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Paspaley Pearl – Borneo and Beyond: Orangutans, Dragons & Whale Sharks

Day 1

Bali – Cultural Gateway to the Indonesian Archipelago

Board Paspaley Pearl this afternoon in Bali, where Hindu traditions create a distinctive cultural landscape evident in daily offerings adorning streets and temples. Our crew will welcome you aboard with refreshing cocktails, before setting sail through the harbour past traditional fishing communities. Tonight, join our expedition team for briefings about the remarkable volcanic landscapes and diverse cultures we’ll encounter across Indonesia’s vast archipelago.

Day 2

Sumenep, Madura — The Soul of Madura's Architectural Treasures

Explore architectural treasures reflecting Chinese, Arab, and European influences in “the Soul of Madura,” discovering the homeland of Indonesia’s third-largest ethnic group. Walk through multicultural heritage sites while learning how this region’s Majapahit Empire connections influenced the colours of Indonesia’s national flag.

Day 3

At Sea – Crossing to Borneo's Pristine Wilderness

Connect with expedition community during our crossing toward Borneo as naturalists prepare you for extraordinary wildlife encounters. Learn about orangutan conservation, proboscis monkey behaviour, and remarkable “bird lakes” while understanding Dr. Biruté Galdikas’ revolutionary primate research at the world-renowned Camp Leakey conservation centre.

Day 4

Camp Leakey & Tanjung Puting National Park – Orangutan Encounters

Journey by traditional klotok boats through pristine rivers to witness endangered orangutans during feeding times. Walk rainforest boardwalks where proboscis monkeys display distinctive features while over 220 bird species create forest symphonies, exploring unique “black rivers” serving as vital waterbird rookeries.

Day 5

At Sea – Volcanic Landscapes Ahead

Reflect on primate encounters while expedition team prepares you for Indonesia’s dramatic volcanic landscapes. Join enrichment sessions about geological forces creating these islands, learning about Mount Bromo’s active crater and the indigenous Tengger community’s spiritual connections to volcanic environments.

Day 6

Probolinggo (Mount Bromo) – Walking on the Moon

Journey by 4WD across Mount Bromo’s spectacular “sea of sand” to walk crater rims of this active volcano named after Brahma. Watch the changing light transform the 10-kilometre Tengger caldera while learning how indigenous communities maintain sacred traditions including casting offerings into active craters.

Day 7

At Sea – Marine Conservation and Traditional Fishing

Join enrichment sessions about marine conservation and traditional fishing practices preparing for extraordinary marine encounters ahead. Learn about whale shark behaviour, traditional ‘bagan’ fishing platforms, and conservation efforts while scanning waters for wildlife during our approach to Sumbawa.

Day 8

Saleh Bay, Sumbawa – Swimming with Gentle Giants

Experience intimate encounters with magnificent whale sharks around traditional floating fishing platforms called ‘bagans’. Swim in crystal-clear waters alongside gentle giants reaching over 12 meters in length, known locally as ‘gurano bintang’, while supporting sustainable eco-tourism initiatives protecting these remarkable creatures.

Day 9

Komodo National Park – Land of the Dragons

Enter this UNESCO World Heritage Site where world’s largest lizards roam free. Join park rangers for guided walks through savanna grasslands searching for Komodo dragons growing over 3 meters long, exploring dramatic landscapes while learning about conservation efforts protecting these prehistoric predators.

Day 10

Komodo National Park – Pink Sands and Vibrant Reefs

Visit Pink Beach—one of only seven such coloured beaches worldwide—and snorkel vibrant coral reefs teeming with over 1,000 fish species. Continue dragon tracking while understanding how this Wallacea ecoregion location creates remarkable combinations of Australian and Asian fauna through evolutionary isolation.

Day 11

Badas, Sumbawa – Traditional Buffalo Racing Spectacle

Witness traditional buffalo races (Barapan Kebo) staged specially in your honour, where decorated buffalo pairs thunder across muddy fields while riders balance on wooden ploughs. Experience ceremonial events rooted in ancient agricultural traditions while observing traditional rice pounding and weaving demonstrations.

Day 12

Bali – Journey's End with Lasting Memories

Return carrying memories of Indonesia’s extraordinary diversity from swimming with whale sharks to witnessing endangered orangutans, walking active volcanoes to encountering living dragons. Final opportunities exploring Bali’s artistic traditions provide perfect conclusions to your remarkable journey through one of Earth’s most biodiverse regions.