Then there is the magical Island of Bali, with bustling Kuta... a shoppers paradise, and scenic artsy Ubud...with terraced rice paddies.

We specialize in customizing trips to meet every expectation. Let us put together a trip that gives you a sampling of a little of everything!

May we suggest...

Relax and unwind for a couple of days on Bali, and while you are there, we recommend a day trip up to Ubud and the surrounding areas. Some things of interest...

• A visit to the Bali Bird Park, a meticulously kept botanical garden filled with exotic birds.
• A trip to the village of Mas to visit one of the islands finest mask sculptors, Wayan Muka, who demonstrates mask making at its best.
• A visit to the heron/egret sanctuary in the village of Petulu. You can see thousands of herons returning for the night to roust in a few select trees.
• A visit to the the picturesque Elephant Park. You have an opportunity to ride the elephants, with their personal trainer, of course, along a scenic and shady trail through the forest.

Plan a day to view Lombok's scenic interior, it is a must! Lush green rice paddies and lots of local color. Some things of interest...

• A stop at one of the pottery villages, where you have a chance to view the traditional methods used to produce the famous Lombok pots. The women of the village can be seen forming the pots each day, using scraps of glass to cut intricate patterns and textures on the surface. They sit them in the hot sun for preliminary drying, and fire them outside under an open fire fueled by dried rice stalks.
• A favorite is Pringasella, a tiny village where traditional weaving is done. Watch as intricate patterns are woven into their cloth. This village also hand spins and hand dyes many of the threads used for the cloths.
• From Pringasella, it is a short hop to Tetebatu, a picturesque village at the base of Mount Rinjani. A good place to stop for lunch and walk through beautiful terraced rice fields and the lush surrounding forests.
• For those diehard guests, how about a trek up Mount Rinjani! Not for weaklings, this is a grueling three day adventure, and you had better be in shape. The view from the outer lip of the caldera is breathtaking and once down inside, the soak in the hot springs is a must. The trek requires 2 nights of tent camping, and local porters carry in all the required gear, including food. You will be well fed!

The two small islands of Moyo and Satonda, sit just off the coast of Sumbawa. Moyo is home to only a couple of villages, as it used to be the hunting lodge of high ranking officials. We suggest a visit to the village of Sebotok, where our guides will take you on a scenic walk, down a path between two fishing villages. Our visit with the local people will allow an intimate glimpse of village life...be prepared to be greeted by loads of laughing school children. Along the way, you get a opportunity to observe hundreds of giant fruit bats in the trees overhead.

Satonda Island is a small uninhabited volcanic island. Here you will have the opportunity to take a short walk from the beach to the lip of the caldera to view the large saltwater lake, which now fills the crater. The local ranger tells of the violent eruption of Mount Tambora, in 1815, which created the tsunami that filled the crater with salt water. After the visit to the interior lake, take a glimpse of the underwater world and snorkel just off the beach. The island is also home for a large colony of fruit bats, and as we depart the island we are able to see the bats silhouetted against the sunset, as they take flight for the evening.

The island of Gili Lawa Laut is on the northern tip of Komodo. Go ashore and walk to the top of the hill, to can catch the magnificent view of the islands of Komodo National Park. On a clear day you can see all the way to Flores.

This crescent sandy bay offers some superb opportunities to swim or snorkel.

The islands of Rinca and Komodo, are home base for a small group of Komodo National Park Rangers. Early morning is the best time to set out on a nature walk to explore these two preserved habitats of the world's largest lizard - the Komodo dragon.  Weighing up to 350 pounds and with a total length of over 10 feet, these fearsome hunters charge swiftly to bring down a variety of herbivores including Barking Deer, Feral Pigs, and even wild horses.  Their saliva is extremely poisonous; if their bite does not bring an animal down immediately, the prey will later succumb to fatal infection.  Individual Komodo Dragons live over 60 years, but the species has been around for 10 million years. Mating takes place in June or July, and their nests harbor clutches of up to 30 eggs. The hatchlings climb into the trees and hunt insects, rodents, and small birds. As they grow, their hunting skills become more refined, and their prey larger. By two years of age, the young dragons are easily able to bring down a small deer.

The National Park features the exquisite Lontar palms with bright pink Vandal Orchids, which sprout along the trunks of trees.  The park is located in the region known as Wallacia, denoting the overlapping of Australian and Asian bio-geographical areas. This overlapping ensures an interesting mix of bird species including Sulphur-crested Cockatoos of Australian origin, and Monarch Flycatchers and Kingfishers originating from Southeast Asia.  The Maleo Bird may also be seen; this species lays its eggs in piles of rotting leaves to utilize the heat of composting for incubation.

One of the main reasons people go to Sumaba is to experience firsthand the animist culture and the megaliths of the Sumbanese.

The traditional village is quite striking in design, its most distinguishing feature being huge houses topped with hat-like roofs. Most villages are set upon fortified hills, centered around megalithic graves. Traditionally a totem made from a petrified tree, with enemy skulls would also be on display, but the Indonesian government has now outlawed skull trees.

Funerals can be impressive events, and the more important the person, the more animal sacrifices. A prestigious person will be sent on their way, with several days worth of slaughter and feasting, the corpse wrapped in hundreds of exquisite ikats.

The hand dyed, handspun ikat blankets of East Sumba are ablaze with animals and headhunting images, and are worn still today by men and women alike. The men wear one blanket around the waist and another identical one across the shoulder. Women wear a cylindrical cloth as a dress, belted at the waist.  The process of making the ikat is laborious. The cotton must be harvested and spun into threads, a pattern is tied into the threads with a dye resistant string, and then the threads are soaked in natural dyes repeatedly, with the dye. Finally weaving begins, almost a year later.