Aman to Aqua Blu: Indonesia by Land and Sea

Fly from London to Yogyakarta via Singapore. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Amanjiwo in the Borobudur area.

Amanjiwo sits within a natural amphitheatre in Central Java, looking towards Borobudur and the Kedu Plain, with the Menoreh Hills behind and volcanoes on the horizon. Its design is inspired by Borobudur and the surrounding Javanese landscape, with suites built from local Paras stone beneath domed roofs.

During your stay, a choice of three included activities allows you to shape your time according to your interests. Options include a guided tour of Borobudur, breakfast at Gubug Sawah, a hike in the Menoreh Hills, a village tour by mountain bike, a blessing ceremony, a temple tour of the Kedu Valley, a morning market tour of Borobudur and Muntilan, a Javanese evening meal, an introduction to Aksara Jawa script, and a Javanese cooking class.

Stay: 3 nights at Amanjiwo, in a Garden Suite, including breakfast.

Transfer back to Yogyakarta Airport for your domestic flight to Bali. On arrival, you will be met and transferred inland to Ubud.

Amandari lies close to Ubud, in Bali’s central hinterland. Designed in the style of a local village, the resort has thatched suites and villas, Balinese gateways, a restaurant, swimming pool, spa, gym, tennis court, library and boutique.

One day is devoted to Bali’s lakes and hills. Travel towards Bedugul, visiting the traditional market where local fruit, vegetables, orchids, spices and herbs are sold. Continue to Lake Beratan to see Ulun Danu, the 17th-century temple set on the lake’s edge, before lunch near Mount Batukaru. In the afternoon, take a light walk through the UNESCO-listed rice terraces of Jatiluwih, learning about the irrigation techniques used by Bali’s farmers. The day ends at the Royal Temple of Mengwi, built in 1634 for the Mengwi dynasty, with its moat, multi-roofed meru shrines and carved wooden gates.

The following day explores the volcanic landscapes of Batur Geopark in north-east Bali. Travel into the caldera towards Batur Lake, then continue by custom-built off-road vehicle across the frozen lava fields of Mount Batur with an experienced driver and certified mountain guide. Visit a lava cave and the sites of the 1964 and 1864 eruptions, with views of black lava formations and the cone of Mount Batur. There is time to soak in a natural hot spring before lunch on the rim of the caldera. The day also includes the Batur Global Geopark Museum and Penglipuran, a well-preserved traditional Balinese village known for its orderly layout and distinctive gateways.

The final full day in Ubud is at leisure.

Stay: 4 nights at Amandari, in a Village Suite, including breakfast.

Transfer to Bali Airport for the flight to Labuan Bajo. On arrival, you will be transferred to Ayana Resort, the meeting point for Aqua Blu, with lunch served before embarkation.

Aqua Blu is a 15-suite expedition yacht with a naval heritage, having formerly served as HMS Beagle. Following a 2019 refurbishment by yacht designer Cor D. Rover, the vessel combines generous indoor and outdoor spaces, a sun deck and stabilisers designed for comfort while cruising in East Indonesia.

The voyage begins with Komodo Island, where you visit an area known for its population of Komodo dragons. In the afternoon, continue to Batu Moncho, with time to relax, dive or snorkel in the bay.

At Gili Lawa, start the day with kayaking over a shallow coral reef and through a current-swept passage, with the chance to see Rusa deer on the sandy beaches. Later, arrive at Padar Island for a hike up the savannah hillside, with views across the island and surrounding bays.

Sailing onwards, Aqua Blu reaches Horseshoe Bay, the dramatic remains of an ancient volcanic caldera. Explore by tender, look for sea eagles and Komodo dragons, or choose to swim or dive instead. In the late afternoon, continue to Pink Beach.

At Tatawa Besar, there is the opportunity for a drift snorkel or dive along rainbow reef, where soft and hard corals attract marine life in the current. The afternoon is spent around Sabulon, swimming from the ship and enjoying the calm reefs before the final Komodo sunset of the expedition.

The cruise then travels to Saleh Bay, where there may be the chance to encounter whale sharks, before continuing to Sattonda, an extinct volcano where kayaking takes place in the crater. The final island call is Moyo Island, a remote hilly island with small fishing villages, wildlife and a waterfall in the interior. There is further time to dive and snorkel on the surrounding shallow reefs.

Stay:7 nights aboard Aqua Blu, on an all-inclusive basis.

Disembark Aqua Blu at Benoa Harbour and transfer to a day hotel at Kayumanis Sanur Private Villa and Spa. The day-use arrangements include a relaxing ritual treatment with foot bath, massage, body scrub and bath, followed by a three-course lunch. There is then time in a villa, with minibar, homemade cookies and afternoon tea served with cakes, tea or coffee at Kayumanis Resto.

Later, transfer to the airport for the flight to London via Singapore.

Arrive back in London.