Hotel (4 nights) Guesthouse (2 nights), Homestay (2 nights)

Accommodation notes

We stay in basic guest house accommodation with fans, squat toilets and mandy bucket showers. Travelling to rural Timor-Leste is remote tourism infrastructure is limited. We work closely with all guesthouse owners to ensure the quality of accommodation is maintained to ensure a safe and hygienic stay. We only use rural guesthouses with good reputations, safe and secure locations, and the best amenities available.

Home stay Atauro Island: You will stay in homestays with your host families nearby to each other group members and close to the beach. Please note that on Atauro Island there is a regular power cut from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am but the evenings are usually pleasant with a nice breeze. The homestay does not have towels so you may wish to bring your own.

8 breakfasts, 7 dinners and 7 lunches

Food and dietary requirements

While travelling with us you’ll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

The majority of meals are included on this trip due to limited options outside of Dili. In Dili you can expect a variety of Western and Asian style options. In the rural areas options are typically Timorese and Asian style. Clean drinking water is provided for the entire tour

Is this trip right for you

As Timor-Leste is off the typical tourist track, infrastructure is limited, and accommodation basic. You can expect clean and comfortable lodgings with fans, squat toilets, and traditional mandi bucket showers. On Atauro Island the group will be divided into different home stays where there may be differences in the standard of living between households.

Some guides may be very new to the tourism industry so know that you are supporting the next generation of tourism leaders. Our local Timor-Leste operator works in partnership with local universities to provide practical tour guide training opportunities to graduate students.

A good level of fitness is required to hike to the summit of Timor-Leste’s highest mountain, at 2986m above sea level. You’ll wake at 2.30 am to begin the walk, which is a 5-hour round trip.

The stories and history shared at the Santa Cruz cemetery, Chega Exhibition and Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum are confronting and many travellers will find them upsetting. This is an important part of Timor-Leste’s recent history that we feel is important for travellers to know. If you would prefer not to join these activities your leader can recommend some optional alternatives.

Transport notes

An airport arrival and departure transfer is included in your trip.

Public transport including buses, ‘microlets’ and trucks are not well maintained and high risk. Many taxis are in poor condition. If traveling in Timor-Leste before or after your trip, arrange transport through your accommodation. Avoid using taxis, especially if you’re a woman due to increased risk of crime.

Road conditions in Timor-Leste are poor and driving can take a long time even over short distances due to potholes, pedestrians and animals on the road, single-lane mountain roads, police checkpoints and roadblocks.

On this trip we will be using 4×4 vehicles as the road conditions in most part of the country is challenging and requires a powerful vehicle. Most probably we will be using Land Cruiser Troopy, ideal for roads in Timor Leste but can be bit challenging to enter/exit the vehicle at times due to its design.

Covid-19

Health related to Covid-19. This operator has a policy in place for COVID-19 and their adventures. Please request full details so we can share the most up to date information with you and be aware that the note below was relevant at the time of writing but may have changed. Thanks!

Is this trip right for you

As Timor-Leste is off the typical tourist track, infrastructure is limited, and accommodation basic. You can expect clean and comfortable lodgings with fans, squat toilets, and traditional mandi bucket showers. On Atauro Island the group will be divided into different home stays where there may be differences in the standard of living between households.

Some guides may be very new to the tourism industry so know that you are supporting the next generation of tourism leaders. Our local Timor-Leste operator works in partnership with local universities to provide practical tour guide training opportunities to graduate students.

A good level of fitness is required to hike to the summit of Timor-Leste’s highest mountain, at 2986m above sea level. You’ll wake at 2.30 am to begin the walk, which is a 5-hour round trip.

The stories and history shared at the Santa Cruz cemetery, Chega Exhibition and Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum are confronting and many travellers will find them upsetting. This is an important part of Timor-Leste’s recent history that we feel is important for travellers to know. If you would prefer not to join these activities your leader can recommend some optional alternatives.

Health

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government’s foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 

MEDICATION
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in your home country is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by your doctor. If you plan to bring medication, check if it’s legal in Timor-Leste. Take enough legal medicine for your trip. Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating:
– what the medicine is
– how much you’ll take
– that it’s for personal use

MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES
While cases of malaria are not common, other mosquito-borne diseases can be found in Timor-Leste. Dengue is endemic in Timor-Leste and outbreaks can occur. Protect yourself from mosquito bites by:
– using mosquito nets at accommodation
– using insect repellent
– wearing long, loose, light-coloured clothing

WATER
Clean, safe drinking water will be provided on your trip. To protect yourself from illness:
– drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
– don’t eat ice cubes
– don’t eat raw or undercooked food, such as salads

MEDICAL CARE
You should be in excellent health to travel on this trip. Medical facilities in Timor-Leste are limited, and only a limited supply of basic medications is available. If you become seriously ill or injured, you’ll need to be evacuated. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

Your fellow travellers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group – patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone’s travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don’t keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well – this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure.

SOLO TRAVELLERS
On our trips, rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender, as per the gender marker on each of their passports.

We also offer an optional single supplement on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room. This only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation booked through us will always be on a single-room basis.

On a small selection of trips some accommodation will be open-gender and multishare, such as a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam. Please review the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information for details about your trip.

LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS
We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. If your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

Covid-19

This operator has a policy in place for COVID-19 and their adventures. Please request full details so we can share the most up to date information with you. Thanks!