Charting the Indonesian Archipelago: Singapore to Bali - 2023

Today you’ll board an overnight flight to Bali. Or, depart earlier for your pre-trip extension to Ubud.

You’ll cross the International Date Line today, so you’ll arrive in Bali around midday on Day 3.

You’ll arrive in Bali today. This island is the epitome of paradise, a place where everyone seems to have embraced a tropical state of mind and its lovely people are just the icing on the cake. It’s an all-around Shangri-La.

If you purchased your airfare with Vantage, you’ll be met at the airport by a representative who will assist in your transfer to our stunning resort, the Four Seasons Bali Resort at Jimbaran Bay. Get settled in and enjoy the beach and the amenities of this unforgettable property. Dinner is at the hotel. Your Balinese discoveries begin tomorrow.

Just outside of our resort is the historical village of Mengwi, once the capital of the ancient Balinese kingdom. We’ll have a morning of discovery here, first learning more about local Balinese life in the village itself and at a local school, where we’ll be greeted by the sweet smiles of schoolchildren. If that wasn’t enough, the Pura Taman Ayun temple calls next. This picturesque complex is surrounded by dazzling lotus and fishponds and the temple structures often appear adrift on these neighboring waters. The rest of the day is at leisure back at the resort. Tonight’s Welcome Dinner is at the hotel, complete with traditional Balinese cuisine and dancing.

Included Feature:

• Visit a local school and the Pura Taman Ayun temple in Mengwi

Cultural Discovery:

• See local village life in Mengwi

Inaugural Feature:

• Balinese dinner and dance show

After breakfast at the resort, bid goodbye to this slice of paradise, as today you’ll embark the Ocean Odyssey for your voyage through Indonesia. But first, we’ll embark on a tour of the Uluwatu Temple, a gorgeous clifftop spectacular that your cameras will love! The temple is inhabited by cheeky Macaque monkeys who are notorious for snatching sunglasses, cameras, and other goods off tourists — so, be mindful! After this enchanting visit, lunch is at a local restaurant. We’ll then transfer to the port and embark ship, setting off for another side of Bali, which we’ll explore tomorrow. Enjoy your first dinner onboard tonight.

Included Feature:

• Uluwatu Temple visit

This morning, the Ocean Odyssey arrives at Celukan Bawang, our starting point for today’s explorations. On a morning tour, head to Lovina Beach to discover the island’s black sand beaches; then, embark on a tour of Singaraja, which includes visits to the lush Pura Beji Sangsit temple, dedicated to the rice goddess Dewi Sri. After, we’ll make our way to a local market and stop by a museum for more local history. Lunch will be at local restaurant, after which you’ll have an afternoon at leisure to return to Lovina Beach, perhaps to deepen your tan, or explore as you please.

Included Feature:

• Singaraja tour, with visits to Lovina Beach and the Pura Beji Sangsit temple

Discover Probolinggo, on Java’s eastern side, on a city tour today. This fishing town is the gateway to Java’s Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park and the Gunung Bromo volcano, which will captivate us later this afternoon. But first, we’ll explore the city, stopping by the Tri Dharma Pagoda and embarking becaks (cycle rickshaws) for a ride to a market to see what fruits, vegetables, and goods that the locals are buying and selling. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll board motorcoaches for an inland ride to Mount Bromo and the volcano, which we’ll visit from a safe distance and be able to photograph. The volcano is an important site for the local Tengger people — one of the few remaining Hindu communities on Java — who believe that the volcano is the site of a fertility sacrifice from a legendary king and queen. You’ll hear more about this myth today!

Included Features:

• Probolinggo city tour
• Mount Bromo visit

Cultural Discovery:

• Ride a becak to a local market

Enjoy a morning tour of Indonesia’s Madura Island. Madura is known as one of Indonesia’s most traditional isles — don’t be surprised to see locals in traditional sarongs and peci. We’ll make landfall by traditional boat for a half-day tour that includes the capital, Sumenep. Unlike most capital cities, you’ll find that Sumenep is a relaxed little town with a gilded 18th century mosque, which we’ll view on our way to visit the Sumenep Palace and Museum. Lunch is back onboard; after, enjoy some free time to explore on your own.

Included Feature:

• Half-day Sumenep tour

This morning you’ll wake up in Semarang, Java. After breakfast, we’ll disembark and transfer by motorcoach to Borobudur, a 9th century Buddhist temple in central Java and one of the world’s most spectacular Buddhist monuments. As we make our way to Borobudur, you’ll get a good look at Java’s interior countryside, as well as glimpses of its smoldering volcanoes, rainforests, and verdant green paddy fields. Once in mesmerizing Borobudur, we’ll stroll through the complex, noting the detailed stone carvings and the 504 Buddha statues peppered throughout.

We’ll enjoy lunch here before visiting nearby Candirejo, a lush, leafy, and traditional village that you’ll tour by horse cart. Navigating through town, you’ll catch glimpses of local life, including families making cassava crackers, playing the gamelan, and harvesting and drying vanilla and chilies.

Included Feature:

• Explore UNESCO-listed Borobudur temple complex

Cultural Discovery:

• Witness local life on a horse cart ride through Candirejo Village

This morning we’ll board a boat bound for nearby Kura Kura island, where we’ll be greeted upon arrival with cocktails and traditional snacks. Fringed with white sand beaches, Kura Kura is actually a private Javanese island home to a luxury eco-resort that offers a true model for sustainability and is the only real business on the island. Don’t expect to find any Wi-Fi here, either — this is a rare chance to disconnect and live in the moment. Explore the island and enjoy some leisure time at the resort to snorkel, lounge on the beach, swim, or even take in some scuba dives — see the Concierge for details on planning activities. Lunch is back on ship, and you’ll enjoy an afternoon at leisure. As the Ocean Odyssey cruises this afternoon, hear the first lecture in our curated lecture series on Indonesia.

Included Feature:

• Discover Kura Kura island with leisure time to snorkel, swim, and more

Cultural Discovery:

• Onboard lecture about Indonesia (1 of 3)

Enjoy breakfast this morning as the Ocean Odyssey arrives to Kumai, part of the Kalimantan province of Borneo island, which actually belongs to three countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. We’ll anchor along the Sekonyer River and board Zodiacs into the UNESCO-listed Tanjung Puting National Park, famous for its robust orangutan conversation program. You’ll explore the park in your Zodiac boat, which offers panoramic views of its various tributaries and rainforests. You’ll enjoy some light trekking into the rainforest to visit the orangutan feeding area. Lunch is at a local restaurant before we return to ship for an afternoon at leisure with an enthralling traditional dance performance before dinner!

Included Feature:

• Zodiac tour of Tanjung Puting National Park

Inaugural Feature:

• Traditional Indonesian dance performance on board

Today’s morning tour takes us along the Arut River, where you’ll get a tranquil glimpse of local life. Marvel at the traditional klotok houseboats floating on the river. Witness residents going about their daily lives on the rivers, including the local fisherman. You may even spot some wildlife, as orangutans reside here, too! Then, visit the Istana Kuning, or “yellow palace,” which is not very yellow at all, but was once traditionally draped in yellow fabric. Once the sultan’s main residence, the palace is now a replica after it was burned down in 1990. We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the ship, which will depart for Java this afternoon.

Included Feature:

• Arut River tour, with visit to the Yellow Palace

Cultural Discovery:

• Witness local life along the Arut River

Enjoy a day at sea as you cruise toward the Belitung Islands. This is an ideal opportunity to make good use of the Ocean Odyssey’s plentiful amenities. Grab a book and head to the infinity pool. Make an appointment at the spa. Head to the observation deck for bountiful views of passing islands — Indonesia has more than 17,000 of them, and 6,000 are uninhabited. This afternoon continues our curated lecture series, which will offer more insights into your journey into Indonesia.

Cultural Discovery:

• Onboard lecture about Indonesia (2 of 3)

Arrive in Pulau Lengkuas today, just one of the gorgeous destinations that await you on this journey. You’re on Belitung Island, which is known for its pepper and its tin, in addition to the pearly sand beaches and turquoise waters. After breakfast, get ready to Zodiac to shore for a sightseeing tour of the island. During a home-hosted visit, you’ll be invited to try the local cuisine and watch a traditional performance. Your afternoon is at leisure, and you’ll want to try some snorkeling! With shallow shorelines and little current, this is an ideal opportunity to explore the vibrant fish and coral reef of Belitung’s undersea realm.

Included Features:

• Tour of Pulau Lengkuas

Cultural Discovery:

• Home-hosted lunch with traditional performance

Another day at sea brings the culmination of our Indonesia lecture series today. This is also your last opportunity to take advantage of any onboard amenities, including the pool and spa services.

Cultural Discovery:

• Onboard lecture about Indonesia (3 of 3)

Singapore is known by many names, the “Garden City” and the “Lion City” among them, and you’ll get insight into these monikers as you explore the city’s beauty and dynamism today. During your full-day guided city tour, you’ll see the Cricket Club (cricket is a major sport here!), historic Parliament House, Supreme Court, City Hall, the UNESCO-listed Botanical Gardens, and Merlion Park — featuring impressive views of Marina Bay and the city’s futuristic architecture. Then, delve a little deeper into Singapore’s diverse culture during visits to the Thian Hock Keng Temple, Little India, and the Yong Gallery, which displays handcrafted woodcarvings and artworks by Chinese artists.

This afternoon, explore the alleys around popular Bugis Street in “local” style during a trishaw ride. Then, sample Singapore’s flavorful Chinese influence during a dim sum lunch at a local restaurant, where servers bring carts of small-plate dishes to tempt you. Dim sum literally means “touch the heart,” and perhaps yours will be filled by some fluffy, pork-filled bao buns . . . mouthwatering shumai dumplings . . . translucent shrimp cheung fun rolls . . . beef balls seasoned with coriander . . . and more.

Included Feature:

• Full-day Singapore city tour

Cultural Discovery:

• Trishaw ride around Bugis Street

After breakfast, set off on a half-day city tour, featuring sweeping views of Singapore from the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, and a visit to the awe-inspiring Gardens by the Bay nature park. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant during the tour. Tonight, gather with your travelers for a festive Farewell Dinner at the legendary Raffles hotel — birthplace of the Singapore Sling cocktail.

Inaugural Feature:

• Farewell Dinner and Singapore Slings at Raffles hotel

Included Feature:

• Half-day tour of Sands SkyPark and Gardens by the Bay

Scenic Sailing:

• Get your camera ready for a picture of Singapore’s skyline lighting up at sunset!

Head to the Singapore airport today for your return flight home. Or, if you purchased our optional post-trip extension, you’ll fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia.