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.

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 "Pick 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.

East Timor14 daysMax 12Solo-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.

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About this journey

The story behind the route

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.

The journey

East Timor Discovery

Key moments

The moments that define this trip

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

Your route

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.

Full itinerary · 14 days

Free — no sign-up

Dates & prices

Pick your departure

Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.

Departs	Returns	Status	Price pp	Single supp.
3 Jul 2027	16 Jul 2027	Guaranteed	£3,495	+£815	Book now
8 Jul 2028	21 Jul 2028	Guaranteed	£3,495	+£815	Book now

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

Everything covered — and what's not

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.

“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”

Anna

“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”

Grete

“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”

Frank

“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”

Cathy

“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”

Lynn

“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”

Andy

“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”

Jennie

“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”

Debbie

“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”

Alexis

“Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.”

Steve

“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”

Anna

“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”

Grete

“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”

Frank

“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”

Cathy

“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”

Lynn

“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”

Andy

“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”

Jennie

“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”

Debbie

“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”

Alexis

“Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.”

Steve

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East Timor Discovery

The story behind the route

The moments that define this trip

Dili Colonial City Tour

Summit of Mount Ramelau at Sunrise

Dolphins and Snorkelling on Atauro Island

Portuguese Architecture in Venilale

Nunira Traditional Village and Fort Ruins at Laga and Lauten

Ili Kere Kere Cave Paintings at Tutuala