Timor Leste – Resistance and Independence Tour

Itinerary

1. Day One

   Arrive into Dili

   • Arrival into Dili Airport where you will be met and transferred to our hotel.

   • We start the tour by visiting the Motael Church and the site of the 1991 massacre at Santa Cruz Cemetery. We will then visit the Resistance Archive museum before taking a stroll through the Taibessi fruit and vegetable market, and visiting the Tasi-Tolu Peace Park.

   • At sunset we visit Areia Branca beach.

   • Overnight in Dili.

2. Day Two

   Journey to Baucau

   • We depart for Baucau with a scenic coastline drive, stopping at the Hera Mangroves study centre to see wild monkeys and the Metinaro Heroes Park.

   • Arrive in Baucau in time for lunch and then check into our hotel.

   • Drive to the historical town of Venilale, where we will visit tunnels excavated by the Japanese during WW2, and watch the process of local widow women weaving Tais; a traditional Timor-Leste textile.

   • Late afternoon return to Baucau for dinner.

   • Overnight in Baucau.

3. Day Three

   Relax on Jaco Island

   • After breakfast we continue down the coastline toward Tutuala.

   • The drive to Tutuala village will have several stops to small villages with various cultural highlights, such as seeing a traditional Fataluku house and pay a visit to ancient tombs.

   • We will also journey through the National Park down to Valusere beach.

   • After lunch, we will take a fisherman’s boat across to Jaco Island for leisure.

   • Overnight in a local lodge.

4. Day Four

   Com Village

   • After breakfast, we will take a 1250m trek to Ili-kere-kere to see the old rock paintings.

   • Next we depart toward Com, a sleepy fishing village.

   • Afterwards, we will continue driving back to Dili with plenty of scenic stops along the way.

   • Overnight in Dili.

5. Day Five

   Explore Aileu and Maubisse

   • Today we drive inland through the winding mountain roads toward Aileu and Maubisse.

   • Here we will visit the Dare WWII Memorial and Café, Aikluar Coffee demonstration plant, the Dili Vanilli vanilla demonstration plant and then stop for lunch.

   • After lunch, we will go for a walk in Aileu and Maubisse market, then head to Lekitei village. Here we will hike to a waterfall and visit the Mambae ethnic sacred house.

   • We will then continue onto Hatobuilico where we will check into the hotel and have dinner.

   • Overnight in Hatobiilico.

6. Day Six

   Climb Mt Ramelau

   • An early start! We wake up at 3:00am to climb up Mt. Ramelau (optional) to witness the sunrise (weather permitting).

   • We will then return for breakfast before departing back to Dili.

   • Along the way we will visit the Nicolau Lobato statue at Aisirimou-village, and also visit the Seloi lagoon and Fatisi waterfall before arriving back to Dili where we will visit the Resistance Museum.

   • Overnight in Dili.

7. Day Seven

   National Youth Day

   • Today is National Youth Day, to mark the anniversary of the Santa Cruz massacre, the turning point of the struggle for independence.

   • We will attend a morning service at Motael church, on the site of the killing of Sebastião Gomes, the young independence movement activist.

   • Further events and a ceremony are planned with more details to be announced by the 12 November Committee closer to the time.

   • We will finish the day with a farewell dinner.

8. Day Eight

   Tour Ends

   • Today the tour ends. You are free to depart at any time.