Exploring Sumatra, Indonesia

Ship Departs 4:00pm

7:00am – 4:30pm

Lying along the shores of the eponymous Strait, Malacca City has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A witness of the maritime traffic between Asia and the West, the city is inextricably linked to the trade of spices and silk. This cultural oasis will show you the history of a fascinating ancient civilisation, the Baba Nyonya, the descendants of Chinese immigrants who married Malay women. In a Peranakan house in Chinatown, you will discover the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, which reproduces the interior of a traditional elegant home from the 19th century. The Baba Nyonya were wealthy traders who liked to indulge their taste for sumptuous furniture made from teak and mother-of-pearl, rare jewels and silk brocade.

7:30am – 1:30pm

Banda Aceh is the capital and largest city in the province of Aceh, Indonesia, located on the north-western tip of Sumatra. On 26 December 2004, the city was hit by a tsunami caused by a 9.2 magnitude earthquake in the Indian Ocean. The disaster killed 167,000 inhabitants, injured countless others and destroyed more than 60% of the city's buildings. With the assistance of domestic and international aid an enormous effort has been made to rebuild since that fateful day. Join your expedition team and local guides for a bus tour visiting the Tsunami Museum, memorial and educational centre along with other historical and cultural landmarks including the Baiturrahman Mosque, one of the city’s dominant landmarks.

1:30pm – 6:00pm

With their palm trees, beaches of fine, immaculate white sand, and crystal-clear sea, the tropical Banyak Islands are the stuff of dreams. This archipelago of 99 islands — most of them uninhabited — is especially popular with surfers and is attracting a growing number of travellers seeking an earthly paradise. The Banyak Islands are also home to Sumatra’s top snorkelling spots, featuring stunning underwater forests of colourful coral.

7:30am – 1:00pm

The geographic isolation of the Nias islands have resulted in a unique megalithic culture. One of the most unique cultural traditions still in practice is Stone Jumping, a manhood ritual that sees young men leaping over two-meter stone towers in a rite of passage. The higher they jump; the better chance they have of acquiring a wife. The tradition was originally designed to train the young men for warfare and defence. In addition, the traditional music of Nias, performed mostly by women, is noted worldwide for its haunting beauty. Today you will have the opportunity to visit a traditional village and witness unique cultural performances that serve as the primary form of spiritual expression.

7:00am- 12:00pm

With their long sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, their old-growth forest home to several endemic species of primates, and their hunter-gatherer tribes living in harmony with nature, the Mentawai Islands are one of Indonesia’s most authentic destinations. And despite seeing an influx of wave riders for some time now due to the heavenly surfing conditions, this archipelago remains one of Indonesia’s most unspoiled.

12:30pm – 6:30pm

Enggano Island thrives in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago, between steep cliffs and beaches of golden sand, where turquoise lagoons and coconut palms create an idyllic setting. The villages, guardians of age-old customs, live according to traditions in this place where sea and fire have sculpted landscapes of pristine beauty. Trails wind across these fabled lands, and small coves offer clear waters ideal for observing this unique natural environment. In the distance, shorelines and lush forests take shape, as boats glide between inlets and mangroves, their hulls skimming the waters of the Indian Ocean.

12:00pm – 6:00pm

Krakatoa, or Krakatau, is a name familiar to most, though few know where it is located. Lying in the Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra on the Pacific ring of fire, is the site of the largest volcanic eruption in modern history. The 1883 eruptions culminated with a colossal blast that literally blew Krakatau apart. The noise was heard over 4,600 km away. Eruptions since 1927 have built a new cone known as Anak Krakatau ("The child of Krakatau") that is still active, with its most recent eruptive episode having begun in 1994. Quiet periods of a few days alternate with spectacular Strombolian eruptions. Guest activities will be determined by the level of volcanic activity on the day and may involve ship based viewing or zodiac tour.

8:00am – 7:00pm

Semarang enjoys a strategic location on the northern coast of Java, making it a cosmopolitan port town and a melting pot of Chinese, Indo-Arabic and European cultures. Before setting off to explore the region's treasures, take a tour of the old town and its smattering of old colonial buildings. Here in Indonesia's most Chinese town, don't miss a trip to the Chinatown district. If it's culture you're after, journey deeper into the green, rolling inland region, passing by volcanoes and rice paddies until you reach the royal town of Yogyakarta and one of its ancient kingdoms, the Borobudur : this Buddhist temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest temples.

8:30am – 5:30pm

Anchored in the heart of the Java Sea, halfway between the Indonesian islands of Java and Borneo, Bawean invites serenity. Known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, the island is surrounded by coral reefs and sandbanks, offering an ideal setting for a moment of relaxation by the ocean.

9:30am – 6:30pm

Nestled inside the massive Tengger caldera surrounded by a sea of sand, Mount Bromo is the epitome of desolate beauty. The volcanic complex dates back to about 820,000 years ago and consists of five overlapping stratovolcanoes, each truncated by a caldera. Lava domes, pyroclastic cones, and a maar occupy the flanks of the massif. The surreal lunar landscape has spurned countless legends and myths. Mt Bromo has particular significance for the Hindu Tengger people who believe that this was the site where a brave prince sacrificed his life for his family. After an early departure from the ship guest will travel by bus to Mount Bromo to enjoy this surreal site. 

Ship Arrives 9:00am