ULTIMATE INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS BY VIP PRIVATE JET

This morning, meet your fellow travellers at the private VIP terminal at Sydney Airport and board our jet. Our non-stop flight to Indonesia sees us enjoying a gourmet lunch and fine wines, as we fly over the Australian outback and the Indian Ocean. On touching down in Yogyakarta, within the province of Central Java, we transfer to Amanjiwo, a lavish resort occupying a serene setting. Arriving in time for dinner, we find the restaurant’s offerings blessed with a cornucopia of fresh produce, their creations celebrating the region’s proud culinary heritage. This evening, we rest in our Garden Suites, each with its own walled garden.

Following breakfast at our resort, we take the short drive to the enigmatic temple of Borobudur. Here, our attention is drawn towards the temple’s vast network of intricately carved Buddha statues, stupas and stone carvings. We listen as our guide reveals Borobudur’s ancient secrets. From the temple’s apex, we’re granted astonishing views across the Kedu Plain, out to the distant and volcanic Mt Merapi. 

We return to our resort for lunch, after which Your World experiences offer several perspectives of this fascinating region: 

— Borrow a bicycle and head out to survey village life, set against a backdrop of rice fields and palm trees. 
— Visit a few local enterprises. See how organic tofu is made. Watch potters at work and try your hand at creating your own piece. Admire the intricate and colourful patterns produced by local batik artists. Tour a honey farm and enjoy a sample.  
— Enjoy one of the signature treatments available at our resort’s spa.

Enjoy the exquisite flavours of our resort’s restaurant again this evening before unwinding in your beautiful suite. 

We bid farewell to Amanjiwo after breakfast and make our way to Yogyakarta’s airport. Here, we find our VIP private jet awaiting our arrival. Our pilot charts a north-westerly course for the city of Mattala in Sri Lanka. Arriving early afternoon, we transfer to Wild Coast Tented Lodge, along the boundary of Yala National Park. After lunch at our lodge, we enjoy an afternoon safari, which takes us into Yala’s vast woodland, where many bird and reptile species roam. And while we seek to spot as much wildlife as possible here, our chief aim is to observe the park’s leopards – Yala has one of the world’s highest densities of the big cat breed.

After breakfast, set out on a Your World experience:

— Join a local ranger for further explorations of Yala National Park.
— Alternatively, visit a nearby village to watch local families invoke blessings during a ritual at a Buddhist temple. You will also be invited to participate in alms giving with the resident monks. 

Afterwards, hone your cooking skills, Sri Lankan style, under the guidance of our resort’s chef. Appreciate the subtle shifts in flavour, as you infuse your dishes with a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, coriander, and other herbs and spices. 

After lunch, wander the wilderness along the park’s boundary, before enjoying a unique bush high-tea experience. Afterwards, savour sunset drinks along the beach, then gather together for a barbecue dinner.

Cross the Indian Ocean late this morning aboard our private jet, bound for Madagascar. We dine aboard our aircraft before coming to rest at Amborovy Airport. From here, we transfer to a light plane for the short flight to Anjajavy le Lodge. Settle into your villa, which boasts incredible views across a stunning turquoise sea. 

Head out after dark and keep a look out for some of the local nocturnal wildlife, including mouse lemurs, chameleons, scops owls, and nightjars. Afterwards, gaze across the Mozambique Channel from the restaurant’s wooden deck during this evening’s dinner. 

Rise early this morning and join a birdwatching walk. Have your camera ready for possible sightings of Madagascar magpie robins, souimanga sunbirds or cuckoo-shrikes. 

This morning’s Your World experiences each present further wildlife-viewing opportunities:

— Travel by open-air truck to visit the area’s giant Aldabra tortoises in their natural habitat. From here, discover local cultural sites, including an animist cave, the Port of Amulet, and a Malagasy tomb. 
— Head to a fishing village and learn more about the culture here, while also having time to browse some of the locally produced handicrafts. 
— Embark a boat for a cruise of Moramba Bay. Follow the island’s north-west coast, admiring sandy beaches and majestic baobab trees. Your guide will also lead you in a search for the rare Madagascar fish eagle. 

Following lunch at our lodge, complete your afternoon with another Your World experience:

— Remarkable baobab and other giant trees dot the landscape within our lodge’s private reserve. Discover them and keep watch for the resident lemurs. 
— Remain at our lodge and receive a rejuvenating massage – perhaps on the terrace of your villa. 

An optional night walk is available for us to join this evening. Amble along through the reserve and catch the occasional glimpse of fat-tailed dwarf lemurs, chameleons, scops owls and nightjars. Afterwards, relax back at our lodge and enjoy the sea views during dinner.

Should you have missed yesterday’s early morning birdwatching walk, another opportunity presents itself today. Yesterday’s morning and afternoon Your World experiences are also repeated today; take a final chance to complete your Madagascan discovery. We then salute our time on the island with cocktails and entertainment, followed by an exclusive dinner within the lush surrounds of the Oasis Gardens.

Our group returns to Amborovy Airport by light aircraft this morning to meet back up with our private jet. A short flight then brings us to nearby Réunion Island. On arrival, we explore the port town of Saint Pierre, discovering the heritage of the region through its architecture, history and spirituality. In all cases, the French-speaking island proves diverse; its influences stemming from periods of Chinese, African and Indian migration. We then follow the coast to the Palm Hotel & Spa. Acquaint yourself with your suite and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. We dine at our hotel’s restaurant this evening.