Timor-Leste Expedition

Benvindu! Welcome to Timor-Leste, Asia’s newest country. Your adventure begins in the bustling capital city of Dili. Surrounded by both hills and ocean, there’s plenty to see and do here. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your local leader and the fellow travellers joining you on your journey. After the meeting, you'll head out for a welcome dinner at a rooftop bar with excellent views of Dili city and the Wetar Strait. Enjoy your first taste of local cuisine as you get to know your new travel companions.

This morning, visit the Alola Foundation – a not-for-profit working to improve the lives of women and children. You'll learn about their local projects, including handicraft employment opportunities for women artisans, which promotes Timorese cultural identity. Visit the Chega Exhibition, set in an old Portuguese prison, to gain insight into the harsh realities of the Indonesian military's incarceration of Timorese resistance individuals. Visit Motael Church, then head to a restaurant for lunch. Next, it’s time to venture into the heart of Timor-Leste and travel up the Tatamailau mountain range. On the drive, take in some seriously spectacular scenery of the mountainous landscapes. Arrive in Hato Builico in the afternoon – this is the highest village in the country! Settle into the guesthouse and meet your local trekking guide for tomorrow's hike. Take a guided walking tour of the village where you may have the chance to kick around a football or chat with the locals.

Embark on an early morning adventure to the summit of Timor-Leste's highest mountain, Mt Ramelau, standing at 2986 m above sea level. Wake up at 2.30 am to begin the hike so you can catch the sunrise from the summit at 6 am. If it’s a clear day, you’ll be able soak up views of the whole coastline. After, head to Maubisse, a historic hill town surrounded by stunning scenery, and explore the town with your local leader. Check into your accommodation and enjoy the beautiful mountainside views.

Wake up early for a cultural ceremony by the village elders of Rabilau at dawn. This ceremony of song and dance is to call upon the ancestors and spirits to welcome you to the land. After, you’ll take a short walk up to the top of the sacred Mt Rabilau. Have breakfast, then get an in-depth look into Timor-Leste’s important coffee farming industry. Start by visiting local coffee farmers to learn about how coffee is grown and processed. Take a guided walk through the farmlands and coffee plantations to gain a deeper understanding of the local agricultural practices. For lunch, head to one of the coffee farmers’ homes for a traditional Timorese meal, then stop at Projeto Montanha for coffee. Return to Dili in the late afternoon.

Embark on an exciting adventure by boat to Atauro Island, known for its biodiverse coral reefs and rich wildlife, including whales and dolphins. Your first stop is a snorkelling tour of the tropical coral reefs, where you can admire the colourful marine life and coral formations up close. In the afternoon, you'll settle into your island homestay. During your stay, you'll be treated to delicious home-cooked meals and local snacks, and will have the opportunity to learn about life on the island and immerse yourself in the local culture. Spend your time relaxing by the beach, swimming in the inviting waters and chatting with your host family. This is the perfect opportunity to experience Timorese hospitality and see how the locals live.

Wake up to the beautiful sunrise over the Wetar Strait and start your day with a delicious breakfast by the sea. Today, you'll hop aboard a fisherman's boat for a snorkelling tour of the coral reefs in the Beloi Marine Protected Area. Then, take a guided tuk-tuk tour of the village, where you'll visit local handicraft stores and marketplaces. You'll also visit Biojoia de Atauro, a co-operative group of local hearing-impaired women who produce and sell a range of beautiful jewellery pieces made from local materials like coconut shells, seeds and wood. You'll also visit Boneca de Atauro, another women's co-op that produces high-quality handmade embroidery and textile products, from dolls and educational products to trendy handbags and homeware items. After a busy day, you can relax and unwind by the beach, play football with the local community and spend time getting to know your homestay family.

In the morning, check out the local seafood and vegetable market and visit Empreza Diak – a social enterprise selling locally made handicrafts. Enjoy lunch with your homestay family. In the afternoon, return to Dili by boat. This afternoon, make your way to the iconic statue of Christ at Cape Fatu Cama, standing 27 m tall atop a world globe. Climb the 14 ‘Stations of the Cross’ to reach the base of the statue and enjoy incredible views of Dili, Atauro Island and Back Beach. Dinner will be served on the beach with sunset views looking back over Dili city.

Today is all about getting to know Dili. You'll be accompanied by local guides who will show you the city’s hidden highlights and introduce you to its people and culture. Head to the Tais Market to learn about this traditional textile, often used to make traditional clothing and garments for special occasions like weddings, ceremonies and festivals. For lunch, dine on traditional Timorese food at a social enterprise that mentors youth to shape the future of food and agriculture in the Asia-Pacific region and collaborates with farmers, producers, chefs and experts in the fields of science, agriculture, humanities, community development and design. Visit the Santa Cruz Cemetery, an important commemoration site for the Timorese people, due to the massacre that occurred in 1991 during the Indonesian occupation. The cemetery serves as a reminder of the Timorese struggle for independence and the atrocities committed. This evening, maybe gather with your group at a rooftop bar for a farewell dinner while admiring views of the city of Dili.

With no activities planned for today, your Timor-Leste expedition comes to an end after breakfast.