Internationale groepsreis Primates & Dragons of Indonesia

Those not flying with the group from London will meet the tour leader at the airport at 9:00am (subject to change - see Final Joining Instructions) and will then meet the rest of the group there (it is normally possible to meet the tour leader at our pre-tour hotel at 7:30am and go with them to the airport to meet the rest of the group – though this needs to be arranged beforehand). From the airport we drive to Bukit Lawang (approximately 4-5 hours) on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park stopping for lunch on the way. The rest of the afternoon is free to simply relax after the flight and explore the village. Bukit Lawang is one of the most accessible places to spot orang-utans, thanks to an orang-utan conservation programme that has been operating on the eastern edge of the park since the 1970s. The Gunung Leuser National Park is one of the orang-utan's last remaining strongholds, with more than 5000 animals thought to be living in the wild. Sumatran elephants, Sumatran rhinos and Sumatran tigers are all also found in the park, though very rarely seen. The village is attractive, built along one side of the river; relaxing at the river side it is not uncommon to see wild orang-utans come down to the water to drink. Rindu Alam or similar

This morning we will head into the Gunung Leuser National Park which is one of the two remaining habitats for Sumatran orang-utans. This is one of the largest national parks in the world, containing over 800,000 hectares of virgin rainforest. We will spend time with our guide and have an opportunity to explore the trails, searching for orang-utans and other wildlife. The hike itself is a leisurely couple hours and there is a good chance of seeing Thomas leaf monkeys and Long-tailed macaques as well as, hopefully one of the orang-utans who inhabit the forest. Our hike ends at the ex-feeding station. Whilst orang-utans are no longer fed here it is still a good place to have good chances of seeing them. Rindu Alam or similar

This morning we return to the old orang-utan rehabilitation centre. Those who want will then venture further from the park headquarters, discovering the flora and fauna of the park, and continuing our search for orang-utans and other wildlife. The park is host to approximately 700 different species of animals, more than 175 mammals, 320 birds, 190 reptiles and amphibians including Thomas leaf monkeys, macaques and gibbons. Other mammals found include the Sumatran elephant and the elusive Sumatran tiger and rhinoceros, although the last is unfortunately facing imminent extinction. We are unlikely to encounter these shy animals. This excursion will last approximately 6 hours, including time spent at the feeding station, and can be taxing given the steep, muddy terrain and hot and humid climate. Reasonable fitness is required and, therefore, completely optional. For anyone who chooses not to undertake the jungle-hike the rest of the day is at leisure to relax at the lodge.Rindu Alam or similar

This morning we explore Bukit Lawang’s cultural side. Following a walk through the village we head to a local house where we watch an Indonesian cooking demonstration by one of the villagers. This is followed by a local, home-made lunch. In the afternoon we return to Medan (approx. 4 hours) where we will spend the night before our early morning flight tomorrow.Aryaduta Hotel or similar

We fly to Bali via Jakarta. We aim to catch an early morning flight with good connections to minimise travel time but this may not always be possible and we may have to take a later flight. If all goes as planned, we will be arriving in Bali in the early afternoon and will transfer to our hotel in Sanur near the beach. The rest of the day is free to relax and plan any optional activities for tomorrow.Swastika Bungalows / Taksu Hotel Sanur or similar

Today is a free day to enjoy what Sanur has to offer. There are numerous options both on land and water whether you're feeling active, want to take in some culture or just relax on a nearby beach. Some of these options include a full-day temple tour; downhill biking tour; rafting; or a Bali village tour.Swastika Bungalows / Taksu Hotel Sanur or similar

Today we fly to Labuan Bajo at the westernmost tip of the island of Flores. This town is the main entry point into the Komodo National Park and as such has been growing in popularity as a tourist destination. We aim to catch the afternoon flight which means we will be leaving for the airport around 12:30 and will be arriving at our hotel in Labuan Bajo later this afternoon.Luwansa Beach Resort / Puri Sari Hotel or similar

Komodo National Park, established in 1980, is comprised of islands and the surrounding sea and includes mangrove forests, sea grass beds, and colourful coral reefs. The three main large islands are Komodo, Rinca and Padar although many smaller islands come within the park boundaries. Boarding the boat early we set sail for the next three days. Our first destination is Rinca Island which we shall visit after lunch. Rinca is one of the islands which houses Komodo dragons but is also known for its wild pigs, buffalos and birds. Going ashore we head out on a trek accompanied by a local island ranger and go looking for Komodo dragons in their natural environment. Afterwards we return to the boat and set sail for Padar Island where we go snorkelling in the pristine waters. In the late afternoon we have the opportunity to walk up to the top of one of Padar’s hills to watch a panoramic sunset over the national park. Accommodation on the boat is fairly basic and is a mix of bunks and mattresses on deck. On board the boat

This morning we make our way to Komodo Island. Upon arrival we take a trek to Banunggulung, the river bed where the dragons used to be fed fresh goats (until the mid-2000s). The hike takes us through spectacular scenery and there many unusual plants along the way. It is estimated that there are about 2,000 Komodo dragons on the island along with wild boar, deer and buffalo. There is also good bird-watching with cockatoos and Gosong birds amongst others. Following this, we'll visit Pink Beach where we have time to go snorkelling with good chances of seeing parrotfish, clownfish and, with a bit of luck, various other sea-creatures including sea turtles. There is ample time to swim and snorkel and enjoy the beach before we head towards Manta Point - so-named as giant Manta rays, some with a wing-span of 4m, are regularly seen here. Our final leg today takes us to Gili Laba Island where we will drop anchor for the night.On board the boat

For those who wish, we will get up before dawn in order to head to a viewpoint on Laba Island from which to see the sunrise.Later on there is the opportunity to do some more snorkelling around Laba Island before setting sail again. Time permitting we will make one final snorkelling stop at Kanawa Island on the way back to Labuan Bajo. Returning to Labuan Bajo we will transfer back to our hotel for the night.Luwansa Beach Resort / Puri Sari Hotel or similar

We fly back to Denpasar (the flight times can vary) and drive (approx 2 hours) to Ubud, surrounded by rice fields and temples, our final destination.Ubud gets its name from the Balinese word ubad (medicine); the town was originally important as a source of medicinal herbs and plants, but these days is known for its artistic community, awash with artists' workshops and art galleries. Ubud's history can be traced back to the 8th century, when a Buddhist priest came to Bali from Java, he meditated at the confluence of the two Wos rivers at Campuan, just west of the modern day town centre. A shrine was established and later expanded by Nirartha, a Javanese priest who is regarded as the founder of Bali's religious practices and rituals as we know them today. When Ubud became a Dutch protectorate at its own request, the colonialists interfered little, allowing the traditional arts and culture of the area to remain relatively unchanged. From the 1930s onwards western artists and intellectuals arrived furthering the local art scene, amongst them Charlie Chaplin and H.G. Wells. Ubud is still a haven for literati, glitterati and art collectors.Sahadewa Resort Ubud or similar

Our first stop on our tour of Central Bali is the Kintamani area where we will go on a short hike (4.5km) from the rim of the Batur caldera, descending through black lava fields. We have the opportunity to learn more about the volcano and enjoy views over the crater and surrounding area. Our tour continues to the Tampaksiring area where we visit Gunung Kawi Temple. Set amidst rice terraces this 11th century temple feature ten rock-hewn candi (shrines) carved into the cliff face itself. They stand at 7m and combine both Hindu and Buddhist attributes. The descent to the candi involves numerous stairs (which we also have to climb back up!). After this we can visit Tirta Empul Temple known amongst Balinese Hindus for its holy waters which are believed to wash away bad spirits. The final stop of the day is at Tegalalang for sweeping views over the island’s most impressive rice paddies.Sahadewa Resort Ubud or similar

Today is free to wander through the vibrant streets of Ubud enjoying the town’s cafes, shops, temples and theatres or go on another optional trip exploring other parts of the island. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on how best to spend your time.Sahadewa Resort Ubud or similar

The trip ends after breakfast this morning for land only clients. Those on the group flights will be taken to Denpasar airport in time for their flight home.