SeaTrek The Scents of the Spice Islands with Dr George Beccaloni, Zoologist and Wallace Expert

Join UK tropical biologist, Dr George Beccaloni, on this 12-day cruise that will transport you back in time as you discover the colonial history of Indonesia and its role in the international spice trade during the 17th century.

The Moluccas are the original Spice Islands, a magical destination, beautiful, remote, and unspoiled, with a long, fascinating, and turbulent history. For millennia, these fertile volcanic isles were the world’s only source of the ‘holy trinity’ of rare spices: cloves, nutmeg, and mace, which were once worth their weight in gold.

Along the way, you will wind your way through dramatic volcanic islands interspersed with stops at pristine white-sand beaches, where you can swim and snorkel in waters rich in marine life. You will also visit historic outposts and island villages, and the rich cultures of the local people, and experience the marketplaces and inhale the aromas of the spice plantations in this most beautiful and untouched part of the world.

See birds of paradise in their natural habitat as they perform their elaborate courtship rituals high in the forest canopy. Also, you will get to encounter black-crested macaques, tarsiers, giant butterflies, and all manner of birdlife. Enjoy daily snorkeling sessions on beautifully rich and abundant coral reefs, and explore uninhabited islands with white sand beaches, hidden coves and bays, and spend long hours swimming and playing in the warm tropical waters.

Whether it’s swimming with whale sharks & mantas rays, or leisurely gliding along a stunning tropical reef surrounded by myriad fish and corals, snorkelling lies at the very heart of what we do at SeaTrek. We do it well and we do it often – usually twice a day for an hour or more at a time. No matter if you are a novice or a seasoned pro, our tour leaders will ensure that you have everything you need to have some of the best underwater experiences of your life.

Our mission is to provide the best experience possible for our guests given the current conditions and when unexpected opportunities for adventure may present themselves along our cruise routes. Sometimes weather conditions, tides or other local factors dictate that we need to vary from the published route, and at times there are special opportunities to explore and discover new locations, events and activities. These explorations will always be a definite enhancement to the published itinerary and will be undertaken after discussion and agreement among guests. Ultimately, the boat captains and your tour leader will make decisions to maximize trip safety and your overall enjoyment, so please come prepared to be flexible!

Our tour leaders are a wealth of information on the regions we visit and will prepare you for each activity with on board talks and presentations to give you a greater understanding of the different experiences you will have each day. They will also act as your cross cultural bridges to all the people we meet along the way, so feel free to ask them to translate when talking to local Indonesian people on your travels.

Our four-day orangutan cruise that features in our Orangutans & Dragons itinerary can be worked into any of our SeaTrek cruises throughout the year, regardless of length or location, so just let us know if this is something you would like to do when visiting Indonesia and we will happily arrange it for you.

We are also a wealth of information on other great destinations and wildlife and cultural excursions in Indonesia that can be added on to your SeaTrek cruise. The possibilities are endless so all you have to do is ask.