MANGGARAI TIMUR

MANGGARAI TIMUR

The road from Bajawa to Borong which is the capital (ibu kota) bends for one hour south to Aimere, then continues along a stretch of beach and turns to the north inland again. Manggarai Timur doesn’t receive many foreign visitors and Borong is usually only a place to stop on route from Bajawa to Ruteng or Labuan Bajo). Here are some padang and Javanese restaurants en a few hotels.

SLEEP In Borong are a few, mostly basic hotels see

If you don't intend to visit the area, traveling westwards to Ruteng is a better choice to spend the night. Heading to the east the guesthouses in Wae Langga, Aimere or Bajawa are more comfortable and appealing.

TRANSPORT see also

FLIGHTS

There is no airport in Borong. The closest one is in Ruteng 1,5 hours away.

BUS LONG DISTANCE

There are buses to Bajawa, Ende, Labuan Bajo and Ruteng and Labuan Bajo.

BUS WITHIN TOWN

Bemo/angkot Rp 5000

CAR WITH DRIVER

A car with driver is best to arrange in the main tourist towns like Bajawa, Ende, Labuan Bajo or Maumere. Also check car with driver

OJEK (MOTORCYCLE TAXI)

Rp 3000 to Rp 10.000 for a ride.

TRAVEL

This is a kind of shared “taxi” (a big car or minibus which runs from door to door). I am not sure if there are travels starting in Borong. If not, you can call Gunung Mas who can pick you up on their route between Ruteng and Bajawa. Costs are usually for the Rp 150.000.

BOATS

There is a seaport in Borong but not usefull for travelers. As far as I know the nearest port for passengers is in Aimere (to Waingapu, Sumba) in Ngada

WHAT TO SEE IN MANGGARAI TIMUR?

Just beyond the border with Ngada there is Mbalata Beach, a black sand beach with views of the majestic Gunung Inerie across Aimere Bay.

Poco Ndeki is the same word for nature. About 10 kilometers before Borong (coming from Aimere) turn left and right again at the t-juncction. Trails are not so clear however. A few kilometres beyond Borong you will find Cepi Watu a beach where huge stones cover the coastline. Like elsewhere on Flores, nobody there outside the weekends.

From Borong the road goes inland further norther as in the south are huge mountains. Lake Ranamese is a nice place to stop on the way to Ruteng. It is easy accessible (fee is a steep Rp 100.000) and only a short stroll downstairs you will meet the green and fresh lake full of natural life. There is also a waterfall reached via another path. Only a few hundred meters further on they have built an ugly wall (with graffity) to keep you away from the nice views down there.

more photo's Manggarai Timur

The north coast is even more seldom visited and actually only reachable via Reo (Manggarai). Near Dampek are fine views from the road high above the sea. Wonderful sunsets here. Further east in the neighbourhood of Pota you will come across a prehistoric landscape with blue rivers and huge stones and ricefields. Rana Tonjong (lotuslake) is a few kilometers south of Pota and worth a visit.
In this area also live komodo dragons but the chance you will spot them here is almost zero. The kind of komodo dragons are slightly smaller than those in Komodo National Park. Nanga Lok viewpoint is located between Riung and Pota.

Although Komodo National Park get all the credits for it famous komodo dragon, the area west of Riung, towards Pota is also home for a somewhat smaller specie of the komododragon. However there isn't such a thing as the tourist scene like on the islands of Rinca and Komodo. In Pota is a Komodo Information Center which I haven't visited yet so I can't tell you anything about it.
Please visit their website
https://komododragon.org/

Tip
The road along the north coast Riung to Reo is good today and a nice alternative for the regular Bajawa to Ruteng. Traveler who visit Riung can do this route. Coming from Moni you visit Bajawa first, then on to Riung and the day after the boattrip from Riung to Reo and continue to Ruteng. It takes a bit longer indeed mainly because of the gorgeous views along the road of ricefields, mountain landscapes, seaviews and river landscapes. And the road Reo to Ruteng is another beauty with the Reoriver and the views along the winding road. One of my favourite parts.