Timor-Leste confidential - Azimuth Adventure Travel Ltd
Culture

Timor-Leste confidential

Welcome to Timor-Leste, a country of breathtaking natural beauty and fascinating cultural richness. Nestling in the Indonesian archipelago, Timor-Leste offers travellers an authentic experience, combining history, adventure and warm hospitality.

Our confidential 14-day tour takes you through the spectacular landscapes and hidden treasures of this jewel of South-East Asia. Discover historic towns, picturesque villages and breathtaking natural sites, all accompanied by total immersion in the local...

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Day 1Welcome to Timor-Leste

Day 1Welcome to Timor-Leste

  • You will be met at Dili airport by your English-speaking guide, before beginning your adventure in Timor-Leste with a visit to the capital of Timor Leste: the Santa Cruz cemetery, the Museum of Resistance, the Chega exhibition and the statue of "Cristo Rei", among others.

Day 2On the heights

Day 2On the heights

  • Morning transfer to Maubisse. You'll take to the hills above Dili on a panoramic route that offers spectacular views of the capital and the northern islands of Atauro and Alor, the last two parts of the Indonesian archipelago. Maubisse is a village located on the slopes of the central mountains, where agriculture remains the main activity. From rice to potatoes, beans, manioc and all kinds of vegetables, the abundance of local vegetables grown in this region meets the capital's demand for fresh produce. The town of Maubisse lies at an altitude of around 1,600 metres and enjoys a cool, spring-like climate throughout the year (the months of June to August, during the dry season, record the coldest temperatures). The houses with cone-shaped thatched roofs - built with bamboo or mud walls, which can be seen along the road - are the traditional houses typical of this region, and Mambae is the dialect spoken here. The thatched roofs reach right down to the ground, to protect the inside of the houses from the strong, cold winds outside. You visit the Pousada built by the Portuguese, located at the top of a hill in the centre of the town. The Portuguese built most of the Pousadas on mountain tops or in places with the best views. In Maubisse, you step inside a Portuguese-built Pousada, situated on a hilltop right in the centre of town. The Portuguese built most of their pousadas on mountain tops or in places with the best views of the region. The Pousada Maubisse offers a 360° view of the city and the surrounding mountains and valleys. The house still has its original wooden floors and fireplace. Free time to wander around the town (including its market) and/or explore the surrounding area. In the afternoon, you continue your journey through alpine scenery towards Hatu-Builiko, at the foot of Mount Ramelau.

Day 3Mount Ramelau

Day 3Mount Ramelau

  • At the end of the night, transfer to the outskirts of Mt Ramelau and begin your ascent. After a 2 hour walk, you can watch a spectacular sunrise from the top of the mountain, where a statue of Our Lady of the Assumption was erected by the Catholic Church during the Indonesian occupation. On a clear day, you can see the north and south coasts. In normal weather, the island floats above the clouds. Return to the hotel mid-morning. In the early afternoon, you continue your journey towards Same. Mt Ramelau, also known as Mt Tatamailau, is the highest mountain in Timor Leste, and was once the highest in the Portuguese empire. It reaches an altitude of 2,963 metres. A statue of Our Lady of the Assumption was erected on the summit in October 1997, during the Indonesian occupation, and with it, Mt Ramelau reached 3,000 metres. Every October, thousands of Indonesian Christians make a pilgrimage to the summit to commemorate its anniversary.

Day 4Suai

Day 4Suai

  • In the early morning, you continue southwards along a picturesque mountain range and through traditional villages, visiting the site of the supply base for East Timor's oil industry en route. Arriving in Suai, you explore the surrounding area and visit some traditional villages and historic sites, such as Suai Cathedral.

Day 5Hot springs

Day 5Hot springs

  • Transfer to Bobonaro in the early morning, via a panoramic mountain road. You then continue on to Marobo, where you have lunch with local people. In the afternoon, a descent to the Marobo hot spring, where you can relax and smell the strong odour of the sulphate hot spring flowing down from the mountain. The ruins of the old spa remain in this vast area. A modest swimming pool has been partially restored and bathing is welcome. Transfer to Maliana in the late afternoon.

Day 6Balibo

Day 6Balibo

  • Morning discovery of Maliana, then you take the road to Balibo, where you begin a pleasant walk to discover this famous house, where five Australian and British journalists took refuge in 1975 during the Indonesian invasion. In the afternoon, you explore the small town of Balibo. The Fort Hotel is located in a former Portuguese garrison, which includes the old Portuguese colonial house (which now houses the hotel restaurant). The hotel also houses a new museum equipped with audiovisual material, where you can spend some time learning about the tragic story of these 5 journalists, who were the very first witnesses to the invasion of Timor Leste by the Indonesian army.

Day 7Maubara fort

Day 7Maubara fort

  • Morning transfer to the Loes River, the longest in the country, where you can stretch your legs and buy fresh local produce and tasty seasonal fruit. You then continue on to Maubara, where you visit its fort. Transfer to Dili mid-afternoon.

Day 8The art of Tai

Day 8The art of Tai

  • In the early morning, you drive along the coast towards Baucau and through steep mountains. Enjoy magnificent views of the ocean, coral reefs, white sandy beaches and marble beaches. You'll also stop off at fishing villages by the sea. Along the way, you will also pass through Laleia, birthplace of the famous Timorese resistance leader Kairala Xanana Gusmao, and the coastal town of Manatuto. After lunch in Baucau, you continue on to Com, in the east of the island. En route, you will stop at the edge of a salt lake and the "monkey lagoon". If you're lucky, you'll have the chance to collect giant clam fossils. Arriving in Com, you will discover the art of Tai (traditional Timorese hand-woven cotton fabric with typical patterns).

Day 9Lene Hara caves

Day 9Lene Hara caves

  • Morning transfer to Tutuala via the village of Pitileti, a number of traditional cemeteries, Mehara and Lake Ira Lalaro. Visit the Lene Hara caves. The wall hanging from the cliff features rock paintings depicting the Fataluku people. These paintings are of great anthropological importance, as studies have shown that they feature motifs very similar to those found in other South-East Asian countries, notably the Philippines, where nomadic tribes of the same origin from North Asia have also settled. Recent discoveries include the oldest bone hook found in a nearby cave, the oldest stone harpoon and a new stone carving in areas close to the Lene Hara caves. All these sites are located in the vast Nino Konis Santana National Park, which also includes Lake Ira Lalaro, the largest lake in East Timor. Afternoon transfer to Valu beach, where you will board a traditional boat bound for the paradise island of Jaco, where you will have the chance to relax. Transfer to Tutuala in the late afternoon. The island of Jaco is a small desert island forming part of the protected Nino Konis Santana National Park in the eastern district of Lospalos, home to the Fataluku people. Jaco is blessed with incredible white sandy beaches, pristine azure waters and sparse vegetation. Visitors can stroll along the beach, swim, snorkel… and fishing is permitted. As this is sacred land (Lulik) for the Fataluku people, overnight camping is not permitted, except for men. Once a year, the women of the local tribe are allowed to spend the night for their secret female ritual. The Lospalos district is an area of ancient heritage and great anthropological value. Recent archaeological discoveries of the world's oldest fishing hooks at Tutuala bear witness to the ancient presence of nomadic tribes in this region, dating back some 42,000 years.

Day 10Return to Dili

Day 10Return to Dili

  • Transfer back to Dili. En route, visit some of the historic sites around Baucau. Baucau is the second largest town in East Timor, situated on a hill overlooking the ocean, with buildings made of traditional materials and the limestone on which the town is built. Fishing and rice-growing were once the main activities, but all kinds of businesses have flourished here since independence in 2000, as it is a main stopover for many people on their way to other districts, making it a bustling town with a lively daily market. The Pousada de Baucau was built as a guest house, used by many people to escape Dili for a weekend, to enjoy the cooler climate away from the hot capital of Dili. The largest and oldest international airport is located in Baucau, but it is no longer in use and is currently being renovated. The Pousada still has the original hotel building with parquet floors typical of Portuguese architecture. The Pousada also has a tragic history: its rooms were used as interrogation rooms by the Indonesian army during certain years of occupation.

Day 11Atauro Island

Day 11Atauro Island

  • Transfer to the port of Dili and transfer by ferry to the island of Atauro, which lies opposite the bay of Dili. The rest of the day is free at the seaside.

Day 12-13Rest in paradise

Day 12-13Rest in paradise

  • Free days for rest.

Day 14See you soon in Timor-Leste

Day 14See you soon in Timor-Leste

  • Free time until transfer to Atauro airport. Flight to Dili. End of services.

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