Skip to content
4.8/5 Excellent
Call us
Undiscovered Destinations
tpdhero
East Timor14 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendly

East Timor Discovery

A 14-day circuit through one of the world's newest nations, from colonial Dili to 13,000-year-old cave paintings and an uninhabited island.

View dates & prices

As Featured In

The TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational GeographicThe TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational Geographic
About this journey

What to expect on this trip

East Timor is a proud nation now at peace after many years of an independence struggle, a land of amazing variety with many fine examples of its Portuguese colonial past awaiting discovery by the intrepid traveller. On this East Timor tour we take in its highlights, starting in the relaxed capital Dili, a lovely place to wander around and soak up the East Timorese atmosphere. We climb up imposing Mt Ramelau, with its superb views over the surrounding area, before exploring delightful old colonial towns and spending time on the idyllic Atauro Island, home to a great eco-lodge with good opportunities for hiking and meeting local people. Heading to the east of the island, we relax on gorgeous beaches and visit remote islands before heading back to Dili. This trip shows the curious traveller the very best that this enchanting nation has to offer.

tpd1
tpd2
The journey

East Timor Discovery

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
tpd map

The highlights

  • Dili Colonial City Tour

    Dili retains Portuguese landmarks including a former colonial garrison built in 1627 and a church built on the waterfront, set along villa-lined beach roads. New shops, restaurants and bars are opening all the time, bringing a new energy and style to this once sleepy city.

  • Summit of Mount Ramelau at Sunrise

    The climb to the summit of Mount Ramelau (2,963m) begins at 6am to reach the top for the most spectacular of sunrises, weather permitting. After time spent enjoying the magnificent views, the group descends and returns to Dili.

  • Dolphins and Snorkelling on Atauro Island

    The ferry crossing to Atauro, a coral island 30km across the Wetar Strait, offers sightings of schools of dolphins and pilot whales, said locally to occur on nine out of ten crossings. On the island there is time to snorkel and see fine coral and marine life, with a full second day to relax on the beach or among the pristine coral.

  • Portuguese Architecture in Venilale

    Venilale is known for its Portuguese architecture, particularly the Escola do Reino de Venilale. Time permitting, the visit also includes the Fatumaca Catholic School.

  • Nunira Traditional Village and Fort Ruins at Laga and Lauten

    The route east stops at Nunira Traditional Village in Laga and the ruins of the old Fort in Lauten, home territory of the Fataluku people of Lospalos.

  • Ili Kere Kere Cave Paintings at Tutuala

    The Ili Kere Kere caves are East Timor's most important archaeological site, containing cave paintings dated at more than 13,000 years. The walk from the road to the caves can be hot and difficult, but the cliff-top position at Tutuala also offers superb views of the uninhabited Jaco Island.

Trip highlights for East Timor Discovery

Full itinerary · 14 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

  • Departure
    3 Jul 2027 → 16 Jul 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £3,495 pp
    Single supp. +£815
    Book now
  • Departure
    8 Jul 2028 → 21 Jul 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £3,495 pp
    Single supp. +£815
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our East Timor journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (, contact , us, for expert advice and a quote)
  • Any airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa – when required
  • Drinks
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the [Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) East Timor Travel Advice], and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of East Timor that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:
- US Department of State — US State Dept East Timor Travel Advisory
- Australian Government — Smartraveller East Timor Advice
- Government of Canada — Canada Travel Advice for East Timor

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme — Mongolia, Madagascar, the Silk Road and beyond. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

“Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.”
Read full review

Bernice Hird, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

“Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise”
Read full review

Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.”
Read full review

Traveller from the UK

“Excellent company to book with. Complex tour mostly delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives. ”
Read full review

Adam Choonara, UK

“I really appreciated Jason's help in answering all of my many questions re: Senegal trip in December 2025. I have a physical disability and I had a lot of accessibility questions for Jason! He was a true professional and was very supportive, warm and friendly and helped me a lot in making my decision to go ahead with the Senegal trip. I would like to thank Jason particularly for this service. I truly appreciate it and I am very thankful.”
Read full review

Ramnit Bassi, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

“Undiscovered Destinations is able to find wonderful support staff and will go to the far corners of the earth.”
Read full review

Patricia Taylor, UK

“This is my third trip with UD and all have been first rate. ”
Read full review

Judith Hoyle, UK

“I am very satisfied with every trip that I have doe with you since you match my interests in culture and tribal peoples.”
Read full review

Eric Ferkins, UK

“Jason was incredibly helpful and efficient in getting us booked last minute on this trip when our trip with another company was cancelled with no notice.”
Read full review

Sarah Keir, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

“The Congo river was my third trip with UD (after Burkina Faso and Eritrea) and I have already recommended UD a number of times.”
Read full review

Martin Giles, UK

Want to customise this tour?

Make East Timor Discovery your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

Customise this tour
Keep exploring

More Asia & Pacific destinations

Bangladesh-tours
bangladesh

Bangladesh

1 tour available
Bhutan
Bhutan

Bhutan

3 tours available
cambodia-tours
cambodia

Cambodia

2 tours available
China
china

China

Tailor-made only
All destinations
Ready when you are

Start planning your East Timor adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our East Timor specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Start planning your trip+44 (0)191 2316005

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 3 July 2027; 8 July 2028. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits East Timor. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Trusted partners & accreditations