KomodoFlores
3
Day Itinerary •
Indonesia
Three days across Komodo and Flores delivers one of the most extraordinary wildlife and landscape experiences in Southeast Asia, taking you from Komodo Island where the world's largest living lizard roams freely to the extraordinary pink sand beaches and world-class manta ray reefs of the national park, and on to the extraordinary volcanic crater lakes of Kelimutu on Flores, where three lakes change colour independently with volcanic activity. This focused route covers the essential Komodo and Flores experience. The extraordinary Komodo dragon trek on Rinca and Komodo islands, the pink sand beach of Pantai Merah, the extraordinary manta ray channel of Manta Point, the dramatic Padar Island viewpoint over three-coloured bays, and the extraordinary Kelimutu crater lakes at dawn.
Best Time To Visit
April to December, dry season for best conditions
Getting There
Fly into Labuan Bajo (LBJ) from Bali or Jakarta
Getting Around
Boat charter in the national park, car hire on Flores
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, dragon trekking and crater lake hiking
DAY 1
KOMODO NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
RINCA ISLAND KOMODO DRAGON TREK
The extraordinary Komodo dragon trek on Rinca Island, the finest introduction to Varanus komodoensis in the national park. Rinca's open savanna landscape makes dragon sightings almost guaranteed, with the extraordinary prehistoric reptiles often encountered basking at the ranger station itself. Adults reach 3 metres and 70kg. A ranger guide with a forked stick is mandatory throughout the trek. Entry approx 250,000 IDR. Depart Labuan Bajo at 5:30am. 45 min boat
MIDDAY
PADAR ISLAND VIEWPOINT
The most extraordinary viewpoint in Komodo National Park, a 30-minute steep climb to a ridgeline lookout over three dramatic bays with different coloured sand: one black, one white and one pink. The extraordinary panorama of the Komodo archipelago from the Padar summit, with jagged volcanic ridges dropping to extraordinary turquoise coves, is the finest coastal view in eastern Indonesia. Entry included in park fee. 30 min boat
AFTERNOON
PANTAI MERAH, THE PINK SAND BEACH
The most extraordinary beach in Komodo National Park, where the sand is mixed with fragments of red coral from the extraordinary Foraminifera organisms that live in the reef, giving it a distinctive and remarkable pink hue most vivid in morning and evening light. The reef snorkelling directly off the beach is extraordinary, with exceptional coral coverage and reef fish diversity. Entry included in park fee.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kanawa Island, a tiny private island 30 minutes by speedboat from Labuan Bajo, has one of the finest house reefs in the Komodo region with extraordinary coral coverage and sea turtle sightings from the beach. Almost entirely unknown to day-trippers. A small eco resort operates on the island. The extraordinary sunset from Kanawa back towards Labuan Bajo is the finest in the national park.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast in Labuan Bajo Eat at 5am before the boat departs. Most guesthouses will prepare an early breakfast on request. | Lunch: Packed lunch on the boat Your boat operator provides lunch eaten at anchor between Rinca and Padar. Fresh local fish. | Dinner: Warung Makan, Labuan Bajo Fresh grilled tuna and local Flores vegetables at a simple warung on the Labuan Bajo waterfront.
DAY 2
MANTA POINT AND KOMODO ISLAND
MORNING
MANTA POINT, THE FINEST MANTA RAY ENCOUNTER IN INDONESIA
The extraordinary cleaning station and feeding ground at Manta Point in the northern Komodo National Park, where oceanic and reef manta rays gather in the nutrient-rich upwelling current to feed on plankton and be cleaned by wrasse. On a good day in the right season, 20 to 30 mantas circle in the extraordinary blue water. Wingspan up to 5 metres. Snorkellers can drift the surface alongside the feeding mantas. Best on incoming current. 1 hour boat
MIDDAY
KOMODO ISLAND DRAGON TREK
The extraordinary trek on Komodo Island itself, the original home of the Komodo dragon and the finest longer trail in the national park. The medium trail takes 2 hours through extraordinary dry monsoon forest, passing dragons, deer, wild pigs and extraordinary Timor deer. The extraordinary viewpoint at the top of the Komodo Island ridge gives views across the entire national park archipelago. Entry approx 250,000 IDR. 45 min boat
AFTERNOON
CRYSTAL ROCK AND CASTLE ROCK SNORKEL
Two of the finest snorkel and dive sites in the national park, where extraordinary pinnacle reefs rise from the channel floor creating extraordinary current-swept walls of sea fans, soft coral and schooling fish. Crystal Rock is renowned for extraordinary visibility and remarkable fish density. The strong Komodo currents bring extraordinary nutrients that make these reefs among the healthiest in Southeast Asia.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Batu Bolong pinnacle in Komodo National Park, a single rocky outcrop barely above the waterline surrounded by extraordinary current-swept walls, is considered by many dive experts to be the finest single dive site in the national park. The extraordinary density of reef fish, sharks and soft coral on all sides of the pinnacle is unlike any other site in Komodo. Diveable by snorkellers on calm days in the shallows.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, Labuan Bajo Early breakfast before the 6am boat departure for Manta Point on the incoming tide. | Lunch: Packed lunch at anchor Lunch on the boat at anchor off Komodo Island. Local rice and grilled fish prepared by the boat cook. | Dinner: Bajo Seaview, Labuan Bajo Outstanding waterfront restaurant in Labuan Bajo. Grilled local lobster and Flores coffee.
DAY 3
KELIMUTU, FLORES
MORNING
KELIMUTU CRATER LAKES AT DAWN
The most extraordinary natural phenomenon in Flores and one of the finest in all of Indonesia. The summit of Mount Kelimutu at 1,639 metres holds three crater lakes that change colour independently with volcanic activity: one has been black, deep green, turquoise, blue and white at different times; another has shifted from red to chocolate brown to emerald; the third ranges from turquoise to bright blue. Arrive at the rim before 5:30am for the extraordinary dawn colours. Entry approx 30,000 IDR. 30 min drive down
MIDDAY
MONI VILLAGE AND TRADITIONAL WEAVING
The extraordinary highland village of Moni at the foot of Kelimutu, where the Lio people produce the finest ikat weaving on Flores, with extraordinary traditional motifs woven into cloth using natural dyes of indigo, mud and local bark. The Tuesday morning market at Moni is the finest traditional market on Flores, with local farmers and weavers selling extraordinary produce and textiles. Free to browse. 3 hours drive west
AFTERNOON
ENDE HARBOUR AND DEPARTURE
The extraordinary port town of Ende on the south Flores coast, where the exiled nationalist Sukarno, future first president of Indonesia, spent four years under Dutch house arrest from 1934 to 1938. The extraordinary Sukarno Museum in his original house is a remarkable window into the extraordinary period of Indonesian independence struggle. Ende's traditional ikat market near the harbour is the finest on the south coast. Fly from Ende (ENE) or return to Labuan Bajo.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Wolowaru traditional village near Moni is one of the finest intact traditional Lio villages on Flores, with extraordinary clan houses built on raised platforms with extraordinary thatched roofs and intricately carved wooden pillars. Still genuinely inhabited and virtually unvisited by tourists. The extraordinary traditional ikat weavers working outside their clan houses welcome visitors. Entry by small donation.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kelimutu Crater Lakes Eco Lodge Wake at 4am, eat a quick breakfast, then drive to the crater rim for dawn. Coffee and toast. | Lunch: Rumah Makan in Moni Simple Flores home cooking at a local rumah makan. Ayam rica-rica spiced chicken and local rice. | Dinner: Restaurant in Ende Fresh grilled tuna and local Flores sambal at a simple waterfront restaurant in Ende port.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Labuan Bajo, Nights 1 to 2 Ayana Komodo or Bintang Flores Hotel. Bay views, good dive operator access. Approx 80 to 250 USD. Moni village, Night 3 Kelimutu Crater Lakes Eco Lodge or local guesthouse. Gateway to Kelimutu. Approx 20 to 60 USD. Liveaboard Option A Komodo liveaboard covers more ground. 2-night boats from Labuan Bajo from approx 150 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Depart Labuan Bajo by boat at 5:30am for Padar Island viewpoint before any other boats arrive.
2. Always stay with your ranger guide on Komodo and Rinca. The dragons are genuinely dangerous.
3. Kelimutu is best at dawn before cloud fills the crater. Arrive at the rim by 5:30am.
4. Manta Point mantas are largest and most numerous April to June on incoming current.
5. Komodo boat charters are per boat, not per person. Get a group together to split the cost.
6. The pink sand at Pantai Merah is most vivid in morning light before 9am. Go early.
Total Budget
80 to 420 USD/day