Today’s Timor is a fascinating blend of colonial history, natural history and of course, the more recent, and tragic past. Evidence of its colonial era is surprisingly very much evident even today. You will come across fading Portuguese pousadas, as well as several forts, almost a symbol of Portuguese colonialism.
The interior is covered by a mountainous terrain, the highest peak being Mount Ramelau at 3,000m. An early morning climb rewards the traveller with the most spectacular of sunrises. Down on the coast are some wonderful, almost deserted, beaches.
As for more recent history this too is clearly evident and the lack of sometimes-basic infrastructure can be a testing experience for even the hardiest of travellers.
You might say that to-date East Timor does not have a clearly defined peak tourist season. To avoid significant rainfall a good time to visit is May to November, when the weather is at its best. December to April is wet season and due to the poor state of many of the roads, unbridged rivers can hamper travelling at this time.
We aim to give the traveller a varied insight into the country taking in some of the colonial past with stays at old Portuguese Pousadas. We get to see some of the island’s natural wonders from its highest peak, Mount Ramelau, travel through some remote villages, getting to meet first hand the Timorese people and learning a little about their culture and way of life.
We also get time to relax and enjoy our own island getaway, Jaco Island, where we will camp for the night to make the most of
its tranquillity.
Visas- Back to top
A visa or entry permit is required for a tourist visit, which is issued on arrival at Dili airport. A charge, currently $25.00 is payable in US Dollars cash and the process is friendly and very straightforward.
Getting to East Timor - Back to top
Presently options are limited, with the capital, Dili, being served by just 2 international airlines.
Probably of most interest to travellers from Europe will be the Indonesian airline, Merpati, daily service from Denparsar, Bali. Almost certainly you will find that an overnight stay will be required in Bali, as the Dili flight departs about 0900am making a same day connection impossible.
The cost of this flight, purchased outside of Indonesia or East Timor, will normally be about $400.00. Although most travel agents will be able to book this flight in their reservation system, getting the ticket can nonetheless be a problem. Merpati has no European office and lack the necessary ‘interline’ ticketing arrangement, with all but just a few major Asian airlines.
Do not let that put you off! Although at EastTimor-Undiscovered we cannot help you with air bookings, this is the one exception. We can arrange this ticket on your behalf, at a reduced fare, starting at USD 260.00 return. For a small charge, we will arrange for the ticket to be delivered to your Bali hotel for collection. Alternatively, we can have the ticket sent by courier service to any worldwide address.
However, we must pass on the cost of the courier charge. Before we look at the second option of getting you to Dili, just a word of caution about travelling through Indonesia. Most nationals, including British citizens, will require a visa for each entry into the country. In many cases it can be obtained on arrival, including those travelling on British passports. There can be exceptions and we strongly recommend you contact the Indonesian Embassy or a reputable visa service, such as Trailfinders (www.trailfinders.com/visa) for further details.
As for the second option, perhaps unsurprisingly given Timor’s proximity to Australia, it is a daily flight (certain days of the week, twice daily) from Darwin. Return fares start from A$502.00. Flight time is about 1hr30min. The flight is operated by Air North (www.airnorth.com.au) and may be booked in conjunction with many airlines serving Australia.
A really interesting option to consider for those travelling to Australia or round the world is to look at East Timor as a somewhat unusual and exciting stopover. Tickets are available, such as the popular British Airways/Qantas ‘World Discovery’ fare which will get you as far as Bali and onwards from Darwin. ‘Plugging the gap’ will then be possible by using 2 one-way tickets; at more-or-less half the cost of the return fares, for each of the above flights.
As mentioned previously, for now at EastTimor-Undiscovered, we cannot offer you a good deal on international air travel. We operate in very much a ‘niche’ market and simply do not get access to the airlines best deals. However, we hope the above information is of practical help. We will also do our best to offer any further advice we can. We recommend you contact an experienced agent like Trailfinders, (www.trailfinders.com) who from personal experience, we know consistently offer the best service, at a competitive price. They can also look at package deals, combining your tickets and a minimum of just a few nights accommodation along the way. Often, you get the bonus of some accommodation at little more cost than just the airfare! Remember, you will almost certainly need a place to stay in Bali.
Immunisations- Back to top
As with travel to most parts of Asia, we strongly recommend that you contact your Doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice and the necessary vaccinations. We can recommend the Trailfinders Travel Clinic which can be found
at: www.trailfinders.com/clinic.htm
For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Polio and Typhoid. Anti-malaria medication will also be required and the use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended.
Travel Insurance - Back to top
We have a legal obligation to stress the absolute need to have adequate travel insurance, which should be taken at the time your trip is confirmed. These days there’s a huge range of options available and premiums have never been more competitive. Increasingly annual multi-trip policies offer good value for money, but you should compare the level of cover and the activities included with each policy. Please contact us for further details.
Foreign Office Advice - Back to top
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the British Foreign Office (FCO). In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At the time of writing there are no travel warnings in place for East Timor.
The Travel Advice site makes for interesting reading and was recently quoted as being one of the most frequented travel sites on the web. www.fco.gov.uk
It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective Government.
Undiscovered Destinations will provide a full pack containing important information upon booking a tour.
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