LAND ESCURSIONS
Whether your interest is culture, history, ecology or wildlife, Indonesia’s eastern archipelago presents an amazing range of land-based experienced, including those only reached by sea. Meet colourful tribes in Papua, traditional weaving villages in Flores, and the famed whale hunters of Alor. Visit historic forts, colonial landmarks and pearl farms in the Bandas. Spot Birds of Paradise, Hornbills and Flying Foxes in Raja Ampat, and get close to the pre-historic dragons of Komodo. Trek virgin rainforest and nutmeg plantations, climb volcanoes at sunset or spend time exploring tiny deserted islands and pristine beaches. There is no better way to discover the incomparable nature and wildlife that Indonesia’s ‘Ring of Fire’ has to offer than on board Mantamae.
Komodo Dragons
Accompanied by the national park’s rangers, we will set off on foot to encounter the famous Komodo Dragons following a 20-minute trekking trail or a longer 60-minutes trail from the sea shore. The islands of Komodo and Rinca are home to some 6,000 of these huge lizards – ferocious predators that can reach three meters in length and are fully capable of killing and eating a human. Rest assured, the rangers will keep you out of danger!
Banda Islands
The Banda Archipelago, the original Spice Islands, is a truly magical, goosebump-inducing place, as deeply steeped in living history as it gets. You can visit the old town of Banda Neira with its historic buildings, museums and 400-year-old Dutch Fort Belgica with stunning views of the active volcano, Gunung Api. The air here is perfumed with the scent of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg – spices that the super-powers of the 16th and 17th Centuries fought over. Famously, in 1677 the English swapped the tiny island of Run for a then-insignificant patch of swamp in North America, today Manhattan.
Forgotten Islands
The island of Alor is inhabited by a number of Flores sub-ethnic groups who still preserve their traditional ways of life. The unique culture of the Alorese is best observed among the Takpala people in the village of Lembur Barat, who still build traditional pyramid-shaped houses of bamboo plaited walls, covered with coconut leaves. Trek to the rim of Pantar volcano, visit the traditional whaling village on Lembata, or dive the straits of Alor – unquestionably amongst the best dive destinations in the world. Lamalera on the southern tip of Lembata Island is home to a traditional whale-hunting community who have hunted sperm whales for centuries using spears, rope and boats all hand-made made in the village.
Raja Ampat
Penemu, Wayag or Misool. Sit back and relax in our comfortable tenders while we take you cruising into the labyrinths of a thousand lagoons, to Wagmab’s caves for the gorgeous views of stalactites and stalagmites, or to the magicical Misool Island. Walk to the top of a limestone ridge for spectacular views of limestone Islands, or kayak along the limestone cliffs. Raja Ampat is best known for its spectacular underwater life, but its bird population is just as incredible. Best known amongst the hundreds of species is the spectacular Bird of Paradise.
