Day 1: Arrival in Ambon, Central Moluccas

• Upon your arrival at Ambon's Pattimura Airport either in the morning or the afternoon, you will be picked up by the friendly staff of your accommodation and taken to your resort hotel for the night.
• The journey from airport to your accommodation, the seaside located Natsepa Resort & Conference Center, takes about 75 min. It is located not far away from the harbour, from which you start your journey to Seram the next morning.
• After your check-in, the remaining day is yours, which you can spend relaxing at the beach to ‘charge your batteries’ for the adventurous tour starting tomorrow.
• Lunch & dinner (both not included) as well as overnight stay in Natsepa Resort & Conference Center.
  
  However, if you prefer to stay in Ambon City Center, for which the journey is about 40 minutes from the airport, we can arrange for this. And if you don't feel like wanting to relax, but looking for an active programme for the day, then we would like to recommend our alternative arrival day programme, as described at the end of this page. 
   

Day 2: Journey from Ambon to Seram Island

• Today, you will wake up a little earlier than usual as your today's journey is long.
• After a hearty breakfast in your accommodation, we will take you to the harbour for your onwards journey to the island of Seram.
• Your fast boat journey from Ambon to Seram Island takes about 2 hours. And during your crossing, you can enjoy the view of the passing by islands' lush green landscape ahead of you. On the right side of the boat, you'll see Haruku and Saparua island, while on the other side is Seram Island - known by the Alifuru people as ‘Nusa Ina’ which means ‘Mother Island’.
• After the 2-hour boat journey, you'll set foot on Seram Island, which is the largest island in the Central Maluku archipelago, containing an incredible variety of biodiversity and cultural heritage.
• Once arrived on the island, you will be picked-up by car and taken together with your guide to Masohi, the capital of Central Maluku. The drive from the fast boat port to the island capital takes only 10 minutes, where you'll rest for about an hour and have lunch.
• After lunch, you'll continue your journey from Masohi in South Seram to North Seram's Masihulan village, located at the foot of Mount Patu Kuti Huwey, and then onwards to Sawai village.
• To reach North Seram, you'll pass through several villages from Masohi town till you reach the Teon Nila Serua (TNS) sub-district. From there, you'll enter one of the most remote areas in the region by crossing hills, valleys and mountains. The landscape on both sides features abundant ferns, orchids, and various trees that line your journey, all while enjoying the cool, fresh air.
• Your journey from Masohi to Masihulan and Sawai takes about 4 hours. During your journey, you will have a stop at a small restaurant in the middle of the ‘wilderness’ to have a coffee or tea to warm up before entering the National Park area. This stop also allows the vehicle's engine to cool down before you continue your journey, as the route from Masohi to Masihulan and Sawai features many turns, descents, and climbs.
• As you continue from the restaurant through the national park area, you'll witness the pristine beauty of Manusela National Park in all its unspoiled glory.
• Along the way, you might spot birds, deer or wild boar crossing the road. You can also see wild orchids growing along the Trans Seram road from south to north.
• During your car journey, you will reach an altitude of ca. 1,200 meters, which now and then allows for great views. Once the car will begin descending, that's the signal, that you're approaching your destination, the villages of Masihulan and Sawai.
• Throughout your journey through forests and mountain ravines, you'll experience unique landscape around you. Finally, you'll arrive at Oa Nain Munina or Roneela Cottage, located above the sea, where you can have a rest in preparation for tomorrow's adventures.
• Dinner at accommodation (not included).
• Overnight stay in Oa Nain Munina or Roneela Cottage.

Day 3: Entering the jungle - Welcome to Manusela National Park

• Today, you'll set off for the national park after an early breakfast at 7:00 am. Your guide will inform the innkeeper at Oa Nain Munina to prepare breakfast early, as you need to enter the forest in the morning. For lunch, you'll bring provisions from the lodge to eat in the forest later.
• The journey from the Oa Nain Munina inn to the forest entry point Manusela National Park is about 2 hours by car. From where you stop the car to the national park shelter is almost another hour on foot. Once arrived at the starting point of your trekking, the car will be unloaded and luggage will be carried by porters during your tour, that you can fully concentrate on the nature and the animal life, which is sourrounding you. An local guide from the national park will navigate you savely during the next few days through this remote part of Manusela National Park's jungle.
• When you arrive in the national park forest, you'll need to set up a tent at your target location to find cassowaries, civets, and possibly deer and wild boar.
• If you plan to spend the night at the national park shelter, your daily activities will involve trekking 1 hour each way to reach the areas where you can observe cassowaries, civets, and other wildlife.
• Your ca. 1 hour walk will take you through rough and uneven terrain, tense forest and you also will have to cross a river. So dont be surprised, if you may feel a little exhausted at the end of the day.

• All along the journey, your guide will point out interesting landscape features, places or animals, in order for you to catch them with your camera for lasting memories. You will have the opportunity to see numerous birds, flowers, in paricular orchids, and other interesting landscape features.
  
  Alternatively, and for more flexibility and convenience, we recommend going directly to your targeted wildlife observation area, Tanusang Wai Ilihea. There, porters and local guides will set up a camp for you to stay for several days. Within just 1 hour of arrival, your camp will be ready. It's an excellent location with open areas along the shallow river where you can walk while observing cassowaries, deer, wilde boar, and civets as they all come to forage in the same area.
  
  We highly recommend for entering the Wai Ilihea forest to bring shoes suitable for walking in water, as your activities will involve walking along shallow rivers to spot your target animals. Also: Don't forget to pack raincoats, flashlights, and necessary medications. Please note, that weather can be changeable with sudden heavy rain or heat sometimes challenging to predict.

  You can count on the jungle expertise of your porters and local guides. They are ready to assist whenever and wherever you need them during your forest expedition. They take their responsibility for your safety and the success of your activities very seriously.

• Your activity while in this location will focus solely on looking for your target wildlife.
• If the weather conditions are favorable at night, you can engage in nocturnal activities to observe animals such as cuscuses and civet cats, which are more active after dark than during daylight hours.
• And if you are interested in trying freshwater hunting, this is your place. You can join the local guide and porters to catch shrimp, eels, and fish after dinner. They will teach you how to catch game without using nets. Using only machetes and spears, you'll be able to catch your prey. The game you catch can be cooked with the spices that have been prepared for your meals at the camp. Selamat makan - Enjoy your meal :-)
• However, you came here to see the very particular wildlife of Seram island. THIS location offers excellent opportunities to spot cassowaries, deer, wild boar, and also civets. It is truly exceptional for wildlife observation. You will see.
• Dinner (included) will be servered in your jungle shelter before you finish the evening and find your sleep while you listen to the 'jungle music' contributed by local insects and owls :-)
   

Day 4 and Day 5: Meeting with Cassuary, Civet & friends

• For the next 2 days, this jungle location is your home. It's certainly lacking comfort, but providing you with plenty of great local wildlife photo opportunities.
• Breakfast (and lunch) preparations will start very early today. No worries, your guide and the porters will take care of this, while you still can turn around in your sleeping bag for one more time.
• However,
• For morning wildlife observation, it's recommended that you are in position by 6:00 am at the spot your local guide has prepared to observe cassuary, civet & friends. You can remain there until 11:00 am before returning to camp for lunch.
• For lunch, you will enjoy what the 'base camp chefs' had prepared for you early this morning, while resting in the middle of the jungle and enjoying the nature around you, before another observation walk in the near sourroundings.
• After lunch, you can rest until around 1:00 pm. Then, with your guide and porter, you can return to the observation spots to set up your camera and wait for your target animals until 6:00 pm. If weather conditions are good, you'll return to camp afterward. The observation points are conveniently located only about 200 meters from the campsite.
• In the evening after finishing dinner at 9:00 pm, you can engage in night activities such as hunting for shrimp, fish, and eels while also looking for cuscuses and civets.
• You'll return to the camp around 10:00 pm to rest and prepare for the next day's activities.
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner (included)
   

Day 6: Departing from Manusela National Park

• Today marks your last day in the Manusela National Park forest (Ilihea River), where you've spent several days searching for your target wildlife. (If you want to stay longer than 2 full days - no worries. Just talk with us.)
• On this final day, after breakfast, you'll pack all your belongings to prepare for the journey back to the Oa Nain Munina inn.
• The return journey follows the same route you took when entering the forest, with a similar duration of about 2 hours.
• When you reach the forest exit, a car will be waiting to take you back to the Oa Nain Munina inn in Sawai village.
• Before returning to Sawai village, however, you'll have a special opportunity.
• You're invited to take your time visiting one of the traditional Huaulu villages, where local culture and ancient wisdom are still well preserved.
• The housing in this village has remained traditional, and the tribe still maintains one large communal house called a Baileo, as named by the Alifuru community. This traditional house serves as the venue for various cultural activities.
• You can walk through the village, visiting different houses, and you may even be invited to enter the traditional Baileo to see the artifacts and spaces used for traditional ceremonies.
• After this cultural experience, you'll continue your journey back to the Oa Nain Munina inn in Sawai.
• There, you'll enjoy lunch (not included) and have time to rest after your adventurous forest expedition.
• Dinner (not included) in your accommodation.
   

Day 7: Masihulan Village & Morite Bird Watching

• On this day, you'll have breakfast at 8:00 am, after which you and your guide will go to Masihulan village.
• There you will have the opportunity to join the local women and learn how to catch fish, shrimp, and eels using traditional fishing equipment.
• This traditional tool, called ‘Anisal’, has been used from ancestral datuk-datuk era to the present by the Alifuru community, especially in Masihulan village. The tool is crafted from bamboo and rattan.
• You'll have the opportunity to try using this traditional fishing tool yourself.
• The Anisal can be used both in rivers and coastal areas, during both high and low tides.
• On this occasion, you'll practice using it together with the local women and your guide on the Utu River, also known as 'Falling Water. After this experience, you'll move to a place called Morite.
• From the inn to the entrance of the Utu River or waterfall it's a 30-minute car ride, followed by a 10-minute walk to reach the river. From the river to the Morite bird watching homestay is another 30-minute walk.
• Lunch will be waiting for you at the homestay. After lunch, you can rest as much as you like while enjoying the forest and pristine large trees of the Morite forest. Many of these large trees contain nests where birds lay eggs. The local community group protects this forest and its ecosystem from irresponsible exploitation. Here, you can observe birds flying, nesting during egg-laying season, or perched in trees close to the homestay.
• This location is home to endemic birds such as the Seram Island Salmon-crested Cockatoo and Purple-naped Lory – prime targets for bird enthusiasts.
• Beyond these endemic species, you can also spot Red Lory, Eclectus Parrot, Hornbill, Red-cheeked Parrot, Moluccan King Parrot, and many other species.
• The area also features butterflies that flutter around the homestay, providing additional visual delight.
• While relaxing with a cup of coffee or tea, you can enjoy the panoramic natural scenery that surrounds the place.
• This location is the only wildlife observation spot on Seram Island, and possibly in the entire Central Moluccas region.
• We recommend having dinner at 6:00 pm at this location, as there is no generator – only traditional kerosene lamps for lighting.
• Later, at 8:00 pm, you'll be invited to venture about 100 meters from the homestay where a local guide with expertise in calling cuscuses will attempt to attract any cuscuses in the vicinity. Note: Only male cuscuses respond to these calls; females will not approach even if they're in the area.
• Around 10:00 pm, you'll return to the homestay to rest for the night.

Day 8: From Masihulan Morite to Sawai Village

• For this morning, we recommend that you wake up as early as 6:00 am, as this early start allows you to experience the magical atmosphere of sunrise and witness the blankets of fog covering the trees like sea waves stretching into the distance. The location where you're staying has no air pollution, being surrounded by dense forest.
• After that wonderful experience, it is time for breakfast (included). And after finishing breakfast, you'll prepare to leave the Morite bird watching place.
• The journey from the homestay back to the road where the car is waiting for you is about 20 minutes, and your transportation will be ready there.
• On your return trip to Oa Nain Munina Inn in Sawai Village, you will have time to meet the indigenous Alifuru people. The Alifuru are nomads who live in the forest in small, simple houses and feed on what they have grown in their gardens. You are invited to taste the delicious traditional food cooked in bamboo from the garden of the nature people. You will not be disappointed.
  
  Alternatively, you'll have time to visit one of the Alifuru elders.
  This person lives a simple yet content life, moving from one place to another as has been their custom until now.
  Here, you can sample traditional dishes cooked in bamboo, prepared with plants grown in the elder's own garden.
  The elder lives alone, without wife or children. 
   
• Afterwards and if time allows, you will continue to a palm plantation where sago is processed. You are invited to help with the processing and taste the sago at the end.
• Then, you'll continue your journey to Sawai Oa Nain Inn for lunch (not included).
• After lunch at 1:00 pm, you'll visit the rock cliffs for swimming and also explore Ora Beach.
• You'll return to the Oa Nain Munina Inn around 4:00 pm to rest and have dinner (not include).
   

Day 9: Salawai River Cruise

• After finishing breakfast (included) at 8:00 am, you'll be ready for your next tour.
• Today's excursion takes you along the Salawai River, one of the largest and longest rivers in North Seram, which holds enormous potential for the local communities, especially the villages surrounding it.
• The Salawai River serves as a food source for the people here, as its banks are lined with numerous sago trees that can be processed for food and sold to other villages and even exported to Java. So indeed, this river represents a significant natural resource.
• Here, you can observe locals processing sago using semi-modern tools, which you have the opportunity to see. Your journey will continue to the Wai Mauli or Wai Toto waterfall.
• The round trip by longboat from Sawai to Wai Mauli or Wai Toto takes approximately 6 hours. During your journey today, if you're fortunate, you might spot crocodiles sunbathing beside the river.
• For this tour, your lunch (not included) has been packed and brought along.
• Upon returning from the waterfall, you'll stop to enjoy your lunch.
• Afterwards, you'll visit Bat Island to observe the bats on Raja Island before returning to the Oa Nain inn.
• There, you'll have time to rest and relax.
• Your dinner (not included) will be served in Oa Nain Munina Inn.
   

Day 10: Return journey from North Seram to the island of Ambon

• Once again, it's time to get up early. At 5:00 am, after breakfast and before sunrise, it's time to check out to get back to Masohi.
• In the middle of the Manusela National Park, however, you will make another stop to enjoy the wonderful sunrise from a viewpoint - looking east in the fresh air at an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level. Let your soul dangle sourrounded by fresh mountain air and enjoy the moment :-)
• Before reaching Masohi -and if there is enough time-, you can make a short 10-20 minute visit to a special collection site featuring orchids from all over Maluku. You will also have the opportunity to visit a traditional market.
• Lunch will be served in a restaurant en-route, only about 10 minutes from the harbour.
• Masohi harbour is the place from where your speedboat leaves for Ambon at 2.00 pm.
• Your guide will then accompany you to the speedboat and onwards to your hotel.
• Before you arrive at your hotel, you will have the opportunity to stopp for a photo at Karang Panjang, the Martha Christina Tia-hahu Monument, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view and at the Ambon World Peace Gong.
• There, your guide will help you with your luggage and say goodbye. Don't be surprised if you get a hug, due to your long tour travelling together, the locals consider you already a good friend.
• Dinner (not included) at Swiss-Belhotel Ambon or Spice Island Divers & Resort.
• Overnight stay at Swiss-Belhotel Ambon or Spice Island Divers & Resort.
   

Day 11: Airport transfer

• After a good breakfast (included), your journey continues to Ambon Pattimura Airport where you will be taken to by the friendly staff of your accommodation.
• An adventurous time is coming to an end here. We hope, you can look back to very memorable holidays and enjoyed the tour.
• We wish you a safe and pleasant onwards journey and hope to see you again.

This tour, in particular the jungle part in Manusela National Park, can be extended upon request and adapted to personal needs. The tour also can be shortened and some tour features left out. In case of a tour extension, further overnight stays will be made as you indicate.

TOUR EXTENSION OPTIONS ‘Moluccas: Seram Island Trekking Adventure Tour’
-Additional Individual Days- 

Ambon: Arrival in Ambon and Ambon Island tour

• As your flight has arrived at Ambon Pattimura Airport earlier this morning and you would like to make the most out of your time available, you will be met by your guide and driver, who will welcome you outside the airport and take you on an Ambon Island tour before dropping you off at your hotel later that afternoon.
• You will first drive to Pattimura Park, where you will see the monument of Captain Pattimura, Maluku's freedom fighter around 1817, in the village of Tantui. And only a few meters further away, you will have the opportunity to take a look at and a photo of Ambon's impressive World Peace Gong.
• You will then continue to Waai village where you can see close up the sacred eels, which live in a sea cave. The water that springs from it is crystal clear and flows into a small lake from here.
• Lunch en-route (included).
• On the way back you will stop at Tulehu where you can take a short walk through the sago forest. We have estimated about half an hour for this.
• You will continue on your way to Natsepa beach, where you can taste salted tropical fruits, so called ‘rujak’, while enjoying the beautiful Natsepa scenery.
• You will then return to Kota Ambon, the City of Ambon - the island's capital, and make your final stop at Karang Panjang Martha Christina Tia-hahu Monument, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view.
• Now it's back to your accommodation, the Swiss Bellhotel (or similar), where you can also have your dinner.
• Dinner (not included).
• From here you will head towards Latuhalat, where you will spend your first night on Ambon.
• Your accommodation is the Swiss Bellhotel or similar, where you can also have dinner.
• Dinner is not included.
   

Seram: Meeting with Cassuary, Civet & friends in Manusela National Park

• Today's schedule will be following the same pattern as the one of your last two days (Day 4 & Day 5).  
• But every day is different, and if you haven't had the chance for the perfect picture yesterday or the day before, it may come today. Be aware and keep eyes open :-)
• Also today, we will be continuing to follow the trails of Cassowary, Civet & friends, but can also make use of the time to look out for other interesting jungle dwellers, such as the Salmon-crested Cockatoo and others.
• Dinner will be servered in your base camp.
   

Seram: Trip to Pulau Tujuh '7 Island’

• Today is the final day of your tour in North Seram.
• For your last excursion, you'll be visiting Seven Island.
• You'll start early today, with breakfast being served at 5:00 am and departure at 5:30 am for ‘7 Island’. This early start allows you to enjoy the breathtaking sunrise over the open sea, with mountains stretching behind you.
• Upon arrival at Pulau Tujuh, you can explore the remnants from World War II Japanese occupation, including building ruins and an old well. The island is also home to various island birds that you can observe.
• If you haven't brought lunch from the Oa Nain inn, it is possible to order food from local residents who operate small food stalls on the island.
• If you have packed lunch from the inn, you can simply enjoy your meal on the island. After your visit, you'll return to Sawai at 3:00 pm, as the round trip journey between Sawai and Seven Island takes approximately 5 hours.
• For safety purposes during the boat journey, it is strongly recommended to wear a life vest (provided by us) to protect against the possibility of sudden changes in ocean conditions.
• You'll be arriving back in Sawai in the early evening.