ABOUT TOUR
Offering a deeper exploration throughout the island, both nature and culture. Your journey here takes you back to the history of the Portuguese and Dutch presence in the 16th century. Flores island is the biggest Catholic empire throughout the nation. The active volcanoes are scattered on the island, and what is amazing is the three-colored crater lakes Kelimutu as a result of the massive eruption of Mt. Kelimutu in the past. Hiking the mountains, heading down to the traditional villages, island-hopping in 17 island Riung, and getting along with locals are the stories that you will carve during your vacation here.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Flight to Maumere, Flores Island
Take light to Maumere (Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport), meet your local guide here to receive direct transfer to your hotel. Maumere is the biggest town in the island, ever attacked by tsunami in 1992. Recommended hotel is Capa Resort, Coconut Beach Garden, Sea World Club Beach.
Day 2: Island Hopping (Full Day Boat Trip)
A full day trip with local boat for island hopping to Pangabatang, Babi, and Kojadoi. This tour combines snorkeling and visiting a local village in the island. Boat back to hotel in the afternoon and stay at leisure.
Day 3: Kampung Sikka – Koka Beach – Moni
Breakfast at leisure, check-out, and head to Kampung Sikka to see an old Catholic church which was built by Portuguese. You also see locals who are going to show you an entire process of making traditional woven fabric or “ikat sarong”. Heading to Koka Beach for swimming, relaxing, and lunch. Moni is the nearest point to Kelimutu National Park, a small village under Mt. Kelimutu. Stay overnight in Moni (recommended hotel is Kelimutu Ecolodge).Â
Day 4: Kelimutu National Park – Riung
An early drive to Kelimutu National Park at 04.00am (40 minutes drive), then continue walking to the peak of Mt. Kelimutu (30 minutes walk). Stay and relax while waiting the sun to rise, and then enjoy the incredible view of the crater lakes. Drive back to Moni for breakfast and departure. Take a long drive to Riung, stop at Nanga Panda Beach for relaxing and lunch. Stay overnight in Riung (recommended homestay is Pondok SVD, Bintang Wisata, Del Mare)
Day 5: Island Hopping to 17 Island Riung
Join our full day boat trip with local boat to the nature conservation park 17 island Riung. This tour combines snorkeling, beach-hopping, and watching bats in the mangrove. Back to the hotel and spend another night. Pre-packed lunch box will be served on boat.
Day 6: Riung – Bajawa
Depart from Riung and head to Bajawa. Stop at the hot spring So’a to enjoy hot bath and relax, then head to town for lunch and sightseeing. Check-in hotel (recommended hotel is Manulalu B&B)Â and stay at leisure. Visit traditional village of Luba & Bena to see ancestral shrines of male and female (enjoy trekking down to the village).
Day 7: Aimere – Ruteng
Aimere is a coastal district, a production center of home-made liquor called sopi. This distilled drink is made from palm juice. Drinking liquor is part of tradition across the island; liquor is a symbol of friendship and kinship. After lunch, we drive to Rana Mese Lake (enjoy walking around the lake), then continue driving to Ruteng for overnight. Recommended hotel is Spring Hill, Ara Garden Inn, MBC.
Day 8: Waerebo Village
Today, our journey is to the most remote village namely Waerebo, situated in the mountain at the elevation of 1,100masl. Stop at Lingko Cara (spider-web rice field), then drive to Waerebo crossing the winding road through villages and south coast. Stop for lunch, a brief drive to Denge, then hike to Waerebo. We stay overnight here. For those who cannot hike, we recommend to stay at the guest house in Dintor.
Day 9: Heading to Labuan Bajo
After breakfast, we trek down the mountain back to the car, drive to Lembor, stop for lunch here at local restaurant. En route to Labuan Bajo, we stop at Cunca Wulang Waterfall to swim and relax. Check-in hotel in Labuan Bajo and stay at leisure.
INCLUSIONS
- Private car (experienced driver + petrol)
- Private local boat charter (Maumere & Riung)
- Meals on tour
- Accommodation (hotel, Waerebo)
- Tour guide
- Entrance fees in each destinations
- Local guide in the village
- Snorkeling gears
- Accommodations and meals for guide & driver
EXCLUSIONS
- Insurance
- Flight ticket
- Visa arrangement
- Personal expenses (tipping, laundry, telephone, etc.)