Itinerary
Start Pint : Labuan Bajo, West Flores
End point : Ende, East Flores
Day 1: Flight to Flores – Boat Excursion from Labuan Bajo – Rinca Island
Pick up from Komodo airport in Labuan Bajo and transfer to the harbor in Labuan Bajo, where we board a boat and drive 2 hours to Rinca island in the Komodo National Park. Rinca island has a higher density of the Komodo population and is very likely to see Komodo. After arrival at Rinca we start a 3 hour walk through a landscape dotted with Lonta Palm trees . We will see not only the Komodo but we will see also other animals, such as Timor deer, Buffalo, monkeys, wild boars, and exotic birds. There are breathtaking views of the slopes. Lunch will be served upon return to the boat.In the afternoon there is possibility for snorkeling, swimming or just relaxing on the white beach of Kelor island or Biddadari island. Late afternoon we are sailing back to Labuan Bajo. Accommodation in puri sari beach Hotel in Labuan Bajo or similar.
Day 2: Labuan Bajo – Ruteng
After breakfast, we drive from Labuan Bajo to Ruteng. Optional and at an additional cost we can make a stop at Melo village, where we can arrange demonstration of the ritual caci dance. Our first stop is in Todo in South Central Manggarai. It is one of the few ways to see the traditional ceremonial houses Mbaru Niang. In the past, Todo was also the Centre of the Kingdom of Manggaraian and the home of the Royal clan.
Alternative to Todo you can visit Liang Bua (Hobbit cave). This large cave was the site of a stunning archeological discovery in 2003, when the skeletal remains of a small humanoid were unearthed, the so-called Homo Floresiensis. There is a small museum on site with some displays. Otherwise the cave is indeed empty and the road in poor condition but the scenery is beautiful.
If you spend 2 nights in Ruteng you can visit both sites and make hiking from Hobbit Cave to Tengkulese Watterfall.
Our next stop is in Cancar where we can see the “spider web rice field”(rice fields, which are arranged like a spider’s Web) and called also Lingko. In the afternoon we arrive in Ruteng and visit “Adat House”. Accommodation in Ruteng is depending on request and availability at the Catholic convent of Santa Maria Berdukacita or in a Guest House/Hotel.
Day 3: Ruteng – Bajawa
On this day we spend first lot of time driving driving passing rice fields and through mountainous landscape with beautiful views. We stop for view to Lake Rana Mese and make on the way short walks and photo stops. Lunch on the road in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon we visit in Aimere an traditional manufacturer of Arak and the Manga Ruda hot springs. Accommodation in one of the simple hotels in Bajawa. Depending on your choice and availability in Villa Manulalu or Hotel Happy Happy.
Day 4: Bajawa – Traditional Village Bena and Luba – Ende – Moni
After early breakfast, we take a detour to Bena, one of the most traditional villages in Ngada District. The village consist of two rows of centuries – old high thatched houses along a ridge. In the center you can see cult houses and much older stone monuments formerly used for ritual sacrifices in the ancient local religion. The local Christian people still use this historic protected site for worship. After that we visit the smaller traditional village Luba.
Then we continue driving towards Ende and stop at Penggajawa Beach. The beach is littered with many colored stones. The stones are predominantly blue to turquoise, but also green and red stones are in between. The stones are collected by the local people and sold as building material. Here or in Ende itself there is possibility for lunch. In Ende, we stop outside the Museum Rumah Soekarno. It is the House where the first Indonesian President from 1934 to 1938 has spent his years in exile, and it is believed that he was here in Ende under a breadfruit tree inspired to the Indonesian national philosophy called “Pancasila”. Then we continue towards Moni with stops at the Market in Nduaria. and rice fields at Detusoko. Than we visit the Wologai village with well-preserved traditional houses in the for this region formerly typical Lioneser architecture.Accommodation in a bungalow in Kelimutu Eko Lodge. which is remote located surrounded by beautiful natur just outside the Moni village.
Day 5: The 3-Colored Lakes of The Volcano Kelimutu – Departure from Flores
Kelimutu is a volcano near the Moni village in Central Flores in Indonesia. The Volcano Kelimutu consists of three crater Lakes, which have different colors because of minerals. The colors of the Lakes have changed several times dramatically over the last years. The Lunar of crater is a hideout of the spirits according to the beliefs of the locals. Then the souls of boys and girls live in the Tiwu Mura Koo Fai, which change the color between turquoise, blue and white greenish Tiwu ata polo the sinner wait till night, to fly up with the wind and destroy every living Intruder. This lake change the colors between red, dark green, dark red and green color. The souls of the ancients rest in the Tiwu Ata Bupu. The now almost black Lake was once dark blue then light blue to white. The name of Kelimutu itself in the local language means ‘keli’ = ‘mountain’ and ‘mutu’ = ‘boiling’.
On this day, we have to get up early in the morning and after a cup of coffee or tea, we drive to the volcano Kelimutu. After 30 minutes we reach the parking lot, and here a pleasant walk about 1.5 km and 127 stairs leads to the terrace of Mount Kelimutu at 1690 m altitude. From here, you have wonderful views of all three colored crater Lakes of Kelimutu and the surrounding countryside. Approximately at 10: 00 fog or clouds can come up and prevent the view so it is important to be up at least between 8 and 9. In the midst of this lunar landscape, the colors of the Lakes look spectacular. It’s always a surprise what colors the Kelimutu Lake will have when we visit.
From Kelimutu, we descend to the Hotel for breakfast before we drive in 1,5-2 hours to airport in Ende for your afternoon flight back to Bali or other destination in Indonesia.
Tour Includes:
- Boat charter to rinca island
- Air-conditioned car during the overland trip according to the program
- Accomadation according to the program
- Eat during the trip as stated in the program
- Professional local guide
- Donations
- Entrances fee
- Accomodations & meals for guide + driver during the trip
- mineral water
Tour Excludes:
- Flight Ticket to Flores
- Food and drink while at the Hotel (can be included depending on request)
- Personal expenses
- soft drinks & Alcohol
- Travel Insurance
- Other fees that are not part of our service
What to bring?
- Camera + extra battery,
- charger,
- power bank
- Hat,
- shirts,
- long sleeves,
- trousers,
- shocks,
- trekking shoes,
- jackets,
- sandal,
- towel,
- soap,
- toot paste,
- raincoats during the rainy season,
- anti-mosquito creamsun block,
- glasses,
- swimsuit
- Extra money
