- ✓ Wander Ubud’s rice terraces & artistic villages
- ✓ Trek Flores’ volcanoes, lakes & tribal villages
- ✓ Spot giant Komodo dragons in the wild
- ✓ Feast on seafood at Jimbaran Bay
Beginning in bohemian Ubud, you’ll start your trip relaxing amidst the rice terraces, before heading for an adventure through remote Flores. After a couple of days on a quiet beach, you’ll travel west to climb to the top of the Kelimutu Volcano with its three rainbow-coloured crater lakes, and visit villages which are virtually unchanged by tourism as you journey across this incredible island. Afterwards, you’ll explore Komodo and Rinca islands, home to the giant Komodo dragon, before ending your trip on Jimbaran in Bali with a sizzling seafood barbecue at sunset.
Day 1 - Arrive in Denpasar & travel to Ubud
You’ll be met on arrival at Denpasar airport and transferred to Ubud - which is a drive of around one hour. Ubud is Bali’s cultural heart, surrounded by lush rice terraces, traditional villages and jungle, with plenty of opportunities to experience local life, art and Balinese traditions.
It’s a buzzy town and once you’ve settled in to your hotel head out to explore the small streets lined with warungs, art studios, bohemian bars and coffee shops.
Day 2 - Explore the countryside & local villages
After breakfast you’ll be picked up by your guide who will take you out of town and into the surrounding countryside. You’ll visit a traditional village to get a glimpse into local life, visit a rural temple and cross into an area covered with rice fields that tumble down the hillside. At the bottom of the valley, mystical royal tombs lie hidden amongst the cliffs.
Day 3 - Take a domestic flight to Maumere, on the island of Flores
Today, you’ll be transferred back to Denpasar airport, where you’ll catch a flight to Maumere on the island of Flores. Flying time today takes roughly 2 hours. Flores is one of Indonesia’s lesser-known islands, where rugged volcanic landscapes, lush hills and traditional villages create an off-the-beaten-track feel. It’s best known as the gateway to Komodo National Park.
On arrival in Maumere you’ll be transferred to your comfortable, locally run hotel right next the beach, along the coast from the town itself. The hotel has a pool, restaurant and good snorkelling straight from the beach – everything you need for a relaxing stay!
Day 4 - Snorkelling trip
After breakfast, you’ll head out with a small group on a local boat and sail away from the coast towards some of the prime snorkelling spots in the area. The reef around here is almost entirely undisturbed, the water is very clear and filled with colourful sealife. You’ll spend the next few hours exploring the tiny islands and lunch will be provided on the boat.
In the afternoon you’ll return to the hotel to spend the rest of the day as you please
Day 5 - Discover Flores: Travel to Moni
It’s time to head away from the beach and discover more of Flores. After breakfast you’ll be collected by your driver for a journey across beautiful countryside to the picturesque village of Moni. You’ll spend the night in the guest quarters at a local homestay, where you’ll receive a warm welcome. The facilities are pretty basic and you won’t have hot water, but for the experience, we think the trade-off is completely worth it.
Day 6 - Discover Flores: Sunrise at Kelimutu & travel to Bajawa
Before dawn, you’ll set off to Kelimutu Volcano for a spectacular sunrise. On a clear day, Kelimutu is one of the most amazing sights in the world. The three crater lakes change colour depending on the mineral content in the water, and the local people believe that the lakes are the final resting place of the dead – one lake for the elderly, another for young people and a third for witches. Next, you’ll continue to Bajawa, visiting a small village with traditional thatched houses along the way to see some local crafts. You’ll arrive in the late afternoon, in time to check into your locally run hotel and relax before tomorrow’s adventures.
Day 7 - Discover Flores: Inerie Volcano & Soa Hot Springs
This morning, you’ll walk along the foot of the mighty Inerie Volcano, visiting small villages as you walk in the shade of the towering bamboo forest. One of the best-preserved villages is Bena, where the little houses with straw roofs are built in two rows along a line of megalithic stones, which are occasionally still used for ritual sacrifices.
Before returning to Bajawa for the evening, you’ll visit the hot springs at Soa. For many people, including the guides and drivers, this is the only place on Flores where they can find hot running water. You’ll have plenty of time to take a dip in the water, and watch as the locals make use of nature’s hot tap.
Day 8 - Discover Flores: Travel to Ruteng
Next, you’ll continue your journey west, crossing through lush isolated areas on the way. You’ll arrive in the town of Ruteng in the afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to explore and visit the lively market packed with colourful embroidered sarongs. Our first choice accommodation here is a convent in the town, converted for guests but still also home to a number of nuns who’ll be going about their daily chores.
Day 9 - Travel to Labuan Bajo
Continue your journey through Flores to Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of the island. The town has grown rapidly in recent years as tourism has increased, but it still has a lively local atmosphere and makes a convenient base for exploring the spectacular islands and turquoise waters of Komodo National Park.
Day 10 - In search of Komodo dragons on the islands of Rinca & Komodo
Today you’ll go in search of giant Komodo dragons with a local ranger and guide who knows the islands like the back of his hand. Komodo Dragons are a protected species, so the T-shaped stick he carries is only meant to keep the lizards at a safe distance. The creatures aren’t exactly dangerous but they’re not entirely harmless either; there are millions of bacteria in a Komodo bite – enough to kill a person.
After visiting Komodo, you’ll continue to Rinca. The landscape here is greener and hillier than Komodo, and you can take a 2-hour walk across the island with a local guide with fantastic views across the sea and the island. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot the odd dragon amongst the horses, deer, water buffalo and monkeys. After the tour, you’ll return to Labuan Bajo where you can take advantage of the hotel’s tempting pool.
Days 11 - 13 - Fly back to Bali, travel to Jimbaran & relax
This morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport at Labuan Bajo for a flight back to Denpasar (Bali). It’s just under a 2 hour flight. When you arrive, you’ll be transferred the short distance to Jimbaran Bay, with its sun-kissed sands and clear seas. The offshore reef keeps the sea calm, making it ideal for swimming. You’ll stay in a comfortable, modern resort, around twenty minutes from the soft sands of Jimbaran on foot. The resort offers a beach shuttle free of charge.
Your time in Jimbaran is completely free for you to do as you please. There are over 2.5 miles of rich golden sand to explore here, scattered with beachside cafes, bars and rustic seafood shacks. Make yourself comfortable, order a tropical cocktail, and you may well find it difficult to get up again. Jimbaran’s morning market is well worth a visit. Local chefs buy their ingredients here, and it’s a real riot for the senses.
During your stay we will arrange a sunset, seafood dinner with a view of the ocean.
Day 14 - Depart Indonesia
Today, it’s time to say goodbye to Jimbaran beach. Take a final dip in the pool and stroll along the beach. We’ll arrange a transfer to the airport in time for your homebound flight.
Accommodation
