Exploring Flores and Komodo Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

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Bigger but less explored than nearby Bali and Lombok, Flores is a lush and diverse island with varied cultures and scenery.

After acclimatising on Bali you'll begin your Flores adventure. Explore, volcanoes, lakes and tribal villages with your guide before heading to neighbouring Komodo National Park, home to dragons and incredible marine-life. Before flying home you'll return to Bali for a few days R & R.

Highlights include:

Watching the volcanic crater lakes of Kelimatu change colour before your eyes
Discovering the ancient rituals and traditions of the Ngada people in the highlands of Bajawa.
Spotting Komodo Dragons on Rinca and exploring the marine wonders of Komodo National Park
Relaxing in Bali and taking in the island's magical atmosphere, away from the crowds

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive Journey Planner here.

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Indonesia.

Day 2-4 Sideman (Bali)

On arrival, your guide will meet you for your private transfer to the picturesque hills of East Bali. This is a lovely retreat where you can totally relax and get a feel for authentic Balinese life.

You can opt to laze around the resort and take in the views, pool and spa or you might choose a more active stay. Activities on offer include a trek to nearby Pura Bukit which is home to traditional Ikat weavers, cycling through the foothills of Mount Agung or exploring the secluded coast nearby. Whatever you choose to do you’ll enjoy a remarkably beautiful landscape of rice paddy terraces, volcanic valleys, lush tropical forest and mountain terrain.

Day 5 Moni (Flores)

Refreshed from your Balinese retreat, today you’ll fly east from Bali to Flores. Arriving in Ende you’ll be met by your local guide for the transfer to Moni, a small village that is the ideal base from which to visit the stunning Kelimutu volcano, one of the most startling natural phenomenon in Indonesia.

Day 6 Three Coloured Lake and Ende (Flores)

It’s an early start today for the trip to the top of the crater where the three crater lakes appear to change colour. Admire the spectacular view as the sun rises, before you return to the hotel for breakfast.

Later you’ll travel back towards Ende via a traditional Lionese village on a forested volcanic ridge. Your overnight stay will be in Ende.

Day 7 – Bajawa (Flores)

Today you’ll travel west through valleys and mountains towards Bajawa, the regional capital of the traditional Ngada people. Stop off en route at Tanggo Beach for a picnic lunch. Tanggo beach is unique on account of its egg-sized volcanic stones that create a musical sound as the waves wash over them.

Day 8 Bajawa to Ruteng (Flores)

Leave Bajawa today for the extraordinary Ngada village of Belarghi. The journey includes a road trip followed by a gentle 1.5 hr trek through the hills towards the village, which is home to 5 clans. Expect a warm welcome into the community as their guests and have a refreshing coconut drink as you meet the local people. Megalithic traditions and ancestor worship are still very much alive in these hills around the Inerie volcano and the traditions and belief systems are incorporated into the building of each and every house.

After your visit, walk back down to Mbalata beach where you can enjoy lunch and a relaxing swim. Then you’ll continue on to Ruteng for a two-night stay.

Day 9 Ruteng (Flores)

Ruteng is a busy town at the western end of Flores, located at the foot of a high mountain range and in the centre of a complicated network of valleys which feed the island's largest rice-producing area. The pleasantly cool climate and high altitude makes the region ideal for coffee production.

Today you’ll explore the hills, visiting a picturesque waterfall and a cave that was made world famous by the fascinating discovery in 2003 of Homo Floresiensis, nicknamed 'hobbit man'. The powerful two-tiered waterfall is around an hour's drive and short trek from Ruteng, while the cave is 45 minutes from the waterfall. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch.

Day 10 & 11 Komodo National Park

With your guide, you’ll transfer by road and then boat to your resort which is close to some of Komodo’s best underwater spots.

Of course, Komodo National Park offers the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the world’s largest living lizard. The park is spread across three islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar, and on Day 11 you’ll travel to Rinca in search of the “dragons” themselves. There are many other animals in the park and this is one of the world’s richest marine environments so it’s a fantastic place for snorkelling and kayaking too.

Day 12 – 15 Bali Beach

After your adventures in Flores and Komodo you’ll depart Labuan Bajo on the short flight to Bali to spend 4 days relaxing by the beach. Equally, you could explore Bali in more depth or swap Bali for a beach stay on Lombok.

Day 16 Fly Home

Today you depart Bali on your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, your holiday can be modified to include a full tour of Bali or any of the other amazing Indonesian islands.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, two-week holidays range from roughly £2,500 to £8,000 per adult, with an average price of £3,300. We also offer substantial child and seasonal discounts.

Fill in our Quote Request form to get your quick, no-obligations proposal.

As every holiday is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 for an inclusive, personalised quotation for your preferred dates or use the quote request form below...

Inclusions

International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
Accommodation as described
Privately guided tours and transfers
Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
Meals as described
24 hour in-country backup whilst away
Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Komodo Resort, Labuan Bajo

One of few resorts inside Komodo National Park, a great base for a range of wonderful activities.

Surya Shanti, Sideman

Boutique hideaway and authentic Balinese experience in the remote eastern hills.

Customer Feedback

Six great and amazingly different hotels - we would happily recommend any of them. We had three excellent guides as well. And we lost track of the number of "Wow" moments. In addition to the obvious, including Paramban, Borobodur and Bromo, we would add our tour of the markets + rickshaw ride in Malang, and having coffee with Mr Rai at the Agung Rai Gallery in Bali. Our guide in Bali, Otok (?) was excellent at explaining local culture, and we left an offering at his family shrine.

- Cathy and David

About: Journey East Across Java & Bali

Customer Protection

The air holiday packages shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9324. Please see our booking conditions for more information.

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