Exploring Timor-Leste
Travel to one of the least visited countries on the planet
Explore the Undiscovered
Discover
Discover what you can do in this diverse and fascinating country
snorkelling & diving | hiking | mountain biking | history & culture | religious sites | coffee | other activities | volunteer | itineraries | podcast
Explore
Explore what Timor-Leste can offer the intrepid traveller
Top 10 Timor-Leste | 5 places to visit if you like… | Aileu | Ainaro | Atauro Island | Baucau | Bobonaro | Covalima | Dili | Ermera | Lautém | Liquiçá | Manatuto | Manufahi | Oecusse | Viqueque
Plan
Plan your journey to Timor-Leste, a true adventure travel destination
ten things to know about travelling to Timor-Leste | tour operators | how much will it cost? | getting to Timor-Leste | getting around Timor-Leste | getting around Dili | where to stay | food and drink | internet | safety | health | climate | language | being culturally aware | what to bring
My Timor-Leste experience
- Railaco Ridge Loop
A beautiful loop hike from Railaco, about 45 minutes drive from Dili heading toward Gleno in Ermera. The early morning light lit up the small community of Railaco as I started from the medical […]
- Bihare to Darlau hike revisited
In my final few weeks in Timor-Leste I revisited a number of my favourite hikes in and around Dili, more confident and fitter than I had been. Walking them in the middle of the wet season, when I’d […]
- Tasi Tolu Ridge Hike Revisited
One of the first solo hikes I did in Dili was the Tasi Tolu Ridge Hike, which follows the hills surrounding the Tasi Tolu lakes. It was a memorable experience, with near heat stroke, fear of dogs, […]
- Nu’uba’u – Fonte Sagrada Trail
Along with the Waterfalls of Cucute Trail, this is the best known hike in the Oé-Cusse region. It follows a river system, from fields of corn to boulder scrambling reach the attractive Fonte Sagrada […]
My Timor-Leste books
Best of the internet on Timor-Leste
Recent media
Timor-Leste: Exploring Asia’s overlooked gem, Stuff
Heading Off: Jonty Crane in Timor-Leste, RNZ
Expat Tales: Life in ‘one of the least-visited countries on the planet’, Stuff
Promoting Timor-Leste as a travel destination, Guide Post Magazine
Fewer than 10 tourists a day: Welcome to Timor-Leste, Adventure.com
The forgotten tropical outpost on the brink of a tourism boom, The Telegraph
Is Timor-Leste safe for tourists? This is what it’s really like inside Asia’s newest country, Escape.com
A colourful trip back in time to Australia’s northerly neighbour, The Sydney Morning Herald
For scuba divers seeking serenity, nothing beats Atauro Island, The Macao News
One of the world’s youngest countries is on the rise as the next tourist destination, Travel Noire
Like Bali in the 1970s: This island on our doorstep remains unspoiled, The Sydney Morning Herald
Five of the best websites
Official Tourism & Travel Guide – the most popular website on Timor-Leste (there isn’t much competition) offers a wealth of information on the country though it can be a little vague about the logistics (which is where this site hopefully helps) and hasn’t been updated in a while…
Diliguide – a near definite guide to living in Dili as an expat, filled with useful and accurate information, recommended
Bucklistly Blog – a travel blog based on a 10 day visit in 2018 to Dili, Baucau, Maubisse and Atauro Island. His piece on how Timor-Leste was too adventurous for him is particularly good
Sophie Rai Liur – brilliantly written blog by an Australian who spent five years living in Dili, filled with interesting insights about life here as a malae (foreigner)
Notes on Travelling – blogger who spent two months in Timor-Leste and has some of the most comprehensive information on Timor-Leste
Five of the best videos
The Undiscovered Island – incredible video showcasing some of the best of Timor-Leste
Travel Inspired – Adam lived in Dili for five years and made many videos about Timor-Leste
Caroline Pemberton – Caroline was the face of East Timor Now, a 2012 promotional campaign, which created professional videos about Timor-Leste
Kang Obet – expat living in Dili who has captured everyday life here
Daily life in Dili – one of the most popular YouTube videos on Timor-Leste gives a good idea of life in Dili
What people say about Timor-Leste
“
Snorkelling is world class and our group agreed it was some of the best marine life we have seen”
Bella Benjamin on Atauro Island, Google Reviews
“
This is Asia’s youngest country, tourism is in its infancy and little information is available online. I find I’m astonished at just about every turn”
Kirrily Schwarz, Escape