Speleonesia Expedition: Timor Leste Chapter is managed by Asosiasi Wisata Goa Indonesia (Indonesia Cave Tourism Association). This expedition is planned to take place at Maubisse Area, Ainaro District. It is purposed not only to explore and discover caves in Maubisse District, but also to build network and share knowledge and experience between cavers and speleologists of Indonesia and Timor Leste.
Background
Caves and karst in Timor Leste have attracted attention because of its hidden uniqueness and exceptional features. Previous expeditions successfully found huge potency to be developed as water resource or tourism destination while reveal more areas to study and more caves to explore. The underworld of cave in Timor Leste may never be finished as it always provides new mystery and question which requires collaborative exploration and continuous study.
This expedition is organized by Association of Indonesian Cave Tourism and Federation of Indonesian Speleological Activities with support from several universities in Indonesia and Timor Leste.
Objectives
Speleonesia Expedition: Explore Loro Sae is purposed to build collaborative work between Indonesian and Timor Leste speleologist in exploring and studying the cave and karst of Timor Leste. Focusing on Geo-speleology and Tourism Development, this joined exploration is intended to provide fundamental data and information and to design cave tourism at Arirao District as study area.
Activities
This expedition consists of several activities including:
- Cave exploration
- Cave mapping
- Cave tourism planning
- Joined training
- Seminar
Location
Maubisse, Ainaro District. This mountainous area of central Timor Island hides so many mystery of karst and cave below it with one of the peaks is the Mount Tatamailau, soaring more than 8000 ft above sea level. Maubisse holds a very important role as the source of some great river flowing to the south.
Date
June 2020
Participants
Caver and speleologist from Indonesian and Timor Leste