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INTRODUCTION
As one of the three largest islands in East Nusa Tenggara (comprising Sumba, Flores and Timor), Timor island is now shared by two independent countries. The island’s eastern part being the newly independent East Timor – or Timor Leste, while the island’s western part is Indonesian territory.
Kupang is the capital city of the province of East Nusa Tenggara, perched in the southwestern part of Timor Island. Meanwhile, Dili is the city and. capital of East Timor.
Dili is the chief port and commercial centre for East Timor; it also has an airport. The population is mostly Timorese and Atonese with minorities of Portuguese, Eurasians, and Arab Muslims.
Topographically, Timor differs from the rest of the East Nusa Tenggara islands. The cause of this is that, unlike other Nusa Tenggara islands, Timor is geologically related to Australia, and therefore has no volcanoes. Meanwhile, its geographical location and long history and tradition make it culturally Indonesian.
The island is surrounded by the Ombai and Wetar Straits of the rougher Banda Sea in the north, and the calmer Timor Sea in the south. Coastal ecosystems around the country are diverse and varied, with vary spatially between the north and south coastlines, as well as between the eastern tip and areas more to the west. These ecosystems include coral reefs, as the country’s waters are part of the Coral Triangle biodiversity hotspot.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT DILI
Depending on the arrival time, we will visit some landmarks and historical sites around the city, such as the 27 m high Statue of Cristo Rei – a gift from the Indonesian government (Suharto period) to the people of Timor Timur in 1996, Santa Cruz Cemetery – an important commemoration site for the Timorese that located on the outskirts of Dili, Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum, and Tacitolu and John Paul II Statue.
DAY 2: HATUBUILICO – AILEU – MAUBISSE (B)
After breakfast, get ready to check out. We will be heading to Maubisse. This drive gives you a bird’s eye view of the capital city, Dili bay and the Island of Atauro set 32 Km across to the North of Dili. We will stop at the Dare Australian WWII Memorial before continuing the drive to the historic town of Aileu, in the central ranges. The journey will take about 1 to 1.5 hours from one place to another.
Aileu Town Located in the central highlands immediately to the south of Dili, Aileu includes very steep forested ridges some lush with tropical vegetation and others dry and rocky, covered in sparse eucalyptus trees and grasses. Beautiful rice paddy ribbons run along the river valleys between the steep slopes making a colourful contrast with the mountain ranges behind. Apart from the villages close to the road and on ridge tops, others are hidden by the steep terrain and forest.
Going further south into the municipality the road from Dili eventually drops down to a very picturesque fertile highland valley and the bustling market town of Aileu. If it is market day, we will take a break and see all the fresh vegetables and fruit on display, plus coffee, tobacco and other local produce. We will also stop at Old Pousada and visit a village before continuing to Maubisse.
Maubisse is a town set in the central mountain ranges, where farming is the main activity, and the abundance of locally grown vegetables supplies the capital city’s demand. The cone-shaped thatched homes, built with bamboo or mud that can be spotted throughout the drive, are the traditional houses typical of this region, “Mambae” being the dialect spoken here. Visit the Portuguese-built Pousada, set on top of a hill in the centre of the town.
The Portuguese built most Pousadas on mountain tops or places with great views. The Pousada offers 360° views of the town and surrounding mountains and valleys. After lunch, we will drive up to visit one of the Traditional Villages in the area and continue to drive to Hatubuilico through the scenic drive. Stay overnight at the guesthouse.
DAY 3: MT. RAMELAU – DILI (B)
Mount Ramelau or Mount Tatamailau is the highest mountain of Timor Leste, and once the highest of the Portuguese empire. It peaks at 2963 meters above sea level. A statue of Our Lady of Assumption was built at the summit in October 1997 during the Indonesian Occupation. Every year in October, thousands of Christians of this country make a pilgrimage to the summit to commemorate its anniversary. The temperature at the top may drop to cold overnight.
Wake up call at 3 am and we will leave to the starting point at 3.30 am. Start to climb Mt. Ramelau at 4 am. The trek to the summit will take about 2.5 hours. If we arrive on schedule and the weather is good, we can watch the spectacular sunrise from the summit expected at 6.30 am.
We will start descending back to the base at 7.30 am and are expected to arrive at the base at 9 am. Transfer back to the guesthouse for breakfast. After breakfast, wash up, pack up, and get ready to check out, we will return to Dili either via Maubisee or Suco Liurai.
Along the way to Dili, we will have a few stops for lunch and a coffee break at Projeto Montanha and Vanilla Farm at Posada Txiriboga in Aileu. After that, we will continue to Belunhato before heading to Dili via Sarlala and Comoro River Junction. Check-in hotel in Dili.
DAY 4: DILI – BALIBO – DILI (B)
After breakfast, we will visit a few places in Balibo, such as Aipelu Prison Ruins, Liquica Church, and Maubara Fort. Our journey along the scenic west coast drive will bring us up to Balibo Town for lunch via Batugade. After lunch, we will have a short walking tour exploring the trails in the town. On the way back to Dili, we will pass the border points of Timor Leste and West Timor (Indonesia) to Atabae isolated beach and Maubara Salt Lake. Estimated to arrive in Dili around 5 pm.
DAY 5: DILI – ATAURO (L,D)
Breakfast, transfer to the port for our speedboat crossing to Atauro Island at 7.30 am. The journey will take about 1.5 hours. Transfer to our accommodation, and drop our luggage. While waiting for the check-in time, we will go for a village and market tour or snorkelling, depending on the situation on the day.
DAY 6: ATAURO (B,L,D)
Breakfast, and get ready to explore the western part of Atauro Island where there are plenty of lovely reefs and places to snorkel, such as Atekry, Adara, and Iliana. If we come during the cetacean migration season, we will head off to spot the cetacean spotting, further out from the island.
DAY 7: ATAURO – DILI (B)
Breakfast, get ready to check out. We will return to Dili at 7.30 am. Drop-off at the airport.
How to Book
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Things to Note
