Passage to the South China Sea A journey through the East Indies aboard the MS Clipper Odyssey 17 December to 31 December 2011
SENSATIONAL INCLUSIONS: • Return Economy Class international airfare from Sydney or Perth to Denpasar, returning from Kuching to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth • 2 night pre-cruise hotel stay at the Nusa Dua Hotel, Bali including breakfast daily • 10 Nights cruising from Bali to Kuching aboard the MS Clipper Odyssey, including 1 night hotel stay in Tana Toraja • Shore excursions including local guides and expedition team including guest speaker • All meals onboard MS Clipper Odyssey • Transfers between airport, hotel and ship • Port charges, government fees • Hotel taxes and Air taxes
Pre Day 1 – TO BALI. Fly to Bali this afternoon. On arrival, transfer to your deluxe hotel for a two night stay.
Pre Day 2 - BALI. Today, be captivated by Bali’s landscapes of emerald terraced rice fields, lush forests, the sacred volcano of Mount Batur and the elaborate Hindu temples. After a leisurely breakfast we will drive to Ubud, an artists’ colony surrounded by the sacred Monkey Forest. Spend some time strolling among the artisan workshops and galleries. Return to your hotel in the afternoon to enjoy the lovely location and facilities.
Day 1 - BALI. Morning free. Embark the MS Clipper Odyssey this afternoon and sail in the evening into the Flores Sea.
Day 6 - TOLI TOLI. Day 2 - PULAU MOYO. Spend the morning on Moyo, a nature reserve with wild oxen deer, wild boars and a great variety of bird species. The coral reefs here are amazingly beautiful and inhabited by countless brightly colored fish. If conditions allow there will be the opportunity to snorkel and explore by Zodiac and glass bottom boat. Afternoon at sea.
Day 3 - PARE PARE FOR TANA TORAJA, SULAWESI. After a morning at sea we arrive at the large Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The port of Pare Pare in the south of the island is our starting point for an overnight trip inland to Tana Toraja, a mountainous region that is rich in culture and perhaps best known for its unusually shaped houses resembling upturned ships. This evening we will have a special dinner in the lovely hotel accompanied by music and dance of the region.
Day 4 - TANA TORAJA. This is very much a day to have your camera at the ready as we visit the market and grave sites where replicas of the ancestors, called Tau Taus, look down over the village and rice fields from balconies cut into the cliff faces. Our exploration continues with visits to craft rich villages and through beautiful countryside, watching rice being planted and locals doing their laundry in the rushing rivers. This area casts a spell on all who visit. In the late afternoon return to the vessel and sail through the Makassar Strait.
Day 5 - CENTRAL SULAWESI. Continue sailing through the Makassar Strait this morning, reaching the ancient and picturesque port of Donggala at lunch time. Here in the central region of Sulawesi, famous for its stunning tropical scenery, we have the afternoon to swim and snorkel from some fine beaches. There will also be the opportunity to visit the local weavers who create an exquisite dark silk cloth, using the rare double ikat method.
Package Price Ex SYDNEY (Economy class) CAT 1 2 3 4 5 6
CABIN DESCRIPTION Twin with portholes Forward twin with window Twin with window Twin with window Twin with window Deluxe with veranda
DECK A Main Main Lido Bridge Bridge
COST $7,890 $8,835 $9,770 $10,895 $11,875 $12,795
Package Price Ex SYDNEY (Star class one way^) CAT 1 2 3 4 5 6
CABIN DESCRIPTION Twin with portholes Forward twin with window Twin with window Twin with window Twin with window Deluxe with veranda
DECK A Main Main Lido Bridge Bridge
COST $8,860 $9,595 $10.530 $11,695 $12,630 $13,560
CABIN DESCRIPTION DECK Twin with portholes A Forward twin with window Main Twin with window Main Twin with window Lido Twin with window Bridge Deluxe with veranda Bridge
COST $7,860 $8,805 $9,740 $10,865 $11,835 $12,765
Package Price Ex PERTH CAT 1 2 3 4 5 6
Today we reach the far north of Sulawesi, calling into Toli Toli, an idyllic and untouched sleepy town surrounded by delightful tropical scenery. Tourists are very much a rarity here and our drive into the interior will take us past primitive villages and ancient megaliths. Here you will also find stunning coastal scenery with coral reefs which offer excellent snorkeling and a perfect opportunity to explore with our glass bottom boat. If ever an area can be described as timeless, it is here.
Day 7 - AT SEA. Celebrate Christmas day crossing the Celebes Sea.
Day 8 - SANDAKAN, BORNEO. Here at the extreme of Malaysia we will visit the famous Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, home to several hundred orangutans. Orangutans are brought to the sanctuary when their forest homes are cleared for palm oil plantations or as orphans taken from the wild as pets. We hope to gain access to one of the feeding platforms where the recently introduced orangutans come for a meal of bananas, sugar cane and milk. Return to the ship for lunch and sail this afternoon.
Day 9 - KOTA KINABALU, SABAH. During the night we will sail around the north eastern corner of Borneo to the city of Kota Kinabalu. This morning we will drive north to Tuaran and spend some time at the town’s market. Later from a nearby jetty, make a short boat ride to Penimbawan’s attractive stilt village where the Bajau people make a living from fishing. This afternoon there is a choice of excursions. Join a tour of the city’s main highlights including a visit to the colourful Poh Toh Tze Chinese Buddhist temple, the Tun Mustapha Building which is the tallest building in Sabah and the state museum. Alternatively, take an excursion concentrating on the headhunters of Borneo, to the district of Penhampang which is the heartland of the Kadazan tribe. Learn of the many rituals at a heritage village and enjoy a demonstration of traditional dances.
Day 10 - BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI. We arrive this morning in oil-rich Brunei. A morning excursion will include the water village, Brunei Museum, the Royal Regalia Building, which is home to the Sultan’s marvelous collection of royal gifts. Also, see the golden domes of the Omar Ali Mosque and the magnificent Sultan’s Palace. This afternoon, enjoy a scenic boat ride around the biggest presidential palace in the world – Istana Nurul Iman. After cruising around the palace, we will start to cruise slowly under mangrove trees to view a myriad of marine life. Look out for the unique cat fish, red kingfishers, proboscis monkeys and even salt water crocodiles basking on the river bank.
Day 11 - AT SEA. Day 12 - KUCHING TO AUSTRALIA We will disembark this morning and be transferred to the airport for your flight home to Australia (Via Singapore)
“For further details contact your local Cruiseco Travel Agent”
Flights from Sydney to Denpasar are operated by Jetstar in economy class including a meal and entertainment. Flights from Perth to Denpasar are operated by Garuda Indonesia. Flights from Kuching to Australia are operated by Silk Air and Singapore Airlines. ^Star Class available on Sydney to Denpasar only. Passengers from Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, please see your cruiseco consultant for the best available domestic connection to Sydney or Perth to connect with flight to Bali.
Qantas Frequent Flyer Points* awarded on cruiseco holidays
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