Adventure awaits crossing Timor-Leste on foot from coast to coast
Do what less than 100 people have ever done, and cross the whole country on foot, from the capital Dili to the south coast of Timor-Leste, climbing the highest mountain (Mt Ramelau) on the way. This is true adventure, walking across the mountainous spine of the island, enjoying varied and spectacular scenery throughout. Note that there are different routes available depending on your appetite for summiting mountains and road walking, which are happy to discuss with you. This 7 day itinerary follows the route taken in July 2024 (which was impacted by unseasonal weather half way through), but will give you a good idea of what the Coast2Coast hike involves.
Day 1 » Dili » Fatisi » SELOI CRAIC
7am Get picked up from your hotel and drive 30 minutes to Fatisi, on the outskirts of the Dili region, to avoid busy road walking in the city. Walk up part of a tributary to the Comoro River, one of the largest river systems in the country, before a steep ascent up into the hills of Ermera. Follow a ridgeline home to a number of villages, before reaching the beautiful lagoon of Seloi Craic (pictured below) to camp for the night.
Duration:6 hours Distance:11.9km Elevation:up 991m, down 156m
Day 2 » Seloi Craic » Hahulo Ramsu
Cross about two thirds of the beautiful municipality of Aileu in one day, walking through villages and enjoying big views from the ridgelines. Walk out of Seloi Craic through rice fields before heading up into the hills before setting up camp in the panoramically situated village of Hahulo Ramsu.
Duration:8 hours Distance:15.4km Elevation:up 744m, down 370m
Day 3 » Hahulo Ramsu » Usululi
Another big day, but with views to reward the effort, particularly in the afternoon as we summit Mt Maubo (pictured below), which offers great views of the 2,986m Mt Ramelau (pictured on the cover), the highest point in Timor-Leste. We cross crosses three municipalities (Aileu, Ermera, and Ainaro), through atmospheric forest before camping with a view with Mt Ramelau.
Duration:8 hours Distance:14km Elevation:up 1,018m, down 195m
Day 4 » Hatu Builico » summit Mt Ramelau » Hatu Builico
Hatu Builico (pictured below), the highest village in Timor-Leste, is a short drive from Usululi, avoiding hiking a dangerous ridgeline up Mt Ramelau. It is a beautiful village, and we’ll spend a few hours walking around looking at the Former Portuguese colonial administrative building, Uma Lulik (traditional Timorese sacred houses), impressive new church, the markets (if they’re on that day), and visit a cemetery with a view.
In the afternoon head up to the summit of Mt Ramelau to enjoy sunset, which unlike sunrise, you’re likely to have to yourself. Enjoy a night in a guesthouse, before returning to camping for the rest of the trip
Hatu Builico Duration:3 hours Distance:6.8km Elevation:up and down 215m
Mt Ramelau Duration:4 hours Distance:10.5km Elevation:up and down 600m
Day 5 » Hatu Builico » Dokomali Falls » Lepulau
One of the more spectacular days as we walk out of Hatu Builico, through rarely hiked areas, down to the incredible Dokomali Falls, probably the best waterfall in Timor-Leste.
Duration:6 hours Distance:13.6km Elevation:up 106m, down 1,024m
Day 6 » Lepulau » Mt Kablaki » Mausiga
Mt Kablaki (2,062m) may only be the fourth highest mountain in Timor-Leste, but it is one of the most difficult and dangerous. We take a slightly easier traverse around the side of the mountain, offering incredible views, and the most challenging terrain of the whole Coast2Coast hike. Paths are usually overgrown or non-existent, and shoulder high grass is common, but the views are more like the European Alps than what you would imagine in Southeast Asia.
Duration:6 hours Distance:5.9km Elevation:up 566m, down 628m
Day 7 » Mausiga » Betano » SAME
To avoid significant road walking you can use the support vehicle to hike the most scenic areas of Manufahi, including traditional Timorese houses south of Same, along by the significant Caraulun River, and head to Betano (pictured below) on the south coast where Australian troops landed (and were evacuated from) during WW2.
Duration:5-6 hours Distance:13km Elevation:up 100m, down 100m
Day 8 » Same » DILI
Relax on the 4 hour drive back from Same to Dili, travelling through at higher speeds the landscapes you’ve just spent a week walking through. Perhaps stop for a refreshing dip at the natural swimming pool near Same (pictured below).
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Price
TBC please inquire as it varies based on the number of people
Inclusions
- 8 day tour
- 7 nights camping
- All meals during the hike
- Water, tea and coffee
- 4WD vehicle
- Vehicle back up service
- English speaking driver / guide
- Experienced hiking guide
- Support crew
- Tent
- Sleeping bag, blankets, and sleeping mat (though you may want to bring an additional mat)
Exclusions
- Any other drinks
- Any other personal items
Payment
- Confirmation of tour services for groups not less than 21 days prior to tour commencing.
- 20% deposit of total invoice is due at time of confirmation.
- Full payment of invoice due immediately if notice of confirmation is less than 14 days prior to tour commencing.
Cancellation
- The deposit, being 20% of total invoice is forfeited if cancelation is notified less than 7 days.
Important notes
- Basic sanitation while camping, cold showers, bush toilet during hike
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry
- 30 day tourist visa granted on arrival for US$30 (cash only, bring with you as there is no accessible ATM at the airport)
- Mastercard is only accepted at BNU ATMs, nowhere else in Timor-Leste
- Currency is in USD, bring USD $5, $10 and $20 notes, or use ATM in Dili
- Timor-Leste coins (5c, 10c, 25c, 50c, $1, $2) are used widely and available only in the country
What to expect
Hiking in Timor-Leste is always an experience, but to enjoy it you need to be prepared.
Climate
Timor-Leste is a hot place to hike. Around the coast expect day time temperatures above 30C all year round, and even in the mountains it is commonly above 20C, and feels hotter in the sunshine. The best months to hike in Timor-Leste are June and July, when it is slightly cooler, and dry, while still retaining some of the lush greenery from the wet season. Toward the end of the dry season in September the landscape is dusty and parched.
Heat stroke is probably the biggest risk while hiking in Timor-Leste. At worse heat stroke can cause death, but even mild heat stroke can cause headaches and vomiting. The combination of heat, humidity and hills, is challenging as sweating is not effective in cooling down the body. These are good approaches…
- Drink a lot of water, more than you may be used to drinking. Dehydration is a risk given the amount that you are likely to be sweating. If you don’t need to go to the toilet, then you’re not drinking enough.
- Add electrolytes / hydrolytes to your water. You can buy these cheaply in pharmacies and they provide your body with a welcome boost of sugar and salts to help replace what is lost through sweating.
- Shade is essential to help your body cool down. Sunhats are a must, along with resting regularly in the shade.
- Wearing a wet cloth around the neck, wetting your hat or shirt, or pouring water on the back of your neck are all effective and refreshing!
Terrain
The hike is mostly on rough tracks used by locals, with some dirt road walking in places. There aren’t really any managed hiking tracks in Timor-Leste like you may find in other countries. There is almost no signage either, and often a multitude of tracks make it easy to get lost without closely following a map or a local guide.
Nearly half the land in Timor-Leste is at a slope of 40 degrees or more, so expect to generally be either going up or down a steep hill. Soils are often easily eroded by rainfall so expect loose stones underfoot as standard, but tree roots aren’t an issue. When walking along roads locals walk in the same direction as traffic, i.e. on the left-hand side, and drivers will use their horn if they’re approaching closely from behind.
There may be some river crossings required. Later in the dry season rock hopping is usually possible, but in some places this may not be possible. Either remove your boots, or cross in them, as they dry quickly in the hot climate.
Wildlife
Although Timor-Leste is home to poisonous animals and plants, you are highly unlikely to come across them while hiking. Snakes are rarely seen. The biggest risk is from mosquitoes carrying Dengue or Chikungunya, so take suitable precautions, particularly at the start and end of the day if hiking in the wet season or early in the dry season.
The most common animal you’ll come across hiking are dogs, which are almost guaranteed at every Timorese house. They are likely to bark, much less likely to bite, but care should be taken. As a general rule of thumb, the more remote the house, the greater the reaction. Rabies had been eradicated from Timor-Leste, but there was a localised outbreak in western Timor-Leste in 2024. It is best to move quickly (but not run) past dogs, and the following approaches can be taken in order of escalation…
- Ignore them, avoid eye contact
- Get the attention of their owner by calling out bondia (good morning) or boa tarde (good afternoon)
- Reach down to the ground to pick up (or look like you are picking up) a rock or wave a hiking stick
Accommodation
All our multi-day hiking trips are camping, but with a Timorese flavour! Campsites are not that common, but every village has a school and local government offices. With permission from the leader of the local community we may camp at these sites. They provide good shelter and usually have toilet and washing facilities available.
Food
There are very few shops in the areas in which we hike, and cooking facilities are limited to the gas cookers we bring with us, so expect simple but tasty and filling meals. Breakfast may be muesli, eggs, and fresh bread. Lunch is cooked on the go, and may be noodles, eggs, cheese and bread. Popcorn may be made as a pre-dinner snack. Dinner may be rice, meat (usually chicken), tinned tuna, and whatever vegetables we can buy locally. If you have any dietary requirements or requests please let us know.
Water
Our support vehicle will always have sufficient drinking water, usually in 1.5 litre bottles, so you can resupply at the start and end of each day.
Toilets and washing
Most of the sites we camp at will have some toilet and washing facilities, but expect them to be basic. Squat toilets and bucket showers are standard. You may want to bring jandals to wear. If there is no toilet available the crew will dig a hole and erect a toilet tent.
Support crew
A typical support crew will include a lead hiking guide, driver, and a supporting crew who will carry the lunch and cooking gear during the day. Tipping is not expected but would be welcomed by the team.
Mobile phone coverage
Mobile phone coverage is limited outside of the main towns and larger villages. Of the three local providers, Telemor tends to have the best coverage.
Charging devices
Devices can be charged using the support vehicle USB ports, and some of the places we camp may have mains electricity.
Typical day
Up around 6am, breakfast, pack up camp, and start hiking between 7.30am and 8am. Lunch is around noon. Arrive at camp between 4pm and 5pm. Dinner around 7pm.
What to bring
- At least 3 litre capacity bottles and / or camelbak, if not more so you can carry sufficient water for a full day hiking in the heat
- Hiking poles
- Decent hiking shoes with good grip
- Sun hat
- Electrolytes / hydrolytes to help rehydrate
- Snacks
- Sleeping bag liner
- Insect repellent
- Sun lotion
- Umbrella to protect from the sun
- Sitting mat
- Earplugs as night time in Timor can be surprisingly noisy
- Multi-plug travel adaptor with surge protection
- Toilet paper
- Travel towel
- Swimming togs for the hot springs
- Blister packs
- Drone (if you have one, as there are almost no restrictions on flying them in Timor-Leste, and the landscapes are stunning)
- Charging cables for your devices, with a standard USB connection
- Head torch for around camp
- Day pack for hiking, containing water, snacks, camera, etc
- Bag that will go in the support vehicle with everything else. A holdall type bag that weighs less than 20kg is ideal.
Adventure travel
By its very nature, adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to back at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may need to be altered. To get the most from your tour it is important to be flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. The environments we travel through are fragile and it is our responsibility as visitors to minimise the impact of our presence.