Itinerary
- Day 1
Dili
Your guide meets you at Nicolau Lombardo airport and starts introducing you to Timor-Leste's resistance history right away. If you're arriving in the morning, you'll have time to check out historical and cultural sites around Dili, including Cristo Rei statue - a 27-metre-high Jesus Christ statue on Cape Fatucama that gives you sweeping views across the coast. By evening, head to a beachfront restaurant for your welcome dinner as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a restaurant on the beach as the sun is setting)
Included Activities
- Visit Cristo Rei statue at Cape Fatucama
- Guided introduction to Timor-Leste's resistance history
Optional Activities
- Explore historical and cultural sites in and around Dili (if arriving in morning)
Landmarks Cristo Rei of Dili Cape Fatucama Nicolau Lombardo Airport - Day 2
Dili to Maubisse to Aileu
The drive takes you into the mountains where you'll stop at Projeto Montanha, a local community project focused on improving rural livelihoods through tourism. Try traditional Timorese coffee at Maubisse Pousada, a Portuguese colonial-era guesthouse with 360-degree mountain views. After that, continue to Hatu Bulico village at the base of Mt Ramelau for a guided tour of traditional village life. You'll also visit a vanilla farm in Aileu before settling in at your guesthouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at Projeto Montanha community project
- Traditional Timorese coffee tasting at Maubisse Pousada
- Guided tour of Hatu Bulico village
- Visit Dili Vanilla farm in Aileu
Landmarks Maubisse Pousada Hatu Bulico village Mt Ramelau Dili Vanilla farm - Day 3
Mt Ramelau Summit Hike to Same Village
Start before dawn at 3:00am for the hike to Mt Ramelau's summit to catch the sunrise. The hike covers about 10km and takes roughly 5 hours total, bringing you to the highest point in Timor-Leste where you can see the entire coastline and across into Indonesia. After breakfast, drive to Same Village (75km, roughly 2 hours). Once you arrive, take a village tour and then you'll have the afternoon free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Mt Ramelau summit for sunrise (approximately 10km, 5 hours total)
- Village tour in Same Village
Landmarks Mt Ramelau Same Village - Day 4
Same Village to Loihuno
Drive to Loihuno (120km, about 4 hours) along the scenic southern coastline, passing through farmlands and rice fields. During the journey, you'll learn about Dom Bom Ventura, the revolutionary leader who led the great battle to free Timor-Leste from Portuguese invaders. When you reach Loihuno village, settle into your local guesthouse positioned at the base of Mt Mundo Perdido, which means 'Lost World' in Portuguese.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through southern coastline with historical commentary about Dom Bom Ventura
Landmarks Mt Mundo Perdido Loihuno village - Day 5
Mt Mundo Perdido Hike and Limestone Waterholes
Hike into the 'Lost World' to explore the heart of Timor-Leste's resistance country and the mountains that sheltered guerrilla fighters for decades. The hike covers about 12km and takes roughly 5 hours with moderate difficulty over rugged, hilly terrain. Return to your guesthouse in the afternoon and visit nearby limestone waterholes. You'll learn how this region became rich in water and agriculture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Mt Mundo Perdido and back (approximately 12km, 5 hours total, moderate difficulty)
- Visit limestone waterholes
- Learning about region's water and agricultural history
Landmarks Mt Mundo Perdido - Day 6
Loihuno to Baucau via Ossu and Venilale
Head out for Baucau, Timor-Leste's second largest city. Along the way, stop to take in the scenery around the remote villages of Ossu and Venilale. Visit the Seven Caves, a historic tunnel system that Timorese prisoners of war excavated during the Japanese occupation in WWII. When you arrive in Baucau, take a historical and cultural tour of the city and check out a local community farming and cultural project.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at remote villages of Ossu and Venilale
- Visit Seven Caves (historic WWII tunnel system)
- Historical and cultural tour of Baucau city
- Visit local community farming and cultural project
Landmarks Ossu village Venilale village Seven Caves Baucau - Day 7
Baucau to Dili
Drive back to Dili (about 4 hours) with nice coastal views across the Wetar Strait. Grab lunch once you're back in the city, then join a guided tour of Dili's historical and cultural sites. Watch the sunset from Cristo Rei statue while overlooking the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Return drive to Dili with coastal scenery across Wetar Strait
- Guided tour of historical and cultural sites of Dili
- Sunset viewing at Cristo Rei statue
Landmarks Wetar Strait Cristo Rei of Dili - Day 8
Dili to Atauro Island
Take a boat transfer to Atauro Island, home to some of the world's most biodiverse coral reefs. Watch for migrating whales during the boat journey. After you arrive in Beloi village, meet your local homestay family and have a welcome lunch with them. Take a village tour in the afternoon, then head out snorkelling from a local fisherman's boat (about 25km, roughly 3 hours). Spend your evening with your homestay family.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Welcome lunch with local homestay family), Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat transfer to Atauro Island
- Welcome lunch with local homestay family
- Tour of local village
- Snorkelling from local fisherman's boat (25km, 3 hours)
Optional Activities
- Whale watching during boat transfer
Landmarks Atauro Island Beloi village - Day 9
Atauro Island
You have options this morning: hike to Manucoco Peak for sunrise with island views (10km, 5 hours return) if you're up for a tough, steep ascent, or choose a moderate lookout point (4km, 2 hours return), or simply relax on the island. In the afternoon, take a tuk tuk tour of the local community to see handicraft and community projects. Spend more time snorkelling from a local fisherman's boat before heading back to your homestay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tuk tuk tour of local community with handicraft and community projects
- Snorkelling from local fisherman's boat
Optional Activities
- Hike to Manucoco Peak for sunrise (10km, 5 hours return, tough and steep)
- Hike to lookout point (4km, 2 hours return, moderate difficulty)
- Relaxing free time on the island
Landmarks Manucoco Peak - Day 10
Atauro Island to Balibo
Enjoy your final morning snorkelling before the boat transfer back to Dili. Lunch happens at Agora Food Studio restaurant where you'll try locally sourced traditional foods and coffee. From there, drive to Balibo (125km, about 4 hours) to meet with the local community tourism establishment. You'll stay in historic Balibo Fort, which was constructed by the Portuguese in the early 1700s.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Agora Food Studio with locally sourced traditional foods and coffee), Dinner
Included Activities
- Final morning snorkelling activity
- Boat transfer back to Dili
- Lunch at Agora Food Studio with locally sourced traditional foods and coffee
- Meeting with local community tourism establishment
Landmarks Agora Food Studio Balibo Fort - Day 11
Balibo
Spend the day exploring and learning about Balibo's historical and cultural heritage. Visit Balibo House, the location where five Australian journalists were murdered during the Indonesian occupation. Tour the veteran museum and Balibo Fort. In the afternoon, head to Leohitu village to see a community fish hatchery and swim at Leohitu waterfall in the jungle.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Balibo House (site of five Australian journalists' deaths during Indonesian occupation)
- Tour veteran museum
- Guided tour of Balibo Fort
- Visit Leohitu village and community fish hatchery
- Swim in jungle at Leohitu waterfall
Landmarks Balibo House Balibo Fort Leohitu village Leohitu waterfall - Day 12
Balibo to Dili via Gruta Mortaua and Liquica
Take a short shady walk to Gruta Mortaua lookout for panoramic views across the Indonesian border. Then drive back to Dili (125km, about 4 hours) with lunch at a seaside restaurant in Liquica. Along the way, stop at the historical Ai Pelo Prison ruins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at seaside restaurant in Liquica), Dinner
Included Activities
- Short walk to Gruta Mortaua lookout with panoramic views across Indonesian border
- Stop at historical Ai Pelo Prison ruins
- Lunch at seaside restaurant in Liquica
Landmarks Gruta Mortaua Ai Pelo Prison ruins Liquica - Day 13
Dili to Airport
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport
Landmarks Nicolau Lombardo Airport
