Family Dragons and Islands of Indonesia

Over View

Experience the best of Indonesia as we showcase the islands of Flores, Komodo, Bali and Lombok on this family adventure of a lifetime. Travel through paddy fields and thick tropical jungle, stopping to walk through ancient tribal villages that have kept their traditions over thousands of years. Board a boat for three days on the waters off the Komodo archipelago to search for the infamous Komodo dragon, brought to a global audience by Sir David Attenborough. End with time to relax on the golden sand beaches of Lombok.

Komodo dragons – See prehistoric Komodo dragons in their natural habitat

Kelimutu Volcano – Climb Kelimutu Volcano for stunning views of three crater lakes, famed for its ever changing crater lakes that change colour through the day.

Traditional villages – Walk through villages on the unspoilt island of Flores, staying in welcoming homestays along the way.

Itinerary

Day 1 Trip starts in Bali.

Arrive in Denpasar. Transfer to Seminyak, home to some of the best beaches in Bali.

For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting, and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Denpasar at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you’ll need to arrive into Bali’s Ngurah Rai International airport (airport code DPS), which is 10km around 20 to 30 minutes from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to head to the beach opposite the hotel or take a dip in the hotel pool.

Day 2 Full day free for optional excursions – try a surf lesson or explore the island.

Today is a free day in Seminyak to take it easy after your flight. Head to the expansive beach on the Indian Ocean directly opposite the hotel, relax by the swimming pool or choose from a number of optional activities. A favourite activity is learning to surf, including three hours of tuition and practice, a fantastic start to the holiday! Alternatively for something a little more cultural, there are full day tours of the island, combining beautiful landscapes and Buddhist temples.

Day 3 Fly to Flores. Drive to Moni a small settlement at the foot of Mt Kelimutu.

After breakfast head to Denpasar Airport for a short flight to Ende on the island of Flores. On arrival head towards Moni, stopping to get our first taste of rural life in Saga, one of the few villages in the Lio district with houses built in traditional Lio style with distinctive high pitched thatched roofs, stretch our legs and take a stroll around the village.

We then continue for a further two hours through a striking landscapes of rice fields, coffee plantations and olive trees passing several village outposts along the way climbing steadily entering a mountainous region. Our destination is Moni, a small settlement at the foot of the volcanic Mount Kelimutu (1,639 metres), an ideal base to explore its striking coloured lakes.

Day 4 Hike to a sunrise viewing point of Mt Kelimutu. Scenic drive along jungle covered hills to Bajawa.

An early start today as we make our way to the base of Kelimutu volcano, climbing to the summit for an unforgettable sunrise panorama. The walk takes around 45 minutes over a series of steps interspersed with flatter sections, the final 10-15 minutes covers 127 relatively steep steps. Our reward at the summit, on a clear day, is the view of three crater lakes, a spectacular sight. The westernmost lake is named Tiwu ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People) which is usually blue, the other two lakes are named Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake), which are green or red or even black respectively.

The most outstanding feature of these lakes is their differing colours, depending on the changing mineral content of the water at any given time. You may see a turquoise lake next to a black one! It is of no surprise that this area of stunning and unusual natural beauty was once an important place for spiritual rituals.

After some time to enjoy this beautiful place we make the journey back down off the volcano and continue our journey to Bajawa, The scenery along the way is spectacular, initially descending back to Ende here we join the coastal road driving past beaches including a striking green stone beach, before winding our way back uphill, surrounded by lush jungle covered slopes with a backdrop of volcanoes in the distance. Bajawa is the spiritual heartland of the Ngada tribal people, who are made up from five tribal groups living in the surrounding area, each with their own customs, language, beliefs and traditional dress.

Day 5 Tea in a tribal village, 4WD into the island interior, traditional welcoming ceremony, homestay.

Bajawa is a very traditional village where ancestor worshipping plays an important role in local life. After breakfast take a walk around the village. The setting is serene, rolling hills dotted by bamboo-forest; with fields of vanilla, cashew nuts, coffee, cocoa and papaya, offering stunning views over the south coast of Flores. Join our hosts for tea inside their home, with our local guide on hand to explain about the customs of the Ngada people.

After lunch in Bajawa, we drive to the isolated village of Belargahi, as we get progressively off the beaten track we swop our bus for a ‘Biskayo’ truck to make the remainder of the journey deep into the island interior. To the Belaragi people, visitors from abroad are guests traditionally welcomed with a ceremony called ti’Ikaebunusi, which translates as ‘give food to the ancestors”. A bamboo flute ‘suling’ concert & dance performance makes the visit complete. Children in the village are always eager to practice their English and it’s not unknown for an impromptu game of football to take place in the area separating the two rows of houses.

The community will invite you and your family for the night for a truly unique experience staying in a simple guesthouse, please note that most of the beds are double beds rather than twins.

Day 6 Drive though majestic landscapes to Ruteng, market visit.

After breakfast we bid farewell to our hosts, starting the day with a one hour walk to our vehicle. Drive to Ruteng, the capital of Manggarai area. En route stop at Aimere to sample the highly popular local drink called arak, produced by the distillation of locally produced palm wine.

Continue through central Flores making our way through ever changing landscapes, passing dense jungle, active volcanoes and rice fields as we make our way west across the island. Finally we reach our destination of Ruteng. Situated at 1170 metres above sea level, the air is noticeably cooler, a welcome relief from the humidity of the lowlands; there is time this afternoon to visit the local craft markets.

Day 7 Take a stroll around the villages and picturesque Lingko rice fields. Continue to the fishing town of Labuan Bajo.

The countryside around Ruteng is amongst the most fertile on Flores, home to the impressive Lingko fields. With their round, spider-web structure, these pieces of land are generally used to grow rice. Land is owned by the community and has been divided up over time in accordance with traditions dating back many hundreds of years. Families with a higher status got larger segments of each field leading to this striking design.

Descend to Labuan Bajo, one of the greenest parts of Flores. Labuan Bajo is a fishing town located at the western end of Flores and the main starting point for trips to Komodo Island and Rinca Island, home to the famous Komodo dragons.

Day 8 Embark on a three day cruise to Komodo and Rinca island in search of Komodo Dragons.

This morning make our way to the harbour to board our home for the next three days. Setting sail, our first stop is Rinca Island where we meet with the national park’s rangers, who lead us carefully along a trail into Komodo dragon territory. Komodo dragons, known locally as ‘ora’, are highly dangerous giant lizards reaching up to lengths of over 3.5 metres and weighing up to 150 kilos, more usually though they are around 2.5 metres in length.

Hidden in the undergrowth the Komodo dragons wait patiently for their prey, such as deer and water buffalo – which we are likely to see in the national park – and when the time is right they ambush their victim and bite into them releasing a toxic venom from glands within their lower jaw causing a slow death. We walk for around two hours across a relatively flat terrain covering around 5km. Komodo dragons are likely to be seen in greater numbers after the mating season which takes place between May and August.
Heading back to our boat we continue sailing around the archipelago, along the way there is ample opportunity for snorkelling, the underwater-world surrounding the islets present magical snorkelling experiences. The easterly islands of Indonesia mark the boundary known as the ‘Wallace Line’ where Asian fauna finally gives way to Australasian wildlife. Look out for some of the region’s colourful birds including Green Junglefowl and the endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoo. We overnight on board near to an island of dense mangrove forest inhabited with flying foxes; spend time watching these animals leave their habitat by the hundreds in search of food.

As darkness falls, far from the light pollution that blights so much of the world, spend the evening on deck having dinner enjoying stunning views of the night skies with the sounds of nocturnal wildlife all around.

Our boat features simple family accommodation, facilities include two toilets and a salt water shower, with a limited amount of fresh water for bathing. You may choose to sleep on deck under the stars as we anchor for the night. All meals are prepared by our cook from fresh ingredients.

Day 9 Boat cruise in the Komodo archipelago, beachcombing and snorkelling.

This morning we make our way to Komodo Island itself where we take another safari walk with national park rangers to spot Komodo dragons, the largest species of lizard in the world, and learn a little more about these imposing beasts. There are thought to be over 2000 Komodo dragons on the island as well as buffalo, deer and wild boar.

We return on board to sail to Pantai Merah on the other side of Komodo Island, known for the pink tinge on the coastline. The pink colour is due to old bits of coral being broken down in the sea and blending with the white sand, the closer we get to the beach the more vibrant the pink becomes. We have time to go snorkelling with good chances of seeing clownfish, parrotfish and with a bit of luck sea turtles. Continue sailing enjoying a further nights dining under the stars, overnighting on board in the bay of Rinca.

Day 10 Boat cruise in the Komodo archipelago in search of Komodo dragons.

For those who wish, we will get up before the crack of dawn in order to head to a viewpoint on Rinca Island for panoramic views and see the sunrise. Rinca is less visited than its neighbour Komodo, remaining one of the very few places left in the world where you can find these ancient animals. Spend the last morning in the Komodo archipelago in search of these majestic lizards before heading back to our boat for lunch.

This afternoon we have time for a final snorkel before sailing back to Labuan Bajo where we say a fond farewell to our crew, disembark and head to our hotel for the night.

Day 11 Fly to Lombok. Walk through terraces and bamboo groves, home-cooked lunch, drive to Senggigi beach.

After breakfast head to Bandara Komodo airport to catch a short flight to Lombok. On arrival at Lombok Airport drive to Tetebatu, a small village on the lower slopes of the mighty Rinjani volcano (3700 metres high). Beautiful situated between rice and tobacco fields it’s a popular starting point for spectacular walks.

This afternoon we take a walk following old pathways through shady bamboo groves and village gardens before entering a wide, open landscape of rice terraces and palms ending in the small village of Kampong. Here we meet our driver and drive to Pringgasela where we are treated to a home cooked lunch. Lombok is a melting pot of cultures and this is reflected in the styles of food available, Sata pusut is a delicious local satay often served with meats and coconut pressed onto skewers and grilled over the roaring fire. Lemper is also popular, comprising of small parcels of sticky rice filled with shredded beef or chicken and wrapped in leaves.

We have time to take a walk around the village known for its pottery and weaving, before driving to the coast and the town of Senggigi.

Day 12 Free day to relax on the beach.

Senggigi is a popular destination in West Lombok, with a beach that stretches out along several kilometres. There are many restaurants and bars with live music, alternatively kick back, relax on the beach and take in the beautiful beach.

Day 13 Morning bike ride along back country roads to Lingsar temple. Free afternoon on the beach.

This morning we have a bike tour around the back roads and paddy fields of western Lombok. After breakfast at the hotel we transfer to the bike starting point just under an hour from Senggigi beach. Sticking as much as possible to the back country roads we pass some of Lomboks most fertile farming land, riding through villages, past temples, mosques and temples. Most of the terrain is flat, there is a 15 minute uphill section towards the end to get us to Lingsar temple. A local guide will show us around the temple complex after which we head back to the hotel.

The rest of the day is free to relax on the beach or by the hotel pool.

Day 14 Trip ends in Senggigi beach, Lombok

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Senggigi beach.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Senggigi beach at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Lombok International Airport (airport code LOP), which is 50km around 1 hour 40 minutes from the hotel.