Young Pioneer Tours are pleased to announce our 2024 and 2025 Timor-Leste tour schedule.
Young Pioneer Tours have been arranging travel to the youngest country in Asia and the second youngest in the world since 2014. If you want a real Timor-Leste tour, then YPT are your best chance for seeing East Timor.
Group Tours to Timor-Leste 2024 – 2025
Since 2014 Young Pioneer Tours have been offering yearly group tours to East Timor. This currently consists of our Timor Overland tour, although we are currently more scheduled departures to Timor-Leste.
Timor Independence Day Overland May 14th – 22nd 2025 – $1995
This tour starts in Bali before we fly to Kupang. From here we travel overland to Oecusse, before flying into Dili for the Independence Day celebrations with the President.
East Timor and West Papua Tour May 14th – 29th 2025 – $4195
A great combination of West and East Timor, before we head to West Papua to learn about the tribes here. In between we have two great nights in Bali.
Our group tours can currently be combined with tours to West Papua, as well as other parts of Indonesia. You can check out our West Papua Tours here
Explore East Timor Tour – 6th-13th October 2025 – $1995
Our standalone East Timor tour has us checking out the capital city, as well traveling to other lesser seen parts of the country such Baucau and Lospalos.
Independent Tours to Timor-Leste – East Timor Independent Tours
Timor-Leste is not odiously a country that is not only very difficult to navigate, but also lacking in tourist infrastructure. Fear not though as YPT are the only company with the correct local contacts to arrange bespoke travel throughout Timor-Leste.
We can also arrange hotel bookings, guides in Timor, transport, well as air and bus rental;
For more information on booking an independent tour to Timor-Leste please contact us.
Example Timor-Leste Tour Itinerary
The following is our main Timor itinerary. This is meant as an example, but can also be edited, or combined with other packages to suit your needs.
While this marks our standard Timor-Leste Tour, we also offer our famous Timor Overland Trip, which also takes in West Timor and Oecusse. Elements from all trips can be combined to create the perfect bespoke Timor-Leste tour experience.
Day 1
- Arrival in Bali at own Leisure
- Kuta is somewhat infamous as a party place in Bali, and whilst you might not want to stay here too long, for one night it does the trick.
- Overnight in Kuta
Day 2
- We transfer to the airport to board the 09.15 flight to Dili, capital of East Timor Arrival at 12.00 arrange our visas on arrival before transferring to our very centrally placed accommodation
- Lunch in town
- Optional Scuba dive (at own cost) or free time for some rest
- We take a walk down to the pristine beachfront in Dili where we will grab dinner at one of the restaurants overlooking the sea. At dinner we will be joined by a leading politician, former prisoner, and veteran of the independence war with Indonesia, to hear about his experiences in fighting for Timorese independence
- Overnight at East Timor Hostel
Day 3
- We go for a city tour of Dili including the parliament, presidential palace and old Portuguese architecture
- Visit to the Timor genocide museum, not only a very moving place but essential in understanding the recent history of the nation.
- Lunch in a traditional Timorese restaurant
- TRIP HIGHLIGHT We head to the HQ of FRETELIN, the former ruling party of Timor-Leste to buy t-shirts, and probably have our photos taken for their propaganda! Expect lots of raised fists, and to be called comrade a lot. All very YPT.
- Our local guide continues our driving tour of the city with a visit to the former prison building of the Indonesian army and other sites related to the war of independence.
- Back to the hostel for shower and change before we transfer to the beachside barbecue restaurants to sample how the locals get together for drinks and food. This is street food at its best!
- Walk down the seafront for nighttime beers overlooking the sea
- Overnight at East Timor Hostel
Day 4
- We get up nice and early to board our private bus to drive to the second largest and most important city in the country – Baucau
- The journey takes around 3 hours with us stopping on the way for pictures opportunities and lunch.
- On arrival in Baucau, we check into our bungalows on our very own private beach. This is simple, but also extremely serene.
- City tour of Baucau including the old colonial building and government house.
- Baucau has a very famous outdoor saltwater swimming pool frequented by the locals so we head here for a morning swim and a relax
- In the evening, we enjoy a home cooked meal with our hosts before grabbing some beers and heading down to our very own private beach for a kickback. The sea has bio phosphorescence, with the water lighting up on your every move.
- Overnight in beachside bungalows
Day 5
- We then head to what is quite a surprising highlight of the trip by visiting the local market.
- Considering this is the second biggest city the market is surprisingly primitive with foreigners rarely venturing here. This offers a lot of opportunities to observe contemporary life as well as interact and speak with the locals
- Lunch at a locally famous restaurant to try the regional specialty Kulu, or for the less adventurous Portuguese cuisine.
- If you have your very own private beach, then you should use said very own private beach, so we do what any sensible group would do and have a big BBQ!
- Overnight in beachside bungalows
Day 6
- TRIP HIGHLIGHT We head to a weird but very worth it highlight, where we head to Baucau Airport, a place that looks abandoned but is in fact very much in use, where we will be able to drive around the runway via our vehicle, or for the adventurous by motorbike
- We avoid the legendary Timorese roads by boarding our own chartered aircraft for the very quick prop-plane flight from Baucau to Dili. Dual heaven for flight geeks.
- On arrival in Dili, we transfer directly to our hotel for a freshen up and lunch before our vehicle arrives back from Baucau to meet us.
- In the afternoon we head to the iconic statue of Jesus for a hike and to see the sunset. For those inclined, it is possible to either rent a motorbike to do this, with, or without a driver, or to simply take our regular vehicle.
- We sit by the sea to witness the stunning sunset next to a beautiful beach, where we will also have dinner, drinks and a general goodbye for our last night in Timor-Leste
Day 7
- Free morning in Dili to either do some last-minute shopping (yes we will get you fridge magnets), or simply relax by the beach before we head to Dili Airport for our flight back to Bali
- We take the 2.15 pm flight to Bali arriving at 15.00 in Bali
- Transfer to our hotel in Kuta for a relaxing afternoon
- With it being our last night together, and in Bali we head out for one last YPT BBQ and goodbye drinks.
Day 8
- End of the tour with YPT able to arrange all sorts of further transportation, accommodation and excursions all throughout South East Asia.
Note – Most of Timor-Leste tours start and finish in Bali, but this can be altered if you wish to arrive on a different flight, or simply begin your East Timor Tour in Dili.
East Timor Tour Guides
While East Timor is severely lacking in tourist training and infrastructure, YPT work with the few tour guides that are available and can speak English. While not as good as in other countries with a rich tourist background they are extremely knowledge about the country.
East-Timor Travel Agencies
YPT are the only East Timor travel agency that focuses on seeing the real Timor. Other agencies are mainly Australian and focus on diving.
We are an East Timor Travel agency that works closely with the government, as well as the local populace to provide opportunities to Timorese people to show off their culture.
Independent tours to East Timor are accompanied by an English-speaking guide, although other languages, such as Portuguese can also be arranged.
Example Independent East Timor Tours
National Day in Timor-Leste
The biggest celebration in Timor-Leste is national day during May. YPT currently arrange yearly group tour to celebrate the national day of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, but can also arrange bespoke trips for groups.
Timor Overland
One of our signature tours. Our Timor Overland Trip takes from Kupang overland through West Timor, with the option of going straight through to Dili, or going via the exclave of Oecusse, with as many optional stops on the way as you desire.
Diving Tours to Timor-Leste
Currently the main draw to East Timor is its almost untouched diving. YPT can arrange diving tours to Timor-Leste, as well as regular East Timor tours that include diving, as well as dive boat charters. Our diving trips to East Timor are at a faction of the cost charged by other operators.
Business travel to Timor-Leste
Through our connections in the country YPT can arrange business based travel to Timor-Leste, as well as insulting services and meetings with government ministers. This also includes trips to the Special Economic Zone of Oecusse, as part of wider business-related Timor-Leste Tours.
You can read Gareth Johnson’s interview with President Horta of the country here.
Journalist travel to Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste is one of the most democratic and open countries within the region, thus making it a great place for journalists to visit. YPT can not only help journalists with their travel needs, but also with regards to meeting key political and business figures, as well as those related to the independence struggle.
Atauro Island Tours
YPT can arrange tours, accommodation and transport to and from Atauro Island. This is the most popular tourist attraction on Timor-Leste and boasts pristine beaches, as well as diving and snorkelling. YPY can arrange ferries here, as well as private yachts, as well as charter flights.
Sports tours to East Timor
East Timor is an extremely sporting nation and aside from being mad about football also excels at a number of other sports. YPT can arrange sports tours to Timor-Leste, such as for football teams and the like. We can also do the arrangements for professional sides traveling for matches within East Timor.
To read about football in Timor-Leste click her
Top things to see
Tais Market
Tais is a Tenun weaving tradition. An authentically rich feel about the market, which is based in the capital. Larger covers for the couch and bed cost about $25, while tablecloths cost about $10 and little covers cost about $2. The “Barlak” dowry transaction, which was one of the first dowry exchanges, shows that male and female tais have played a vital role in the cultural history of the people and cultures of East Timor.
The Archives & Museum of East Timorese Resistance
Entrance free priced at $1 to experience the stories told and artifacts from the time of fighting for freedom. This would set the pace of your journey in the country. Learning about the struggle of independence from Portugal and more recently Indonesia back in 2002.
Cristo Rei
At Cape Fatucama in Dili, there is a gigantic monument of Jesus Christ that is 27.0 meters high and perched atop a globe. This is a great opportunity to grab a photo with the statue in the background with the beautiful blue waters.
HQ of FRETELIN
The political position of ‘Centre-left’ is ingrained into the party of ‘Fretelin’. The HQ is situated in the capital – Dili. In May 2022, the leader of the party- Francisco Guterres- was president until José Ramos-Horta from another ‘Centre-left’ party named CNRT took 62% of the vote and took over.
Piscina de Baucau
In the second city of Baucau, there is a swimming pool where most locals come to in the mornings to relax. Once a week, the natural spring water that is in it is replaced. This place hosts a strong sense of existential authenticity from the locals relaxing to the vegetation surrounding the premises.
Getting into Timor-Leste
Flying to East Timor
Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport is the main international airport of Dili.
Major international airlines that serve Dili directly include:
- Air Timor from Singapore.
- Sriwijaya Air and its sister company NAM Air from Bali (Denpasar), Indonesia.
- Citilink from from Bali (Denpasar), Indonesia.
- There are currently rumours of a direct route from KL to Dili being launched
Entering East Timor by land
At Mota’ain (or Motain), 115 km west of Dili, there is a major land border crossing with Indonesia. A 3–4 km away town in Timor-Leste is called Batugade. The West Timorese town of Atambua is the closest significant Indonesian town. Additionally, there are land border crossings into Oecussi at Bobometo (north of Kefamenanu on the Indonesian side), Salele (near Suai) on the south coast, and Wini (on the north-east coast of Oecussi).
Aside from Indonesian nationals, visa on arrival is not accessible at the land border. A Visa Application Authorization must be requested in advance for anyone planning to cross the land border, and this authorization must be shown to an immigration officer at the border. For a price of $30, a single or multiple entry visa usable for up to 90 days is issued if all other requirements are satisfied. Schengen members from the European Union no longer need a visa application authorization letter to cross the land border. Timor-Leste and EU Agreement.
Entering Timor-Leste By sea
A few cruise lines include Timor Leste in their itineraries, including P&O Cruises, Holland America Line, Noble Caledonia, and Paul Gauguin Cruises. However, East Timor is not served by any regular international passenger boats.
The various islands of Timor-Leste are accessible by boat
How to get an East Timor Visa
Visa-free travel to Timor-Leste is permitted for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for citizens of all Schengen Agreement nations. At any border crossing, including land border crossings, Dili International Airport, and Dili Sea Port, Indonesian nationals may apply upon arrival.
All other nationals may receive a visa upon arrival if they enter the country through the Dili Sea Port or Airport. For a price of $30 USD, a single-entry visa valid for up to 30 days is issued. For a price of $20, transit permits are available for stays of under three days. It is advisable for visitors to arrive with US dollar currency. Both inside the airport and at border crossings are ATM and credit card machines.
All visitors must fulfill these requirements in addition to having a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entrance to enter East Timor.
- Show that you have a sincere desire to come (as tourist or business trip).
- A return or onward ticket must be presented together with proof of your lodging arrangements.
- Provide evidence of sufficient funds: **US$150 per day for tourist or business visas. **US$100 plus US$50 per day for transit visas.
The immigration officers won’t ask for any of this information, though, if you have a passport from a wealthy nation and appear respectable. Instead, they will take your $30 and hand you a visa sticker. You then wait in line at passport control, where someone will insert the sticker.
Visit Oecusse
Young Pioneer Tours are the only company that can arrange your travel to the special economic zone and exclave that is Oecusse. It is possible to reach Oecusse by ferry, or flight from Dili, as well as overland from West Timor.
You can read about our Timor-Leste Tours to Oecusse here
Young Pioneer Tours are the only travel agency who can arrange the special permission for you to travel overland from Indonesia into Oecusse and thus onto the Timor-Leste mainland. We are also the only company offering business research trips here.
You can read more about our Oecusse packages here.
West Timor Tours
As part of our Timor Overland Tour YPT start in Kupang the capital of West Timor, before traveling overland to Oecusse. Aside from this group tour YPT can arrange bespoke travel through West Timor, as well as going overland from Kupang to Oecusse, as well as Kupang to Dili.
Our West Timor tours can also be combined with other parts of the region, such as Flores and Komodo Islands, as as further afield to places such as West Papua. You can check out our West Papua Tours here.
For more information on combining other parts of Indonesia or the wider region to your Timor-Leste tour please get in touch.
