Maumere – Arrival

Flight from Denpasar

Flight from Denpasar (Bali) to Maumere via Kupang by Lion/ Wings Air JT924 11:05 – 12:55 connecting by IW1821 14:10 – 15:05

On arrival in Flores you spend the night in a nice hotel on the beach, just outside Maumere. There will be some time left for leisure; snorkel in the clear blue waters or just relax.

Maumere – Moni

Scenic tour through the mountains to the village of Sikka

Today is reserved for a beautiful tour through the mountains. The village of Sikka, situated on the south coast, is one of the first places of Portuguese influence and Catholic missionary activity in Flores. 

Besides the beautiful Portuguese church from 1899 decorated with local ikat motifs, Sikka is also known as one of Flores’ most important and famous weaving centers. 

You will stop at a beautiful white sandy beach, named Paga. Here you can have lunch (excluded) at a local restaurant. We continue our way to Moni, where we arrive in the late afternoon. Moni will be our starting point for a visit to the Kelimutu.

Moni – Riung

Sunrise Hike (45 mins) to Kelimutu Volcano

An early start to the Kelimutu volcano; you might have a chance to see a spectacular sunrise. From the parking place it’s about a 45 minute walk to the viewing point. Bear in mind to bring warm clothes because it can still be cold in the early morning. It is a mysterious place with its three lakes constantly changing color. 

After that you continue your drive to Riung through a beautiful valley, situated on the north coast of Flores. You’ll be amazed by the variety of landscapes Flores has to offer. During the tour we stop to walk and to have lunch on the beach. 

In the late afternoon we arrive in Riung, a small fishermen-village where hardly any other tourists come; a unique experience.

Riung

17 Islands National Park

Today you go by boat to the national park, with its 17 coral islands. The place is well-known for its reefs, tropical fish and thousands of flying dogs (you can see them from quite close by).

Feel free to snorkel around; the underwater world is really beautiful here. For lunch you will enjoy a fish-barbecue and fresh coconut-juice prepared by one of our cooks. 

Riung – Bajawa

Natural thermal spring bath

Today you leave for Bajawa. On the way you stop by a viewpoint, which offers an astonishing view over the coral islands we visited yesterday. 

Around lunchtime we arrived in Soa. This village is famous for its natural thermal springs, heated by a volcano in the neighborhood. Here you will have some time to take a nice warm bath in one of the natural pools. 

In the late afternoon we arrived in Bajawa, a little town surrounded by volcanoes, situated about 1200 meters above sea-level. Bring some warm clothes, because the nights here can be quite chilly.

Bajawa – Belaragi

3 hours trekking to the traditional Village of Belaraghi

At 10.00 AM, we leave Bajawa for our trip to the traditional Ngada Village Belaraghi

In the afternoon, you will arrive at the beach of Aimere where you can have lunch (excluded) and walk along the beach.

After lunch, we will start our walk from the main road in Aimere to the Village, this should take around 3 hours. 

After 30 minutes’ walk, you will see some palm plantations and get to know more about the arak making process.

We continue our walk through savana and beautiful forests before reaching the Village of Belaraghi. The village consists of two parallel rows of 16 houses and the land structure is ascending like the other traditional villages in this area. 

To the Belaragi people, visitors from abroad are guests, not tourists. Therefore, guests are traditionally welcomed with a ceremony called ti’Ikaebunusi, which translates as ‘give food to the ancestors”. A bamboo flute ‘suling’ concert makes the visit complete.

Belaragi – Ruteng

Ranamese Crater Lake

In the morning we walk approximately 1 hour downhill back to the south where our car is waiting. We continue to Ruteng. On the way to Ruteng you will see people working in the countryside and stop by places where the local drink Arak is made. 

Ranamese means “big lake” in the local language and is not far from Ruteng. This 11,5-ha sized lake was a crater, which eventually created a deep-slope bank of water. The lake is surrounded by rainforest and is home to endemic birds.

Ruteng – Labuan Bajo

Lingko Spider Web Rice Fields & drive to Labuan Bajo

Ruteng, the capital of Manggarai area, is surrounded by rice fields. It’s the most fertile part of the island. In Manggarai you will certainly notice the impressive Lingko fields. With their round, spider-web structure, these pieces of land are the unique eye-catchers in Manggarai. 

In the morning we leave by car and then go for a 1,5 hour stroll around the small villages and rice fields, of course accompanied by a local guide who will know about this area. After that you will continue your drive to Labuan Bajo, through one of the greenest parts of Flores.

Labuan Bajo

Komodo Dragons & Overnight on Atimon Boat

Transfer to the harbor to check in on your private boat. Along the way to Komodo we will have plenty of snorkel-stops. The underwater world surrounding the different islets is breathtaking. 

In the afternoon we walk on the island of Komodo. Here you will meet the majestic Komodo Dragons!

We stayed the night onboard near an island where flying foxes live in the mangrove trees. While enjoying a magnificent sunset, you will be watching these animals, while they leave their habitat by the hundreds in search of food. A magical day!

Our cook will prepare a delightful dinner on deck, while a thousand stars shine down on you.

Labuan Bajo

Rinca Island: UNESCO World Heritage Exploration

In the early morning we walk over the island to enjoy the magnificent panoramic views. Here you will also see the Komodo Dragons. Rinca is less visited than its neighbor Komodo and one of the few places left in the world where you can find these ancient animals. 

If you still have time, you can enjoy snorkeling on the nearby islands before you come back to Labuan Bajo and stay the night in Labuan Bajo.

Labuan Bajo Departure

Transport and flight back to Denpasar

In the morning you will have time to wander around Labuan Bajo. You can also visit the local market around noon and you will be transferred to the airport.

Flight from Labuan Bajo to Denpasar (Bali) by Batik Air ID6330 13:45 – 15:00