Encounters with Whale Sharks Dragons & Mystic Cultures - Paspaley Pearl

Cruise Itinerary

Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
5 Mar 2025	Benoa, Bali, Indonesia
6 Mar 2025	Badas Islands, Indonesia
7 Mar 2025	Sumbawa, Indonesia
8 Mar 2025	Komodo Island, Indonesia
9 Mar 2025	Komodo Island, Indonesia
10 Mar 2025	Seventeen Islands Marine Park, Indonesia
11 Mar 2025	Maumere, Flores (Indonesia)
12 Mar 2025	Lamalera, Indonesia
13 Mar 2025	Kalabahi, Indonesia
14 Mar 2025	Kupang, West Timor, Indonesia
15 Mar 2025	Dili, East Timor

10 Night Cruise sailing from Benoa to Dili aboard Paspaley Pearl.

Embark on a journey through the captivating landscapes of East Indonesia, where every moment unfolds as a tribute to the nation’s diverse cultural tapestry. Experience extraordinary highlights as we invite you to join an expedition where each encounter is a celebration of Indonesia’s cultural treasures and natural wonders.

DAY 1 Embarkation | Benoa. Bali, Indonesia
Bali is known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies and beaches. The island is home to many striking Hindu temples, such as the cliff side Uluwatu Temple, Tanah Lot, Goa Gajah in Ubud and the spectacular Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bedugul. The beachside strip from Kuta to Legian offer lively bars and a multitude of dining choices, while Seminyak, Sanur and Nusa Dua are popular resort areas.

PASPALEY PEARL will be alongside at Benoa Harbour, Bali.

DAY 2 Badas, Sumbawa Besar. West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
The port of Badas is part of the greater township of Sumbawa Besar, on the island of Sumbawa. Like most of Sumbawa, the people hold their culture strong as a major part of their identity. The island has a strong influence from the Makassarese of Sulawesi, who over the centuries have introduced a lot of their culture into Sumbawa.

DAY 3 Saleh Bay, Sumbawa Besar. West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Enclosed by Moyo Island and the imposing Tembora Peninsula, the serene Saleh Bay is far from the regular tourist trail. In 2017 Conservation International assisted in the development of eco-tourism ventures focused on swimming with the world’s largest fish. Still in its infancy, visitors can swim with the whale sharks in the clear calm waters of Saleh Bay all year round. In addition to the presence of these majestic marine creatures, numerous uninhabited islands fringed by coral reefs are scattered across the azure waters of the bay.

DAYS 4-5 Komodo National Park. East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Komodo National Park was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1989. With one of the lowest rainfalls in Indonesia, its climate provides the perfect habitat for the exotic wildlife of Wallacea. Dense monsoon forests in the protected gullies give way to open grassland savannas, studded with prickly Ziziphus trees providing the perfect habitat for the infamous Komodo dragon. Originally designed to provide refuge for the Komodo dragon, the park now protects one of the richest marine ecosystems. This has resulted in an abundance of world class snorkelling and diving locations available to the traveller.

DAY 6 Seventeen Islands Marine Park, Flores. East Nusa Tenggara. Indonesia
This diverse string of islands sit just off the Northern coastline of the island of Flores. Ironically, there are in fact 23 small Islands that comprise the archipelago, but government authorities decided on the number 17 as a convenient tie-in with Indonesia’s Independence Day, which is 17 August 1945. Largely uninhabited, except for the odd fishermen’s camp, the islands boast spectacular white sand beaches and turquoise waters fringed by colourful coral reefs.

DAY 7 Maumere, Flores. East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Floresians have an ancient culture stretching back millennia before the first arrival of Europeans in search of trade opportunities. Their history is shared through oral traditions and is recreated in song and dance. The mountainous terrain of Flores has preserved the diversity of cultures and Maumere has kept its charming atmosphere, an eclectic mix of a bustling trading town and a coastal paradise.

DAY 8 Lamalera, Lembata. East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Located on the south coast of the island of Lembata, Lamalera remains one of the last traditional whaling villages on earth. As traditional tools and methods are still used, the whale hunts are exempt from the international ban on whaling. Whaling is essential to the continued subsistence existence of this rarely visited remote village. The island is dry and barren, so very little food can be grown on its soil. Villagers depend almost entirely on what the sea provides.

DAY 9 Kalabahi, Alor. East Nusa Tenggara. Indonesia
The unique culture of the Alorese continues among the Takpala indigenous group, who have preserved their traditional housing construction that resembles a pyramid, covered with coconut leaves, bamboo plaited walls, and four main wooden pillars. The island of Alor is also known as the island of a Thousand Moko’s. The Moko is a small bronze kettledrum which is believed to have originated from the Dong Son culture of Vietnam. However, it remains a mystery as to how these prehistoric Dong Son drums arrived in Alor. Local legend says that the Moko’s were discovered buried in the ground, and indeed Moko’s are still being uncovered today.

DAY 10 Kupang. West Timor. East Nusa Tenggara. Indonesia
Perched on the southwestern corner of the island of Timor, lies the provincial capital of Kupang. Formerly known as Koepang, it is the largest city and port on the island of Timor with a population of just under 500,000 people. It was an important port and trading post during the Portuguese and Dutch colonial eras and many ruins and remnants of the colonial presence remain today. During the twentieth century the city was used for landing and refuelling by long-distance flights between Europe and Australia. It was under Japanese occupation between 1942 and 1945, and much of the Old Town was destroyed by Allied bombing during that time.

DAY 11 Disembarkation | Dili. Timor Leste
Lying on the northern coast of the island of Timor, along the narrow plains between the central mountains and the Ombai Strait, the laidback seaside city of Dili was thrust into the role of a national capital when Timor Leste became an independent country in May 2002. The peaceful city has a small-town vibe with a distinct Portuguese flavour.

PASPALEY PEARL will be alongside in Dili and disembarkation will commence after breakfast.

Marrying PASPALEY’s heritage of over 80 years in the Kimberley and Northern Australia with PONANT’s 35-year history of luxury expedition travel, PASPALEY PEARL emerges as the embodiment of comfort and adventure. Marking a milestone in the development of boutique expedition travel, she offers a benchmark-setting standard of excellence in the Asia Pacific region.

Featuring 15 staterooms and suites and hosting a maximum of 30 guests per voyage, PASPALEY PEARL emerges as the newest and only boutique expedition motor yacht in the Kimberley with private balconies. Having the ability of reaching exotic destinations previously inaccessible by larger vessels, each expedition promises an authentic and enriching experience, inviting you to not just observe but to participate in the timeless rituals and customs that define the remarkable cultures of the destinations we visit.

PASPALEY PEARL is designed to feel like a home away from home. A classic yet contemporary environment that expresses timeless luxury while harnessing the history of PASPALEY and PONANT's spirit of adventure.

EXPERIENCE CRUISING ANOTHER WAY, DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF YACHT CRUISES.

Our mission is to transport you to mythical destinations and secret ports only accessible to small capacity ships.

To offer the delights of a French-inspired cuisine in an intimate environment - a discreet service where no attention to detail is spared - and unforgettable moments of relaxation on board elegant yachts of character.

To combine sophistication and conviviality, with priority given to authentic experiences, emotions and the ongoing quest for excellence.

Yacht cruises: more than a cruise, a privilege...

Attentive, professional, discreet and elegant, the fully bilingual service on board will meet your every desire. Our unique atmosphere is filled with a signature sentiment: a warm welcome from an experienced crew who are passionate about what they do, in the tradition of private yachting.

In the dining areas, our gourmet cuisine is worthy of top fine dining restaurants: exquisite wines are available, and menus are created with expertise by our skilled chefs with a French-inspired menu enhanced by specialties from our various ports of call.

Pleasure, enrichment, discovery: relax - we take care of everything...