Volcanic trek on Sumbawa, Indonesia's secret island

A tour of the city, including its colorful market and the Sultan's Palace – a very long wooden house dating from the 19th century. Also a visit to a traditional village, Kampung Pamulung, where women weave and men roll their cigarettes. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

The day will be dedicated to an exceptional encounter with whale sharks swimming in the waters of Saleh Bay. Overnight transfer to the small fishing village of Labuhan Jambu, where you will board a traditional boat and accompany the fishermen to their " bagan " (literally meaning "spider boat"), where they traditionally haul in their nets. This operation always takes place at daybreak, and it is at this time that the whale sharks appear. After observing which "bagan" the sharks are heading towards, you will jump into the water to approach them (at a safe distance) and truly "dance" with them. Return to Labuhan Jambu in the late morning and transfer back to Sumbawa Besar.

Early this morning, you'll board a ferry to Moyo Island, which covers an area of ​​approximately 350 km², much of which has been designated a nature reserve. In the afternoon, you'll venture into the jungle to get close to the Mata Jitu Falls, arguably the most beautiful on the island. During your walk, you'll likely encounter some of the island's inhabitants, such as wild pigs, deer, monkeys, bats, giant lizards, and birds. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Early this morning, you'll board a speedboat to Satonda Island. Of volcanic origin, this island is unique in that it contains a water-filled crater in its center. When the eruption of Mount Tambora on the neighboring island of Sumbawa triggered a tsunami in 1815, seawater flooded into the crater, which had previously held a freshwater crater lake. Satonda is wooded but also has a sandy beach with a smaller jetty, from which a paved path leads down to the crater. After exploring Satonda, you'll return to Sumbawa Island and transfer to a coffee plantation, where you'll spend the night in luxury tents. If time allows, you can visit a nearby Hindu temple.

Early in the morning, you begin the ascent of Mount Tambora, whose 1815 eruption is considered one of the deadliest in volcanic history. The route crosses the rainforest and passes by stations 1 (1,080 m) & 2 (1,320 m – where you take a short lunch break).

Around 2:00 AM, after a hearty breakfast, you begin the summit ascent to the rim of Mount Tambora's caldera. Once you emerge from the forest, the vegetation thins out, and in the first light of dawn, you can admire the nearby coastline as you continue your trek across the black volcanic sands. Reaching the crater rim just before sunrise, you'll realize that the summit of Mount Tambora is one of the most captivating in the world, particularly due to the incredible size of the crater. The highest point is located on the western rim of the crater and is marked by a cairn and an Indonesian flag. You return to camp early the next morning, and after a short rest, you descend via the same route to reach Top-Hill Glamping in the late afternoon.

The day is dedicated to a long but interesting transfer to Bima. A wide variety of landscapes unfolds before you. You also stop at salt pans, where you learn about the production process. You further make a stop in Dompu, where you can visit the remains of its old palace, which was buried under the ashes of Mount Tambora in 1815. If you're lucky, you might even witness horse races in a small village south of Dompu. In the mid-afternoon, you arrive in Bima, where you can visit its museum.

Early morning transfer to Sape port, where you will board a ferry to Labuan Bajo. Alternative: transfer to Bima airport. End of services.