Indonesia’s Sacred Temples and Natural Sanctuaries

From Singapore to Darwin, PAUL GAUGUIN Cruises is offering a 15-day journey, in the heart of the Java, Flores, Banna and Timor Seas.  Aboard Le Paul Gauguin, a ship with a decidedly relaxed and international atmosphere, set off to discover fascinating and idyllic lands where cultural heritage, secular traditions and natural treasures come together in a delightful blend.

Leaving from the multicultural and contrasting city of Singapore, the Paul Gauguin will sail south, towards the warm waters of the Java Sea. On Bangka Island, a veritable verdant jewel off the east coast of Sumatra, you will enjoy unique moments far from overcrowded beaches. Protected by immense granite blocks, Parai Beach, on the north-east of the island, is an authentic tropical Eden.

On the north coast of Java, Semarang, a cosmopolitan city with Chinese, Indo-Arabic and European influences, stands before you. From this city of a thousand treasures, you will set off to discover the incredible site of Borobudur. Listed as a UNESCO Word Heritage site, this monumental Buddhist temple compounds from the 8th and 9th centuries is home to some 240 temples.

After an all-new port of call at Surabaya, or “the city of heroes” due to the important role it played for independence during the Indonesian National Revolution, the Paul Gauguin will set sail towards the legendary, gentle and emblematic island of Bali. Fall under the spell of this setting unlike any other, with its lush paddy fields, idyllic beaches and majestic temples.

You will explore the marvellous Komodo National Park where the famous dragons, a prehistoric species, reign supreme over the island’s herbaceous landscapes. During your port of call in the Timorese capital, Dili will reveal you the beauty of its intact landscapes, between tropical forest and immaculate sandy beaches, and also the riches of its historic and cultural heritage.

For the grand finale, this enchanted journey will end on the shores of Australia’s Northern Territory in Darwin, a multicultural city where more than 50 ethnic peoples co-exist in perfect harmony with their environment.