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Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, consists of 13,677 islands stretching for 3,200 miles along the equator across beautiful tropical seas, linking the Asian and Australian mainland. Some of the earliest inhabitants date back 500,000 years and today you will find the majority of the people Moslem with the exception of some parts which still maintains strong rituals beliefs. A fertile country composed of volcanoes and rice-terraced mountains, Indonesia enjoys moderate temperatures all year long and has a steady supply of rainfall that keeps the land green and lush, and the harvests bountiful. A nation rich in arts and culture, Indonesia boasts some of the most talented artisans in the world. See the legendary epic dramas with their ornate costumes and traditional orchestras. Visit with the craftsmen that work with stone, wood, clay, metals and paint to create local scenes that are so much a part of this culture. Observe the fascinating art of batik and tenun ikat with a myriad of designs and styles that are fashioned into sarongs, clothing and decorative pieces. The staple foods of rice and seafood are commonly combined with a wide variety of fresh vegetables. |
 Sulawesi Sulawesi is a strangely shaped yet strikingly beautiful island with a mix of exotic cultures and ancestoral beliefs. The southern provincial capital of Ujung Pandang is home to the Bugis people and the main gateway to the unexplored reaches of central Sulawesi. Tana Toraja, the "Land of the Toraja" is located in the central mountainous region and home to a fiercely independent people that steadfastly adhere to their time-tested traditions. Cliff graves and burial chambers are cut out of limestone rock and balconies are filled with effigies of the dead. Death rituals are somber and joyous at the same time reflecting their respect for the power of life and what comes after. The traditional design of the Toraja house replicates those ships that brought their ancestors to this land. Built on stilts above the ground, the roof, rearing up on both ends, is the most striking feature resembling that of the bow and stern. Manado lies on the north tip of Sulawesi and is an excellent base for the visiting Bunaken Island for its brilliant coral reefs and underwater life. |
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Kalimantan occupies the southern two thirds of the great island of Borneo. Busy Balikpapan on the east coast is the center of Kalimantan's oil industry and the starting point for excursions into the land of the Dayak people. Journey by boat up the Mahakam River for a closer view of villages and floating markets. Overnight in a traditional Dayak longhouse set on stilts and experience daily life along the river. Pontianak is the gateway for further exploration into remote western Borneo with an exhilarating trip up the Kapuas River. Fly to Pangkalan Bun for adventure excursions to Tanjung Puting National Park as well as the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center at Camp Leakey. |
 Papua Located on the western half of New Guinea, Irian Jaya is one of the world's last frontiers. A land of exceptional beauty, from the coconut palmed beaches of the coast through the verdant rainforest to the snow-capped mountains, Irian Jaya also holds immense fascination for the naturalist to explore the widest variety of flora and fauna found anywhere in the world. After leaving Jayapura, deplane at Wamena in the Baliem Valley to interact with the friendly Dani tribespeople who practice intense ancestral worship rituals. Overnight in traditional village huts for the experience of your life! |
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