Example Itinerary

Cruising the Historic Maluku Islands

Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Luxury Cruises
Destinations
Indonesia

Uncover the fascinating history of Indonesia with this amazing 10-day cruise. Leave from Ambon and set sail to the island of Buru, where you’ll tour the Benteng Wantrouw, a Dutch fortress built in the 17th century. Head to the river and enjoy a boat ride through the lush jungles of Buru and catch glimpses a variety of rare wildlife. From there, travel to the town of Sanana and explore a historic Portuguese fortress that still stands today. Continue on to Bacan Island, where you’ll snorkel and see gorgeous coral reefs and tropical schools of fish. Finish the tour discovering more ancient forts on the island of Tidore and visit a nearby museum where priceless royal items are on display.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Colonial Footsteps: Trek through the ruins of ancient Portuguese fortresses on Tidore, a still-standing fortress on Sulabesi, and groves of clove trees on Buru Island.
  • The Babirusa: This strange creature, also called deer-pigs, lives in isolated parts of Indonesia. Keep your eyes peeled in the jungles of Buru island.
  • Rich Islands: These small and lush islands were treasured for the coveted spices they produced such as nutmeg, cloves, and mace.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map

Manipa Island

Start the tour by boarding a luxurious schooner in Ambon, from where you’ll set sail towards Manipa Island. Arrive at its shore and visit the lovely village of Tumalehu. Here, you’ll witness sago processing, a powdery substance derived from the heart of a sago palm. Sago is considered a staple food in the country and is used for baking and cooking sweet sago pudding.

Hotel Options
About

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Map

Buru Island

In the morning, take a tour of the Benteng Wantrouw, an ancient Dutch fortress used to regulate the production of clove trees. Next, visit a traditional fishing village along the coast. Here, you’ll experience local life and see fishermen busy at work. Head back to the cruise and sail to the beautiful island of Buru, where you’ll anchor overnight.

Hotel Options
About

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Buru Island
Buru Island

Day 3

Map

Buru Island

Begin the day by taking a river cruise through the rich jungles of Buru. Here, you’ll spot a plethora of tropical birds including the Pitta, Sunbird and Kingfisher. Also, keep your eyes open for the rare Babirusa, a unique creature that looks like a cross between a pig and a deer. In the late afternoon, depart from Buru and head to the Sula Islands overnight.

Day 4

Map

Sulabesi

After breakfast, make your way to shore and explore the island of Sulabesi. Trek to the fascinating town of Sanana and walk through an ancient Portuguese fortress that still stands today. Continue past the town and stop at a village, home to Bajau “Sea Gypsies”. Here, you’ll lose yourself in a maze of wooden footbridges that connect stilt houses above the sea together. In the late afternoon, return to the boat and start our journey to the Obi Islands.

Hotel Options
About

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 5

Map

Obilatu Island

Spend the day on the island of Obilatu and choose between visiting a traditional village on the north coast or bask under the sun on smooth white sand in one of the gorgeous bays. Next, discover the area between Obilatu and the island of Obi Mayor and take a dip in the clear turquoise sea. End the day with a stunning sunset from the deck of the ship and sail overnight to Bacan Island.

Hotel Options
About

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 6

Map

Bacan Island

Arrive in Bacan Island and visit the tiny town of Labuha. Here, you’ll take a stroll through the bustling market and see fresh fruits and vegetables bursting with color. Next, continue your journey to the north coast of the island, where you’ll enjoy an exciting afternoon of snorkeling. This part of Bacan is carpeted with spectacular coral reefs and is full of tropical fish. After, retreat to the boat and rest onboard in the evening.

Hotel Options
About

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Bacan Island
Bacan Island

Day 7

Map

Bacan Island

Return to the shores of Bacan and spoil yourself with a day of hiking through lush rainforest. Start in the traditional village of Geti and make your way into the vast green jungle. Be on the lookout for exotic wildlife such as parrots, cockatoos, Macaque monkeys and much more.

Day 8

Map

Kayoa

Depart from Bacan and cruise to the island of Kayoa. Enjoy a day at sea and marvel at the endless isles that pass you by. In the evening, anchor off the coast of Kayoa and gaze at the millions of shimmering stars above you from the deck.

Hotel Options
About

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 9

Map

Tidore

In the morning, step on the island of Tidore and take a stroll through the ruins of ancient Portuguese fortresses. Continue to scenic clove and coconut plantations and admire the endless view of towering palm trees. Next, walk to the small coastal town of Soa Siu and visit the local museum where the sultan’s crown and other royal items are on display.

Hotel Options
About

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Tidore
Tidore

Day 10

Map

Departure

On your final day, arrive in Ternate in the morning and depart the schooner. Here, we say farewell and are more than happy to assist you with your next travel plans. For the remainder of the day, we recommend hiking to the Gamalama volcano where you’ll come across two beautiful volcanic lakes.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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