A JUNGLE TO SEA EXPEDITION
HOSTED BY Dr. LAWRENCE BLAIR

BALI TO RAJA AMPAT | 3^rd – 13^th DECEMBER 2024

Dr. Lawrence Blair is an explorer, film maker, author and public speaker on the peoples and creatures of Indonesia. A resident of Bali, he has assisted and led marine expeditions throughout the archipelago since the Lindblad Explorer – the first genuinely exploratory tourist ship – broached the Spice Islands in l978. His onboard companions have included Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall, Sir Peter Scott, Ron and Valerie Taylor, Sir Michael Cowdray, Baron Von Schenk, Larry Summers, Richard Dawkins and numerous luminaries, less publicly known, in the fields of science.

Day 1 | WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Tuesday, 3^rd December 2024

Arrive to Denpasar airport, where your private transfer will welcome you to Bali and your adventure will begin at Capella Ubud, Bali. Perhaps you’ll explore the Camp, lounge by the Cistern or enjoy Afternoon Tea in the Officers Tent.

You’ll meet your fellow explorers and your host Dr. Lawrence Blair for some sunset storytelling and introduction to the adventures that await you.

Dinner will be served in the split-level tented dining room named in honor of the famous Danish spice trader and peace maker of Bali, Mads Lange. Your Indonesian “Rijsttafel” feast will include classic dishes, designed for sharing using ancient recipes inspired by the spice trail across the Nusantara archipelago.

Day 2 | CULTURE ON FIRE

Wednesday, 4^th December 2024

After a leisurely breakfast you will start your day with a choice of “Capella Curates” activities – a jungle trek or an authentic water purification ritual. Perhaps you’ll enjoy your 90-minute Balinese massage in the afternoon.

Early evening we’ll depart to a Balinese Palace that has granted our small group private and exclusive access for a full tour with the High Priest followed by an unforgettable fire dance performance.

Day 3 | EXPLORE

Thursday, 5^th December 2024

Plan this day however you desire. You could visit the lively center of Ubud to shop, dine or visit the Monkey Forest. You may decide to spend the day lounging by your private pool or enjoying another spa treatment. The Capella team will be available to help craft your perfect day.

Dinner will ignite some ‘fire to the soul’, as our chefs at the award-winning Api Jiwa restaurant create exciting Asian barbecue food served in an intimate, lively atmosphere.

After dinner we will depart by car transfer to Bali’s airport in time to catch our very late night/early morning domestic flight to Sorong.

Day 4 | JUNGLE TO SEA

Friday, 6^th December 2024

Arrive in Sorong, where it’s only a 15 minutes ride to the Kudanil Explorer. Welcome aboard! We immediately depart for Waisai and enjoy a first checkdive and snorkel at Mioskon for an afternoon at the entrance of the National Park. Divers have a chance to see the local camouflaged Wobbegong sharks and get a first taste of the unique diversity of the underwater world of Raja Ampat.

Day 5 | PAPUAN VILLAGE LIFE & BIRDS OF PARADISE

Saturday, 7^th December 2024

Before dawn, enter the jungle with our guide who will lead us into the forest to look for the famous, endemic birds of paradise. Listen to the sound of the jungle and the morning symphony of the male birds as the sun rises and watch their mating dance to attract the females.

We continue to Sawandarek, a very welcoming village on the Kri archipelago, home to some of the most beautiful diving sites in the area. We will spend the afternoon snorkeling and diving the local reef where we often see turtles and reef sharks passing by and also have a chance to take a stroll on land to witness traditional Papuan village life.

Day 6 | MANTAS & REEF GARDENS

Sunday, 8^th December 2024

We wake up in Arborek to snorkel and dive with gigantic Manta rays.

In the afternoon, we continue to Piaynemo and anchor at the mouth of a lagoon, an afternoon for snorkelling, diving, exploring with Zodiacs, paddle board or canoe.

Trek up the karst pinnacles for panoramic views and dive Batu Rufus, Mantra Ridge and Melisa Garden.

Day 7 | WOFOH

Monday, 9^th December 2024

Enjoy a full day at the beach snorkeling and diving at this tropical uninhabited island. 1-2 dive sites, afternoon chill out on the beach.

Day 8 | WAYAG

Tuesday, 10^th December 2024

Arriving in Wayag at first light – a Raja Ampat must-see and highlight of the trip – we climb Mount Pindito for spectacular views and dive deep into this spectacular lagoon. Kayak or wakeboard through this maze of little islets before we enjoy sunset drinks dancing in the fine, white-sand beach.

Day 9 | BATANTA

Wednesday, 11^th December 2024

Batanta is the smallest of the main Raja Ampat islands, untouched and offering much to discover; cockatoos and cassowaries, Wilson’s bird of paradise, the blue-spotted tree monitor, wild boar, grey cuscus, Rousettus fruit bats and an abundance of other bird and mammal species.

Sail through the mangrove to find a small wooden gangway and a rainforest path leading to an inland waterfall. Snorkelling in the fjord and dive to view a US WWII fighter plane.

Day 10 | THE BLUE RIVER

Thursday, 12^th December 2024

Exploring Mayalibit Bay by dinghy, discover an area seen by few visitors, where 27 varieties of mangrove are found, and over 200 species of fish.

A local village guide leads a trek to the fjord where we will swim in a mesmerizing turquoise-blue-colored, crystal-clear river.

Sunset drinks on the way back aboard to reminisce on the adventures experienced aboard over the past days.

Day 11 | DISEMBARKATION

Friday, 13^th December 2024

After breakfast, we pack and prepare to disembark, returning to Sorong Airport by tender and car.