Luxury Komodo Explorer

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Price: $735 per person (twin share). Single Traveler $1015 ex Labuan Bajo

For those that have just completed the Komodo Dragon trip, our 5-day 4 night Flores Road Trip is a perfect trip extension. Please note that this itinerary can also be done in reverse to work with your kayaking itinerary.

Flores is one of the most diverse landscapes on earth with an amazing array of cultures mixed in. Dramatic mountain landscapes, lush fertile valleys, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and more await those that wish to explore the island. To top the trip off we will take you to a volcano (Kelimutu) that has three different colored lakes.

Please note that Flores is a rugged and mountainous island and as such the road trip can be long. The hotels used are the best available. They are usually very basic with hot water. The Eco Lodge in Moni has excellent facilities throughout.

Day 1 Labuan Bajo to Ruteng

After breakfast, we will start our road trip to Ruteng. The road will wind its way eastward for a couple of hours before we reach Cancar (pronounced Chanchar). There we will head out to Cara village and climb a small hill that looks over a wide valley. Cara is famous for its spider web rice fields. More technically the agriculture they persist with is known as Lingko in which a field is divided up among the various families of a village from one central location. A wooden pole known as the lodok is placed in the centre of the land. A string is run out to the field’s extremities and then divided into moso (meaning hand) forming the wedge-like fields. As the contours of the land are taken into account across this moso, the field starts to resemble a spiderweb. There are great views of these fields from this hill.

We continue on after lunch to Liang Bua about 1 hour from Ruteng. Liang Bua is the resting place of the Homo Floresiensis, a 106 cm high humanoid that lived in these parts. Discovered in 2003, scientists now speculate why the Hobbit as they are being dubbed, died out. Was it because of Homo Erectus or was it something else? This large grotto cum cave is just off a side road that winds its way through beautiful rice fields and mountain terrain. A local guide will come and show you through the place including a small side cave and the opening to a deep 27-meter hole that leads to another cavern (this is not accessible by non-scientists).

From Liang Bua we will head back to Ruteng and the Susteran Maria Berduka Cita convent run by some very nice Sisters. The rooms are very clean and there is even BBC available on the TV. 

Day 2 Ruteng to Bajawa

We continue eastwards into more rugged mountain roads. Along the way, we will stop at a small lake called Ranamese with sweeping views of the coastline. From there we continue to the seaside village of Lega Lapu where we will sample some Arak or Palm spirits. While you may have tasted Arak before, this brew is quite good and actually drinkable.

From Lega Lapu we continue back into the mountains for Bajawa. This is a great yet strange town with bareback cowboys and a beautiful landscape to boot. In the afternoon we will head to Soa which is a natural hot spring just out of town. This is a great place to relax and soothe aching muscles. Tonight we will dine in a timber restaurant (Lucas) that makes great fried potatoes.

Overnight Bajawa Roo Hotel. (B)

Day 3 Bajawa to Moni via Ende.

This is our last day of driving and possibly the most spectacular of them all. After an early breakfast, we will head by car toward an amazingly beautiful valley near the Ngada village of Bena. However, Bena is where we will end our 1.5-hour trek from Gurusina down in the valley. Our trek will take us along small paths back up the mountain, through several Ngada villages.

Ngada culture is based on the balance of the male and female. Houses and smaller structures are either characterized by a male or female spirit. Ngada culture is matrilineal, meaning that property ownership and clan names are passed down through the woman’s side. The men however have great influence in day to day functions of the village. Ngada villages are welcoming and are fascinating and beautiful places to trek through.

We finish our hike in Bena, a large Ngada village overlooking the valley. Keep an eye out for small wooden houses and people sitting atop the homes in these villages.

From Bena, we continue on to Ende and then onto Moni. The road from Ende to Moni would have to be some of the most beautiful on the planet, with sweeping valley views and dozens of waterfalls cascading in the distance. We will arrive in Moni quite late so dinner at the Eco Lodge is suggested.

Overnight Kelimutu Eco Lodge (B)

Day 4 Moni to Kelimutu

We will rise early, around 430am, to walk to the summit of Kelimutu. We can get a small breakfast hamper put together of banana pancakes, water, and a boiled egg to have on Kelimutu. The park’s car park is a 30-minute drive from Moni and then from there a fairly easy 30-minute walk to the top. If we are lucky, the cloud will part at sunrise and the beautiful turquoise lakes of Kelimutu will reveal themselves.

Kelimutu is 3 dormant volcanoes that have been filled with water. Due to minerals being dispersed into the water, the lakes exhibit varying colours. The strange thing is that the lakes are so close to each other but the lakes can have different colours such as red, blue, and black.

If the summit is shrouded in clouds (which is common) and you don’t see the lakes, don’t worry. We will head back down to Moni with a possibility of a 2-hour walk through the fields to the Eco Lodge. We can shower and get another bite to eat there watching the Kelimutu summit from your room waiting for the cloud to clear. We can return to the summit in the afternoon or if all else fails, we can go up again the next day.

We suggest dinner at the Eco Lodge and our personal favorite, Mori’s Moni chicken. (B)

Day 5: Moni to Ende to Bali

This morning, assuming you have already seen Kelimutu, we will go for another walk through the valley. We can even arrange for a horse ride through the villages at your own expense. We will also visit the 10000 Rp market where every bunch of vegetables is 10000 Rp. The stall next door will sell for the same price so the price is not negotiable. The fruit and vegetables are displayed beautifully and it is a nice place to wander.

From there, we will head down to Ende for your flight back to Bali. (B)

Included:
– Accommodation between Labuan Bajo and Moni
– Expert No Roads Guide throughout
– Vehicle use throughout trip
– All meals as outlined in Itinerary

Note: If you are adding this extension to a Komodo kayaking trip then your flight to or from Ende before or after your road trip is included in the Komodo Kayaking trip. Please contact us directly to confirm dates if you wish to add this extension on to a Great Creatures Expedition.

Not included:
– Accommodation in Labuan Bajo
– Flight to and from Flores
– All other incidentals including lunches and dinners

Mbeiling Eco Lodge is a haven for wildlife and the lodge contributes significantly to the conservation and sustainability of the local communities and species of the area.

Stay overnight at this stunning Eco Lodge, which is 45 minutes from the centre of Labuan Bajo. 

We can arrange activities such as the Mbeliling Trek, Bird Watching, Flores Coffee & Nature Appreciation Tour, Cunca Wulang Waterfalls or Cecer Village Visit all from Mbeliling Eco Lodge.

Price: $140 per room per night twin share includes return transfers from Labuan Bajo

Check in – 2.00pm – check out 12.00pm

Inclusions:

• Return transfer to and from Labuan Bajo by air-conditioned car.

• Standard Double/Twin Room accommodation

• Breakfast

The highlight of this three day tour is the fully guided climb up Mt Inerie to see the sunrise. Mt Inerie is 2,245 meters above sea level and is also one of the highest volcanoes in Flores, the trek takes six hours and starts at the very early time of 2:30 am. Tour also includes a visit to the local hot springs and a visit to the traditional village of Bena. This trip is a wonderful example of the incredible sights that you can discover when you go off the beaten track and take the road less traveled.

For more information go to our Inerie Volcano Trek page here.

Duration: 3 days
Price: $525 per person (minimum of 2 guests)
Single room supplement: $195
Price: $735 – single guest

Tour Includes

• All transfers to and from airport.

• Return domestic flights – Labuan Bajo to Bajawa

• 2 Nights accommodation at Manulalu Hotel including breakfast

• Town tour of Bajawa

• Visit local hot springs

• Sunrise volcano trek up Mt Inerie (start time is 2.30am)

• Local Guide for Mt Inerie trek

• Driver in Bajawa

• Meals – 2 x breakfasts (lunches and dinners at guests own expense)

* Guests must have a good level of fitness to complete the Mt Inerie Volcano Trek. Hiking boots are essential.

Flores is a relatively unexplored part of Indonesia. This mountainous island hides beautiful villages from the normal tourist, but with this 2 day trek, you will venture into this wonderland and experience the great hospitality of its’ people. 

Itinerary

Day 1:   We will leave Labuan Bajo at around 8am and head up into the mountains to Dintor Village (approx 4 hours drive). Along the way we will have lunch and witness the ruggedness of the Flores landscape.  Once we have arrived at Dintor Village we will start our trek for Wae Rebo village. After a short motorbike ride we will start hiking, which will take us through the amazing open mountain terrain where we will see the fantastic cone shaped houses (approximately 2 hours).  In Wae Rebo we will stay in a traditional home and be the guest of the village. They will show us their way of life high in the mountains. This is a great experience for those who want to witness traditional lives in Flores.  Dinner and Breakfast will be provided in the village. (L,D)

Day 2:  After breakfast you will have some time to immerse yourself in the local village before we start our trek down to Denge Village and then drive to Dintor Village where we will have lunch. From there we will return back to Labuan Bajo in the early evening for you to continue your travels.  (B,L)

Included

Car and driver
Local Guide
Overnight accommodation in Wae Rebo Village

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (as per itinerary)

Exclusion

Accommodation on the night of Day 2 (your return to Labuan Bajo). We can offer accommodation in Labuan Bajo for US$60 Twin Share subject to change and availability.

Price

We can run this trip for 1 – 5 Pax

1 Person $455
2 Person $265 per person
3 Person $240 per person
4 Person $220 per person
5 Person $210 per person