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Lawrence Blair to lead exciting adventures at Capella Ubud
Capella Ubud, Bali and Kudanil Explorer have teamed up to offer an exclusive eight-night expedition that takes guests from the heart of Bali to the wild untamed shores of Flores Island. Leading this adventure is renowned explorer, filmmaker, and author Dr Lawrence Blair who gained acclaim for the BBC’s Emmy Award-winning series Ring of Fire. Days will be spent diving and snorkelling in pristine reefs, swimming alongside manta rays, reef sharks, and sea turtles, and trekking across Padar Island's cinematic landscapes. On land, expert rangers lead a rare encounter with Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizard. The journey culminates on Banta Island, where guests sink their toes into pink-sand beaches and celebrate with a sunset beach party, cocktails in hand, as the waves lap at the shore: a fitting farewell to an unforgettable odyssey. A thrilling trek into the wildness of nature The voyage begins at Capella Ubud, where guests will be immersed in the soul of Bali, choosing between a jungle trek or a water purification ritual, both deeply rooted in local tradition. An exclusive visit to a royal Balinese palace grants private access to meet the High Priest and witness an unforgettable fire dance performance, a ritual that embodies the island's spiritual and artistic heritage. A free day allows for personal exploration, whether strolling through Ubud's bustling markets or indulging in a restorative Balinese massage. As the time in Bali draws to a close, a final dinner at Api Jiwa offers a lively, interactive omakase dining experience before setting sail. A short flight takes voyagers to Labuan Bajo, the gateway to Komodo National Park, where they board the Kudanil Explorer. Access to the Kudanil Explorer by the cabin is an extremely rare privilege, as this intimate 8-cabin vessel is typically reserved for private expeditions. This exclusive journey offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for guests to experience its world- class exploration capabilities, making “Jungle to Sea” an adventure unlike any other. An explorer in every sense of the word Lawrence Blair has spent decades unveiling Indonesia's hidden wonders, traveling alongside legends like Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall, Sir Peter Scott and Richard Dawkins. Along the way, he has encountered mystical traditions, untamed landscapes and extraordinary people, stories of which he will share throughout the journey. He will impart the knowledge he has gained throughout his career to guests as they gather at sunset for storytelling sessions that bring Indonesia's history and myths to life, set against the starlit sky.
G Adventures launches next Change Makers Challenge
G Adventures has announced the return of its celebrated agent reward programme, Change Makers, offering 15 travel agents from UK and Ireland the chance to earn spots at its next GX Summit, which will be taking place in Jordan in September 2025, in partnership with the Jordanian Tourist Board and Royal Jordanian Airlines, with added support from USAID Jordan. The incentive connects agents with the power of community tourism, bringing together a group of 75 winners from around the world who have earned their space and will see firsthand how their work directly impacts local communities in the places they send their travellers to. The Change Makers Challenge will run from now until 31 May 2025 and encourages agents to focus on changing people's lives through travel by booking G Adventures trips. Each ‘life changed’ by making a booking earns agents one entry to qualify for the GX Summit. The top 10 sellers per region will secure their spots, with five additional ‘wildcard’ spaces for agents. The wildcard challenges for 2025 include fundraising for G Adventures’ non-profit partner, Planeterra and completing G-Learning training modules, plus there will be opportunities for ‘first time’ G Adventures bookers and a reward for the agent who’s changed the most lives in total from 01 June 2024 to 31 May 2025. For the first time, agents will have the opportunity to sell tickets to GX Jordan and there will also be one place available in each region for the agent who has booked the most travellers to attend. More details will follow to help agents make the most of this opportunity to invite their customers into the GX community for this special event. The Change Makers agent event will be once again incorporated into G Adventures’ World Community Tourism Summit, GX, which brings media, agents, suppliers and travellers together to see firsthand how community tourism has the power to change people’s lives for the better. In September 2024, G Adventures held its GX Summit in India, where over 500 attendees had the chance to learn more about Planeterra-supported social enterprises and hear from a line-up of influential speakers on how community tourism can shape the future of travel. “The experience allowed us to witness firsthand the difference that our industry makes to marginalised communities,” says Elliot Rouse, a 2024 Change Maker who attended GX India. ‘It really made me step back and value the impact that we personally have on these communities with the bookings we make for our clients.” In addition to celebrating agents and their hard work, the GX Summit will offer the chance to explore Jordan’s sights, sounds, and community tourism highlights. Brian Young, Managing Director EMEA at G Adventures, shares his excitement about the return of Change Makers for another year, “We’re proud to stand as our agency partners’ strongest supporters, so there’s nothing more fulfilling than watching our global community of agents come together to celebrate our successes and the impact we all make in transforming lives in the destinations we take our travellers to. “GX Jordan will also be a celebration of G Adventures’ 35th anniversary and promises to be bigger and better than ever. These spots are the hottest tickets in town, so I wish all of our agents the best of luck and I hope to see you all in Jordan next year.” The 2025 Change Makers Challenge is live now and runs until 31 May 2025. Agents can log into Sherpa, or speak to their regional Global Purpose Specialist for more information.
G Adventures’ new yachts to set sail in the Greek isles
G Adventures is getting ready to get travellers sailing aboard state-of-the-art vessels as it announced the launch of five new yachts for the 2025 European sailing season. These new vessels were purpose-built for the small group adventure operator and will be plying Greek waters. The five boats will be deployed in Greece between now and June ahead of the 2025 season running from April to October. Away from the crowds Each sailing adventure is led by a qualified G Adventures chief experience officer (Skipper CEO), who knows the islands like the back of their hand, and is passionate about sharing hidden spots that are far away from the well-known tourist spots. The shoreside excursions are all quintessentially local and ensure travellers interact with local people and support local communities that may not usually see a lot of tourists on their shores. Spacious and stylish At nearly 57 feet in length, the five boats are spacious and stylish with each vessel carrying 10 travellers in five cabins that can be configured to be either twin or double, and are all equipped with bedside reading lights and USB ports. The vessels also feature a fully-equipped galley, a comfortable communal area designed to build connections with fellow travellers, and a sun-drenched deck perfect for lazy sea days, which is also fitted with an outdoor shower to hose off after swimming. Sustainability on board Vince Donnelly, director of global sailing at G Adventures, says the new vessels also embody G Adventures’ commitment to sustainability and community tourism. Donnelly said: “All five boats have been fitted with solar panels and state-of-the-art engines and generators that minimise environmental impact without sacrificing performance. Recycled and natural materials have been prioritised in the boats’ construction, ensuring all materials used are free from harmful substances.” He added that this commitment to the environment and spreading tourism dollars to lesser-visited communities on smaller Greek Islands really sets the bar high for operators in the region, and ensures we’ll deliver an incredible experience for travellers that is simultaneously kind to the planet and its people.
SeaTrek Sailing Adventures introduces its Wonders of North Maluku voyage
Indonesian expedition cruise firm SeaTrek Sailing Adventures announced a new voyage for 2025 that heads into North Maluku. The Wonders of North Maluku offers an amazing opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the islands, forests, villages, waterfalls, reefs, and shores of North Maluku. Also, for the first time, guests have a chance to criss-cross the equator at night and day. The brand-new 13-day itinerary aboard the 6-cabin Katharina departs 19th February 2025 and is perfect for guests who prefer less time sailing, shorter crossings, and taking life at a slower pace. What to expect on this expedition There’s more time to explore ashore, meetings with the local villagers, fascinating wildlife encounters, and the chance to soak up the sun on white-sand paradise beaches, and snorkel on distant, unexplored reefs. Sailing aboard the UNESCO-heritage ironwood pinisi schooner Katharina, built in the same style as used by the famous Indonesian sailors of southern Sulawesi who still build and maintain SeaTrek's ships today, it will hug the coastline and weave through a chain of islands on a round trip beginning and ending in Ternate. As the voyage comes to an end, it will cross the Equator once more in daylight, allowing guests to participate in a centuries-old seafaring ritual for novices to commemorate their first crossing. The crew dress up in gaudy costumes and countdown to 'zero' on the GPS as the ship approaches the Equator, at which point everyone takes a swim in the sea with one leg in each hemisphere to celebrate before going ashore on the small island of Kaoya Island to visit the Equator monument.
G Adventures rewards top agents with Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour VIP experience in London
Travel agents from the UK joined G Adventures for the most epic travel agent experience the small group adventure tour operator has ever run - like, ever, as they headed to Wembley Stadium in London last week to watch global phenomenon Taylor Swift on her sold-out The Era’s tour. The lucky winners included agents from Gap 360, Trailfinders and The Adventure People who have been booking their hearts out since January, in hopes of earning a ticket to the hottest concert of the decade. In total, 75 top sellers from across the globe will be dancing it out in three cities this year as part of G Adventures’ You Belong With G Experience. Hannah Douch from Gap 360 said: “I’ve been a Swiftie for as long as I can remember, and so winning the You Belong With G competition meant the world to me. It was an amazing, emotional day out with the best people. Seeing Taylor Swift perform all of her different eras was absolutely magical and I definitely cried tears of joy a few times throughout the concert. This will be a moment I’ll cherish forever.” Recognising the same sense of community and camaraderie in Taylor Swift’s fan base as G Adventures’ own community of agents and travellers, tickets were awarded to the top sellers in each key region. There were also five extra global wildcard tickets handed out to entrants who demonstrated why they also ‘Belong with G’. Brian Young, managing director EMEA at G Adventures added: "We are incredibly proud of the winning agents and their dedication to sharing our vision of changing lives through travel. Rewarding their hard work with tickets to The Eras Tour is our way of saying thank you for their continued commitment to making travel a force for good."
Small ships, big adventures with Aurora Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions, the Australian-owned adventure travel company known for immersive and responsible small ship exploration is inviting travellers to take advantage of a suite of incredible new offers for those wanting to make their polar travel dreams a reality in 2024 and 2025. From now until 30 September 2024, travellers can enjoy up to 20% savings on itineraries to Antarctica 24/25 and Arctic 2025 PLUS an Air Credit of USD $2,000 for ALL Antarctica 24-25 sailings or AUD $2,250 for ALL Arctic 2025 voyages. “Our small ships promise big adventures, and we’re excited to be able to offer even bigger value for our passengers for our upcoming seasons in Antarctica and the Arctic on top of the Aurora difference, including immersive activities and more time off ship,” commented Aurora Expeditions’ CEO, Michael Heath. “Aurora Expeditions’ voyages open our passengers up to the untamed beauty of our planet’s most remote corners, from the icy expanses of Antarctica to the wonders of Greenland’s epic fjord systems, the glaciers and wildlife of Svalbard, or the fabled Northwest Passage. Whichever voyage you choose, our state-of-the-art small ships and world-class Expedition Team ensure endless opportunities for adventure.” Some of Aurora’s Small Ships, Big Adventures on offer* include: Antarctica 2024-2025 Spirit of Antarctica 22 November 2024 departure, with savings of up to 20% off the voyage price, PLUS USD $2,000 air credit per person. Antarctic Peninsula in Depth 6 November 2024 departure, with savings of up to 20% off the voyage price, PLUS USD $2,000 air credit per person. Antarctic Explorer 12 Feb 2025 departure, with savings of up to 20% off the voyage price PLUS USD $2,000 air credit per person. Wild Antarctica 24 March 2025 departure, with savings of up to 20% off the voyage price PLUS USD $2,000 air credit per person. Arctic 2025 Jewels of the Arctic 12 July 2025 departure, with savings of up to 15% off the voyage price, PLUS AUD $2,250 air credit per person. Svalbard Odyssey 7 Aug 2025 departure, with savings of up to 15% off the voyage price, PLUS AUD $2,250 air credit per person. Wild Landscapes of West Greenland 15 Aug 2025 departure, with savings of up to 20% off the voyage price, PLUS AUD $2,250 air credit per person. Traversing the Norwest Passage 27 Aug departure 2025 departure, with savings of up to 20% off the voyage price, PLUS AUD $2,250 air credit per person.
G Adventures expands ‘Jane Goodall Collection’ in honour of renowned environmentalist’s 90th birthday
Dr. Jane Goodall with orphan chimpanzee Uruhara at the JGI Sweetwaters Sanctuary for orphan chimpanzees in Kenya. 1996 G Adventures has announced that it has added five wildlife-focused trips to its ‘Jane Goodall Collection’ in celebration of Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th birthday. The collection, which is endorsed by Dr. Jane Goodall herself, aims to promote responsible wildlife tourism and support conservation efforts across the globe. The update will see travellers embark on life-changing adventures to Tanzania, the Amazon, Galápagos Islands, Costa Rica and the USA, including a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe chimpanzees in the wild in Gombe Stream National Park, the very place Dr. Goodall began her trailblazing research in 1960 at the age of 26. The new additions build upon the success of the existing ‘Jane Goodall Collection’, which launched in 2016 and has empowered nearly 30,000 travellers to make a positive impact on the planet, just by having the time of their lives. As a proud partner of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, a portion of every adventure booked will be donated to help support its mission to protect wildlife and work with local communities as their partners in conservation. With 19 trips now part of the ‘Jane Goodall Collection’, the latest itineraries offer travellers the opportunity to experience wildlife across a range of G Adventures travel styles. The 'Amazon Riverboat Adventure In-Depth', which is part of the Marine travel style, cruises the Amazon on a riverboat to spot wildlife, and visits a rescue centre for orphaned manatees. Meanwhile, the 'Tanzania: Chimp Trekking & Serengeti Safari' itinerary is part of the recently launched Geluxe Collection of premium active trips. This itinerary includes a walking safari of the Ngorongoro Crater, a safari drive across the plains of the Serengeti, and the opportunity to see wild chimpanzees in iconic locations from Dr. Goodall's historic time spent there. Additionally, the 'Galapagos Express Adventure' marks the first ‘18-to-Thirtysomethings’ itinerary in the collection - a fast, fresh and full-of-wildlife adventure tailored for younger travellers. Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, says: “All of us at G Adventures are sending the warmest wishes to Dr. Jane Goodall on her remarkable 90th birthday. Dr. Goodall’s dedication to wildlife conservation continues to inspire me and so many others around the world, and her tireless effort is a powerful reminder that we can all make a positive impact on the planet. “I am so proud of this partnership and can’t wait for even more of our travellers to step deeper into the animal kingdom to connect with nature, recognising the role we play in their wellbeing and preserving their habitats.” Dr. Jane Goodall added: “The Jane Goodall Institute thanks G Adventures for their continued support. Connecting with nature and having respect for animals is important for the wellbeing of our human spirit. It also gives travellers an understanding of the urgent need to protect our beautiful planet before it’s too late.” The new additions to the ‘Jane Goodall Collection’ include: Tanzania: Chimp Trekking & Serengeti Safari Part of the new Geluxe Collection, this 10-day premium active adventure from Arusha to Dar es Salaam will see travellers witness the breathtaking wonders and wildlife of the Ngorongoro Crater on safari. Additionally, a thrilling hike up Mt Makarot will offer panoramic views that’ll leave you in awe. Walk in the footsteps of Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking primate research on a wild chimpanzee trekking experience in Gombe Stream National Park and wrap up with a delicious breakfast cooking experience in Mto wa Mbu village. Priced from £5,749pp. Amazon Riverboat Adventure In-Depth Led by Amazon Reserve naturalist guides, this nine-day river cruise includes daily excursions by motorised skiff designed to reveal the exotic wildlife that calls the rainforest home, such as sloths, toucans and pink dolphins. Along the way, travellers will visit the Amazonian Manatee Rescue Centre to learn about the efforts to rescue orphaned manatees that have fallen victim to poaching. Priced from £1,927pp. Iconic Wildlife of Yellowstone & Grand Teton Travellers will be immersed in the best of the American West on this exploration through Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. Under the guidance of local experts and naturalists, they will come face-to-face with an array of pristine landscapes and geological wonders, as well as abundant wildlife including grizzlies, moose, bald eagles, and the elusive grey wolf. Priced from £3,049pp. Costa Rica: Tortuguero, La Fortuna & Rio Celeste Part of the new Geluxe Collection, this eight-day trip, starting in San Jose, takes travellers to the heart of a natural paradise. Look out for tropical birds and monkeys while kayaking the waterways of Tortuguero National Park. Spot wildlife high in the canopy on a series of hanging bridges and visit the nesting grounds of green and leatherback turtles. Expect one-of-a-kind accommodation and comfort along the way, as this premium active trip offers adventure at its finest. Priced from £2,649pp. Galapagos Express Adventure: WIlderness and Wildlife This seven-day ‘18-to-Thirtysomethings’ trip will keep younger travellers active snorkelling, hiking, and exploring, before slowing things down with wildlife exploration in the company of an expert naturalist guide. Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center to observe many species of land iguanas and tortoises up close, including the famous Galápagos tortoise, while also learning about the unique history of the ecosystems, flora, and fauna of the islands at the Galapagos National Park Interpretation Centre. Priced from £949pp.
Spring into adventure and save big with G Adventures’ April sale
Small group adventure operator and pioneer of community tourism, G Adventures, has launched its April Sale, offering up to 25 per cent off a huge range of trips to some of this year’s most action-packed destinations. Running until 30 April 2024, travellers can seize the day and save big on trips departing up until 31 August 2024. Running across a number of G Adventures travel styles, including Classic, Active, Marine, Local Living, Roamies and 18-to-Thirtysomethings, epic trips included in this year’s April Sale include: Costa Rica Action Adventure Save 25 per cent - was priced from £1,299pp, now priced from £974pp - Trekking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, ziplining. Costa Rica really is the "Adventure Capital of the Americas." Thrill-seekers will find more than enough to keep themselves busy over this trip’s 13 action-packed days. After landing in San José, embark on four days of exploration around Monteverde and Arenal Volcano. Raft down the mighty Pacuare River before crossing over to our remote rainforest lodge, surrounded on all sides by the thick, enveloping jungle. End the journey by heading down to the beach at Puerto Viejo. Vietnam: Roadtrip Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City - Save 25 per cent - was priced from £999pp, now priced from £749pp - For 18-to-ThirtySomethings, an action-packed 15 day tour of Vietnam that hits all the highlights. Wander Hanoi's lively Old Quarter, paddleboat through ridiculously spectacular caves, take a motorbike tour of all the must-see spots, then catch your breath on Nha Trang's beautiful beaches. Sailing Greece - Santorini to Mykonos Save 25 per cent - was priced from £1,199pp, now priced from £899pp - A yacht adventure is the ideal way to experience what many consider the world's most beautiful islands: the Greek Islands. Sail for eight days aboard our 16m (52 ft) yachts, with time for hiking, snorkelling and relaxing. Explore ancient archaeological sites and taverna-lined harbours, and dine on fresh seafood. Absolute Peru - Save 25 per cent - was priced from £3,599pp, now priced from £2,699pp - Scan the canopy for wildlife from the comfort of our intimate and exclusive G Lodge Amazon, contemplate mountain vistas or take an optional flight over the Nazca Lines — this epic 21 day journey explores the geography, culture, and history of Peru, offering you the perfect blend of guided excursions and free time. Hike the Inca Trail, which rewards those willing to break a sweat with stunning views of ruins, mountainscapes, and cloud forest. And because we run our own treks, we can ensure the fair treatment of our porters and the quality of food, service, and equipment.
Follow in the footsteps of Simon Reeve to see Indonesia’s Coral Triangle with SeaTrek Sailing Adventures
For fans of the explorer Simon Reeve, his new BBC2 Sunday night series ‘Wilderness’ which takes viewers on his toughest journeys yet, is a feast for fellow adventurers keen to see some of the earth’s last great wild areas. In episode three he voyages across the vast Coral Triangle of Indonesia, a huge wilderness of tropical seas and jungle clad islands in the southwest corner of the Pacific. The Coral Triangle is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse areas of our oceans, and crucial to the health of the wider marine environment. Viewers can follow in his footsteps to visit the same places Reeve explores in the programme through a choice of voyages aboard a traditional pinisi vessel with the Indonesian expedition cruise operator SeaTrek Sailing Adventures. For example on SeaTrek’s 14-day Rare Species, Remote Cultures & Remarkable Corals itinerary guests travel from Ternate to Bitung and spend time with the Bajau sea gypsies going ashore to Kabalutan Village, off the coast of Togean Island north of central Sulawesi, to meet them, see their very unique way of life, living in harmony with the water, and snorkel in the same pristine coral reefs, and as part of the journey will also have the chance to swim with Whale Sharks. Or on the 10-day Papua’s Whale Sharks & Birds of Paradise cruise the journey takes guests to sail in the southernmost islands of the Raja Ampat National Park with its picturesque chain of jungle-covered limestone islets and spectacular corals reefs before heading east to the spectacular Triton Bay to swim with Whale Sharks. Alongside opportunities for fantastic snorkelling guests will be able to visit the ReShark Star Project, seen in the programme, and witness this ambitious initiative which aims to repopulate Raja Ampat with Zebra sharks through conservation translocation. On some departures in Raja Ampat SeaTrek guests are joined by experts such as the French marine biologist Vincent Chalias who is able to enrich the trip with his knowledge of the complexities of the myriad coral species of the Coral Triangle and their interconnected relationships in these marine rich underwater habitats. The final part of the programme takes Reeve to see and swim with magnificent Whale Sharks. These incredibly gentle giants of the sea have been estimated to live to over 100 years of age, reaching maturity at around 30 years old. They feed on plankton and small fish, which are abundant in the ocean, and are in turn preyed upon by larger fish and sharks. By regulating the population of smaller fish, whale sharks help to ensure that other marine species have enough food to survive. Whilst SeaTrek does not go to Cendrawasi Bay, which is seen in the programme, they do take guests south of there to Triton Bay on the 10-day Papua’s Whale Sharks and Birds of Paradise cruise. There guests can, like Reeve, swim with the Whale Sharks on the Bagan (fisherman’s platforms) and witness the symbiotic relationship that exists between these magnificent giants of the sea and fishermen who fish from the platforms. Michael Travers, Head of Guest Relations for SeaTrek, commented, "It's great to see that ‘Wilderness’ has highlighted the fragile Coral Triangle and shown viewers the rich and diverse marine life and the people who live so intricately connected to the sea. At SeaTrek, we are constantly looking for ways to share with our guests the symbiotic relationship between humans and wildlife, and we hope that by bringing people to meet the Bajau people and showing them Whale Sharks, we can help to raise awareness of the urgent need to sustain these cultures and species for future generations".
See and discover more with SeaTrek Sailing Adventures
Working on the principle that ‘the more you know, the more you see’, Indonesian expedition cruise operator, SeaTrek Sailing Adventures, has expanded its series of expert-led cruises for 2024 with even more special departures headed up by a series of historians, biologists, textile and cultural specialists, and marine ecologists. With cruises lasting from 10 to 16 days, the expedition-style adventures have been specifically designed to be informative and enlightening. Throughout the cruise, experts will share their knowledge through nightly presentations and will be available to answer guests' questions, providing a better understanding of the region and a more enriching, intellectual, and cultural experience. Best for wildlife - 6 February and 4 October 2024 Join tropical biologist and world-renowned expert on the great Victorian naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace (co-discoverer of the theory of evolution through natural selection with Charles Darwin), Dr George Beccaloni as he leads two cruises in Wallace’s old stomping grounds through Raja Ampat and the Moluccan Islands. On a 12-day journey from Ternate in the Maluku Islands to Sorong in West Papua, Wallace fans will visit the village of Dodinga where Wallace was living when, in a fit of malarial delirium, he discovered the mechanism which drives evolutionary change - natural selection. Further opportunities for keen naturalists, include a number of pre-dawn forest walks in search of the Lesser Birds of Paradise and the remarkable Red Bird of Paradise (one of the species that Wallace was most anxious to collect). And off the western coast of Bacan explore the forested slopes where Wallace made some of his greatest zoological discoveries, including the Golden Birdwing Butterfly. As the boat makes its way through the Dampier Strait, home of some of Raja Ampat’s premier reefs, visit Yenbeser village where Wallace spent some months and visit a faithful replica of Wallace’s small hut. Throughout the voyage there will be opportunities to snorkel in coral rich waters and explore reefs teeming with fish, swim in lakes filled with stingless jellyfish, and snorkel amongst giant clams. Best for culture -9 May 2024 Join textile experts, Sue and David Richardson, as they lead a 12-day journey around the Lesser Sunda Islands in May 2024, visiting many of the villages and people who create the iconic ‘ikat’ fabrics using traditional weaving and natural dying techniques passed down through the generations for centuries. The remote islands of eastern Indonesia have one of the most diverse textile cultures on the planet. British textile experts David and Sue Richardson will lead a fascinating voyage and discover more about these textiles, the techniques used to make them and the role that cloth plays within the local community. Textile enthusiasts will learn how a warp becomes a weft in the same textile, how mud is used in dyeing, how two different dyes are obtained from sea hare and in each village guests will see every aspect of textile production with the opportunity to purchase fabulous textiles directly from the women who made them. Best for families – 30 July 30 & 10 August 2024 Join Ray and Angela Hale who have travelled the length and breadth of both Indonesia and Malaysia in search of endangered species and will lead two family friendly cruises in the Komodo National Park, specially designed with kids of all ages in mind, they are keen to share their passion for conservation and the wonders of the natural world. Families can expect to learn about the importance of wildlife and habitat conservation, animal camouflage and how to spot animals in the wild, and how the famous Komodo Dragons evolved to live in the barren and ancient islands of the Ring of Fire. There will be opportunities to get up close to wildlife from rare encounters with the Komodo Dragons to hunting for bats, butterflies, and bugs on a gentle trek through Komodo National Park. They can swim with whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles and see a kaleidoscope of colourful coral reefs, surrounded by hundreds of fish and coral species below the waves. Or paddleboard, kayak and explore on glorious white sand beaches. Best for maritime history lovers – 6 September 2024 Join seafaring history expert, Jeffrey Mellefont, as he leads an adventure through ancient monsoon sailing routes to some of Indonesia’s remotest islands, connecting guests with the true nature of this island nation: a maritime crossroads of rare spices, sea-borne trade, migration, and boat-builders. Boarding the boat in Portuguese influenced Flores the 6-cabin ‘Katharina’ will sail east through a string of remote islands on a 12-day voyage to meet local islanders, see their unique and intricate textiles, have a demonstration of Ikat woven fabrics, and witness a ceremonial war dance. Meeting local fisherman and farmers to learn about their way of life and crossing the Banda Sea, the boat will pass four spectacular volcanic sea mounts, explicit reminders of Indonesia’s place along the Ring of Fire, to reach the fabled Spice Islands. There the small group of passengers will be able to visit markets, tour a nutmeg planation and have dinner in a local restaurant. Along the way there will also be daily stops to go snorkelling and hopefully spot whales near the final destination of Ambon. Best for marine life - 29 December 2024 Join French marine biologist Vincent Chalias as he leads an end-of year cruise around Raja Ampat passing on his knowledge and the complexities of the myriad coral species and their interconnected relationships in these marine rich underwater habitats. The islands of Raja Ampat are one of the jewels of Indonesia with some of the most biodiverse underwater habitats on the planet, featuring almost 90% of all known coral species and home to several species of Birds of Paradise. The 10-day voyage sails to the southernmost islands of the Raja Ampat National Park with its picturesque chain of jungle-covered limestone islets. There is the chance to swim in a mysterious stingless jelly fish lake, visit sea caves filled with massive stalagmites and stalactites, and see 3,000-5,000-year-old prehistoric caves painted on the walls with human figures, flowers, and fish. On forest treks the small group will go in search of the elusive Lesser Bird of Paradise dancing around in their ‘lekking’ trees and take a dawn trek to spot the rare Red Bird of Paradise. There’s a refreshing jungle waterfall swim, plus a visit to a pearl farm and possible brushes with marine life including the wobbegong shark, the humphead wrasse, schools of giant trevalley and resident hawksbill turtles.
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Thailand
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Brown Mountain, North Carolina, USA
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Chiang Mai, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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