The Indonesian archipelago is made up of almost 18,000 islands and spans more than 5,000 kilometres from east to west. To put that in perspective, it’s wider than Europe, Australia or the southern US border with Mexico. And yet, for many travellers, Indonesia means one thing: Bali.
Two of the region’s leading luxury travel companies, small-ship cruise firm Aqua Expeditions and über-luxury wilderness escape NIHI Sumba, have teamed up to help visitors experience more of the incredible destination, with a once-in-a-lifetime journey through some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on the planet.
Starting in Bali, you’ll board Aqua Blu – an elegantly appointed explorer yacht with five decks and 15 suites, fitted out with all the amenities required for a luxury voyage at sea – and begin a four-day private charter through the East Indonesian Archipelago and incredible Komodo National Park. Days will be spent visiting fishing villages and hiking to waterfalls on Moyo Island, snorkelling and diving with manta rays and tropical fish at Gili Lawah, and pausing to enjoy freshly cooked dishes created by Bali-based chef Benjamin Cross, with spectacular volcano and mountain landscapes as your backdrop.
At Horseshoe Bay, you’ll skim along the coast aboard Aqua Blu’s nimble skiff, looking for Komodo dragons and sea eagles, before plotting a course for Sumba Island and three nights of blissful castaway luxury at NIHI Sumba, where wild horses gallop along the beach and thatched villas blend into the tropical landscape.
Here you can script your own adventure, hiking along nature trails to find local villages and majestic waterfalls, swimming with horses in the crystal-clear waters, stand-up paddle boarding down the Wanukaka river, or mountain biking through the lush countryside; or dial it down with a day-long spa safari, hilltop yoga or a long, languorous lunch of fresh local fish cooked on the open fire. The seven-night journey with Aqua Blu and NIHU Sumba for up to 30 guests starts from US $280,552 and is available until August.