Salam! Welcome to the Indonesian island of Flores – translating to the island of flowers. An arrival transfer will take you from Ende Airport to your accommodation in Mt Kelimutu National Park. If you arrive early, why not take some time to explore your lush surroundings on foot? Tonight, you’ll meet your trip leader and new travel group for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. Ende is the gate way to eastern Flores so you'll need to fly into Ende to meet your arrival airport transfer to Mt. Kelimutu National Park. Ende airport only services domestic flights and one of the best connections would be to fly to Ende via Labuan Bajo.

Wake up bright and early and strap on your walking shoes. This morning, you’ll head out on a sunrise trek to Mt Kelimutu. Make your way up the mountain to the viewpoint, where you’ll be greeted with spectacular views over the bright green, blue and red crater lakes below. Heading back down the mountain. Jump in your private transfer and take a picturesque drive along the coast towards Bajawa. Stop at Padhawatu waterfall for a refreshing dip before arriving at Bajawa and settle into your hotel here. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.  The sunrise trek is about 30 minutes walking up with mild elevation on established trails.

Jump into your private transport this morning and travel to the town of Bena – a village known for its megalithic formations and traditional huts. Wander through the streets as your leader takes you on a guided walk through the village, admiring the intricate handiwork of the thatched hut roofs, impressive stone formations and ancestral shrines. Enjoy a locally made lunch in town before hopping back in your van and head to a hot spring. The foot of the looming stratovolcano – Mount Inerie – is home to a number of naturally occurring hot springs. Visit Mengeruda Hot Springs, where the waters are warmed by the nearby volcano and are said to contain medicinal properties. After soaking your worries away, get back to Bajawa in the afternoon and enjoy some free time. Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.

Continue your journey to Ruteng. On the way, stop at Aimere and see how the local palm wine is made in the traditional way. Arrive at Ruteng in the afternoon, take the opportunity to explore the town and don’t forget to grab some excellent insider recommendations for the best dinner spots. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 to 5 hours

After breakfast, make your way south, stopping by Cara village. Here, you’ll see the Lingko – rice fields planted in an intricate spiderweb pattern. Jumping back in your vehicle, drive along the picturesque south coast of Flores, overlooking the Sea of Saba before arriving in Dintor village. Tonight, you’ll be sleeping in a homestay in town. Why not hunt down some dinner with your group (don’t forget to ask your leader for the best recommendations!). Your travel time today will be approximately 5 to 6 hours.  The accommodation tonight is a simple lodge, with twinshare ensuite rooms. The facilities may be simple here but the serene surroundings and stunning sunrise and sunset will make up for unforgettable memories.

Today, you’ll be heading to the remote village of Wae Rebo – isolated from the rest of the island, this is an ancient tribal village in the middle of the lush rainforest valley, surrounded by mountains. Make sure you pack a small overnight pack before heading off while the rest of your luggage will be stored in Dintor. You’ll be trekking into the rainforest to reach the village and large bags can’t make the journey with you. Lace up your hiking shoes and head off to the village, where you’ll be greeted by the locals with a welcome ceremony and a dinner of traditional dishes and specialty Wae Rebo coffee. Tonight, you’ll be sleeping in a Mbaru Niang – a tall, cone-shaped house completely covered in lontar thatch (a type of thatching made of dried leaves from the native lontar tree). The hike today will be approximately 3 - 4 hours. The route follows narrow path through dense rain forest with various ferns, orchids and palm trees. You'll need to be in good health condition and an experienced hiker to complete the hike. Please make sure you wear sturdy hiking shoes with layered clothes to cover yourself where necessary and for change in altitude. Tonight you will be staying with a local family. The conditions are basic. There will be simple mattresses set up on the floor in the communal area of the traditional house to sleep on, with sheets and pillows provided. There’s no private bedroom in this house, so everyone will be sleeping in the same big room. Bathing facilities are cold water bucket showers and there is a squat toilet, located outside. Dinner will be served in the house tonight – expect true local food, shared together while sitting on the floor.

Let the sounds of the jungle wake you up this morning, before joining your group for breakfast in the village. Head back on your return hike through the rainforest and meet your transport back to Dintor, where you’ll collect your luggage and can freshen up with a cold shower and grab lunch. After, travel to Labuan Bajo. You have free time this evening to explore the city at your own pace. On the west coast of Flores, Labuan Bajo sits right on the beach with expansive views across the Flores Sea and to the islands on the horizon. Grab some dinner in town before returning to your hotel for some rest and relaxation for the evening. The driving time today will be around 3-4 hours.

Your sailing adventure begins this morning! After breakfast, make your way to the harbour where you’ll board your traditional sailing boat for the night. When you arrive, enjoy a welcome drink and introduction to the boat while you set off to your first destination – Kelor Island. Famous for its serenity, unspoiled scenery and hiking, Kelor Island is the perfect spot to find gorgeous, panoramic views. Head up to the top of the island this afternoon and take in the surrounding beaches and rolling hills. Jump back on board and head to Manjarite Island, where you’ll spend your time snorkelling and swimming in the crystal waters. Later this afternoon, cruise to Kalong Island – a small mangrove inhabited by thousands of fruit bats – and watch the sunset over the horizon as the locals take flight for the evening. You'll need to pack an overnight pack with your essentials for staying overnight on board the sailing boat. The rest of your luggage will be stored in Labuan Bajo. The boat company that we work with can use different boats with different configurations - so the group may stay in twin share rooms or bunkbed rooms depending on the boat used. The facilities will be shared while on board.

This morning, make landfall on the Komodo National Park’s third-largest island – Padar Island. Hike up to the top and look out over the verdant landscape, covered in green hills that stretch right down to the shoreline, meeting the blue waters of the Savu Sea. Head back down the mountain where you can cool off at Pink Beach and join the local sea life with some snorkelling. After, sail to Komodo Island, where you’ll be trekking alongside the mighty Komodo dragons. Keep on the lookout for these ancient-looking reptiles, catching them up close and personal in their natural habitat. Make your way back to the harbour, cruising back to Labuan Bajo for a final night on the island. Why not have a dinner together to celebrate this great adventure?

After breakfast this morning, your adventure comes to an end. Bid your fellow travellers farewell and check out of your hotel. This doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to extend your stay in Labuan Bajo, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. To leave the trip, you'll need to fly out via Labuan Bajo airport, which has direct flights to Jakarta & Bali and some direct international connections to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.