Wild Lands of Indonesia

Bali, Indonesia's Island of the Gods, is a cultural and natural wonderland where ancient Hindu temples, emerald rice terraces, and vibrant artistic traditions converge around the cruise port of Benoa. Must-dos include Ubud's Tegallalang terraces, the cliff-top Uluwatu sunset kecak dance, and feasting on babi guling suckling pig. The dry season from April through October offers the most comfortable conditions.

Waikelo is the gateway port to Sumba, one of Indonesia's most culturally extraordinary islands, where megalithic stone tombs, traditional peaked-roof villages, and the spectacular Pasola horseback javelin festival endure as living traditions. Visitors should explore the carved tombs of Tarung village, swim in the turquoise Weekuri Lagoon, and experience Sumbanese hospitality. The dry season from April to November offers the best conditions, with Pasola festivities peaking in February-March.

Dili, the capital of one of the world's youngest nations, offers cruise passengers a moving encounter with Timor-Leste's independence struggle at the Resistance Museum and Chega! Exhibition, alongside the clifftop Cristo Rei statue and emerging waterfront dining scene. Must-dos include visiting both memorial sites, climbing to Cristo Rei for harbour views, and tasting highland Timorese coffee. May through November's dry season provides the best conditions.

Maumere is the principal port of eastern Flores, Indonesia, offering access to world-class diving on recovered coral reefs and the spectacular tri-colored crater lakes of Kelimutu volcano. Visitors should explore the vibrant morning market, taste smoked se'i babi pork and single-origin Flores coffee, and snorkel the diverse fringing reefs of Maumere Bay. The dry season from April to November provides the best conditions for both marine and overland adventures.

Komba Island (Batu Tara) is an uninhabited, actively erupting volcanic island in Indonesia's Flores Sea, offering expedition cruise passengers spectacular nighttime displays of incandescent lava and volcanic pyrotechnics. Must-do experiences include nighttime volcano viewing from the ship's deck, snorkeling the surrounding nutrient-rich waters, and learning about the traditional whaling culture of nearby Lembata. May through October offers the clearest skies for optimal volcanic viewing.

Satonda Island is an uninhabited volcanic island in eastern Indonesia featuring a tidal saltwater crater lake surrounded by uplifted fossil coral formations and exceptional fringing reefs within the Coral Triangle. Must-do experiences include snorkelling the biodiverse reefs, hiking to the eerie crater lake, and visiting the sacred offering tree. April through November offers the best seas and diving visibility.

Sumbawa is a rugged Indonesian island dominated by Mount Tambora, site of history's largest volcanic eruption in 1815, and surrounded by world-class surf breaks and pristine coral reefs. Must-dos include trekking Tambora's immense caldera, diving the manta ray sites near Moyo Island, and exploring the cultural heritage of the Bima Sultanate. The dry season from April through November provides the best conditions for outdoor adventures.

Saleh Bay is a vast, sheltered natural harbor on Sumbawa's northern coast in Indonesia, overshadowed by the historic Tambora volcano and rich with coral reefs and marine life. Must-do experiences include snorkeling the bay's vibrant reefs, visiting traditional fishing villages, and contemplating the caldera of Tambora. The dry season from May through October offers the clearest conditions for exploration.

Bali, Indonesia's Island of the Gods, is a cultural and natural wonderland where ancient Hindu temples, emerald rice terraces, and vibrant artistic traditions converge around the cruise port of Benoa. Must-dos include Ubud's Tegallalang terraces, the cliff-top Uluwatu sunset kecak dance, and feasting on babi guling suckling pig. The dry season from April through October offers the most comfortable conditions.