for Java, Bali or Lombok. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Hotels & boat 11 nights’ hotels (a mix of comfortable and standard), all en suite and two nights on board the boat in Komodo National Park. The nights spent on the boat are quite idyllic as we anchor in quiet bays but please be advised the accommodation is basic. Accommodation is a mixture of bunks in cabins and mattresses on deck with shared bathrooms. The reason we spend 2 nights on board the boat during this wildlife trip is to maximise widlife viewing around the islands. At Bukit Lawang the hotel only has cold water, but as outside temperatures are hot this is refreshing. Please be advised that the accommodation listed in each location on the day to day itinerary are the standard hotels used. However, there may be some departures where groups stay at similar hotels of the same standard and quality. Single supplements are available (on request) 11 nights only. Please note the single supplement does not apply for the 2 nights spent on the boat in Komodo National Park. Please advise the sales team at the time of booking if you would like to request a single supplement.
Reviewed July 2019 Sarah Coupland Trip: Primates & Dragons of Indonesia Excellent trip - full of variety I loved the variety in this trip, it's three different holidays in two weeks ! From jungle hiking in Sumatra to seas and sunsets in Flores and finally Bali for temples, the beach and chilling. Despite the distances covered and three flights, it doesn't feel like you are always on the move as when you get to a location you stay for several days. All the accommodation was good and well located and the Indonesian people are lovely and welcoming. Food on the boat is exceptional and sleeping on deck is an experience. An excellent guide and fantastic travel companions made this a highly memorable trip What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The main highlights were obviously seeing the orangutans and Komodo dragons and we saw both. We were lucky to have the opportunity to watch several orangutan mothers with their babies in close proximity and we saw plenty of dragons on both Rinca and Komodo islands. Other highlights were watching the fruit bats fly at sunset and watching the playful monkeys in Ubud. I also did an optional horse riding excursion (from Sanur) which unexpectedly included a visit to a turtle conservation area where we saw just hatched baby turtles. What did you think of your group leader? Wira was an excellent guide. He usually does the activity based trips in Bali, but had stepped in to take this tour as Elly was unavailable. Wira was always laughing, approachable, organised, practical, knowledgeable and sociable, he was always prepared to go the extra mile for you. Additionally, the local guides that accompany you in Sumatra and Flores are excellent. Wira had to deal with a couple of situations which he did quickly and effectively and he couldn't apologise enough for a couple of issues that were completely beyond his control. He helped to arrange some optional excursions that were "not on the list" and even joined a few of us on one of them. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take decent walking boots, I'm glad I did especially for the 2nd day "long" walk in Gunang Leuser National Park. They provide walking sticks (no need to pack one)- I was grateful for the one I used though it does become a liability when trying to take photos ! If you are offered the opportunity to visit the Bat Cave - it's not for the faint-hearted, lots of rocks and scrambling (I had to bail part way through) A few of us wanted to do different excursions to those presented to us on the list. So from Sanur, 5 of us went horse riding on the beach with Bali Horse Riding who were very professional, taking time to assess your ability and matching you with one of their well looked after horses. Most of us slept on the boat deck for both nights. If you go July, I recommend taking something warm to sleep in. I wore my jacket and leggings both nights and many of us added socks for night two ! Some of our group got the chance to see Manta Rays at Manta Point, so make sure you are "snorkel ready" with your underwater camera when the boat gets there. Some of us also wanted to visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, so Wira arranged a driver for us and actually came with us. He even arranged the hotel to do breakfast e=half and hour earlier so we could leave and get there before any of the tourist buses. We watched the locals go about their prayers, saw a cremation purification ceremony and got "classic" photos of the temple (minus hoards of tourists). We then went onto the Jatiluwih rice terraces which were beautiful and so much less touristy than the ones we'd seen the previous day on the itinerary trip. We left at 7.15am and we were back for 1.15pm and it cost us about £7/8 each (including driver's trip) well worth it. If you want to do the optional half day trip to Tanah Lot temple from Sanur, I would ask your guide if you could arrange to leave earlier than scheduled, we left at 8.15am and got stuck in the dreadful traffic and consequently we were rushed around the temple. Is there anything else you would like to add? As with any trip, it depends on your interests and attitude as to whether it's the one for you. But if you like some variety in a trip, I highly recommend this one.
Reviewed June 2019 Brian Bullingham Trip: Primates & Dragons of Indonesia Primates and Dragons May 2019 A well organised trip. The chief guide was excellent as were all the additional guides. The accommodation was first class with a variety from Eco Lodges to top hotels. The tour was arranged to see the maximum sights during the 3 week period - but at times there seemed too many options and a slower pace would have improved the trip. Of necessity there were lots of internal flights that had to be endured! As a group we all mixed in -we varied from 3 couples and 6 singles but all meals etc. went well. An enjoyable trip that ticked all the photo opportunities with a blend of local culture for interest. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The most hilarious moment was during our watch of the Orang-utangs when another visitor had left his back-pack open and this was spotted by a sharp-eyed male who shot down from his tree, snatched a crisp -packet from the bag and shot up another tree where he ripped open the packet and starting eating the crisps - never underestimate the intelligence of a primate!! My other memory is of the traffic and the number of mopeds all overtaking cars and lorries with abandon and with no overt action from the car,etc. being overtaken - a lesson in politeness for Westerners! What did you think of your group leader? Elly our group leader was very efficient and got us in a group to the right place at the right time - no mean feat considering all the different ways of travel. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take a poncho as it can rain heavily.
Reviewed December 2018 Rebecca Fawcett Trip: Primates & Dragons of Indonesia Amazing wildlife A fantastic holiday, you see and do a lot including the two main highlights of the trip (Orangutans & Komodo Dragons) in a beautiful country. The trip is very well organised so it's not too hectic or tiring but full of great experiences. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing the Orangutans. There was a moment when a baby was one tree away from it's mother and the mother reached her hand out for the baby to take before helping her swing into the other tree. It was such a human-like moment between a mother and child, wonderful to spend time with such a beautiful species. What did you think of your group leader? Elly was brilliant, every things she did was to ensure we enjoyed the trip and made fantastic memories. She kept an eye on us all when snorkelling, ensured we had the best photo opportunities and gave us ointments to put on sunburn when needed! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Bring a t-shirt / rash vest for snorkelling, the sun is incredibly strong and it's very easy to get burnt.
Reviewed December 2018 Isabella Campbell Harry Trip: Primates & Dragons of Indonesia A wonderful guide and very well organised trip The trip was very well organised and the local guides were incredible. Although the trip is only 2 weeks long we were able to pack a huge amount and sample the diversity of Indonesia, with some level of flexibility. From the Orangutans in the North to the Komodo dragons and Manta rays in the south. This trip has it all and so much more. It was amazing to respectively see these creatures in the wild. Elly, our guide, is filled with so much joy and enthusiasm. It was lovely that although she has done this trip many times, she is filled with just as much awe as us tourists at Indonesia's natural world. We could have perhaps done with a little less time in Bali but other than that I have no complaints! I hope one day I will be back and be able to visit the local people I can now proudly call friends. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Swimming with the manta rays was extraordinary.
Reviewed November 2018 Rita Jones Trip: Primates & Dragons of Indonesia Amazing adventures This trip packs in so much. Close encounters with orangutans, Komodo dragons and an amazing amount of marine life on the best coral we have ever seen. All the hotels used were lovely with nice pools to relax by. Our guide Elly was lovely and local guides on trips couldn't have been nicer. Wonderful food including an amazing jungle picnic. Really felt well looked after on this trip. Wish I could go back right now! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Difficult to select one....there were so many! Being so close to a huge but very placid male orangutan and his family. Especially when he stood up and wanderered about on two legs so close to us. What did you think of your group leader? She was lovely. Very caring to the whole group Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Volunteer to sleep on the deck of the boat. Cabins are a bit stuffy in the heat. Take your own towels on board. Jungle treck needs a reasonable level of fitness but you can go as slow as you want. Plenty of guides around to help. Is there anything else you would like to add? On Summatra we had a lovely village walk including time spent talking to the schoolchildren. It would have been nice if we could have helped the local environment as we walked round e.g a voluntary litter collection .
Reviewed November 2018 simon cappin Trip: Primates & Dragons of Indonesia what an amazing trip This was an exceptional trip. Our guide Elly was very caring, had a great sense of humour,was incredibly well organised and ensured everything went smoothly.The itinerary was extremely varied but the pace of the trip was not too frenetic. The hotels were all very comfortable with lots of character.Seeing orang utans in the wild was a real highlight( saw 6 in total) in the jungles of Sumatra. What I particularly enjoyed was snorkelling in the seas off Rinca and Komodo.Whilst I primarily booked the trip to see the Komodo dragons the quality of the coral and abundance and variety of fish was magical.I have snorkelled and dived all over the world and this is the best I have ever seen.Swimming with 10 Manta rays was absolutely incredible.I would definitely recommend this trip What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Swimming with manta rays What did you think of your group leader? excellent Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Make sure you have suitable sun protection for snorkelling .Buy an underwater camera Is there anything else you would like to add? I would recommend extending your trip to include Mt Bromo and Borobudur in Java and booking the rafting trips in Bali.
Reviewed September 2018 Kev Sheard Trip: Primates & Dragons of Indonesia Superb wildlife and varied itinerary This is a highly varied trip which includes a number of iconic species (Orangutans, Thomas Leaf Monkeys, Macaques, Komodo Dragons) and great scenery alongside local culture and beaches. I was initially worried about the amount of internal travelling, but it was broken up quite nicely and didn't make things tiring at all. The leaders make a point of saying animal sightings aren't guaranteed, but we saw lots. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The jungle walks in North Sumatra were the true highlight of the trip for me, meeting the Orangutans and Thomas Leaf Monkeys. The people of N Sumatra are also extremely friendly, and clearly enjoyed meeting us as much as we did they; that was really inspirational. What did you think of your group leader? Elly was superb, nothing was too much trouble for her, and she always went the extra mile to make our holiday special and share her knowledge and information. In each area we used local specialist guides, who were without exception ultra friendly and helpful.
Reviewed June 2018 Andy Stroud Trip: Primates & Dragons of Indonesia Amazing wildlife I really enjoyed this trip and I was very lucky with all the wild life I saw. The people of Indonesia are really friendly and it was great to see so much of the country What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing the wild orangutans and komodo dragons in there natural environment was unforgettable What did you think of your group leader? My group leader was Elly. She's great, very passionate about Indonesia and its wildlife. She was always happy to help with any thing. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If your into photography but want to travel light this may help. I took my DSLR with just a zoom lens 300m for the wildlife, my compact for everything else and my gopro for a few videos. On one of my free days I went on a quad bike tour in Bali. It wasn't on the list of things but Elly sorted it out for me. I definitely recommend doing this. Is there anything else you would like to add? This is a great trip, You will love it 😁
Reviewed September 2017 Dave Renvoize Trip: Primates & Dragons of Indonesia Hectic but very rewarding trip This trip fits a lot in to the two weeks but delivers some very special experiences with both the orangutans and the komodo dragons so it is well worth the hardship of some early starts and long travel days. The accommodation is generally good although the boat is rather basic, but this is a small price to pay for the excellent snorkelling and komodo dragon sightings that the boat makes possible. The food on the boat is both tasty and plentiful and the crew very obliging. Overall this is an excellent trip and a rare opportunity to see both orangutans and komodo dragons as well as experiencing life in three areas of Indonesia. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The first sighting of the orangutans was soon after we started our first jungle trek and was a special moment, especially as they seemed so comfortable with us being so close. This was just the beginning of our trek and was followed by many more sightings including some very playful infants and an impressive mature male. The komodo dragons were no less impressive and watching a female dragon who was guarding her nest full of eggs erupt in to action to chase off another dragon who was looking to eat the eggs is a moment that I will not forget. What did you think of your group leader? Elly was an excellent leader. Good company, very professional and a capable problem solver as well as being around when ever she was needed, including some late nights when the group went on from the evening meal for some music and beers and Elly made sure we all got home safely! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Its generally hot and humid and we had nightly heavy rain when in the Sumatra jungle so a light weight waterproof jacket/poncho is useful. Pack light and get laundry done half way through the trip in Sanur, the Swastika bungalows did a good job with our laundry (24 hour turn around) for very small cost. Take a t shirt or rash vest for the snorkelling to avoid sun burnt shoulders and a torch or head lamp for the boat at night (generator off at night by group decision to enjoy the silence) and in case of power cuts in the other hotels.
Reviewed May 2017 Susan Parsons Trip: Primates & Dragons of Indonesia Primates & Dargons of Indonesia An excellent trip seeing the highlights of Indonesia - both animals and scenery - plus the tourist areas of Bali. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The Gunang Leuser National Park seeing the orang-utans and other primates. The rangers are very knowledgeable and know the history of the individual orang-utans in the area. The three days on the wooden boat in the islands of the Komodo National Park adjacent to Flores. Some wonderful sunrises and sunsets. Seeing the first Komodo dragon walking across the path in front of us on Rinca - giant lizards with a rather nasty bite! The snorkelling was superb - I've never seen so many different types of fish or so many of them on the coral reefs. Apart from when some of us snorkelled off the boat at Manta Point, the water was very clear. What did you think of your group leader? We had two - Elly in North Sumatra; Wira in Bali & Flores. Elly is a very experienced tour leader and provided much useful practical knowledge i.e. you should wear decent walking boots/trainers in the NP with long trousers tucked into socks. It was steep in places and slippery (we had very heavy rain) and there were leeches! She was good company and we learnt a lot about Indonesia from her. Wira wasn't quite as practical, but was very enthusiastic and arranged 2 birthday cakes. He was also a dab hand with the first aid kit. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The boat isn't big and has very little storage space, so leave your big bag at the hotel in Labuan Bajo and take just what you need for 3 days. Do take a T shirt to swim in whilst snorkelling/taking the dinghy to the beach - it is hot! As a group we decided to dispense with the air conditioning as it meant running a noisy generator all night; most of us slept on deck - much cooler and very peaceful when there weren't other boats running their generators. Do take walking boots/trainers on the central Bali day - it's quite steep descending to the lava fields. The Swastika Bungalows offered a 24 hour laundry service, or you can get your laundry done by one of the local stalls, just outside the hotel. This was halfway through the trip, so worked well. Hardy, the supermarket very close to the hotel, sold just about everything, including the local Hatten wine (very drinkable). Is there anything else you would like to add? The travelling days were long - the drive between Medan and Bukit Lawang was 4 1/2 hours; moreorless a full day flying from Medan to Bali; slightly less between Bali and Labuan Bajo. Sanur is very touristy - far more so than I'd thought it would be. Ubad less so; the stall and shop keepers were slightly less pushy.
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