YPT Tours to Oecusse
Young Pioneer Tours are the only company to offer Oecusse tours, as well as travel packages to this Timorese exclave. Oecusse is a unique and often overlooked destination within Timor-Leste. As an exclave, it’s separated from the rest of the country by Indonesian territory. This isolation has preserved its distinct culture, stunning landscapes, and laid-back atmosphere.
Here we have put together links to group tours we offer to Oecusse, as well as advice on independent travel here, as well as practical tips on how you can visit the region.
You can read our Oecusse travel guide here.
Group Tours to Oecusse
Currently YPT offers one group tour per year to Oecusse. This is held as part of our Timor Overland tour. We are currently exploring the possibility of adding more Oecusse tours.
Timor Overland – May 14th – May 22nd 2025 – $1995 (including 1 night in Oecusse)
Independent Tours to Oecusse
Young Pioneer Tours are the only company offering independent travel packages to Oecusse, as well as bespoke Oecusse travel. These can be done as standalone tours, or as part of wider travel to West Timor, as well as Timor-Leste/East Timor.
Example of an Oecusse itinerary (2 days)
Day 1 – Pante Makasar
Morning
- From Kupang, we head off for the 6-hour drive to Pante Makasar the capital of Oecusse — not only the least visited part of the least visited country in Asia, but also the only exclave of East Timor.
- Regular tourists cannot cross this border, with YPT arranging special permission for us to get visa on arrival here.
Afternoon
- We stop for lunch on the Indonesian side of the border
- Met by the friendly owners of our centrally located guesthouse with some Timorese coffee, and a chance to relax a little.
- We head to the waterfront to capture an amazing sunset!
- Traditional Timorese dinner, coupled with local moonshine as our hosts talk to us about life within the country.
- Overnight in Pante Makassar
Day 2 – Pante Makassar
Morning
- Breakfast in the hotel
- We head out for our private charter prop plane to Dili, the capital city of East Timor proper. This flight can best be described as interesting!
- We check into our accommodation on the beachfront of Dili, where we also have lunch.
Bespoke Oecusse Tours
YPT can offer the following example Oecusse tours. Should what you wish to do in Oecusse not be mentioned, please get in touch to discuss other options for travel to Oecusse with us.
Timor Overland
Our Timor Overland tour. Takes you from Kupang in West Timor to Oecusse and then by flight to Dili. Alternatively it is also possible to take the ferry from Oecusse to Timor-Leste.
Oecusse Tour
YPT can also arrange bespoke Oecusse tours that focus on the local area, such as the historical sites, as well as the culture of the area.
Diving in Oecusse
YPT can arrange diving trips to Oecusse. These can also be combed with diving in the mainland of Timor-Leste, as well as Indonesia.
To read about the Rason SEZ click here.
Business consultation in Oecusse
As well as being the main special economic zone of Timor-Leste Oecusse is also slated for a number of high-end developments, such as casinos and the like. The means that business opportunities inn the SEZ are currently extremely good.
Through YPT’s connections with the government of Timor-Leste we can not only help arrange business travel to Oecusse, but also meetings with the people that really matter in the country.
To read my interview with the President of Timor-Leste click here
For more information on business travel to Oecusse in East Timor please get in touch with Young Pioneer Tours.
Frequently asked Questions about travel to Oecusse
How to travel to Oecusse?
There are numerous ways to get to Oecusse, such as flying to their international airport (via Dili), taking the ferry, or going overland from Kupang, or other parts of West Timor province.
To read about Kupang click here
If you decide to travel to Oecusse overland it will mean doing so via Indonesia, which means you cannot get visa on arrival. For information on how to travel overland to Oecusse check below.
Can I get visa on arrival to Oecusse?
Quite simply visa on arrival is not available when you travel as a normal tourist to Oecusse and permission is needed either from Timor consulate in Kupang, which takes time or in your nearest East Timorese embassy.
Young Pioneer Tours can arrange permission to travel overland to Oecusse for you with relative ease.
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