Flores overland trip

From the dragons of Komodo to the coloured lakes of Kelimutu, right across the island where Ernest has his roots. About a week, with his own network of boat crews, drivers and guides.

Ask Ernest on WhatsApp See the route

The cone-shaped houses of Wae Rebo village in the mountains of Flores

Duration: 6 to 8 days
Start: Labuan Bajo, a short flight from Bali
Finish: Ende or Maumere, then fly back to Bali
Price: One price for the whole trip, on request

Flores with someone who grew up here

Ernest was born on Komodo Island, between Sumbawa and Flores. He knows the boat crews in Labuan Bajo and the drivers and guides along the road across Flores, so your trip runs smoothly from the first boat to the last flight.

Flores is a long, mountainous island with volcanoes, rice terraces and villages where old traditions are still alive. It sees far fewer visitors than Bali. The Trans-Flores road crosses the island from west to east, and that is the route of this trip.

A Komodo dragon on Komodo Island, where Ernest was born

The route, day by day

An example of seven days from west to east. Ernest adapts it to your time and wishes, or plans it the other way round.

The view over the bays of Padar Island in Komodo National Park

Day 1Bali to Labuan Bajo
Ernest drives you to the airport for the flight of just over an hour to Labuan Bajo. Sunset over the harbour and the islands.
Day 2Komodo National Park by boat
An early climb on Padar Island for the view, Komodo dragons on Komodo or Rinca with a ranger, Pink Beach and snorkelling.
Day 3Labuan Bajo to Ruteng
Into the cool highlands of Manggarai. On the way, the lingko rice fields near Cancar, divided like a spider's web.
Day 4Wae Rebo, or straight on to Bajawa
Hike about three hours up to Wae Rebo, a mountain village of cone-shaped houses, and sleep in one of them. This adds a day. Or drive on past Lake Ranamese to Bajawa.
Day 5Bajawa and Bena
Bena, a village of thatched houses and megaliths at the foot of the Inerie volcano. In the evening, the hot springs near Bajawa.
Day 6Along the coast to Moni
Penggajawa beach with its blue stones, and Ende, where Indonesia's first president Sukarno lived in exile in the 1930s. Night in the mountain village of Moni.
Day 7Sunrise at Kelimutu
An early start to the three crater lakes, each with its own colour. Then on to Ende or Maumere for your flight back to Bali.

Spider-web rice fields near Ruteng — **Lingko rice fields**Fields divided like a spider's web, the way the Manggarai share their land.

Traditional houses and stone monuments in Bena village — **Bena**Thatched houses and megaliths of the Ngada people.

The crater lakes of Kelimutu at sunrise — **Kelimutu**Three crater lakes that change colour over the years.

Arranged by Ernest

Flights between Bali and Flores
A boat trip in Komodo National Park
A trusted driver and car on Flores from Ernest's network
Hotels and homestays along the way

Good to know

The road winds through the mountains: most driving days are four to six hours, with plenty of stops.
Ruteng, Bajawa and Kelimutu are cool at night. Bring a warm layer.
Park and ranger fees in Komodo National Park are paid separately, unless you agree otherwise with Ernest.
Short on time? A three-day trip to Labuan Bajo and Komodo is also possible.

Plan your Flores trip

Tell Ernest your dates and how many days you have, and he puts together the route and a price.

Other private trips

The bays of Padar Island in Komodo National Park