Adventure awaits on Jaco Island, in Nino Konis Santana National Park, Timor-Leste’s only national park
Established in 2007, Nino Konis Santana National Park is home to a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife, including over 200 species of birds, sea turtles, deer and monkeys. Around 15,000 people in five villages live inside the park boundaries. People have lived in the area continuously for over 40,000 years, and over 100 archaeological sites have been documented.
Day 1» Manatuto » Baucau » COM
8am leave Dili for a scenic 6 hour drive along the northern coastline of Timor-Leste, travelling through Manatuto, Baucau and Lautém municipalities. Lunch in Timor-Leste’s second largest city, Baucau, before arriving at Kati guesthouse (or similar) in beautiful Com, a laid back and relaxing place (pictured below).
Day 2 » Com » Ira Lalaro » TUTUALA
8.30am leave the beach at Com to travel through the interior of Lautém, along significantly rougher roads. Travel along the northern edge of Lake Ira Lalaro, the largest lake in Timor-Leste. It is a seasonal body of water, whose size expands greatly during the wet season, from 1,000 hectares to 5,500 hectares. In the wet season it is home to around 300 crocodiles. Arrive at the dramatically situated Pousada Lautem in Tutuala around lunchtime.
In the afternoon visit ancient rock art at Ili Kere Kere (pictured below) and Lene Hara Caves. The rock paintings portray the livelihoods of the Fataluku people. These paintings are of great anthropological significance, as studies have found them of very similar designs found in other Southeast Asia countries, such as the Philippines where nomadic tribes from the same roots originated from North Asia also settled. Recent findings record the oldest fish hooks made of bone found in a cave nearby, the oldest rock harpoon and a new rock carving in nearby areas of Leneara caves.
Day 3 » Tutuala » Jaco Island » BAUCAU
8.30am from Tutuala head down to the coast at Valu Beach. From here take a small boat across to Jaco Island for a couple of hours. Jaco is an uninhabited, 10km2 island about 700m off the eastern end of mainland Timor-Leste, home to beautifully clear waters off a white sand beach. There is an impressive set of whale bones to the south of where the boats land, and a thick bush interior with no paths, and it is a quiet and relaxing place. Snorkelling is possible here but you will need to bring your own gear. Jaco Island is considered sacred by Timorese and staying overnight is not allowed.
In the afternoon drive to Baucau, the second largest city of Timor-Leste, set in a hill overlooking the ocean. Fishing and rice farming were once the main activities, though all sort of businesses have thrived here since independence in 2000, as this is a main stop for many on the way to other further districts, making it a very busy city with a lively daily market. There are many historic sights in Old Baucau, easily explored on foot from your hotel, including a famous swimming pool (pictured below).
Stay at Pousada de Baucau. This hotel was built during Portuguese times for weekend getaways from Dili. The Pousada features the original hotel building with parquetry floors typical of the Portuguese architecture.
Day 4 » Baucau » Manatuto » DILI
8.30am leave Baucau to return to Dili by lunchtime. You will pass by the town of Laleia (church pictured below), home town of renowned Timorese Resistance leader Kairala Xanana Gusmao, and the coastal town of Manatuto. Short stops for photos along the way.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Price
US$687 per person (based on 3 people per vehicle). Private tour 1 or 2 person please inquiry
Inclusions
- 4 day tour
- 3 nights accommodation at Kati Guesthouse (or similar), Pousada Lautem (or similar) and Pousada de Baucau
- Breakfast at Kati Guesthouse (or similar), Pousada Lautem (or similar) and Pousada de Baucau
- 4WD vehicle
- Vehicle back up service
- English speaking driver / guide
- Boat trip to Jaco Island
- Entry fees
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
- 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
- Always have at least one 1.5 litre bottle of drinking water handy as dehydration is a risk
- Snorkelling gear for Jaco Island
- Insect repellent
- 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.
