Adventure awaits on Timor-Leste’s highest mountain
The early start may be bracing, but watching the sunrise from the 2,986m summit of Timor-Leste’s highest mountain is an unforgettable experience. On your way to and from the hike visit the interesting regional centres of Aileu and Maubisse.
Day 1 » Dili » Dare » Aileu » Maubisse » Hatu Builico
9am pick up from your hotel and transfer to Hatu Builico via Maubisse. Head up into the hills behind Dili, a scenic drive that offers spectacular bird’s eye view of the capital and Atauro Island across the Wetar Strait.
Stop at the Australian WWII Memorial in Dare for break and learn about history and the bravery of the Sparrow Force and their Timorese friends who were as much part of the efforts during the war.
Aileu is home to a number of historic and religious memorials, and local markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In 1999 it was briefly considered as a potential capital for Timor-Leste before Dili was confirmed to remain as the capital.
From rice to potatoes, beans, cassava and all types of vegetables, the abundance of local grown vegetables grown in this region supplies the capital city’s demand for fresh produce.
The town of Maubisse is set about 1,600 meters above sea level, and is noticeably cooler than Dili. The cone shaped thatched homes, built with bamboo or mud walls that can be spotted throughout the drive are the traditional house typical of this region. The thatched roofs come low to the ground, designed to protect the inside of the house from cold strong winds.
Visit the Portuguese built Pousada hotel, set on top of a hill in the centre of the town. It offers 360° views of the town and surrounding mountains and valleys. Though needing serious maintenance work, it still features the original parquetry floors and fire place.
Continue the drive through alpine like terrain en route to Hatu Builico (pictured below), the highest village in Timor-Leste. From Dili to Maubisse the road is sealed, onto Hatu Builico is a 4WD only road, which can become impassable during the height of the wet season. Arrive into Hatu Builico around 5pm.
Day 2 » Mt Ramelau summit » Hatu Builico » Maubisse » Aileu » DILI
3:30amTransfer to the car park at the Sanctuary entrance
4am Start climb to the peak of Mt Ramelau, aiming to arrive after 2.5 hours walk in time to watch a spectacular sunrise from the summit.
The trail head is marked by a large gateway, after which are steps which give way to the track further up. 500m below the summit is an open air chapel, which has been rebuilt after the original was destroyed by fire in October 2020. At the summit is an impressively robust alabaster statue of the Virgin Mary, known as Nain Feto Ramelau (Our Lady of Ramelau), which gifted by Italy in 1997.
Every year in March and October there are pilgrimages to commemorate the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Around 25,000 people summit Mt Ramelau / Tatamailau annually, the vast majority of whom are Timorese visiting for religious reasons, with mass held at the open air chapel.
Head back down the way you came, before breakfast at the guesthouse. Return to Dili by around 5pm, travelling through Maubisse and Aileu.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Price
US$265 per person (based on 3 people per vehicle). Private tour 1 or 2 person please inquiry
Inclusions
- 2 day tour
- 1 night accommodation at guesthouse in Hatu Builico
- Breakfast at Hatu Builico guesthouse
- 4WD vehicle
- Vehicle back up service
- English speaking driver / guide
- Local guide for hiking Mt Ramelau
- Entrance fees for Mt Ramelau
Exclusions
- Lunch and dinner
- 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 at guesthouses, 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 bring
- A head torch is useful for the walk up in the dark
- The summit of Mt Ramelau is the coldest place in the country (and often windy) so take some layers
- Always have at least one 1.5 litre bottle of drinking water handy, there is no water available on the hike so take plenty
- Snacks for the hike
- Hiking poles, if you have them, particularly for the descent
- Decent hiking shoes with good grip
- Sun hat
- Sun lotion
- Multi-plug travel adaptor with surge protection
- Toilet paper
- Travel towel
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.
