Mary Ann Ramsey's 35-day Itinerary Around Australia, Indonesia, and Cambodia
Mary Ann Ramsey is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List, a collection of the top travel advisors in the world, and can help plan your perfect getaway. Below is an example of the type of itineraries she creates. To work with Mary Ann, you can contact her directly at maryann@bettymacleantravel.com.
Day 1: Arrive in Sydney
Upon arrival, take a sightseeing tour of Sydney, the capital of the state of New South Wales. Start at the world renowned Sydney Opera House, the busiest performing arts center in the world, before heading through Paddington and Bondi Junction to famous Bondi Beach. Enjoy a short portion of the Bondi Costal walk before lunch at the iconic Icebergs Dining room. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
Days 2-9: Cruising the Gold Coast
Board the Seabourn Encore for your first week of cruising, following the East Coast of Australia from Sydney to Cairns, in the tropical Far North of Queensland. Includes stops all along the Gold Coast, including the dynamic city of Brisbane.
Stay: Seabourne Encore
Day 10: Kuranda
Meet your guide at the cruise pier and depart on your full day private tour of Kuranda. Board the Kuranda Scenic Railway, where you will get unsurpassed views of a World Heritage Listed rainforest, steep ravines, and picturesque waterfalls within the Barron Gorge National Park. Arriving in Kuranda, you explore the quaint village visiting the famous market, boutique stores, and local crafts. Afterward, take a Skyrail gondola trip above the canopy, with stops along the way to visit Red Peak. Then walk the boardwalks over the fern covered forest floor.
Stay: Seabourne Encore
Day 11: Cairns
Meet your driver at the cruise pier for a private helicopter tour from Cairns. Your flight experience includes a scenic helicopter flight passing Green Island and unique Arlington Reef. Land in the heart of the Tropical Far North Queensland at Turtle Beach, and enjoy a sumptuous brunch on this beautiful beach and relax on the sand. Witness the incredible change as Green turns to Blue while you fly back to Cairns, with stunning views.
Stay: Seabourne Encore
Days 12-14: Cruising the North Coast
Sail the Timor Sea along Australia's North Coast and the Northern Territory, before stopping in Darwin.
Stay: Seabourne Encore
Day 15: Kakadu
Depart by private flight to experience the unspoilt beauty of Kakadu, taking in spectacular aerial perspectives and a truly special showcase of Aboriginal culture, rugged landscape, mighty rivers, and unique wildlife. Land at Cooinda, cruise the amazing Yellow Water Billabong, and visit the Warradjun Aboriginal Culture Centre.
Stay: Seabourne Encore
Days 16-19: Cruising the Timor Sea to Indonesia
Enjoy three days at leisure on the ship on your way to Komodo Island.
Stay: Seabourne Encore
Day 20: Komodo
Arrive at Loh Liang Seaport. Meet your guide at the pier and transfer by boat to Komodo National Park, where you will enjoy a walking tour of Komodo National Park. The safari starts by walking to Banunggulung to see the KOMODO Dragons. It is estimated that there are 2,000 lizards on Komodo, but it is also a good place to view birdlife, like cockatoos and gosong birds.
Stay: Seabourne Encore
Days 21-28: Cruising the Indonesian Islands
Enjoy seven days at leisure on the ship, before arriving in Java.
Stay: Seabourne Encore
Day 29: Semarang
Meet your guide at the pier and commence your tour of Semarang, on Java, including Borobudur Temple, the largest Buddhist Temple in Indonesia. This Temple was abandoned for centuries and lay hidden under layers of volcanic ash; it was rediscovered in the early 19th century by English military engineers.
Stay: Seabourne Encore
Days 30-31: Cruising to Singapore
Enjoy your final days of the cruise at leisure on the ship.
Stay: Seabourne Encore
Day 32: Singapore and Siem Reap
Disembark in Singapore and take a city tour before transferring to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. After clearance formalities, you are met by your local guide and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel for check-in. Please enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.
Stay: Belmond La Residence d'Angkor
Day 33: Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Wat
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in and around the site of one of Asia's most magnificent archeological ruins: the religious citadels of Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Wat, which were part of one of the most powerful kingdoms to rise in Southeast Asia. This evening, enjoy a private sunset cruise in a beautiful boat, enjoying dramatic views near the south gate of Angkor Thom while sipping cocktails and canapés.
Stay: Belmond La Residence d'Angkor
Day 34: Koh Kher, Beng Mealea, and Banteay Chhmar
Visit remote temples away from the tourist crowds with a private helicopter tour to the outlying areas of Angkor, where other travelers rarely venture. Visit Koh Kher, an earlier capital predating Angkor Wat, known for the seven-tiered pyramid Prasat Thom. Explore Beng Mealea, a temple still completely engulfed by the jungle, and Banteay Chhmar, another huge temple complex still overgrown by jungle but in spectacular condition, located near the Thai border.
Stay: Belmond La Residence d'Angkor
Day 35: Depart from Siem Reap
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.