raja ampat… alila experiences · limestone giants raja ampat is famous for its dramatic limestone...

Raja Ampat… Alila Experiences

Limestone Giants

Raja Ampat is famous for its dramatic limestone islands that rise out of

the water in striking dome-like structures. We’ll take you on a speedboat

ride through these islands’ narrow passages to explore their hidden

treasures. From sea eagles to hornbills, these islands house some

fantastic birdlife and the vegetation growing from their sheer cliffs is a

wonderful sight to behold.

Please discuss with your Alila Purnama Cruise Planner to have this

journey included in your Alila Purnama expedition.

Exploring the Uncharted Karst Cave

The sheer limestone cliffs that are so iconic of the area also hide beautiful

cave structures just waiting to be explored. Whether you fancy kayaking,

cruising on a speedboat or even snorkelling through them, all of these

options are fantastic ways to discover the cave systems. We’ll bring

torches, fins and kayaks to cross it from side to side, while floating on its

crystal clear waters. In the mid part of the cave, darkness envelops the

huge inner space, with the only light entering from a hole 40 metres

above. We will slowly pass through the cave, full of alabaster-coloured

stalactites and stalagmites that are hundreds of years old. A beautiful sight

that glows in the light passing through the cave roof.



Kayaking through Aquatic Jungles

Mangrove trees are a species of flora that thrive in coastal sea water

where they act as natural filters for eroded sediment and house a wide

variety of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. Whether you prefer discovering

these aboard our speedboats or wish to explore their nooks and

crannies with our kayaks, this experience is sure to offer something for

all members of your family to remember.



In Search of Birds of Paradise

The bird of paradise is iconic to Raja Ampat, even more so than its

limestone cliffs. These enigmatic birds are sought after by amateur bird

watchers for their extreme beauty and unusual behaviours. Sticking to

tradition with expeditions of the past, this trek starts at 3am to maximise

the chances of finding these birds upon arrival. Their shy nature makes

them relatively difficult to spot and they are sure to hide in full daylight.

At dawn, however, there is a strong chance our experienced guide will

find them, leading to an unforgettable experience that can be found no

place else.



The Island Life

Indonesia’s cultural diversity is staggering with over 700 independent

languages spoken throughout the country. Visiting local villages and

experiencing their lifestyles is an excellent way to learn about these

cultures. From the children’s smiling faces as they welcome you, to the

fishermen with their traditional fishing techniques, you’ll return feeling

fulfilled by the experience. Visit island villages such as Arborek village or

Kampung Biru where villagers have turned to nourishing and maintaining

the area’s rich biodiversity to attract tourism as a source of revenue

instead of fishing as a primary source of income. This has led to

incredible success both in the diversity of marine species around the

island and for the livelihood of its inhabitants. You’ll learn so much about

the island life and the villagers’ culture. A truly fascinating experience.



Pearls of Wisdom

The coral triangle has some of the most biodiverse waters in the world.

With such a variety of organisms in the area, pearl farms tend to thrive

here using the nutrient-rich waters on offer. The people running them

will be more than happy to teach you about the entire process of

farming the oysters, extracting and then treating the pearls. You’ll even

get a chance to bring a little souvenir home from their selection of

locally produced and crafted pearl jewellery.



Jellyfish Galore

On Raja Ampat’s Misool island lies a seasonal lagoon that acts as a

breeding ground for an inoffensive species of jellyfish. Armed with a

snorkel mask and plunging into the lagoon to watch them surround you

is a unique experience that we encourage you to try out. Jellyfish are

rather fascinating creatures as they start their lives as polyps attached to

the sea floor, much like soft corals. As they grow older, the polyp

eventually produces a miniature jellyfish that will continue its life as a

nomad. This process looks fairly similar to a plant shedding its pollen or

seeds.



Swimming with Manta Rays

Swim with one of the most elegant species of marine life that glide through

the pristine waters majestically in groups of up to 50. Indonesia has 2.2

million square miles of ocean and this is now the world's largest sanctuary

for manta rays. These gentle giants pose no danger to humans and are not

related to the stingray. In fact, they are quite inquisitive of our activities in

the waters. Our Cruise Director will ensure you have a once-in-a-lifetime

encounter while ensuring we do not disturb these beautiful creatures.

Please discuss with your Alila Purnama Cruise Planner to have this journey

included in your Alila Purnama expedition.

Trekking in Wayag

Pulau Wayag is a collection of conical karst islands, often featured in the

most recognised photos of Indonesia. This breathtaking land tour will

leave everlasting memories. It will begin with being dropped off by

speedboat in a beautiful little bay, whose crystal clear, vividly coloured

waters are a maximum of 1.5 metres deep. This has created a natural

sandy infinity pool that provides a perfect place to take in the exquisite

and untouched environment and the beautiful array of fishes that make

this such an unforgettable experience. Guests will embark on a 20-25

minute trek uphill to be rewarded with one of the most spectacular

views of this stunning landscape.



Yayasan Misool Baseftin

Misool is so very fortunate to have an organisation dedicated to ensuring the

beautiful waters we share are sustainable, as well as to provide professional

opportunities for the local people to ensure upkeep of one of the world’s most

beautiful locations. Misool Baseftin means “Misool: We own it together” in the

local tribal language. The foundation maintains a broad approach to conservation,

combining environmental, social and educational elements. One of Misool

Baseftin's main projects is operating the Ranger Patrol and protecting Misool Eco

Resort's 828 sq km No-Take Zone. Other projects include maintaining reefs,

educating local children and providing books, sponsoring teachers, a turtle

hatchery sanctuary, and a shark and manta ray sanctuary. Alila Purnama’s guests

will have the opportunity to learn more from a ranger about the foundation’s

daily work and the feats and challenges involved.

Please discuss with your Alila Purnama Cruise Planner to have this journey

included in your Alila Purnama expedition. There is an arrangement cost of USD

50 for this trip, which, as a gesture of goodwill, will be donated to Yayasan Misool

Baseftin.

Learn to Dive

Our wonderful and professional team at Alila Purnama understand

that not all have had the opportunity to dive before arriving on

board, or in such rich and untouched waters. That’s why we set up a

fully functional dive centre aboard the ship that can cater to all levels

of expertise and ensure you can make the most of your dream

holiday.

For those who have never had the chance to dive and experience

this whole new world, the waters of Komodo and Raja Ampat are

the perfect places to start, offering some of the most pristine

conditions in the world, including 10 times more coral and marine

life species than the entire Caribbean Sea, breaking world records for

the greatest diversity and density of marine life. If you are already

certified but fancy brushing up on your diving skills or getting a

higher level qualification, we are more than happy to assist you along

the way.

Diving lessons cost from USD 60. Please discuss with your Alila

Purnama Cruise Planner should you be interested to take a diving

lesson.

raja ampat… alila experiences · limestone giants raja ampat is famous for its dramatic limestone...

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