Welcome to your trans-Timor Sea expedition—where ancient megalithic ceremonies meet spectacular marine parks, and every island reveals traditions shaped by isolation and ancestral wisdom.
Over the next 12 days, you’ll witness the spectacular Pasola festival where skilled horsemen gallop at full speed while flinging wooden spears, explore pristine limestone formations rising from crystalline waters, and walk among Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. This isn’t cultural tourism—you’ll participate in traditional ceremonies at megalithic sites unchanged for millennia, join ikat weaving demonstrations using techniques passed through generations, and swim among coral gardens protecting extraordinary marine biodiversity.
Each morning brings new adventures as we cross from Southeast Asia’s youngest nation to Australia’s tropical frontier. You’ll discover islands where most inhabitants trace their ancestral lineage back several hundred years, explore traditional villages featuring impressive thatched-roof houses marked by buffalo skull ceremonial tombs, and experience how ancient animistic beliefs continue influencing daily life despite outside religious influences.
From snorkelling vibrant coral reefs to witnessing living cultural traditions, every encounter connects you with communities whose genuine warmth and ancestral connections have remained largely unchanged for centuries. Our small expedition community of just 30 guests ensures meaningful cultural exchanges and intimate wildlife encounters.
This is expedition travel bridging ancient cultures with modern nations: respectful, transformative, and utterly fascinating. Your trans-Timor Sea adventure begins in young Timor-Leste and concludes in tropical Australia.
- Pasola Festival’s Thrilling Spectacle: Witness the exhilarating Pasola festival, where skilled horsemen charge at full speed, hurling wooden spears in a vibrant display of cultural heritage and ancestral warrior traditions.
- Komodo Dragons and Coral Gardens: Walk cautiously among the world’s largest lizards in Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and snorkel vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine biodiversity in pristine limestone-framed waters.
- Maumere’s Ikat Weaving and Sikka Culture: Engage with the Sikka people in Maumere, Flores, participating in ikat weaving demonstrations that showcase bold geometric patterns and exploring traditional “Sa’o” clan houses that preserve centuries-old cultural continuity.
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Paspaley Pearl
| Length | 53 m |
|---|---|
| Max passengers | 30 |
| Built/refurbished: | 2021/2024 |
PASPALEY PEARL marks a milestone in the development of boutique expedition travel, offering a benchmark-setting standard of excellence in the Asia Pacific region. As a modern boutique expedition vessel in the Kimberley featuring private balconies, we have the ability of reaching exotic destinations previously inaccessible by larger vessels. You’re invited to ignite your sense of discovery, all whilst travelling in comfort and safety that has been designed to create the smallest possible footprint, with a philosophy of empowering local people and creating ambassadors for the destinations visited.
Designed to feel like your home away from home
Marrying PASPALEY’s heritage of over 80 years in the Kimberley and Northern Australia with PONANT’s 35-year history of luxury expedition travel, PASPALEY PEARL emerges as the embodiment of comfort and adventure.
Featuring 15 staterooms and suites and hosting a maximum of 30 guests per voyage, PASPALEY PEARL emerges as the newest and only boutique expedition motor yacht in the Kimberley with private balconies.
The perfect place to relax while exploring
Main Dining, Lounge and Bar
Nestled on the Ocean Deck is our main dining area, lounge, and bar. As our skilled chefs craft your locally-inspired dinner, take a moment for a pre-dinner drink before being spoiled with the finest produce Australia has to offer. If you’re interested in exploring some of PASPALEY’s exquisite offerings, you’ll be delighted by their showcase of the world’s most beautiful pearls, available for purchase as a cherished memento of your time on board.
Outdoor Dining, Lounge and Bar
When journeying through the tropics, immersing yourself in the outdoors becomes essential. Indulge in breakfast and lunch daily within a relaxed yet refined setting. With two expansive dining tables and abundant lounges, relish the idea of dining amidst the natural surroundings you explore. Craving a refreshing drink after a day of exploration? Our friendly staff at the Outdoor Bar have you covered. The Outdoor Lounge doubles as the perfect space for afternoon briefings with your expedition team, ensuring you receive all the information needed for the following day’s adventure.
Sun Deck Lounge and Jacuzzi
Bask in the sunshine on the Sun Deck, furnished with sun beds, lounges, and an 8-person jacuzzi. Whether you prefer reading a book under the shelter of the protective shade cloth or engaging in conversations with newfound friends, the Sun Deck promises a haven of pure relaxation.
Sunset Lounge
Located ahead of the bridge, you can savour panoramic views rivaling those of the captain at the Sunset Lounge. Order a drink from one of the bars downstairs and relax as you witness some of the most breathtaking sunsets you’ve ever seen.