Beyond Bali: Six Outer Island Realms & Curated Expeditions

Prehistoric dragons, pink sand coves, and world-class manta ray snorkeling

Experience the ultimate seafaring expedition across the UNESCO-protected Komodo National Park. Hike to the iconic tri-colored crescent bays of Padar Island, encounter Komodo dragons in their natural savanna habitat with certified rangers, and drift snorkel over pristine manta cleaning stations.

Animist Marapu traditions, 25-meter peaked clan roofs, and untouched surf lagoons

Step into Indonesia’s most culturally preserved island. Explore soaring thatched clan houses, ancient stone megalithic burial tombs at Ratenggaro, the turquoise tidal lagoon of Weekuri, and the low-tide silhouettes of dancing mangroves at Walakiri Beach.

Indonesia’s second-highest active volcano, azure caldera lake, and volcanic hot springs

Ascend through moss-draped tropical rainforest from Senaru to the crater rim of Mount Rinjani (3,726m). Camp high above the clouds overlooking the turquoise caldera lake of Segara Anak and the active cone of Mount Barujari before soaking in mineral hot springs.

Motor-free sand atolls, resident sea turtles, and sunken coral sculptures

Leave cars and motorbikes behind on the idyllic car-free Gili trio. Cycle sandy lanes under towering coconut palms, snorkel above resident green and hawksbill sea turtles in turquoise shallows, and dine on freshly grilled seafood right at the water’s edge.

Spiderweb rice terraces, megalithic clan villages, and tri-colored volcanic lakes

Traverse the rugged volcanic backbone of Flores Island overland. Move from the Komodo gateway of Labuan Bajo through ancient Lingko spiderweb rice fields in Cancar and stone megaliths in Bena to the three independently color-shifting crater lakes of Mount Kelimutu.

Gentle giants in calm Saleh Bay, emerald jungle waterfalls, and salt crater lakes

Dive into the untouched waters of Saleh Bay to snorkel alongside gentle whale sharks feeding peacefully around traditional fishing platforms (bagan). Cruise to royal Moyo Island to swim in the limestone pools of Mata Jitu Waterfall.

40-meter underwater visibility, hammerhead migrations, and indigenous Lego-lego warrior dances

East Nusa Tenggara’s most dramatic maritime and cultural frontier. Plunge along deep volcanic coral drop-offs teeming with marine megafauna in the Pantar Strait, and venture into the highland villages of the indigenous Abui tribe to witness traditional bronze drum ceremonies.

UNESCO pyramids, royal sultanate palaces, and active volcanic calderas

Immerse yourself in Central Java’s millennium-old cultural heartland. Stand atop the 9th-century Buddhist wonder of Borobudur at sunrise, wander the towering Hindu sanctuaries of Prambanan, and explore the living traditions of batik masters and royal silversmiths in the Sultan’s capital.

Active smoking volcanic cones, sea of sand, and astral sunrises

Ascend to the rim of the ancient Tengger caldera. Watch cosmic dawn break over Mount Bromo, Batok, and steaming Mount Semeru before crossing the vast Sea of Sand by vintage 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser and climbing to the roaring crater lip.

Midnight crater descent, electric cobalt-blue flames, and the world’s largest acid lake

An unforgettable midnight expedition into Mount Ijen to witness ignited sulfuric gases burning with ethereal electric-blue flames. Watch the sunrise illuminate the world’s largest highly acidic crater lake (pH 0.5) and observe resilient sulfur miners at work.

Active smoking calderas, Madakaripura cascades, and midnight cobalt blue fire

The ultimate overland volcanic crossing across East Java. Journey from Surabaya through the sea of sand and smoking caldera of Mount Bromo, hike into the misty jungle amphitheater of Madakaripura Waterfall, and ascend Kawah Ijen under darkness to witness ethereal electric-blue sulfur flames.

Java’s secluded 27-island tropical marine park, barrier reefs, and shark nursery

Java’s best-kept marine secret. 27 islands ringed by untouched barrier reefs, white sand cays, elevated coastal mangrove reserves, and baby blacktip reef shark nurseries at Menjangan Besar Island.

The Abode of the Gods: steaming craters, colored sulfur lakes, and 8th-century stone temples

Perched at 2,000 meters above sea level, the volcanic Dieng Plateau is steeped in Hindu mythology. Hike to the smoking bubbling crater of Kawah Sikidang, marvel at the shifting mineral colors of Telaga Warna (Colored Lake), and view Java’s oldest surviving stone temples.

Historic spice trading hub, towering timber Phinisi schooners, and Glodok Chinatown

Trace 500 years of maritime spice trade history from the wooden sailing schooners of Sunda Kelapa harbor through Dutch colonial Batavia’s cobblestone squares to the vibrant culinary alleys of Glodok Chinatown.

Track wild Sumatran orangutans through ancient primary dipterocarp rainforest

Trek deep into the primary rainforest of Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the last places on Earth where wild orangutans, Thomas’s langurs, white-handed gibbons, and hornbills roam freely. Conclude with an exhilarating tube-raft down the Bohorok River rapids.

The world’s largest volcanic super-lake, boat-shaped Batak houses, and megalithic stone courts

Explore the world’s largest volcanic crater lake, formed by a colossal supervolcanic eruption 74,000 years ago. Cross by ferry to Samosir Island to explore traditional Toba Batak wooden architecture, stone megalithic court chairs at Ambarita, and the towering 120-meter Sipiso-Piso waterfall.

Motorized dugout canoes, sacred Sikerei medicinal rituals, and sago palm harvesting

Journey deep into the remote jungle interior of Siberut Island aboard motorized dugout canoes to live alongside the indigenous Mentawai clan. Learn ancient arrow poison preparation, hand-tapped tattoo symbology, and sacred animist healing dances with village shamans (Sikerei).

100-meter vertical granite cliffs, lush rice valleys, and horned palace architecture

Discover West Sumatra’s magnificent natural canyon, flanked by sheer vertical 100-meter granite rock faces, emerald green rice paddies, and cascading waterfalls. Explore Bukittinggi’s colonial Clock Tower and the sweeping horned roofs of Pagaruyung Palace.

Championship oceanfront fairways, bioluminescent mangrove rivers, and private island cays

Premier coastal escapism in the Riau Archipelago. Play championship oceanfront golf courses, kayak through silent mangrove river networks illuminated by fireflies, and discover crystal lagoons that rival the South Pacific.

Cliff-hanging graves, Tau-tau effigies, and boat-shaped Tongkonan longhouses

Journey into the misty highlands of South Sulawesi, where the Toraja people maintain elaborate ancestral funerary rites, boat-shaped Tongkonan architecture, and lifelike Tau-tau effigies carved into sheer limestone bluffs.

Handcrafted wooden sailing ships on the beach, powder-white sand, and sea turtles

The maritime cradle of the Indonesian archipelago. Watch master Konjo boatbuilders carve massive UNESCO-inscribed Phinisi wooden schooners right on the beach at Tanah Beru, and dive vertical coral drop-offs off Liukang Loe Island.

Oceanic drop-offs plunging into the abyss, green sea turtles, and coelacanth waters

World-renowned vertical oceanic drop-offs plunging into deep blue abysses. Dive and snorkel among 70 genera of corals and hundreds of giant green sea turtles, accompanied by the distinctive, aromatic spices of Minahasan coastal cuisine.

UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve, untouched pinnacles, and stilt villages over coral flats

A protected marine biosphere reserve in Southeast Sulawesi encompassing four main coral islands (Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, Binongko). Explore untouched coral reef pinnacles and visit the stilt villages of the indigenous Bajo "Sea Nomads" built entirely above shallow coral flats.

Klotok liveaboard river cruise, Camp Leakey, and proboscis monkey canopy roosts

The ultimate Bornean wildlife safari. Cruise the tannin-stained Sekonyer River aboard a private two-story wooden klotok houseboat, spotting proboscis monkeys and hornbills before arriving at Camp Leakey to observe wild and semi-wild orangutans in their natural jungle habitat.

Prehistoric landlocked marine lakes, swimming with stingless jellyfish, and green turtle atolls

A remote archipelago off East Borneo. Swim without fear among millions of golden stingless jellyfish in Kakaban Island’s prehistoric landlocked lake, watch giant green turtles lay eggs on Sangalaki’s sands, and drift along Sangalaki’s famous Manta Parade reef.

Freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins, ironwood clan longhouses, and Dayak earlobe traditions

Cruise deep into the interior of East Kalimantan along the mighty Mahakam River aboard a traditional wooden houseboat. Spot rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins (Pesut), hike to remote Dayak Benuaq longhouses, and learn centuries-old ironwood weaving traditions.

The global epicenter of marine biodiversity, manta cleaning stations, and red bird of paradise

The undisputed global crown jewel of marine biodiversity. Climb the wooden boardwalk of Piaynemo for panoramic views of emerald limestone karst lagoons, snorkel with oceanic mantas at Arborek, and embark on a pre-dawn jungle trek to watch the courtship display of the Red Bird of Paradise.

17th-century Dutch fortresses, nutmeg forests, and hammerhead shark migrations

The legendary archipelago that ignited the European Age of Discovery. Tour Dutch colonial Fort Belgica, walk through ancient nutmeg groves beneath soaring centuries-old kenari shade trees, climb active Gunung Api volcano, and dive crystal coral gardens in Banda Bay.

High-altitude mountain rivers, indigenous Dani villages, and traditional pig-feast ceremonies

Set in a high-altitude valley ringed by jagged 3,000-meter peaks, the Baliem Valley is home to the indigenous Dani and Lani tribes. Hike along steep mountain rivers and suspension bridges, explore salt springs, and witness traditional earth-oven pig-feast ceremonies and mock battle dances.