Australia's Wild Northwest and the Spice Islands

18 days
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3.5/5 Great
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Group Tour
On a voyage aboard the National Geographic Orion, experience the contrasting landscapes of Australia’s dramatic Kimberley coast and the tropical isles that edge the Banda and the Flores Seas. Explore natural wonders from the reefs of Rowley Shoals and towering King George Falls to the pink coral beaches of Komodo. Spot crocodiles in the Kimberley, look for hu...

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Explore the rugged coast of the Kimberley, from Bigge Island and the King George River region and intriguing Gwion Gwion rock art, to the ghostly abandoned settlement of Camden Harbour.
    • Don a mask and fins to snorkel or dive the remote and unspoiled coral reefs of Rowley Shoals and the Spice Islands.
    • Spot legendary Komodo dragons while hiking with park rangers in Indonesia’s world-renowned Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    • Immerse yourself in the vivid colors and rhythms of local life during festivities and ceremonies in East Timor and the Indonesian isle of Sumbawa.

What's this trip about?

    On a voyage aboard the National Geographic Orion, experience the contrasting landscapes of Australia’s dramatic Kimberley coast and the tropical isles that edge the Banda and the Flores Seas. Explore natural wonders from the reefs of Rowley Shoals and towering King George Falls to the pink coral beaches of Komodo. Spot crocodiles in the Kimberley, look for humpbacks as we pass through one of their most important breeding areas, and observe the Komodo dragon in the wild. Get acquainted with the region’s rich culture and history as we examine Aboriginal cave art, and meet island peoples.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityBroome
End CityBali

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Indonesia
  • Australia

Attractions

  • Bali
  • King George Falls
  • Komodo National Park

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Bird watching
  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Kayaking
  • Nature
  • Rafting
  • Sailing
  • Scuba diving
  • Short Cruise
  • Snorkeling
  • Whale watching
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Accommodations
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • Pre-departure information
    • Entrance fees, excursions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary
    • Ground transportation during the expedition
    • Transfers to and from group flights where applicable
    • Services of an adventure consultant
    • Guides and any other staff, and on designated “Photography” departures, a National Geographic Photographer
    • Taxes, port charges, baggage handling, and service charges
    • For itineraries that include Trip equipment (e.g., sea kayaks, rafts, personal floatation devices, etc.) are provided.
    • Internal airfare is included on some international expeditions as indicated in the itinerary

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Days 1, 2, & 3: U.S./Broome, Western Australia

Meals: Dinner

Depart for Broome, cross the international date line and arrive on Day 3. An important port in the pearl trade, Broome is edged by tidal flats and endless white-sand beaches and characterized by a distinctly Asian flavor. Board the National Geographic Orion and take to the waters of the Indian Ocean.

Days 4 & 5: Rowley Shoals/At sea

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Isolated in the Indian Ocean west of Australia, the three coral atolls known as Rowley Shoals harbor abundant marine life and untouched coral. Spend a day snorkeling and diving from the sand cays, encountering a dazzling array of...

Day 6: Montgomery Reef and Raft Point

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arriving at high tide, you’ll see very little of Montgomery Reef. However, if conditions are right, the tide may drop rapidly away and a raging torrent of water will erupt, as miles of surrounding reef appear to slowly rise out o...

Day 7: Hunter River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This is one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, lined with green rainforests, mangroves, and soaring red cliffs. We will drop anchor near Naturalists Island - a stunning backdrop to our day's explorations. The Hunter...

Day 8: Bigge Island

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tucked into Bigge’s lunar-like landscape of sculpted sandstone are cave systems filled with rock art that dates back through the ages. Follow guides into the caves to decipher scenes of Wandjina figures and what appear to be Euro...

Days 9, 10, & 11: King George River/Wyndham/At Sea

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drop anchor at the mouth of the King George River and ride Zodiacs up this waterway that weaves between nearly vertical canyon walls. Our destination is King George Falls, and at this time of year, after the wet season, we will b...

Day 12: Jaco Island, East Timor

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our first stop in East Timor is the tiny, uninhabited island of Jaco, considered sacred by the Timorese. Today it is part of the Nino Konis Santana National Park and home to some of Timor’s endemic bird species: the dusky cuckoo-...

Day 13: Dili

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dili became a capital city in 2002, when East Timor was declared a sovereign nation. Since then, it has evolved into an international city where the modern meets the traditional and numerous cultures intermingle. Get to know this...

Day 14: Larantuka, Indonesia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As Dutch influence spread throughout the “East Indies” in the 17th century, Portuguese colonists from throughout the Spice Islands flocked to the Portuguese trading post of Larantuka on Flores Island. Today Larantuka is a picture...

Day 15: Komodo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore Komodo National Park, home to the world’s largest living lizard—the Komodo dragon, which can grow up to ten feet long and weigh 150 pounds. Learn about the conservation of these prehistoric giants from park rangers who jo...

Day 16: Badas, Sumbawa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On the island of Sumbawa, villagers welcome us with a lively cultural display. Witness a traditional wedding ceremony and an exhilarating wild buffalo race through a rice paddy.

Days 17 & 18: Bali, Indonesia/U.S.

Meals: Breakfast

Disembark this morning on the enchanting island of Bali and transfer to the airport for your flight home, arriving the next day.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $12,640
Price per day$702
Last Updated: 2/22/2018

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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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National Geographic Expeditions span the globe and are designed to reflect our travelers' broad spectrum of interests, from small-ship expeditions and classic train journeys to photography workshops and family adventures. When you travel with us, you'll enjoy boundless opportunities to be surrounded by natural wonders and exotic wildlife, to explore celebrated archaeological sites, to learn about different cultures and share in local traditions. A National Geographic expert or expert team accompanies each expedition, sharing their knowledge and passion for a region and making each experience enriching and unforgettable.

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National Geographic Expeditions, the travel program of the National Geographic Society, was founded on the same belief in the importance of exploration that distinguishes the Society's 125-year history. Launched in 1999, National Geographic Expeditions now operates hundreds of trips each year, spanning all seven continents and more than 60 destinations.

Since its founding in 1888, the Society has developed incredible resources—from its network of experts, contacts, and Society-sponsored researchers all over the globe, to the top-tier editorial staff of National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler magazines, and the books, maps, and film and television divisions. National Geographic Expeditions taps these resources to create unique and authentic expeditions to fascinating parts of the world.

As part of the National Geographic Travel group, National Geographic Expeditions aims to fulfill the Society's mission to inspire people to care about the planet by providing meaningful opportunities to explore it. Proceeds from all travel programs support the Society’s efforts to increase global understanding through exploration, education and scientific research.

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Travel that’s tailored to your interests: Whether you're a budding photographer, a natural history enthusiast, a parent looking for a great family trip, or a traveler seeking an active adventure, you'll find an array of opportunities that fit your passions and interests.

The beauty of happenstance: Some of the best moments in travel occur when you least expect them. So that you can savor these instances and enjoy each place in a way that’s meaningful to you, we offer options and build free time into our itineraries wherever we can.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International airfare
    • Optional gratuities
    • Personal items are not included.
Travel Insurance
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Meals Included

14 Breakfast, 12 Lunches and 14 Dinner

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
nation-arothenat

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