Orion Expedition CruisesDragons, Dili & DreamtimeOverviewThis 10-night expedition will transport you back in time to destinations wild and remote. From fascinating encounters with majestic Komodo dragons to enchanting interactions with the warm and optimistic people of East Timor, your travel horizons will be expanded as never before. This region is rich in both the history of European exploration and Aboriginal culture. Our visit to Mt. Borradaile reveals unspoilt Arnhem Land, a pristine wilderness where the Aboriginal rock art can be traced back 50,000 years. This will be the travel experience against which you will compare everything else. Detailed ItineraryDay 1 - DARWIN - Dry LandingDarwin is Australia’s closest city to the equator and the gateway to the Top End. Following bombing during World War II, Darwin was more a frontier town of crocodile and buffalo shooters and pioneer cattlemen. After the city was wiped out by Cyclone Tracy in 1974 it was rebuilt as Australia’s cosmopolitan northernmost tropical capital. Beyond the city lies Litchfield National Park (about 2 hours drive) and to the south-east the teeming wetlands of Australia’s largest national park, Kakadu. Much architecture remains from the city’s early periods, with museums, markets and an incredible diversity of restaurants to keep visitors entertained. The harbour foreshore area is a great place to discover the city’s maritime links. Take a relaxing cruise on an old pearl lugger, a thrilling flight in a seaplane or a gentle hovercraft trip. Spend a day out fishing for barramundi, jewfish, golden snapper and threadfin salmon, or go for the adventure of scuba diving around shipwrecks. At sunset, savour a taste of Asia’s night markets at Mindil Beach, where you can browse the food stalls for a picnic dinner on the beach. Day 2 - AT SEA Day 3 - KUPANG, West Timor – Dry Landing Kupang is now the capital of the Indonesian Province of Nusa Tenggara. Apart from a thriving fishing industry, the town is an important government, trade and education centre. At the Kupang Museum there is a remarkable collection of fossils, anthropological relics, local "Ikat" woven artefacts and displays which trace the historic interaction linking Timor’s different ethnic groups. The maritime history of Kupang is marked by an impressive who’s who of European visitors to the port. In 1613 a crew from the Dutch East India Company landed, signed a treaty with the Timorese and built a fort. They were followed in 1699 by William Dampier; in 1789 William Bligh limped to shore after his epic open boat journey from Samoa after the mutiny; in 1801 Nicholas Baudin’s expedition (responsible for so many of the French place names in Australia’s southern states) took on supplies, Matthew Flinders visited the Dutch colony in 1803 as part of his historic circumnavigation of Australia, and in 1840 Captain Stokes and the Beagle arrived. The coastline boasts several beautiful beaches and nearby islands are popular for diving and snorkelling. Day 4 - KOMODO ISLAND – Wet Landing Komodo is located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. A national park was established in 1980 to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and its habitat. These prehistoric creatures are among the world's largest reptiles, growing to over 3 metres long and weighing over 70kg. This morning Orion will anchor in the bay and you’ll be landed ashore close to the ranger station. Guests will have the opportunity to take a short bush walk to the Komodo dragon viewing area, escorted in small groups by park rangers who will also provide background information and commentary on these fascinating reptiles. Later in the day, Orion will sail for a nearby headland to Pink Beach – where guests can make the most of the rich marine environment of the national park. This afternoon Orion guests will be free to swim, snorkel and explore this unique natural habitat. You will be amazed as the ship’s Zodiac arrives for a wet landing at this beautiful sandy beach which is a surprising pink colour due to coral and shell remnants in the sand. Snorkel over the coral gardens, located just off-shore. The national park features prolific mangroves, seagrass beds and semi-enclosed bays which are home to more than 1,000 species of fish, dugong, sharks, manta rays, dolphins and sea turtles. Day 5 - MAUMERE, Flores – Wet Landing Orion will anchor at Maumere, a port town on the northeastern coast of Flores which is known for its idyllic beaches. These beaches and the Bay of Maumere form part of a Marine Nature Recreation Park which is alive with coral reefs and tropical fish. For this reason it is a favoured destination for divers, underwater photographers and marine biologists. Centuries ago Portuguese explorers named the island "Cabo das Flora" (Cape of Flowers) after the abundant coral reefs in the surrounding seas. Today Flores is dotted with small villages inhabited by people of mixed ethnic origin who rely on traditional farming and fishing for survival. This mountainous island boasts no less than 14 active volcanoes and the most breathtaking scenery can be found at the three crater lakes beneath the rim of Keli Mutu volcano. Each lake is a different colour as a result of their varying dissolving minerals and oxygen levels. When seen against the surrounding rugged terrain, the view is nothing short of spectacular. Set against this dramatic background of volcanoes is a land rich in ancient history. In October 2004 scientists confirmed the discovery of the 18,000 year old remains of Homo floresiensis, more widely known as “the hobbit man”. The limestone Liang Bua cave features impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations and fossils dating back through the ages. Day 6 - DILI, Timor Leste (East Timor) – Dry Landing East Timor is South-East Asia’s newest nation. Independence has delivered a state of transition for the East Timorese as they leave behind the struggles and work to redevelop their country. With the world media focusing on the turmoil of recent times, it has been easy to overlook the fine beaches, colonial towns, rugged mountains and a lush interior. Orion's guests are amongst the first to visit this incredible and unique country, where tourism remains innocent and unsophisticated. The capital Dili is a taste of Portugal in the tropics of South-East Asia, redolent of fish, ripened bananas and clove cigarettes. The people are delightfully friendly, and Dili is welcoming and laid-back. Dili was badly damaged by the militia who were encouraged by the withdrawing Indonesian forces following the vote of independence in 1999. Despite this there is still much evidence of 500 years of Portuguese colonial heritage: villa-lined beach roads, the scarlet-coloured former colonial garrison built in 1827 and the cathedral. The waterfront is the centre of activity from dawn till late at night with fishermen unloading fish, squid and lobsters on the beach. Thatched bars and cafes offer BBQ seafood and cold beer. Strongly Roman Catholic, Dili features many churches. A massive statue of Christ, built during Indonesian occupation, stands on the nearby headland at Cape Fatucama and is reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro. The hands of this statue are curiously outspread towards Djakarta! The walk up to the statue affords increasingly magnificent views of Dili and the coast stretching to the east toward Baucau. The most popular beach for swimming and snorkelling is in the sheltered cove of Areia Branca (white sands) just before Cape Fatucama. Bright, colourful minibuses known as Mikrolets provide a useful alternative to walking if you don’t mind being squeezed in with 20 other people! Currency ashore is the US dollar so be sure to have some small denomination notes. Day 7 - BAUCAU / COM, Timor Leste (East Timor) - Wet Landing Baucau is perched high above the sea and is 123 km east of Dili. You’ll be landed on a white sand beach nearby a small market, an old Portuguese Customs House and be greeted by the locals from a small fishing village. Mikrolet mini buses are recommended for the 5km journey up hill, the road threading through small villages and past rice paddies and stands of breadfruit trees to the town square. The old-town has a sleepy atmosphere and an obvious Portuguese colonial charm. This is Timor Leste’s second-largest city and, like Dili, the impact of the Indonesian withdrawal is still evident. A short walk through the town, along the main street lined with market stalls, reveals the Catholic Cathedral. If you have ever been to Portugal you will recognise the blue and white tile work that forms large mosaic images on either side of the main entry. From the square there is a commanding view over the valley and Orion riding gently at anchor. Inclusions You will land ashore on the beach below Baucau by Zodiac. Often there are small market stalls set up by the old Portuguese Customs House offering local crafts. If you see something you like, take the chance to buy it when you land as the stalls may not be there later in the day. A complimentary Mikrolet transfer will be available from the beach to the old-town. We recommend you allow 1-3 hours for self-guided sightseeing in Baucau. You’ll need US dollars, in small denominations, if you wish to buy handicrafts or refreshments at the small cafes in the town. The local coffee is excellent. Day 8 - AT SEA Day 9 - MT. BORRADAILE, Arnhem Land – Dry Landing Whether one wants to visit Australia’s finest rock paintings, get close to crocodiles, watch brolgas dance or simply wander through a superb, pristine wilderness that encompasses an all-pervading presence of the past, then, this is the place. “This region contains some of the most stunning rock paintings, not just in Australia, but the whole world. In terms of artistic quality, quantity, colourfulness and excellent state of preservation, this body of rock art is unrivalled.” Dr Josephine Flood Archaeologist Orion guests will have exclusive access to Davidson’s Safaris at Mt. Borradaile. This is one of the most remote and restricted areas of Australia where special permission to visit is required from the traditional Aboriginal custodians prior to our arrival. Orion is the only cruise ship equipped to visit Mt. Borradaile and its location is so remote that normal access is usually only available by air from Darwin or overland in the dry season by four wheel drive. Guests will enjoy a full day of activities at Mt. Borradaile, the highlight of which is undoubtedly a guided walk to view Aboriginal rock art, dating back 50,000 years. The rare and unusual art traces the spiritual beliefs and historic events that shaped the world’s oldest surviving culture. One unforgettable image is of the Rainbow Serpent – a potent spiritual symbol of the “Dreamtime” – which is 18 feet long. Afterwards you can enjoy a refreshing swim in a crystal clear rock pool on top of the escarpment. You will be in the heart of a wildlife smorgasbord of birds, animals and reptiles. Over 200 species of birds make it a birdwatcher's paradise - most notable are jacana (or Jesus-bird), brolgas, jabiru and whistling ducks. Wallabies, dingos, goannas, tree snakes, turtles and frill-necked lizards are just some of the wildlife that you may encounter as you are guided through your day's activities. A profusion of exotic insects, butterflies and moths inhabit the rainforests and paperbark swamps, food for frogs, pythons and birds. Large saltwater crocodiles up to 17 feet in length frequent the local waterways, along with the smaller and less dangerous freshwater (Johnston) crocodile. Fishing fanatics will delight in the isolation which guarantees prolific catches of Barramundi (weighing in at up to 20kg) Tarpon, Black Bream, Archer Fish, Alligator Garfish and Catfish. A full-day expedition to Mt. Borradaile is included within your fare and Orion guests will be landed in two groups (half on day one, half on day two). Optional experiences will be available the alternate days, including an overnight stay in the tented camp. Helicopter flightseeing over the Kakadu wetlands may also be available. Day 10 - MT. BORRADAILE, Arnhem Land Day 11 - DARWIN - disembark for flight home Cost of This Itinerary10 Night Trip:The least expensive cabin costs: The most expensive stateroom costs: |
