Indonesia 01
MOLA MOLA, WAKATOBI & BALI
OCT 2023 • 14 DAYS • 9 GUESTS (scuba divers only)
(Resort based snorkel option available - see below)
Be one of only 9 divers lucky enough to join Natalia on a journey into the heart of the Coral Triangle to explore the underwater riches of Indonesia’s marine mecca, Wakatobi. Aboard the luxury yacht MV Pelagian, embark on a cruise to the planet’s most bio-diverse marine environment. Home to some of the worlds’ most pristine reefs, with spectacular sea mounts, steep drop offs, pinnacles and shallow coral gardens, all covered in a myriad of colorful fish, soft and hard corals. Travel Sidemen valley and explore the lush green rice paddies in the foothills of towering Mount Agung volcano in Bali; witness hidden waterfalls, breathtaking views and authentic Balinese culture all from our beautiful Balinese lodge on this extraordinary Indonesian adventure.
Fly to remote Wakatobi in south-eastern Sulawesi and board the MV Pelagian, one of the worlds’ finest live-aboards. Surrounded by stunning island landscapes and a pristine natural environment with world-class marine life, this luxurious yacht works hard to offer its 10 guests the highest level of service and the most exceptional experiences and memories, whilst providing a sustainable income to the local community. With their Collaborative Reef Protection Program, they are protecting the reefs surrounding Wakatobi, which has allowed the reefs and marine life to flourish and become one of the worlds’ greatest marine biodiversity hotspots. Spend a week discovering the abundance of colorful reef fish, mantas circling over cleaning stations, patrolling sharks and pelagic fish schooling off the current-swept seamounts and walls in search for weird and wonderful critters on exceptional muck dives.
Head to Sidemen valley, for an authentic Balinese experience. Walk through lush rice paddies, visit remote villages, cool off in breathtakingly beautiful cascading waterfalls, learn how to cook traditional Indonesian dishes and experience the traditional Balinese way of life.
HIGHLIGHTS
Experience exceptional diving at the world-famous Wakatobi in the heart of the Coral Triangle
9 divers only with Wild Earth Co-Founder Natalia as your Expedition Leader
Immerse yourself in the unspoiled beauty of Bali, with rolling rice fields, traditional villages, and cascading waterfalls at a luxury lodge in Sidemen Valley
Sail in luxury onboard a privately chartered yacht through the Wakatobi islands
Explore lush coral gardens, seamounts and coral covered drop offs
Hunt for unusual critters on exceptional muck dives
Dive alongside the mysterious ocean nomad, the Mola mola, and Manta rays
Get pampered with mouth-watering cuisine and exceptional 5* service
ENQUIRIES
Love this itinerary and wondering when we are returning? Don’t hesitate to contact us today.
“Seamless... in a word, our trip has been absolutely seamless! Congratulations on your superb product. Thanks to all these years of experience, travel and your constant, insatiable enthusiasm! Loved the diversity of our expedition and the diving was perfect. Ending the trip on the MV Pelagian was the best idea of all. Please keep us on your A-list! With much appreciation for such a splendid holiday.”
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ITINERARY OVERVIEW
PRE-EXTENSION NUSA LEMBONGAN – MOLA MOLA & MANTAS
OCT 2023 ● 5 DAYS ● 12 GUESTS
Day 01 | Depart home/ En route to Bali, Indonesia
Day 02 | Arrive in Bali and transfer to Nusa Lembongan
Day 03-05 | 3 days Mola Mola/Mantas at Nusa Penida/Nusa Lembongan
Day 06 | Transfer to Bali / Join Main group for Indonesia 01
INDONESIA 01 – WAKATOBI & BALI
OCT 2023 ● 14 DAYS ● 9 GUESTS (SCUBA Divers only)
Day 01: Depart home/ En route to Bali, Indonesia
Day 02: Arrive in Bali, Indonesia / 5* Beach Resort
Day 03: Charter flight to Wakatobi islands/ Board MV Pelagian or stay at Wakatobi Resort
Day 04-09: 7 days diving the Wakatobi Islands
Day 10: Charter flight to Bali / Transfer to Sidemen valley / Samanvaya Resort
Day 11-12: Explore Sidemen valley and the Balinese Highlands
Day 12: Fly Home / or continue to Manado, Sulawesi for Indonesia 02
Day 14: Arrive home
M/V PELAGIAN
Wakatobi’s 35-meter luxury liveaboard, the Pelagian, combines the five-star service, fine dining and creature comforts of a luxury yacht with exclusive access to an exciting range of Indonesia's best dive sites. With just ten guests served by a crew of 12, Pelagian delivers the highest levels of personal attention, both in and out of the water. Onboard cuisine is prepared to the same high standard as that of the resort, as the chefs take turns between the Pelagian and Wakatobi. Pelagian’s spacious salon is complemented by a refined dining area, modern media center and dedicated camera workroom, while several open and shaded deck areas offer additional space for privacy and relaxation. Each of the yacht’s five spacious cabins include en-suite baths with full showers. The magnificent master suite spans the full width of the yacht and offers all the comforts of an upscale hotel suite. Photographers are provided with a dedicated, climate-controlled charging and storage workroom, while numerous shaded and open deck spaces allow for both socialization and privacy. Pelagian offers four options for twin-share accommodation: Master suite, Superlux cabin, Deluxe cabin and Standard cabin. Built in Norway, as an elegant world-ranging motor yacht, Pelagian provides a level of comfort rarely afforded to dive travelers, with Wakatobi Dive Resort serving as the vessel’s support platform. The spacious dive deck is replete with hot water showers and after every dive our staff is standing by with fresh, warm towels and a beverage of choice. The vessel is manned by an experienced, international crew and is meticulously maintained – with safety and comfort foremost in mind. Two custom-made 18ft rigid hull inflatable (RIB) dive tenders used for all diving are equipped with dual outboards, tank racks and secure stainless-steel boarding ladders, making them easy to enter and exit.
WAKATOBI RESORT – Snorkellers Resort Option
You’re not a Scuba diver, but would love to join this expedition and stay at Wakatobi Resort, home to one of the world’s most magnificent house reefs.
We are offering this option to snorkelers (or couples where there’s 1 snorkeler and 1 scuba diver) so they can participate in the above expedition, but instead of joining the Scuba divers with Natalia onboard the MV Pelagian yacht, spend 7 nights at the gorgeous Wakatobi Resort in an Ocean Bungalow (or upgrade to a Villa with butler), where you will be guided by the exceptional Wakatobi Resort guides and spoilt by the wonderful resort staff. The rest of the expedition will be together with Natalia as per above itinerary and dates.
For more information contact us.
Wakatobi combines an upscale diving and snorkelling operation delivering exceptional service to its guests with a reef conservation program, which guarantees the pristine quality of the reefs for their guests and delivers a sustainable income and development support to the local communities.
Wakatobi was built from scratch; they generate their own power and freshwater; they have built their own airstrip to make sure that they are easily accessible.
One area where they continue to innovate with great effect is in the area of service. Fine dining, an agreeable wine list and an abundance of culinary choices. Numerous non-diving/snorkelling activities are available to entertain and enrich, from kitesurfing to local cookery classes and Yoga and nature walks.
COMBINE for the ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE
Book both Indonesia Expeditions and we’ll include your Bali-Manado and Manado-Sorong flights in economy class (valued at $400).
PRE-EXTENSTION NUSA LEMBONGAN - Mola Mola & Mantas
OCT 2023 ● 5 DAYS ● 9 GUESTS
Come eye to eye with one of the worlds’ most mysterious, odd-looking and elusive ocean nomads, the gigantic Ocean Sunfish, also known as the Mola mola. The Mola mola is a large pelagic fish that frequents the waters around southern Bali between August and November. It is the heaviest bony fish in the world, feeding mainly on jellyfish, weighing a ton and growing up to 3m (9ft) in length. It can be very curious and will often approach divers.
Explore sloping reefs and walls, covered in vibrant and healthy hard and soft corals, sponges and a variety of colorful reef fish. Watch majestic Manta rays as they visit cleaning stations or feed in the nutrient rich waters. Find odd and unique critters, like ghost-pipefish, frogfish, pygmy seahorses and other unusual suspects.
Stay in a gorgeous villa at a boutique resort overlooking the ocean, with the distant silhouette of Mount Agung. When not diving, enjoy a spa treatment, swim in the infinity pool, explore a nearby fishing village and the island by scooter, or simply relax and witness spectacular sunsets while sipping on a cocktail.
INDONESIA 02 – Bunaken, Lembeh, Raja Ampat & The Moluccas
OCT– NOV 2023 ● 22 DAYS ● 12 GUESTS
Journey to the epicentre of marine biodiversity on an adventure to some of the most remote corners of Indonesia. Explore the underwater riches of North Sulawesi, Lembeh Straight and Raja Ampat in West Papua on a divers and snorkelers dream expedition. We are combining three of Indonesia’s hotspots for a diverse range of dynamic reefs and a wide variety of marine life and dive sites. Enjoy some of the world’s best muck diving, see Spectral tarsiers, hornbills and endemic Black Crested macaques in the wild, visit bustling markets and meet the friendly locals, savouring delicious local cuisine, all whilst staying at boutique resorts and onboard a luxurious yacht.
WILD EARTH LEADER
PHOTO CREDIT © Thomas & Natalia Baechtold, Wakatobi, Batu Karang, Adobe Stock