Experience Bali, Singapore and Borneo on this unique cruise that takes you along the coastline of Borneo to some of South East Asia’s most exciting destinations. From isolated tropical islands to diverse national parks, you will experience some of Borneo’s unforgettable natural wonders. This is one of the world’s great destinations for wildlife watching with an astounding diversity of rainforest, birdlife and primates. You will be joined onboard your cruise liner by renowned primatologist, conservationist and educator Dr. Biruté Galdikas. Dr Galdikas established the landmark Camp Leakey in 1971, and will give some unique insight into the rehabilitation of orangutans. Journey to Pontianak for a rich cultural experience with its mosques, colonial history and water villages. From the orangutans of Semenggoh to Gunung Palung and Bako National Parks, you'll experience the ecosystems that once covered the entire island. They now protect thousands of Borneo’s unique species of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Your visit to Kuching will reveal a showcase of famous architecture from the Palace of the White Rajahs to the original Malay-style stilt houses. From exclusive cultural performances and Malay-style banquets, to barbecues on secluded island beaches and wildlife so adapted to the sight of humans that it is easy to get close to them. Borneo’s wilderness beckons the adventurous traveller to uncover the unparalleled beauty and diversity of life. Includes private expert guide in Bali and Singapore.
Available Cruise Departures:
2012 Singapore-Bali: Oct 12
2013 Bali-Singapore: Oct 25 // Singapore-Bali: Nov 18
Airport transfer with private vehicle and English-speaking driver.
The Maya Ubud Resort & Spa is set in 10 hectares of hillside garden, stretching 780 metres along a peninsula set high above two river valleys. It flows from hilltop down to riverside hideaway 30 metres below. Just minutes by foot from ubud, with all its cultural and dining attractions, The Maya Ubud Resort & Spa provides a spacious, stylish and luxurious environment in which to enjoy some of life's better moments.
Start the day with a visit to Kerta Gosa, or Hall of Justice, built in 18th century in Klungkung. It is beautifully laid out within a moat and provides an exquisite example of the Klungkung style of painting and architecture which can be seen in their ceiling murals. Continue through spectacular views of terraced rice fields to Besakih temple, located on the slope of Mount Agung, Bali highest volcano. It is called Mother Temple of Bali as it houses ancestral shrines for all Hindu Balinese and a complex of nearly 24 temples. Our next stop is Kintamani where you can enjoy your lunch with a breathtaking view over the caldera lake, Danau Batur. Driving down, we arrive in the bottom of a lush green valley, where the Gunung Kawi temple, Bali largest ancient monument is located. It consists of 10 rock-cut candi (shrines) – memorials cut out of the rock face in imitation of actual statues and stand in 7m-high sheltered niches cut into the sheer cliff face. Our last stop will be Goa Gajah.
A sunset outing to the southwestern tip of Bali for a visit of the Uluwatu Temple, which is perched precipitously atop sheer cliffs that drop straight into the pounding surf 250 feet above the sea. This is one of the grandest and oldest temples in Bali, built in 11th century. Watch the spectacular sunset overlooking the Indian Ocean and enjoy the mystic atmosphere before you are driven to Jimbaran Beach for an extensive BBQ Seafood Dinner on the beach.
Start your cultural trip with a visit to Tohpati, which is known for its batik and continue to Celuk, the center of exquisite silver works and Mas, for fine woodcarvings. Enter Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali with many fine art galleries, and a home to a score of local and foreign artists. One of them is Agung Rai Museum of Art which has an extensive collection of paintings by Balinese, Indonesian and foreign artists in classic Balinese and contemporary styles. Afterwards, you can test your bargaining skill at Ubud art market prior to a visit to Puri Saren Agung whose royal family ruled Ubud from the late 1800’s until 1917.
Witness this theatrical experience. The "Cak" or "Kecak" dance is the well-known “monkey dance” which is originally derived from a sacred sanghyang dance, it has subsequently been added to and adapted, incorporating scenes from the story of Ramayana. The Kecak dance is an amazing cacophony of interlocking sounds – 100 men, representing the Ramayana’s monkey army sit in concentric circles and chant. Their arms are thrown up to the skies, fingers outstretched, but the sounds and gestures have no meaning other than to drive out evil.
You will be picked up by a private vehicle with an English speaking guide and transferred to the harbour in South Bali.
Welcome aboard!Take some time to get settled into your stateroom and explore the length of the ship.
Orion II is a private yacht-like expedition cruise ship built by Cantieri Navale Ferrari of Italy. After a number of years as a private yacht, Orion II was relaunched in 2009 following an extensive technical refit. Little expense was spared with this stylish, Italian built, all-suite Mega Yacht. Orion II now offers the finest standards in small-ship cruise travel. She also has an ice-strengthened hull for voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic and is fitted with stabilisers. The expedition equipment includes Zodiacs and fast tender to deliver the Orion expedition experience. Combining luxury and service will require staffing by 68 offices and crew to serve Orion II’s capacity of 100 guests. Excellence of design, craftsmanship and quality materials combined with Orion II’s spaciousness and intimate ambience make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.
Days at sea aboard Orion are less structured than a typical cruise ship. Rise at your leisure and select from a variety of breakfast options. Late morning consider joining a presentation in the Lecture Theatre by one of the Expedition Staff or a Guest Speaker. Luncheon is served both indoors and out and the timeless tradition of afternoon tea is observed at 4:00pm.
There are two main activities to be enjoyed whilst at Tanjung Puting National Park. Today's activity involves taking local boats for a full day exploration of the river system surrounding Camp Leakey and visits to several feeding stations and Camp Leakey itself. This area will give you the rare opportunity to get very close and interact with the orangutans. This will be a full day activity including lunch based on the local boats, which are large and spacious and have their own bathroom onboard, and includes the landings at the feeding stations, which are all quite easy to reach on foot
Today will be a prime wildlife experience like no other! You'll return to Tanjung Puting for a visit to the Orangutan Foundation International's wildlife rehabilitation centre. You'll get an exclusive look into the operation of the centre with all three stages of orangutan rehabilitation being visited; the forest training area, the "pre school" and the infant care facility.
Please note that there is a reasonable amount of walking at Camp Leakey which includes walking along slippery and unven surfaces.
Today you'll depart from the ship via the Zodiac fleet to explore the Bayas River that flows through the Gunung Palung National Park. No landings are planned today but there will be ample opportunity for wildlife spotting, with orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques and numerous bird species all living in the park.
Your inclusive expedition into Pontianak City today will include visits to many of the highlights of the town. One of Pontianak's "prides" is the Mujahiddin Mosque, which is the biggest mosque in the province. In the village of Bugis Dalam, is the Jami' Mosque of Sultan Abdurrahman Al-Qodri. This historical mosque was built in 1771 by Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman. The Sultan Palace of Khadariyah lies nearby with a shape in Portuguese style, and was a fort against enemy attacks in the past. You can also find a monument of the Sultan Kingdom nearby. The historical cathedral with a clock on the top of the church sign for the historical Christian influences at Pontianak City.
You will also visit the well-known Equator Monument, standing on the exact spot, passed by the equator. The Museum of Pontianak is a beautiful building in modern design, with the ornamental characteristics of the area. The museum's collections include relics from the time of the arrival of Islam in West Kalimantan. All of these locations are planned as part of the included expedition today. A shuttle bus into the city will be available for those wishing to explore on your own.
Your activity today is a city tour which will visit the Cat Monument, the symbol of Kuching, and Sarawak's oldest temple in the China Town area. The tour will take a route that showcases much of the famous architecture of Kuching including Astana (the former palace of the White Rajah), the old Colonial Law Courts, crossing the Satok Suspension Bridge dating from 1926, past old Malay style stilt houses, and stopping at a beautiful local Mosque. The highlight of the tour will be a visit to the Sarawak Museum which is acknowledged as one of the finest in the world. This evening will feature an exclusive cultural performance and Malay style banquet ashore.
This morning you will visit the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and witness the work they do in caring for orangutans and other wildlife of Borneo. For those feeling a bit more independent a shuttle bus will be available in the afternoon to and from the city area to further explore Kuching's rich cultural and natural history.
Optional:If you are looking to learn more of the culture of this area an optional tour to the traditional Annah Rais Longhouse is available for purchase. The Anna Rais Longhouse is an authentic Bidayuh Longhouse located in the hills outside of Kuching. This Bidayuh village is accessible by road and it is the nearest native village from the city.Alternately, the Rafflesia is a giant carniverous plant first discovered in Bornoe in 1818. The flower can grow over one metre in diameter and weigh over 10 kilograms. If the plant is flowering during your visit, you can take an expedition to Gunung Gadung where you will go into the park area with a guide who knows the location of the plant that is flowering on that day. The expedition team will be in communication with the rangers a few days before arrival to be updated on the chance to see the giant flowering carniverous plant. Please note, this excursion cannot be guaranteed, as it is reliant on the flowering of the plant.To participate in an optional activity, please contact your travel consultant.
A series of walks of varying degrees of difficulty are available today throughout the Bako National Park. Once again you will be surrounded by wildlife, including numerous proboscis monkeys and macaques. Zodiac cruises will also be available today. Due to the fact that wildlife here have been protected since the 1950's the animals are quite used to humans and do not see them as a threat which allows you to walk through the park and see the animals quite easily.
Today you'll arrive at the port in Singapore, where you will disembark from your ship, and say farewell to your fellow cruisemates.
A private vehicle with driver will pick you up at the cruise pier and transfer you to your hotel.
A private driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you on a 3.5 hour tour where you will learn about Feng Shui. Feng Shui, or geomancy, is a branch of Chinese Metaphysics studies, where the purpose of this ancient oriental art and science is to promote the achievement of harmony, balance and prosperity for the individuals’ well being as well as for business success. Understand the complementary principles of Yin-Yang, creative & controlling cycles of the Five elements, i.e. wood, fire, earth, metal and water and its relevance to achieving balance and harmony in our lives. This enlightening & intriguing experience begins with a visit to the the financial district. Appreciate how Feng Shui principles are incorporated into the building landscapes and its immediate environment to activate the auspicious qi (or good energies) such as the fish jumping over the Dragon’s Gate. Also find out where the five auspicious mythological dragons lie in Singapore and its contribution to the island state’s prosperity. Visit a Chinese calligraphic gallery to have your name translated into auspicious Chinese characters on an oriental fan (included) and then visit a popular Feng Shui Gallery to learn about auspicious tools and how to strategically place Feng Shui artefacts in your house or office. Final stop is at Suntec City, Singapore’s iconic exhibition and convention center and home to the largest fountain in the world. Understand why water or “shui” symbolizes wealth and fortune as you listen to the tales of people who have found success after touching the water at the Fountain of Wealth. Partake in the ritual and absorb the positive energy, or qi, as you end your tour before returning to your hotel.
Grand Park City Hall (4*) is strategically located within the historically vibrant Civic District. Within walking distance are some of Singapore’s oldest and historical landmarks – a living glimpse into the city-state’s history. The ten-storey atrium hotel combines the charm of restored, century-old shophouses and modern architecture, providing an interesting mix that has earned it the prestigious Architectural Heritage Award. Grand Park City Hall is also within the Central Business District and the new Downtown, providing easy access for business needs. The hotel is next to Raffles City, Suntec and Marina Bay shopping hubs, providing guests endless retail therapy possibilities.
You will be picked up from your Singapore hotel by private car and english speaking driver for a visit to a Malay Ethnic Area that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Malays. Let your guide recount stories of collective spirit that rose through the darkest times of World War II as you continue your journey to visit the Changi Chapel & Museum. Drive through the rustic and laid-back Changi Village giving you a chance to see the relaxing side of Singapore and provides a contrast to your final stop at Tampines New Town, a typical heartland township of present day Singapore. Rates include admissions as per itinerary.
A private vehicle with driver will pick you up and provide a transfer between the pier and the Airport, for 6 people with 2 pieces of luggage each.
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