A True Taste to The Authentic Culture and Exotic Nature of Flores Komodo

Upon arrival in Maumere Airport by flight from DPS (Bali) by NAM Air / 10.40 - 12.05, available only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (The schedule is subject to changes), meet and greet your guide at arrival gate then continue to explore the surrounding area of Sikka Village by visiting Wuring fishing village, local church and traditional weaving process. Late afternoon drive back to Maumere for overnight.

Remark : The flight details are subject to changes so please kindly reconfirm before booking

Travel through a hilly landscape and narrow valleys, passing by charming villages where weaving is still done by hand. Stop at any of them and you'll be able to observe the artisans at work. Gradually you'll start appreciating the differences in motifs, depending on the area! You will spend the night close to the mountain slope, among scores of lush rice paddies. Moni is a small settlement at the foot of the volcanic Mount Kelimutu and a home to the Lio people, who speak a dialect of the Ende language. Their ikat weaving is branded by long pieces adorned by bands of blue and rusty-red.
If time permits you may visit Kowanara village famous for its traditional Lionese houses, stone seats and traditional sacred cemetery.

Afterwards drive further to Moni and spend your night here. 

Early morning visiting Kelimutu to see its picturesque three color lakes and sunrise from the top of Kelimutu (if the weather permits). Then drive back to hotel for breakfast, check out and further continue short driving to Murundao Waterfall. It could be reached by walking +/- 10 minutes from the main road, it has a height of 15 meters with stunning natural surrounding.
Then continue driving to Nangapanda Beach with its pebble stones and here you will enjoy lunch at local restaurant before heading further to Riung for overnight.

Kelimutu

Near the small town of Moni in Central Flores, part of an Indonesian region known as East Nusatenggara, the top of Mount Kelimutu is a particularly interesting spot. On unique feature sets it apart from other similar mountains. The three different colored lakes on its peak, have intrigued travelers for centuries. Moreover, the lake colors periodically change due to adjustments in oxidation, iron and manganese level. Science has long ago revealed that this causes the change of each lake’s color, but scientific explanations aside, there are many myths about the origin of Kelimutu, still a sacred place for the local people. Over the years, the three crater lakes have often changed color. One of the local myths has it that the changing colors are caused by neglected ancestral souls.

Today you will explore the surrounding Riung, famed for its beautiful coral gardens. The coast and the surrounding area of the town of Riung have become a national conservation area, and were even given the status of a national park and named Pulau Tujuh Belas, or ‘Seventeen Islands’.

Sail by boat trip to Rutong and the water here is clear that you can see right down to the bottom where schools of fish swimming about amongst colourful coral reefs. You could also climb to the top of a hill located on Rutong to view the splendid scenery around you. Don’t forget your camera!

Afterwards continue sailing to Tiga Island. The crystal-clear water makes it a perfect place for swimming, snorkeling, and underwater photography.
The biggest island is the hilly Ontoloe, which is covered with short grass and a few trees, as well as fringed with mangroves. On the north coast of Ontoloe, you can observe the famous large fruit bats, called ‘flying foxes’, flying over the mangrove trees. A visit to Kalong, the ‘Flying Fox Island’, gives you the opportunity to see these fascinating animals as they fly into the sunset.
 

Leaving Riung and driving along with local villages where you will see the daily life of the villagers or ceremonies. Take your chance to enjoy the warm water that flows from a river under the shade of coconut trees. Spring water is believed to have a curative effect on those suffering from skin conditions. However, the experience of taking a warm, soothing bath in a beautiful, natural atmosphere is definitely a true delight for your body and soul. Onward heading to Bajawa. The area is home to some fascinating traditional villages, scattered around Mount Inerie, a mighty, sacred volcano of some 2.200 meters.

With impressive stone formations and ancestral shrines, as well as traditional houses, along with several other villages in the area, Bena has turned into a focal point of Ngada culture. There are several dozen traditional houses belonging to different clans, linked to one another by trails and stairs.

Leaving Bajawa and a few stops will be made such as visiting the arak distillation process in Aimere, which is made from the Lontar palm tree.  Arak is a very important part of the Florenese culture. No important event, ritual, or ceremony takes place without Arak.

Afterward continue your visit to Ranamese Lake, a mountainous natural reserve, which impresses with its dense forest and a 21-meter-deep crater lake at an elevation of 1220m. It is ideal for those who wish to explore the Florenese highlands by trekking. It is also a perfect place for bird watchers.

Ranamese Lake is situated in the middle of a forest, surrounded by lush vegetation of mosses, scrubs, tropical woods, and aquatic vegetation. The climate is comfortably fresh and comfortable. The water is calm and clear, making it easy to see freshwater fish. Other prominent animals around the lake are wild apes.

Arriving late afternoon in Ruteng, a cool and relaxing place.

Morning pleasant walk in Golo Curu hill, the best spot to enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the city of Ruteng, rice fields and surrounding hills which are often covered with small clouds. After a short walk, you can see graves: one for Catholics, one for Chinese, and another for war heroes.
Heading to Labuan Bajo by stopping at the terraced rice fields in the style of Cancar and Batu Cermin spider webs, a tunnel or cave in one of the dark rock hills. Sunshine enters through the hole in the tunnel and then bounces off the rock wall which again reflects small light onto other areas in the cave like a mirror. Hence it is called Mirror Stone or Mirror Stone. Onward driving to Bukit Cinta to take some pictures before heading to Labuan Bajo.

Before dawn, you will board a local fishing boat and sail to the home base of one of the most fascinating living creatures on earth, the Giant Lizard of Komodo. The trip leads past some of the most beautiful ocean view in the world. Your captain will skillfully negotiate the brown patches of land, small islands in the deep blue sea. Rinca is one of the homes to the Varanus Komodoensis, the scientific name for this fantastic creature. Most specimens of this native lizard species look very heavy -they can measure 3 meters long and weigh up to 150 kg- but their appearance is deceptive. With its disjointed jaws, poisonous bites, and the vicious way of killing its prey, the omnivorous ora is one of the most efficient predators ever created. During a hike in Rinca, under the guidance of a park ranger, encounters with these fantastic beasts are most probable! After this expedition, you can rinse off all excitement at one of the many semi-deserted beaches, teeming with coral gardens. Return to Labuhan Bajo for overnight.

After breakfast, transfer to airport and depart to your next destination.