Jewels of Timor

Welcome to Timor! Upon arrival, our English speaking guide will meet you at Nicolau Lombardo airport and set the scene introducing you to the recent history of resistance in this amazing half island. Depending on your flight arrival time, if you land in the morning, explore some of the historical and cultural sites in and around Dili. This afternoon, take a short walk up to Cristo Rei of Dili,  a 27 metre high colossal statue of Jesus Christ situated atop a globe at Cape Fatucama. Head back down to the coast and enjoy a welcome dinner at a restaurant on the beach as the sun is setting. (D)

Overnight Portuguese Hotel or similar

Walking Distance: Short walks around historical and cultural sites in and around Dili.
Walking Time: Approximately 1-2 hours.
Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat terrain.

This morning, drive into the mountains of Timor-Leste. Stop along the way at a local community project, (Projeto Montanha a NGO working to improve rural livelihoods through tourism and hospitality), where you will try traditional Timorese coffee at Maubisse Pousada a Portuguese colonial era guesthouse with 360 degree views around the mountainside.

Drive to Hatu Bulico village at the base of the Mt Ramelau walking trail. Here, you will have a guided tour of Hatu Bulico village, where traditional village life still takes place. You will also visit Dili Vanilla farm in Aileu. (B,L,D)

Overnight Alecrim Guesthouse or similar

Walking Distance: Short walks around the local community project and Hatu Bulico village.
Walking Time: Approximately 1-2 hours.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, some uneven terrain in the village.

Driving Distance & Journey Time: (Approx. 85km) Approximately 5 hours (including rest break).

Wake up at 3:00am to hike to the summit of Mt Ramelau for sunrise. The journey is approx. 5hrs return. At the highest point in the country, you can see the entire coastline and across Indonesia. Take in the impressive views before returning for breakfast. Drive to Same where you will enjoy a village tour on arrival. The afternoon is yours at leisure. (B,L,D)

Overnight Local Guesthouse or similar

Walking Distance: Approximately 10km (round trip to Mt Ramelau summit).
Walking Time: Approximately 5 hours (to the summit and back).
Difficulty: Moderate ascent to the summit of Mt Ramelau.
Driving Distance and Journey Time: Approximately 75km, 2 hours to Same village.

Drive to Loihuno via the southern coastline, passing through farmlands and rice fields. Learn about the history of Dom Bom Ventura the revolutionary leader who led the great battle to rid Timor-Leste of Portuguese invaders. Arrive in Loihuno village where you will be staying in a local guest house at the base of Mt Mundo Perdido which literally translates to ‘Lost World’ in Portuguese. (B,L,D)

Overnight Local Guesthouse or similar

Walking Distance: Short walks around Loihuno village and nearby attractions.
Walking Time: Approximately 1-2 hours.
Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat terrain.

Driving Distance and Journey Time: (120km) Approximately 4 hours.

Today you will enjoy a hike into the ‘Lost World’ to the heart of Timor Leste’s resistance country and explore the mountains that for decades gave refuge to Timor-Leste’s guerrilla fighters. This afternoon, return to your guesthouse and visit the nearby limestone waterholes. Learn about how this region became abundant in water and agriculture. (B,L,D)

Overnight Local Guesthouse or similar

Walking Distance: Approximately 12km (round trip to Mt Mundo Perdido).
Walking Time: Approximately 5 hours (to the heart of Timor Leste’s resistance country and back).
Difficulty: Moderate, rugged and hilly terrain.

Depart this morning for Baucau, Timor-Leste’s second largest city, on the way stopping to admire the scenery of the remote villages of Ossu and Venilale. Visit the seven caves, a historic excavated tunnel system constructed by Timorese prisoners of war during the Japanese occupation of Timor-Leste in WWII. Upon arrival in Baucau, enjoy a historical and cultural tour of Baucau city where you will visit a local community farming and cultural project. (B,L,D)

Overnight Local Guesthouse or similar

Walking Distance: Short walks around Baucau city and local community project.
Walking Time: Approximately 1-2 hours.
Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat terrain.

Driving Distance and Journey Time: (48km) Approximately 2-3 hours.

Today you will return to Dili (4 hrs) with stunning coastal views across the Wetar Strait. Lunch today will be back in Dili before you enjoy a guided tour of the historical and cultural sites of Dili. Take in the sunset at Cristo Rei statue overlooking Dili city. (B,L,D)

Overnight Beachfront Hotel or similar

Walking Distance: Short walks around Dili and Cristo Rei statue.
Walking Time: Approximately 1-2 hours.
Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat terrain.

Driving Distance and Journey Time: (120km) Approximately 2 hours.

This morning take a boat transfer to Atauro Island, home to the most biodiverse coral reefs in the world. The journey will take approx. 3 hours. Keep your eyes peeled from the boat for the hundreds of whales that migrate past Atauro Island. Arrive in Beloi village where you will meet your local homestay family. Enjoy a welcome lunch with your homestay family before being escorted on a tour of the local village. Spend the afternoon snorkelling from a local fisherman’s boat. Spend the evening with your local village homestay family. (B,L,D)

Overnight Village Homestay or similar

Walking Distance: Short walks around Beloi village.
Walking Time: Approximately 1-2 hours.
Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat terrain.

Distance and Journey Time: Boat distance (25kms) approx. 3hrs, drive approximately 1-2 hours.

You have a choice this morning of a morning hike up the sacred mountain to Manucoco Peak for sunrise with stunning views across the island (5 hrs return), a morning hike to a look-out point (2hr return trip), or relaxing/free time on the island. This afternoon, set off on a tuk tuk tour of the local community where you will witness handicraft projects and community projects. You have more time today to get back in the water and snorkel from a local fisherman’s boat. Spend further time you’re your local village homestay family. (B,L,D) 

Overnight Village Homestay or similar

Walking Distance: Options for a morning hike up to Manucoco Peak (10km round trip) or a shorter lookout point hike (4km round trip).
Walking Time: Approx. 5 hours for the Manucoco Peak hike, or 2 hours for the lookout point hike.
Difficulty: Manucoco Peak hike is tough, steep ascent; lookout point hike is moderate.

Enjoy your final morning snorkelling activity before your boat transfer back to Dili. Lunch today is at Agora Food Studio restaurant where you will enjoy locally sourced traditional foods and coffee. Drive to Balibo. Arrive at Balibo and meet with the local community tourism establishment. Stay in the historic Balibo Fort, constructed by the Portuguese in the early 1700s. (B,L,D)

Overnight Balibo Fort or similar

Walking Distance: Short walks around Balibo village.
Walking Time: Approximately 1-2 hours.
Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat terrain.

Distance and Journey Time: Boat distance (25kms), drive (125km) approximately 4 hours.

Today is a day of exploring and learning about the historical and cultural elements of Balibo. You will visit Balibo House, famously known as the location that five Australian journalists were murdered during the Indonesian occupation, veteran museum, and Balibo Fort. In the afternoon, visit Leohitu village to visit a community fish hatchery and swim in the jungle at Leohitu waterfall. (B,L,D)

Overnight Balibo Fort or similar

Walking Distance: Short walks around Balibo and Leohitu village.
Walking Time: Approximately 1-2 hours.
Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat terrain.

Enjoy a short shady walk to the Gruta Mortaua look out for panoramic views across the Indonesian border. Return to Dili with lunch today at a seaside restaurant in Liquica. You will stop along the way at the historical Ai Pelo Prison ruins. (B,L,D)

Overnight Beachfront Hotel or similar

Walking Time: Approximately 1 hour.

Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat terrain. Short shady walk to Gruta Mortaua lookout.

Distance and Journey Time: Drive (125km) approx. 4hrs

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. (B)