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Undiscovered Destinations
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East Timor14 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendlyGuaranteed departures

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.

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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.

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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
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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.

Our departures are guaranteed to run. We never cancel a confirmed tour.

  • 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 ninety-plus small-group adventures worldwide, written by the people who took them.

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”
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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“When asked by other travellers why I book with Undiscovered Destinations, it's because of the chance to visit places few, if any, other tour operators go to. ”
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Oliver Grumitt, UK

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”
Read full review

Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“Given the countries involved, I thought the accommodation was better than I expected. Our guide was knowledgeable. He was kind and provided snacks and stories to while away the very long driving days. ”
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Traveller from the UK

“An excellent trip. We saw all that we expected to and more. Very good guide, helpful and considerate. Tour met and exceeded my expectations ”
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Martin Robathan, UK

“Quite the best guide and driver we have encountered in 45 years of travel.”
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John Davies, UK

“You have a good choice of more adventurous options. Standards are good. Prices competitive”
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Stewart Mitchell, UK

“This was our first trip with Undiscovered Destinations and we were very impressed. You have some very interesting itineraries so we hope we will travel with you again and we will certainly be recommending Romania to our friends”
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Anne Walton, UK

“The initial version of our 17-night tailor made itinerary was virtually spot on, covering all the interests. All we did was put in a few extra days for a more relaxed experience. The turnaround was quick and emails were responded to promptly. The process was quick and simple and we received all our final documentation in good time. All the information received was very helpful. ”
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Helen Jackson, UK

“I sent my request to book roughly 6 weeks before the tour started, which is relatively short notice considering the destination. I really appreciate the swiftness with which everything was handled.”
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Raquel Romeiro

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
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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, solo travellers are welcome on every small-group tour. A private single room is offered on every trip, with the single-room supplement listed alongside the departure price. If you’d rather share, you can opt for a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. Around 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.

  • Will my departure definitely run?

    Yes. Departures marked Guaranteed on this page run whether one traveller books or twelve. We never cancel a confirmed tour for lack of numbers, so you can book flights and time off around it with confidence.

  • 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.

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