Kuta, Bali. Arrive in Bali and transfer to hotel. Free time to relax.

Your transfer driver will present you with a letter detailing times for your Day 2 tour and your Day 3 flight to Labuan Bajo.  

Fly Bali to Labuan Bajo to Komodo Labuan Bajo Airport (B)
You will be met at the airport by one of our team members and taken to Bajo Komodo Eco Lodge. This afternoon you will meet with your Guide and then head off for a tour to the Mirror Stone Caves. Overnight in Hotel.

Kanawa - Tatawa (B,L,D)
After breakfast we will start heading south west towards Mangyatan and then on to Tatawa. There the waters are pristine and we will have ample opportunity to swim and snorkel as we will be only paddling to the next island across. Overnight in tents.

Wainilu to Nusapimpe (B,L,D)
Early morning we will rise and paddle to the Rinca Rangers Office to look for Komodo Dragons. Rinca (pronounced Rin - cha) is the best place in the park to see the Dragons as their numbers and density are quite large there. We will be shown around the park by a trained Ranger who will explain the eco-system, the Dragon’s habits, the life of other inhabitants on the island such as the Macaque, Buffalo, Deer, Tree snakes etc.

After a drink at the Ranger’s Café we will start paddling north towards Nusapimpe off the coast of Rinca. Lunch, snorkelling and relaxing will be followed by a sunset paddle to a small mangrove island (Kaaba) inhabited by bats. This is a great sight with thousands of bats flying into the night sky for their evening meal. We will return to Nusapimpe to do the same.

Please note - We do not recommend women who are menstruating visit the Komodo Dragons on Rinca as the Dragons have a keen sense of smell and may be attracted to the group.  If women feel they may menstruate during this time they could either stay at the harbour and not do the trek or use the contraceptive pill to skip their period if they want to do the trek.

Labuan Bajo - Cunca Wulang Waterfalls - Labuan Bajo (B)
Today we head out for a day at the Cunca Wulang Waterfalls. The falls are just beyond a beautiful traditional village. The hike there and back is picturesque and we will have a chance to chat to the locals along the way. The falls are spectacular with an enormous fall at one end of a large canyon, that has been carved by the falls themselves. (Please note that sturdy runners or trekking shoes are advised for this hike).  We will be able to swim in the beautifully cool waters all the way to the fall’s base. Overnight at Hotel.

Bali  (B)

After breakfast today your Kumuka adventure finishes and you will  be transferred to the airport at the appropriate time for your flight home.

Please ensure you provide us with your flight details.

If you wish to extend your stay we would be happy to arrange accommodation for you. Please conact Kumuka or your agent for rates. Airport Transfers can also be arranged on alternative dates if you wish to extend your stay.

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

This itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to local conditions. There will be times travelling long hours as there will be days where we have to cover great distances. Weather patterns can change dramatically - high altitudes tend to be a lot cooler.

You are free not to participate in any of the included excursions. However, please note that there will be no refund for any excursions not taken.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx  for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Asia trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides up-to-date visa information. Please consult your relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Certain visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Please note that visas are currently easily obtained upon arrival at the Denpassar Airport in Bali. Visas are approximately US$25.00 per person, but please note that this is subject to change. It is recommended that you bring the exact amount in cash to avoid delays at immigration.

All visitors to Indonesia require a Tourist Visa, which is valid for 30 days.  Visas are  available on arrival.  You will need a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds for your stay and an onward airline ticket with confirmed bookings.  Ensure your passport is valid through to your return date home. 

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Asia, but we do recommend you are covered for *diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus.

NB* A Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from infected areas. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

You may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information. Please consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Asia.

We also recommend:

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:

We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

The official currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The US dollar and increasingly the Australian dollar and the Euroare widely accepted among major shops and restaurants in tourist areas, preferably in crisp clean bills. Outside the tourist areas, it is recommend to carry cash in Rupiah and in small denominations in the more remote areas.

Travellers cheques can be cashed in the major tourist areas such as Bali, upon presentation of a passport. There is normally a fee involved for cashing travellers Cheques. AmEx are the most widely accepted travellers cheques.

Credit Cards: In major tourist areas Visa and Mastercard are becoming more accepted in many of the larger hotels and restaurants, especially in the major cities, however a service charge may apply. American Express is accepted however not as widely as the others. Out of the major tourist areas, credit card facilities may be very limited or non-existant.

The largest denomination of Rupiah is currently the 100,000 Rp note. Notes also come in denominations of 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000. Coins come in 25, 50, 100 and 500 Rp.

There are a number of international banks operating in Bali with 24hour cash withdrawal facilities, including Commonwealth Bank and HSBC in Kuta. Here cash can be withdrawn on Visa and Mastercards as well as other cards such as Cirrus. ATM's in Indonesia havemaximum limits for withdrawls, however this can vary between 2,000,000 Rp to 400,000 Rp - this may or may not be dependant upon your own bank's withdrawl limit.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$15-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

US dollars cash is more widely accepted than pounds sterling.

US dollars cash is recommended for payment of the Visa upon arrival at the airport in Denpassar. .

It is often a good idea to have a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting prior to arrival. This will cover you for any initial expenses at or from the airport. ATM's are now available at arrival airports.

Some Hotels will also change money.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I TAKE?
Due to luggage restrictions on domestic flights your main pack should weigh no more than 15kgs. This should be packed into a dry bag so that the contents do not get wet.
Due to the weather conditions you should not require much equipment – any excess luggage not required for the Kayaking part of the tour can be left in your hotel in Kuta, Bali.

NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT LIST
On top of the list below, we recommend you bring a fresh set of clothes to leave in your hotel when you return to your hotel. This way you will have a very fresh set of clothes to change into when you return from your expedition.

Personal gear  - Packed into a dry bag.
• 2 t-shirts
• 1 long sleeve cotton t-shirt (for sleeping in)
• 4 pair underwear
• Sea-kayaking clothing (shorts and shirts), Rashie and kayaking gloves
• Light hiking boots or firm runners
• Pair of thongs/ Jandals / Flip flops /Sandals to wear around camp and in villages
• 1 pair of cotton/wool blend hiking socks
• Hard-soled wetsuit booties or sandals for sea-kayaking. Keen Sandals or Crocs are good.
• Hat with wide brim to keep sun off your face
• Waterproof torch or headlamp with spare batteries
• Rain poncho (something light weight)
• Quick-dry sports towel/chamois
• Two rolls of your favorite toilet paper
• A one-litre water bottle to carry with you
• Personal first aid kit. Your personal first aid kit will contain Bandaids, blister dressings, tropical cream for bites and grazes, antibiotic cream for cuts and scratches, paracetamol, Deep Heat or other muscle linament and the all-important insect repellent. Another first aid kit will be carried by the guide.
•  Snacks such as barley sugar, mentos, chocolate, muesli bars etc.
• Bathers
• Sleeping mat (self inflating)
• Sunscreen
• Tropical strength insect repellant
• Sunglasses (with retaining cord) and a spare set just in case
• A book or something to write in
• Camera etc
• Sarong for just about anything
• Personal flippers and mask optional as we do have a range on board our support boat for you to use.
• Mosquito net and anchor points if you want to sleep out in the open

*If you have something you are particularly prone to, ear infections or sinus problems, bring what you need with you.

Sleeping gear. We will provide a 2 man tent that will need to be shared. You will need to bring a self inflating mat and a sarong as a sheet.

Land wear. We will be doing a little bit of trekking so just a light weight runner will be sufficient.

On this tour we use some of the best double sea kayaks in the world, the Australian manufactured Komodo. The Komodo’s versatility to convert from a single to a double kayak makes it a perfect craft for expeditions. They have supreme stability. In fact we have never seen anyone fall out of these kayaks.

They are made out of durable plastic and are perfectly suited for expeditions such as this. They have large storage space in both the front and back of the craft as well as secure deck straps for immediate use equipment.
Each kayak comes with a hand held bilge pump, waterproof torch and compass. We also have spare tow lines and octopus straps.
Each kayaker will be provided with a paddle, a floatation device and a spray deck to keep water out of capsule.
The Komodo Kayaks slot together like a jigsaw puzzle and are then secured together by nuts on both the top and bottom of the craft. These nuts are routinely checked and tightened to ensure the kayak is functioning at full capacity. You will be asked to check your kayak each morning and afternoon.

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

The official language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia which is surprisingly widely spoken given the huge number of regional and local dialects spoken throughout the country (approximately 300 regional languages and dialects are used throughout Indonesia).  Being the 4th most populated country in the world, the percentage of it’s population who speak Bahasa Indonesia is approaching 100% therefore making it one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. The majority of Indonesians are also fluent in a regional dialect specific to their part of the country which would be used more often in their daily lives to communicate with the family, friends and local community, with Bahasa Indonesia providing a means of communication between communities and regions outside their local area.
Bahasa Indonesia is closely related to Malay, the national language of Malaysia, the major difference being pronunciation and vocabulary.

English will be spoken in the larger cities. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

The following are some commonly used phrases and attempts to communicate with the locals is generally very much appreciated:

Greetings and civilities

Good morning - Selamat Pagi
Good afternoon - Selamat Siang.
Good evening - Selamat Sore.
Good night - Selamat Malam.
Goodbye - Selamat Tinggal.
How are you? - Apa Kabar?
I am fine - Kabar Baik.
What is your name? - Siapa nama anda?
My name is... - Nama saya...
Nice to meet you - Senang berkenalan dengan anda.
See you later - Sampai jumpa lagi.
Goodbye (said to people leaving) - Selamat jalan.
Goodbye (said to people staying) - Selamat tinggal.
I do not understand - Saya tidak mengerti.
I do not speak Indonesian - Saya tidak mengerti bahasa.

General

Yes - Ya / Tentu.
O.K. - Beres.
No / not - Tidak / bukan.
Thank you - Terima kasih.
You're welcome - Kembali.
Please - Tolong / Silakan.
Please help me - Tolonglah saya.
Excuse me - Permisi.
Sorry - Ma'af.
What time is it? - Jam berapa?
This - Ini.
That - Itu.
Dari mana? - Where have you just come from?
Tuan asal dari mana? - What country are you from?.
Mau ke mana? - Where are you going?
Be careful / attention - Hati Hati

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission.

It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installation

Included transfers - Transfers are included in the tour cost if you arrive on Day 1 and depart on the final day of the tour. As long as you have provided us with your flight you will be met at airport and transferred to your hotel. Upon your arrival please go through to collect checked luggage and then together (all together) please come out of the EXIT door. Outside you will see many people waiting for arriving passengers. There will be our operations staff with a sign reading “YOUR NAME.” Please go direct to him and introduce yourselves. You will be taken straight to your hotel, issued rooms, time for Expedition Briefing fixed, etc. Do let us know if there is any last minute changes to your arrival time.  

Making Your Own Way - The Meeting Point for your tour is advised at the beginning of this dossier. If you have not arranged for us to meet and transfer you on arrival and are therefore making your own way to the Meeting Point it is best upon arrival to pay for your taxi via the offical Taxi office located on the outside wall of the Airport terminal building (not outside the Airport fenced area). This will ensure you pay the set fare to your destination.  

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com