This overnight cruise will show guests the highlights of Komodo National Park from the comfort of the luxury phinisi, AYANA Lako di’a
The flagship luxury cruise, AYANA Lako di’a, is now available for bookings via AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach. The two-day, one-night sail ferries guests to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Komodo National Park.
The voyage is aboard a phinisi, which is a wooden sailing ship style that has been integral to the seafaring cultures of South Sulawesi since the early 20th century and is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage item. In reference to the vessel’s name, Dermot Birchall, General Manager of AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach explained, “Lako di’a means ‘safe journey’ in the local Manggarai language.”
Up to 14 guests can sail aboard the AYANA Lako di’a at once. The phinisi was designed to showcase the traditional South Sulawesi boat building techniques while fusing the beauty of the Flores Islands with contemporary elegance. The AYANA Lako di’a contains nine air-conditioned ensuite rooms. Shared spaces include a living room, lounge, bar, indoor dining area and daybed on the main deck.
Each luxury cruise fare covers three daily meals plus an afternoon tea, mineral water and a range of non-alcoholic beverages. Cruisers can choose from a range of activities such as snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, karaoke, film screenings and yoga. Entrance fees to Komodo National Park and transfers to and from Komodo International Airport are included.
The 69 square metre Master Suite features a king-sized bed, private balcony, ocean view bathtub and walk-in wardrobe. Six Luxury Suites are located on the middle deck and feature twin beds or a double bed pending traveller preferences and availability. The 20 square metre Luxury Suites feature a bedroom, a bathroom with ocean views and a private balcony.
The cruise features a late afternoon departure time with a first destination of Kalong Island, a tiny mangrove islet home to thousands of fruit bats, known locally as kalong. Dinner is expected on the main deck following the stop off at Kalong Island and sunset. On the second day, guests may hike 90 minutes to the summit of Padar Island. Afterwards, a trip to Pink Beach will give guests the opportunity to view the unique rose-coloured sand, which is created by the production of red pigment by a microscopic creature combined with the fringing coral reefs. Finally, the cruise traverses to Komodo Island, home of the largest lizard on earth – the Komodo Dragon. Local rangers guide observational tours of the dragons in their natural habitats while pointing out the island’s other indigenous flora and fauna.
The AYANA Lako di’a sets sail on its first voyage on Friday, 12 April. Cruises are expected to operate every Friday and Saturday until 19 October. Prices start from IDR 14,146,000 or AUD 1,385 per person in a Luxury Suite.
Email reservation.komodo@ayana.com or visit ayana.com for more information.