Primates & Dragons of Indonesia

• Travel by minibus, boat and internal flight
• 11 nights in hotels and lodges, two nights on a boat

All breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners are included. Food is cheap in Indonesia and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. Western food is available in Ubud and Sanur though it is well worth trying the local cuisine. In more touristy areas, especially Ubud, there are many food options and some fantastic restaurants and coffee shops catering for all tastes and requirements. Indonesian cuisine is generally fairly simple, with rice as the main staple, though noodles are also common, accompanied by dishes created with various spices including cloves and chilies plus coconut and lemongrass. Fish is popular but meats are also common. Peanuts are a popular ingredient especially in dishes such as sate or gado gado and you should inform your tour leader if you have a peanut allergy. Nasi (rice) and mie (noodles) are very popular, especially the staple dish nasi goreng (fried rice). Quite often tea or water (aqua) is drunk with a meal. Beer is not always cold and coffee is unfiltered and usually very sugary. Vegetarian food is available in Indonesia; however, the concept of vegetarianism can be misunderstood so if you are a vegetarian, please be clear and state that you don’t eat meat, chicken or fish. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

Indonesia has an equatorial monsoon climate with the weather remaining similar throughout the year. It is hot and humid; temperatures range from 23C-33C (73F-91F) during the day and rarely drops below 20C (68F) at night. In the mountains, temperatures are much cooler; on the coast, sea breezes usually keep temperatures comfortable. In most parts of Indonesia, the rainy season falls between late October and early May, though rain occurs throughout the year. Rain tends to come in sudden tropical downpours.

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate).

It is designed so you can see the two main wildlife highlights of Indonesia in a relatively short period of time. There is plenty to see in the time you are there, and although there is a lot of travelling involved, everything is scheduled so it doesn’t feel too rushed. On most travel days, the average travelling time is between four and six hours, though traffic is often the determining factor in how long journeys take. There is plenty of time for sightseeing and the trip has stops where we spend two or more nights. Due to the vagaries of internal flight schedules in Indonesia, travelling from Medan to Labuan Bajo normally requires two days so we have broken up the journey with a stopover in Sanur to make the journey less stressful and to allow us to see a different side of Bali to the region of Ubud we visit at the end of the trip.

The wildlife tracking is fairly accessible and should not be too hard for anyone with reasonable fitness, though the jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang, especially the longer optional hike, should not be underestimated. This takes place in hot and humid conditions, along potentially slippery mountainous terrain littered with roots. Good walking shoes/boots are highly recommended, especially if it has been raining. There are local men who can assist you for a small fee should you wish. The walks on Komodo and Rinca are not too strenuous.

When we visit Komodo National Park, we spend two nights on the boat where the sleeping arrangements are basic. There is a mix of bunk beds and mattresses on deck. Many people, however, enjoy sleeping on the deck under the stars. Spending two nights on the boat allows us to maximise wildlife viewing around the islands and to try to see as much as possible.

During the time spent on the boat, there could be a changed itinerary/route according to weather conditions to ensure overall group safety and enjoyment.

When travelling in some areas of the country, service may not be as fast or reliable as you are used to in other countries and Indonesian attitudes towards certain things such as animal welfare and food may differ from your own. That said, if you come ready for an experience, the country’s rewards will not fail to deliver.

Local guides in Komodo warn that women who are experiencing their period should avoid visiting as the smell of blood may attract the dragons. We have consulted with various people who have years of experience with the islands and the dragons and, as long as normal precautions are taken, and you stay with the group (which people should do in all cases anyway), the risk is negligible.