The map here above is not updated (as there are 8 regencies and not 6; Nagekeo and Manggarai Timur are missing) but may give you an idea of the island.
From east to west the island is 355 kilometers, via the road from Larantuka to Labuan Bajo around 665 kilometers.
Need a good map of Flores?
Flores Travel Map, ISBN 978-3-9523834-4-5
The most complete map of Flores (2012) with maps of the small towns and some trekking areas. Rp 80.000, available on Flores and at the airports of Jakarta, Bali and Labuan Bajo.
WHEN?
The driest months are May to October when it is supposed to be not too rainy. It’s not the rain itself but a heavy and long shower can cause floods and sometimes landslides and potholes as the
drainage system is not adequate enough. Trekkings are more difficult or even not possible at all and the sea between Labuan Bajo and Sumbawa and off the south coast can be rough and boats
sometimes don’t run. However a shower now and then keeps Flores green and clean. These days the weather is hardly to predict like anywhere in the world. Rain is often late and when it comes in
the months February, March and April there is extreme weather with amounts water which the rivers couldn't handle. Therefore many landslides, broken bridges, houses washed away and unfortunately
also many (sometimes deadly) victims. In January 2016 the mountains around on the west coast and on the islands off the coast of Labuan Bajo hardly turned back to green again due to (too) little rain.
When you are planning an overland trip take at least 2 sweaters with you. Places like Bajawa, Ruteng and Moni can be very cold at night!
Most tourists come in the months June, July and August.
WHERE AND WHAT?
Highlights on the island are Kelimutu Lake, Komodo National Park the adat villages around Bajawa, Wae Rebo, Riung Marine park, and diving and snorkelling. Flores is not yet as famous as parts of Kalimantan and Sumatera when it comes to (volcano) trekking but it is definitely competitive with other islands. And, the nature on Flores is a highlight itself.
People come to Flores for:
- Kelimutu lakes
- traditional villages
- diving & snorkeling
- komodo dragons
- traditional villages and ceremonies
- unspoilt beaches
- volcanos for hiking
See also the separate regencies
and
HOW?
You can travel by plane (but you will miss the beauty of the island).
Or by bus together with the locals and everything they carry including chickens, freezers, huge baskets with eggs, a new mattress they bought in town and everything one can imagine.
Or by travel, a kind of shared taxi, mostly a big car or a minibus, a bit more expensive than the bus but more comfortable and faster.
Or you can hire a car with driver so you can stop whenever you want to.
See all kinds of transportation in the regencysections of East Flores, Central Flores or West Flores and the special about transportation on Flores.
HOW LONG?
Let me tell you first that Flores deserves more than a 3 or 4 four day trip to Labuan Bajo for diving and see the komodo dragons by chance. Flores has a diversity of attractions.
If you only visit Labuan Bajo for Komodo National Park and diving/snorkeling a few days will be enough, but you will miss the wonderful interior. Said that while Labuan Bajo has become more and more touristy, heading east you will have Flores mostly for yourself. If travelling overland the classic tour starts in Maumere and ends in Labuan Bajo and will be at least 6 to 8 days, more comfortable are 2 weeks so that you can start in Larantuka (maybe even a sidetrip to Solor and Adonara) a region seldom visited by tourists. Three to four weeks will give you the most complete impression of Flores.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO FROM EAST TO WEST
the Flores alphabet from A to Z
Below a list of attractions all over the island from east to west.
Note:
Not all attractions or activities can be done in one holiday or within the usual limited time as some places are remote and require a lot of time to get there (yes, even if they seem very close on the map). Many roads are still in very poor condition. The average speed on the main road is around 35 kilometers/hour, but on small roads or even paths this sometimes is only 10 to 15 kilometers/hour. Also don't be fooled by Google Maps as this is often not the reality except maybe the main road, the Trans Flores (but only if in ideal condition without obstruction on the road).
December 2019
The Trans Flores is not in the best condition since the beginning of this year when there was extremely heavy rainfall and landslides which caused broken bridges and washed away pieces of
road.
So please make a choice what to visit which you can discuss with your driver, your guide or with me.
A. Larantuka
· Cathedral Rheina Rosari
· Chapel Tuan Ana
· Market Larantuka
· Trip to Adonara island on a daytrip by boat or 1 to 3 days (Watotena Beach, Mekko
Beach, Ile Boleng)
· Trip to Solor island, 1 day as there is no accomodation on Solor (Lamakera, whales)
· Tanjung Bunga, a village with a rich history at the most eastern point of Flores
· Lake Asmara, a beautiful lake to be reached via a path through dense forest
· Kawaliwu Beach at the north coast, also for sunset
· Ile Padung, traditional village of Flores Timur
· Trekking ile Mandiri
· Trekking ile Lewotobi (twin volcano)
· Diving and snorkling between Larantuka and Adonara island (near Wureh)
· Semana Santa (from Wednesday before Eastern untill Saturday including Good
Friday)
bookings for Semana Santa need to be made far in advance, at least 6 months
before
B. Larantuka to Maumere (road in good condition)
· Lewokluok weaving village; every Thursday or on request, no activities on Sunday
· Great views along the coastline with views on the islands Adonara, Solor and Konga
· Detour Nobo to Boru around the twin volcanos Lewotobi Laki2 and Perempuan
· Trekking Lewotobi volcano
. Maumere or Waigete (Babi island) for divingcheck this website for diving
· Doreng Beach, via a partly potholed road
· Watublapi, weaving village
· Dokar, weaving village
C. Maumere and daytrips while staying in Maumere
· Wuring, muslim village on stilts, 4 kms from Maumere (unfortunately also a lot of
plastic these days)
· Alok Market
· Nilo, hill with statue of Mother Maria with views on Maumere
· Sikka, old church and weaving
. Doreng Beach, via a partly potholed road
. Watublapi, weaving village
. Dokar, weaving village
· Wair
Nokerua, a beautiful coastline and for sunset
· Ricefields near Magepanda (months December-June)
· Tiwu Bowu lake and beach with fishermen a few hundred meters beyond
· River landscape beyond Kotabaru
D. Maumere to Detusoko, via Maurole on North Coast (partly potholed)
· Wuring, muslim village on stilts, 4 kms from Maumere (unfortunately also a lot of
plastic these days)
· Wair Nokerua, a beautiful coastline and for sunset
· Ricefields near Magepanda (months December-August)
· Tiwu Bowu lake and beach with fishermen a few hundred meters beyond
· River landscape beyond Kotabaru
E. Maumere to Moni (road in good condition)
· Nilo, hill with statue of Mother Maria with views on Maumere
· Sikka, old church and weaving
· Paga Beach
· Koka Beach, the most beautiful beach on Flores wich a double bay, also for camping
F. Moni
· Kelimutu NP, the three coloured lakes (13 kilometers from Moni, good road)
· Jopu Ranggase traditional house Woloara
· Waturaka village
· Waterfall Murandao
G. Moni to Ende (road in good condition)
· Wologai, traditional village of Ende
· Waterfall Muru Dhaekale
· Detusoko ricefields
· Wolowona market
· Rock with mark Floresweg (Trans Flores Road, made by the Dutch in 1925)
· Market Ende
H. Ende (and daytrips while staying in Ende)
· Former house of Soekarno 1st president of Indonesia
· Market Ende
· Coast east from Ende
· Wolotopo traditional village Ende
· Sunset Ende Bay
· Grilled fish at the seaside (Pantai Ria)
I. Ende to Bajawa (road in reasonable condition)
· Market Ende
· Great views along the coastline
· Penggajawa, blue stone beach near Nangapanda also nice for lunch
· Mulakoli (starting point for climbing mount Ebulobo; guides are available in Mulakoli,
via your guesthouse in Boawae or guides from Bajawa)
· Wogo, traditional village Ngada
· Wolobobo, hill with view on mount Inerie; alsof or sunset
J. Ende to Mbay (road in reasonable condition)
· Market Ende
· Great views along the coastline
· Penggajawa, blue stone beach near Nangapanda
· Great views on Mbay 8 km before Mbay
K. South Coast Nagekeo (bad roads in general)
· Tonggo beach
· Wajo traditional village Nagekeo
· Coast around Mauponggo
L. Mbay
· Tutubhada traditional village Nagekeo
· Marapokot harbour
· Rii Taa island (1 hour from the harbour)
· Ricefields north of Mbay (also nice for sunset)
· Japanese caves
· Kotojogo Beach
· Riung Marine National Park 17 islands
M. Mbay to Riung (partly bad and portholed road)
· The scenic road Mbay to Riung
· Wewo Dhacatung and wewo Rowet, two strange but beautiful shaped hills
· Rii Taa island (1 hour from the harbour)
N. Mbay to Bajawa via Boawae (with a few bad stretches)
· Jalan tengah, one of the most beautiful roads in Flores with views on mount Ebulobo
· Batu kodok, a huge frog shaped stone
· Tutubhada, traditional village Nagekeo
· Wogo, traditional village Ngada
· Wolobobo hill with view on mount Inerie and sunset
O. Riung
· Riung Marine National Park 17 islands
. camping on one of the islands
· (part of the) north coast Riung to Pota
P. Riung to Bajawa
· Road through the dense forest (direct but bad road; most drivers take the road via
Mbay and Boawae which takes 30 minutes longer but is much more comfortable)
· Mengeruda hotsprings near Soa
Q. Riung to Reo (dramatic road)
· Coastline
· Ricefields, forest and views
· The beautiful Reo river
· Sunset in Dampek, east of Reo
R. Bajawa and around (most roads in good condition)
· Bena, Gurusina*, Tololela, Bela, Langa, Luba and Wogo are the nicest traditional
villages of Ngada, hiking from
. Hike from Bena to Tololela (and on to Gurusina)
* on 13 th August 2018 a part of Gurusina has burned down
· Watu Nariwowo, acces near Langa with view on Inerie and environment
· Malanage hotspring near Bena
· Mengeruda hotspring near Soa, also camping
· Statue Mother Maria in the mountains and view
· Wolobobo hill, view on mount Inerie and sunset
· Malanage viewpoint
· Wawo Muda, brown red coloured lake
· Ogi waterfall (less water in the dry months August to October)
· Bobou market Bajawa
· Trekking mount Inerie 8 hours or 2 days including camping
· Trekking to Belaraghi, traditional village of Ngada, 7 -8 hours possibility to overnight
· Area north east of Bajawa
S. Bajawa to Ruteng (road in reasonable condition)
· Belaraghi, traditional village Ngada, by car 35 minutes from the mainroad in Aimere,
bad road
· hike downhill Belaraghi to Paukate near Aimere with guide (from Bajawa)
· Arrack production in Aimere
· Mbalata beach, also camping
· Watu Cepi Beach
· Danau Ranamese (lake)
· Countryside east from Ruteng (just pick a road and be surprised; views, forest,
ricefields, villages)
· Market Ruteng
T. Ruteng
· Market Ruteng
· Cathedral
· Ruteng Puu traditional village
· Curu hill
· Liang Bua cave; site of homo floriensis (45 minutes drive from town)
· Tangkulese waterfall
· Road Ruteng Reo vv (views), Reo river
· Countryside east, west and south from Ruteng (just pick a road and be surprised;
views, forest, ricefields, villages)
U. Ruteng to Iteng (alternative for Dintor; bad, potholed road)
· Take the road between the two huge mountains and continue through dense forest
(national park) and ricefields all the way to Iteng. This is also an alternative road for
reaching Denge/Wae Rebo; however it is in bad shape with mud and potholes. To
reach Denge you also can take the road via Todo. The difference in time is 30
minutes but the road via Todo is more comfortable, well at least for the
first half of it.
V. Reo to Lemarang (road in good condition)
· Beaches near Robek, pantai Ketebe, also camping
It is not possible to continue westwards to Terang and Labuan Bajo as the
bridge has been collapsed (May 2018)
W. Ruteng to Wae Rebo (the classic road via Todo; road ok to Todo but very bad after Todo)
· Cancar, spiderweb ricefields and camping
· Countryside west from Ruteng (views, forest, ricefields, villages)
· Todo, traditional village of Manggarai
· Wae Rebo, the icon of the traditional villages of Manggarai with trekking;
startingpoint in Denge
X. Ruteng to Labuan Bajo (road in reasonable condition)
· Cancar for the famous spiderweb ricefields and camping
· Nangalili Beach, 40 minutes off road near Lembor
· Toda, (not Todo but Toda) traditional village of Manggarai Barat
· Cunca Rami, waterfall, but best visited from Labuan Bajo on a day trip
· Sanggoang lake, but best visited from Labuan Bajo
· Cunca Wulang, waterfall and canyon, including a short hike
Y. Labuan Bajo (including daytrips)
· Pulau Rinca, for the komodo dragons
· Menjerite island
· Kelor island
· Padar Island for the magnificient view
· Pink Beach
· Pulau Komodo, for the komodo dragons
· Manta Point for diving
· Many other islands west and north of Labuan Bajo
· Batu Cermin cave
· Rangko cave
. Waecicu beach, also camping
· Sano Nggoang lake (accomodation available)
· Cunca Wulang, waterfall and canyon with a short trekking
· Cunca Rami waterfall (good combination with Sano Nggoang lake)
· Warloka, ancient site best reached by boat from Labuan Bajo or via a very bad road
with fwd or motorbike only
· Tobedo, for petrified wood
· Kaca for petrified wood
· Sunset from Paradise Bar or Pede Beach
· Terang for nice views
· 20 kilometers east of Labuan Bajo, views over Komodo National Park (sunset!)
Z. North and South from Labuan Bajo
· Sano Nggoang lake (accomodation available, acces via a bad road)
· Mount Mbeliling (trekking, bird watching)
And across the island coffee plantations, cashew nut trees, cacao plantations, lontar trees for arrack production, vanilla, bambu forests, candlenut trees and above all friendly people....
SPECIAL
Visiting Komodo National Park
Labuan Bajo has dozens of agents, small offices and people on the road offering trips to Komodo NP.
What expect to pay?
To be honest, I really don' t know.
Every time I come to Labuan Bajo (which is at least twice a year) I am suprised about prices which have increased the last decade. For a daytrip the prices are between
Rp 350.000 and Rp 650.000 per person for a normal open deck boat. For a private boat prices can be anything between Rp 1.500.000 (1,5 million) and Rp 4.000.000 (4 million) for exact the same type of boat. Nobody can explain why these prices are that high. Back in 2012 I paid Rp 550.000 for a private boat for a trip Rinca and a "snorkling" Island on the way back but in January 2016 I had to bargain hard to pay 1,7 million instead of the asked 2,3 million for a trip Padar and Komodo. The lowest price I have heard in 2018 was 1,5 millon (Rp 1.500.000) for a full day, starting at 5.30 am untill late afternoon.
These days there also speedboats for rent starting around 5 million a day. You also can go by speedboat on a shared trip. So the message is: shop around and bargain hard.
A few things to keep in mind:
See also RENTING A BOAT FOR KOMODO NP
Prices for boats is one thing, but at all times SAFETY FIRST
TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS
Below you will find some travelsuggestions depending on time you want to spend and your interests including the most important highlights like Komodo National Park, Kelimutu lakes and the traditional villages around Bajawa.
Note: the trips here below are not yet detailed but they cover the highlights.
For more tailored trips, questions or comments please sent an email to floressurgakita@gmail.com
When you need help with finding a car with driver please leave a message with
-dates
-booked flights
-global planning (if there is already one)
-your interests
-how many people, also adults/children (important when needing a car)
-the amount of luggage
The more I know, the better I can help you. Your email will be answered within 24 hours.
Denpasar (Bali), Jakarta, or Kupang (Timor) are the most convenient airports to start your trip to Flores. If you want to combine your holiday with Sulawesi, Sumba, Timor or Alor there are also connections with airports on Flores (check the transport section).
The pdf docs here below cover most demands and are counted in full days, thus they don't include your day of departure. The routes are just examples. Send me an email and I can make you a tailored trip.
I am still working on detailed trips including Wae Rebo and volcano trekkings on Mount Inerie and Ebulobo. Be patient. They will online at the end of August 2019.
Note:
I am working on new files; the green ones are already updated with new info (3 August 2019)
RECOMMENDED
RECOMMENDED
RECOMMENDED
SELAMAT JALAN!
HAVE A NICE TRIP!