MAP & TRAVELSUGGESTIONS

MAP & TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS

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).

August 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

. Waigete for diving

· Babi island for diving (also from Waigete)

· 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)

· Woloara, traditional village Ende

· 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 6 hours or 2 days and camping

· Trekking to Belaraghi, traditional village of Ngada, 7 to 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 and 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.

Daytrip to Padar Island (yessss... the one with the awesome views on Komodo Island), Komodo Island (including Pink Beach) and Manta Point is the most populair one. Departure is early morning around 5.30 am and you will be back late afternoon around 16:00 or 17:00 or so
Daytrip to Rinca island with a snorkling stop on the way back.
Daytrip as you like (private boat only)
Trip 2 or 3 days with overnight on the boat .
Trips as you like, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days or more. Up to you but of course private boat only. There are also possiblities to overnight on several islands in Komodo NP including Rinca Island or Komodo Island. And, yes the dragons sleep there as well.

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:

do not book in advance from your home country!
choose a boat with at least two engines when you choose for open deck
check safety on board
check weather forecast the day before
if you intend to dive also check the expected currents
prices of shared daytrips on an open deck boat should be between Rp 350.000 and Rp 650.000 per person
prices of shared 2 daytrips on an open deck boat should be between Rp 700.000 and Rp 1.000.000 per person; be careful with two storey boats
prices for 2-daytrips with a chartered private boat start around 3,5 million, 4 to 5 million is more common; prices also depend on luxury of boat
a private open deck boat hired from 5.30 - 17:00 should be no more than Rp 2.000.000
a private open deck boat hired from 8:00 - 16:00 should be no more than Rp 1.500.000
check what is included and what is not
the mentioned prices may increase in high season