Best of Flores

📍 Ende – Moni (60 km): 2 hrs

Upon arrival at Ende Airport, be welcomed by a local guide and receive a transfer to Moni, in the east of Ende. On the way, stop at Traditional Village of Saga and Photostop at Detusoko Ricefield. 

Check-in at the hotel in Moni and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Overnight in Moni
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Moni – Kelimutu (15km): 30 to 45 mins each way Moni – Ende (60km): 2 hrs Ende – Blue Stone Beach – Bajawa (125km): 4 hrs

After an early wake-up call at around 04:00, proceed to the mysterious Mount Kelimutu to discover the most amazing natural phenomenon in Flores. Kelimutu consists of three uniquely colored lakes from brilliant aquamarine, to ochre red and chocolate brown. Over the years, the 3 crater lakes have often changed colors. While a scientific reason for the color changes may be the varying mineral contents of the lakes, local people still strongly believe that the 3 lakes are gathering places of ancestral spirits, each color being related to a different Karma.

Note: Easy access with a 30-minute walk from the parking area of the Kelimutu National Park.

Drive back to the hotel in Moni for breakfast and time for changing and packing.

After checking out, drive back to Ende where former President Soekarno was exiled by the Dutch from 1934-1938, stopping on the way for a visit of Nduria bustling fruit and vegetable market and Saga, a traditional Lionese village.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Ende.

Drive to Bajawa this afternoon, a small and quiet town surrounded by mountains in the middle of Flores. Along the way, enjoy scenic view over the southern coast of Flores and its beautiful mountainous landscapes dotted with some macadamia nuts trees. Stop on the way for a walk along the unique blue pebble beach near Nagapanda.

Late in the afternoon, visit traditional Ngada village while stopping at Wogo. The village hosts impressive ancestral stones as well as the typical Ngadhu and Bhaga shrines representing the clan’s ancestors. 

Upon arrival in Bajawa, check-in to the hotel. Dinner this evening will be served at the hotel or local restaurant.

Overnight in Bajawa

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Bajawa – Ruteng (140 km): 5 hrs

Breakfast at the hotelIn the morningfirst visit to a bamboo plantation with also some very scenic views over Mount Inerie. Continue to Luba, another traditional Ngada village and from here, take a 15-minute walk to Bena. It is the most impressive of all Ngada villages still with stone megaliths besides the ancient houses that overlook Mount Inerie.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Proceed to Ruteng in the afternoon. Stop enroute to visit local arak factory near Aimere and see how the people make this typical alcoholic drink. There will be the chance to get a snapshot of Ranamese Lake and rest in nearby black sandy beach.

Arrive in Ruteng, capital of the Manggarai district and the largest rice-producing area of Flores as well as an important Indonesian coffee-producing area. Ruteng is located around 1100m in the volcanic highlands and offer a cool climate.

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Ruteng 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Ruteng – Labuan Bajo (132 km): 4 hrs 30 mins driving

After breakfast, start today’s excursion with a short visit to traditional village of Ruteng Pu’u. Continue to Cancar where a 20-minute hike to the hilltop is required for an overview of the unique lingko spiderweb rice fields. With their round, spider-web structure, these unique rice-fields are particular to the Manggarai people: the central point is used for ceremonies celebrating the unity of the male and female and heaven and earth.

Arrive in Labuan Bajo in the afternoon and enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the beautiful bay of Labuan Bajo and its charming harbor

Check in at the hotel in the mid-afternoon.

The remainder of the day is free at leisure to relax by the pool. Dinner will be served at hotel.

Overnight in Labuan Bajo

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Pick-up time (approximately):4-star hotel (by speed boat): 07:00Drop-Off time (approximately):17:00

Awake early this morning for a full day boat trip to Komodo National Park. It was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard, and also became a protected marine habitat for other species as part of the Coral Triangle containing some of the richest marine biodiversity on earth. Komodo National Park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The adventure begins with a morning transfer to Labuan Bajo port, followed by boarding a speedboat for an exciting day cruise through Komodo National Park. 

The first destination is Padar Island, where a short trek rewards you with panoramic views from the island’s summit. Continued to Komodo Island, It was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard, and also became a protected marine habitat due to the unusually high levels of biodiversity in the coral reefs that surround the island. Because of its unique stature as a center for wildlife, Komodo National Park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A local park ranger will guide on a trek, sharing fascinating insights into the island’s ecosystem and wildlife, including wild horses, buffalo, and pigs.

Next, head to the iconic Pink Beach, to snorkel or relax on its unique sands and marvel at vibrant marine life and corals. Afterward, sail to Manta Point for an exhilarating snorkeling experience amidst gentle manta rays, then make your way to Rinca Island. Here, in the savanna landscape, observe more Komodo dragons, buffalo, and wild pigs, with another ranger-led trek. 

Conclude an unforgettable day with a scenic cruise back to Labuan Bajo port, and return to the hotel for a relaxing evening.

Overnight in Labuan Bajo

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Hotel – Labuan Bajo Airport (3 km): 10 minutes

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Labuhan Bajo for the return flight to Denpasar on the island of Bali.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast