Komodo Dragon Tour

Diving, snorkelling and visit the Dragon

START/END : BALI
Join us in Komodo Archipelago to experience an encounter with the fearsome Komodo dragons, the world largest lizard. Growing up to 3 meters in length and up to 140 kilograms, Komodo considered the last of their kind remaining in the world today. Komodo Island - located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores - is now a national park and also home to number of rare birds, deer and wild pigs which are prey to the lizards as well.

Called "ORA" by the local people, Komodo Dragon (Varanus Komodoensis) is actually a giant monitor lizard. Its ancestors roamed the earth up to about half a million years ago. Komodo live on goat, deer and even the carcasses of its own kind. The only human population on the island is at the fishing village called Komodo who supplement their income breeding goats which are used to feed the lizard.

The Komodo Dragon is protected by law and although they are considered harmless, it is advisable to keep them at the distance. Komodo Island is now a nature reserve, home to a number of rare bird species, deer and weld pigs, which are prey to the lizards as well. In general, the vegetation at Komodo are only comprises of trees and grass. The forest is not too thick, and the ground is covered by the grass while there are only rare trees to grow. The situation there just like the savannah. Beside the komodo it self, the site also the home of many other animals including wild water buffalloes, deers, and long tailed maccaque.

The islands of the Komodo Dragon: Rinca & Komodo Islands are part of the complex of 175 islands (about 90% unhabitant), situated 200 nautical miles east of Bali, between the islands of Flores and Sumbawakomodo dragon tour with national geographic filming.Actually, there are 2 main gates entering Komodo. The first one is the Bima harbor. the second one is the harbor of Labuhan Bajo. Start the tour from Labuhan Bajo will provide us less time to sail. Its only need about 3 hours to sail from Labuhan Bajo to Komodo island. Most of our guest taking the trip to Komodo from Labuhan Bajo, as it is closer to the site. Less time needed to sail on the boat. Labuan Bajo is accesible only from Bali by airplane for about 1 hour 40 minutes.

During your stay at Komodo island, we will do some trekking to the former feeding site of komodo on Banunggulung on Komodo island. There is a trekking trail of about 20 minutes from the sea shore to the site on where most peoples see the the Komodo lizard on it's habitat. We will also pay a visit to the other island nearby (The Komodo island group comprises of many big and small island. Among the big one are the Komodo island, the Rinca island, and Padar island)

Along with the national park's rangers we will silently explore the islands on foot for the encounters with the dragons. The Komodo dragons are large, ferocious predators that are fully capable of killing and eating a human being and capable of running as fast as a dog! But don't worry, the rangers are experiences and know well how to deal with dragons which can reach a length of 3 meters (about 10 feet). Nowadays the dragons estimated at 5,000 - 7,000 inhabited the islands of Komodo, Rinca and other tiny surrounding islands, and on the westernmost part of Flores Island in Indonesia.

Besides the dragons komodo, you can also experience wildlife tour on Rinca Island by trekking through the island to observe the other wild animals such as deer,horses, birds etc, in their wild life.

We will spend an adventurous night on the boat. In the morning or afternoon you can snorkeling and diving around Komodo, some of the best in the world, especially for seeing soft corals. Some of the beaches nearby have beautiful pink sand, tinted by fragments of red coral mixed in with other shell and coral fragments.

Komodo Dragon Tour and Snorkelling

The water of Komodo is very ideal place for many kinds of sea activites. A lot of our visitors enjoy very much the underwater side of Komodo. It's just like the missing paradise fot he underwater world lover. It has many excellent dive spots.

komodo island beachIn the sea it's vibrant color and exotic life will enchant divers and snorkelers alike as endless schools of fish ride the waterways rushing up from deep sea vents, below them the seabed is covered with a thick carpet of florescent corals and marine invertebrates - an underwater photographers paradise.

The corals in Komodo National park are pristine, with Mantas, sharks, turtles, dolphins, dugong, many pelagics, to the tiny pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, frog fish, you name it we've got it. The sites vary from gentle easy coral slopes to heart pounding adrenalin rides, from the warm waters of the Flores Sea in the north to the chillier waters down south in the Indian Ocean, the underwater terrain is so varied with sheer cliff walls, pinnacles, sandy flat bottoms, underwater plateaus, slopes, caves, swim-throughs, channels, all with varying colours, sizes and types of coral both hard and soft.

You will board on a fisherman wooden boat which have been modified to enable and suitable for carrying tourist, equipped by Radio Navigation, Electricity, Toilet, One big cabin which has 6-8 beds, Life jackets and Mattress.

TORAJA TOUR, SOUTH SULAWESI

Welcome to the Tana Toraja, the "Land of Heavenly Kings".
The long drive from the lowlands to the mountain stronghold of Tanaopens up a breath-taking new world. The rugged mountains and verdant valleys are home to a people whose love of religious spectacle is equaled only by their hospitality. With majestic panoramas, captivating villages and dramatic ceremonies, Tana Toraja is the undisputed highlight of any journey to Sulawesi.

Upgraded roads, an airport and several star-rated hotels have opened the Toraja highland to visitors of all interests. The essence of the Toraja beliefs and way of life can be experienced without undue effort, as many interesting sites are clustered around the town of Rantepao, easily accessible by road.

Toraja Land whose ancestor oriented group believes that their forefathers descended from heaven onto a mountain some twenty generations ago. Their colourful culture is especially rich in elaborate sacrificial, post mortuary, and cave burial sites.

Tana Toraja (Toraja Land), which lies in the north of the province is known for its unique culture and ancient traditions. The center of tourism is Rantepao, 328 km from Ujung Pandang by road. There are several small bungalow hotels at Rantepao, and Makale, the district capital. The entry to Tana Toraja is marked by a gate built in traditional boat-shaped architecture. The road passes through the mountains of Kandora and Gandang on which, according to Toraja mythology, the first ancestors of celestial beings descended from heaven. The majority of the people still follows an ancestral cult called "Aluk Todolo" which governs all traditional ceremonies. From Rantepao, side trips can be made to Kete, a traditional village where there are handicraft and unique shops. Behind the village there is a grave site on a hillside. Life-size statues guard over old coffins. As roads are not always paved, it is necessary to use a jeep or walk if the weather is good (between May and October).

Two cliff graves easy to reach are Lemo and Londa. Londa is one of the oldest hanging graves belonging to the nobility. A large balcony is filled with effigies of the dead. Kerosene lamps with young village guides, can be hired to enter the caves to see skeletons and old coffins. At Lemo, burial chambers are cut out of the rock and several balconies filled with effigies look out while new caves are being dug to serve as family graves.

There are several grave sites and traditional villages of which Palawa is a classic example of a village on a small hill with "Tongkonan" or a burial place with celebrations and festivals. Visitors are welcome but they are expected to adhere to local customs of dress, seating and bringing a token present.

NIAS SIBERUT ISLANDS OF SUMATRA

THE SIBERUT ISLAND
Adventure Indonesia invites you to explore the jungle in the heart into the heart of the Siberut Island in the western part off West Sumatra's coast, to meet the indigenous people of the Mentawai who live close to nature and still live in comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. It's virgin rainforest, inhabited by a number of animal species not found anywhere else in the world, among them some rare monkey species, pleasant surprises await you to explore.

The island also offers continuous spectacular white sand beaches with shallow shelves jutting out to the sea and fringing coral reefs, excellent for snorkeling and leisure a luxury for most of the islanders. It can only be found a few coastal communities.

You will be rewarded with stunning views and beautiful jungles abounding with unique plant and wildlife. The real highlight of your journey though, is the chance to meet the people of Siberut, traditionally hunter, gatherer clans who are now coming into contact with the modern world. You will stay as guests of a local Kerei (medicine -man) in the Uma (traditional family house). Here, where conditions are basic, you will gain a unique insight into the lives of these people who maintain a belief system based on living in total harmony with nature.

NIAS ISLAND
Adventure Indonesia invites you to witness the unique cultures of the Nias People and experience their War Dance which is the only dance in Indonesia performing high skill of acrobatic jumps or Stone jumping performed in the meaning of proving the readiness of man taking wife.

Situated 125 km off North Sumatra mainland, lies Nias island which famous of its' megalith altars, spectacular traditional architecture, and complex religious sites. This isolate island posses rolling mountainous terrain, ravines, gorges and rivers. The northern part of this island is sparsely populated.

You will also witness a lot of historical remains and unique culture such as the megalith stone and the unique clan houses.

The environment it self provides great challenge for wave surfer around the globe and has one of the best right-handers in Indonesia.

CRACATOA (Krakatau) CAMP & UJUNGKULON

CRACATOA
krakatau, cracatoaIn August 1883 this volcano erupted which was supposed at the largest big bang that human being ever heard. Countless of tons of volcanic material were ejected and blown in to the air. The results were huge tsunami hitting all west coast of Java and southeastern coast of Sumatra, the sound were heard over 4000 away from the explosion center, killing more than 36,000 of innocent. Volcanic debris fell in to Madagascar and other side of Indian Ocean. The volcano it self missed more than half of its volume at the time.

In these trips we take you an island right across the volcano as your base camp. We will anchor of a quite, lunar landscape of the Cracatoa volcano if it is not in big eruption, and ascending the creater in 30 minutes to observe the legendary crater and enjoy the abundance of beauty surround you ….

During the free time we trek through the dense vegetation cover the surrounding islands to discover the unique new colony by increasing numbers of species, after the big eruption in 1883. The islands also offer a pristine crystal clear water to swim or snorkel.

In the evening, you will have dinner over the campfire and overnight in tents on the base camp island.

UJUNG KULON TREKKING
Ujung Kulon National Park situated on the most west end of Java mainland. This park bears a status of World heritage site in 1992. Being possibly the last home the endangered one horned rhinoceros, this national park is among the most important one in Indonesia. Refer to latest data, there are app 55 - 60 rhinoceros left in the park. Beside the rhinoceros, there are also another 34 species of mammals, 5 species of primates, 59 species of reptiles, 22 species of amphiby, 240 species of birds, 72 species of insects, 142 species of fishes, and 33 species of coral life. The park also the homes to 700 species of flora of which 57 species are considered as rare.

This trip provides you experiences of trekking through the virgin coastal tropical rain forest, stay overnight in the virgin forest, feel the peaceful touch of the nature, tracing and watch the animals in their habitat, but just remain relax. During the free time, you could enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or fishing on the crystal clear water of the park.

You do not need to worry about lodging and logistic, Adventure Indonesia team will prepare tent, daily meals, transport, and porter for your convenience. Most of the campground will be on the beautiful beach of Ujung Kulon National Park.

Most peoples dreaming of encountering the rhinoceros, they are really difficult to meet. But who knows if we will be the lucky one since we will be in their home.

Borneo Tour : Wildlife, Adventure & Culture

Kalimantan or Borneo Indonesia is the place to explore. This world's third largest island covering the area of 747,000 square kilometer and covered by one of the world's largest stretches of tropical rain forest through which flows tremendous mighty rivers which are the island's highway.

The Dayak Tribes, the indigenous people of Kalimantan were some of the fierce head-hunters. Today, they are no longer collect grisly trophies; the men hunt with blowguns while the women weave baskets of rattans using age-ol patterns and techniques or together hack their fields out of the jungle, burning the brush to provide nutrients to the poor soil.

The island is rich with many fascinating and endemic wildlife; the orangutans, proboscis monkeys, gibbons and species of monkeys, Argus pheasants, snakes including the three species of flying snakes, sun bears, 600 hundred species of birds including the hornbills which play an important role in the Dayak mythology.

The exotic plants includes the rare black orchids, carnivorous pitcher plants, 70 meter trees including the hardest wood in the rain forest "Iron Wood" and many more.

Our trips will take you to explore the mighty Mahakam river and it's tributaries to meet the Dayak Tribes and experience their mystical arts & cultures, trekking through the jungle in searching for the exotic flora and fauna.

Our experienced and naturalist guide will make you understand about everything you want to know about the Kalimantan Rain Forest and all creatures live in it and the cultures of the Dayak Tribes.

Yogyakarta: Borobudur & Prambanan Tour

The province of Central Java, around the city of Yogyakarta, is the most famous part of Java and is, in fact, its cultural centre. This is in part because of the presence there of a variety of religious influences-Buddhist, Hindu, and other indigenous beliefs, which resulted in the construction of the impressive temples of Borobudur, Prambanan and the Dieng temple complex.

Yogyakarta or simply Yogya, is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. Located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano & It stretches till the Indian Ocean, Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram., from which present day Yogyakarta has inherited the best of traditions. The city itself has a special charm which seldom fails to captivate the visitor. This province is one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia. The city came into being in 1755, after the division of Mataram into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Gamelan, classical and contemporary Javanese dances, the
wayang kulit leather puppet theater and other expressions of traditional art will keep the visitor spellbound. Local craftsmen excel in the arts of batiks, silver and leather work.
The 300 year old city of Yogyakarta is the cultural heart of Java. Here also is Indonesia's oldest palace 'The Kraton,' still the domicile of Jogya's royalty. Even now the current Sultan of Yogyakarta retains remarkable political prestige. Yogyakarta offers an abundance of Javanese art, painting, silverwork, batik handcraft, traditional Javanese dances, as well as contemporary art. The city is the cultural centre not only of Java, but of the whole of Indonesia. From Yogyakarta one can travel easily to the Borobudur Temple and Prambanan temples, which are half-day trips from the city. Yogyakarta is situated between the foot of the still-active Merapi volcano and the mystical Indian Ocean, home of 'Loro Kidul,' Queen of the South Seas.

Next to the traditional, contemporary art has found fertile soil in Yogya's culture oriented society. ASRI, the Academy of Fine Arts is the center of arts and Yogya itself has given its name to an important school of modern painting in Indonesia, perhaps best personified by the famed Indonesian impressionist, the late Affandi.

Yogyakarta is often called the main gateway to the center of Java where it is geographically located. There is daily air service to Yogya from Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali as well as regular train service and easy accessibility by road.

BOROBUDUR TEMPLE

The most famous of Indonesia's temples is this huge Buddhist pyramid. This is a Buddhism's largest shrine in Indonesia, built in the 9th century. Located north west of Yogyakarta, Borobudur Temple was completed in the second half of the ninth century. Like the Hindu temple complexes Prambanan and the Dieng plateau, Borobudur was unknown and neglected for almost a thousand years, covered under thick layers of volcanic ash. From a far Borobudur Temple looks like a huge but ordinary stone construction. But from nearby we can see that it consists of hundreds of wonderfully detailed statues and sculptures, representing Buddhist teachings mixed with images of Javanese life of a thousand years ago.

PRAMBANAN TEMPLE

Prambanan is a ten-century old Hindu temple. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, locally called Candi Loro Jonggrang, which means 'slender virgin.' From an architectural point of view this beautifully sculptured spire, fifty meters high, indeed resembles a 'slender virgin.' Like the Buddhist stupa in Borobudur Temple, Prambanan was abandoned when the Buddhist and Hindu Javanese inhabitants moved to East Java.

Seventeen kilometers east of Yogyakarta, it is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sambu in the middle of the ninth century. Its parapets are adorned with a bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story.
The first open-air theater on the southern side of the temple was built in 1960 and the new theater on the western side of the temple in 1988. During full moon evenings in the month from May to October, the Ramayana ballet is performed right here. The temple complex of Prambanan lies among green fields and villages. It has eight shrines, of which the three main ones are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The main temple of Shiva rises to a height of 130 feet and houses the magnificent statue
of Shiva's consort, Durga.

NGAYOGYAKARTA HADININGRAT PALACE
The palace court with its grand and elegant Javanese architecture lies in the center of the city. It was founded by Prince Mangkubumi in 1755. The Prince was then called Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. He chose the right location of the compound between the Winongo River and the Code River.The palace stretches out from north to south.The front yard is called alun-alun Utara (the North Square), and the back yard is called Alun-alun Selatan (the South Square). The layout of the buildings shows that the Palace, the commemorative column and Mount Merapi lie in one line. The palace meeting hall is called the Pagelaran, where formal meetings of palace officials are held, while the "Manguntur Tingkil" hall is the place where the Sultan is seated. The palace visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of the kraton in former times by visiting the life-size diorama of wedding ceremonies on the palace meeting hall, performed by puppets which are intentionally arranged to create such an atmosphere. Sets of Javanese musical instruments, antiques and heirlooms have made the palace of Yogyakarta worth to visit.

WATER CASTLE
Built in 1758 by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I just west of the kraton, part of this pleasure garden and castle is at present no more than an intriguing collection of ruins, pools, arches and underground passages enclosed by massive walls, however, the central courtyard with the nymph-baths has been restored. The Water Castle is located in the older part of the city within walking distance from the Bird Market. A number of batik workshops line the avenue leading to the pleasure garden's entrance.

KOTA GEDE
Kotagede, about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, is a neat little town which was once the seat of the mighty Mataram empire. In this old palace town with its walled-in houses, the graves of the first rulers of Mataram are still to be found. Since the 1930s, however, Kotagede has become famous for being the center of the Yogya silverwork industry. Kotagede is easily reached by "andong", the four wheeled horse-drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car. There are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver
being transformed into beautiful works of art known as "Yogya Silver".

BATIK RESEARCH CENTER
Situated on the eastern outskirts of the city, it has an interesting permanent exhibition of batiks in classic and modern designs. The process of batik can also be seen here, both the hand drawn and hand stamped.

Ten Delicious Places to Dip into Diving

Indonesia: Diving Dreamland

By Paul McMenamin

For diversity of species—in the water, on land, and soaring overhead—you just can't beat the Indo-Pacific. Scientists estimate that for every 50 species of tropical fish, ferns, orchids, or birds in the Caribbean, you will find 500 in the Indo-Pacific. Those impressive numbers translate into exotic and fascinating marine life as well as rich topside culture—the makings of a world-class adventure.

Though land-based options are available, a liveaboard is the best way to explore Indonesia’s collection of about 15,000 islands. In addition to the convenience and appeal of virtually round-the-clock diving, the uncrowded islands and the undiscovered dive sites are all easily accessible. On an Indonesian liveaboard expedition, more often than not the divers from your boat will be the only ones in the water with you. You won't find this kind of solitude in the Caymans or Cozumel.

Practically Speaking
Many good dive vessels operate from the island of Bali. A dive voyage on the Pelagian, a beautiful boat delivering all the amenities, costs about $2,200 per week. It sails June through October, the best dive months in the region. Other outfitters offer dive trips around the island and in nearby waters starting around $90 a day

If you prefer to spend more time shoreside, there are some attractive land-based tours that will still let you sample the spectacular diving found in this part of the world. Manado, on the north side of Sulawesi, has several fine dedicated dive resorts, as well as a full range of hotels. At the Kungkungan Bay Resort, designed by and dedicated to divers, a seven-day package with 12 dives costs $1,575. The Murex (www.murexdive.com), a family-run resort, offers a diving package priced about $100 per day. For a more Western-style resort experience, the Tasik Ria Hotel offers a seven-night package, including dinners, for $1280 for one person.

From the bustling waterfront city of Manado, you can also make an easy day trip to Bunaken Island Marine Park. An extensive fringe reef borders the park. Beyond, there's a steep drop-off where divers often catch a glimpse of large pelagics—whales, mantas, and whale sharks. Big schools of jacks and barracuda are an everyday occurrence. Inside the reef, it's a tropical aquarium—more species of coral and fishes than can be counted.