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Komodos and Nemos Route: Ubud - Tirtagangga - Lovina - Maumere - Moni - Bajawa - Ruteng - Labuhan Bajo - Komodo - Sekotong - Tetebatu - Gili Meno - SanurKomodos and Nemos is an alternative Indonesia adventure- perfect for free spirits. The trip begins on Bali surrounded by rice paddies, where you’ll explore a mystical water palace. You’ll then travel to the north coast to spot dolphins before heading inland to traditional bamboo villages. You'll see a spectacular sunrise at the multi-coloured volcanic lakes on Flores and travel by boat to the only place in the world where you can come face-to-face with the giant Komodo dragon. Then finally you'll make your way to Lombok to explore the fascinating local cultures, and round off your trip barefoot on the white sands of a tropical beach. On Flores, you’ll stay in fairly basic accommodation because there are very few good hotels here, but you'll sleep in plenty of comfortable and tastefully decorated hotels on Bali. This Indonesia adventure is for travellers looking for something a little bit different, whilst also seeking the hidden gems of Indonesia. Prefer to build your own Indonesia trip? Simply choose from our range of bite-sized Indonesia tours. For more inspiration, take a look at some of our other suggested holidays in Indonesia. To learn more about this Indonesia adventure, give our travel specialists a call on 01273 322052. |
| Duration |
21 days / 20 nights departs daily from Denpasar airport |
Accommodation |
Charming cottages in the rice paddies, in a valley, overlooking the water palace, on the beach. Basic accommodation on Flores (see our general photos here). Comfort level 2, 3 and 4 (see accommodation). |
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Price |
£1818 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
Transport as described, domestic flights, accommodation with breakfast, guided excursions |
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Transport |
Private car with driver |
Excludes |
International flight, entrance fees, optional excursion in Lovina on Day 6. |
Day 1: Arrival in Bali - Transfer to UbudWhen you arrive at Denpasar, someone will be waiting to whisk you away to Ubud, a peaceful Balinese hideaway surrounded by green hills. This is a gentle start to your Indonesia adventure, where you can enjoy a relaxing massage or cool off in the beautiful pool. The hotel is composed of a dozen cottages overlooking the rice paddies. Close by, in the centre of town, you'll find Monkey Forest, where thousands of monkeys clamber over the ornate Balinese statues.Ubud is the cultural capital of Bali, which means it attracts a lot of tourists, like Yogyakarta on Java. However, it has plenty of friendly charm with cheerful bars, good food and excellent facilities. |
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Day 2: UbudIt's day two of your Indonesia adventure and in the morning, you can take it easy and then later on you’ll be collected by our enthusiastic guide for a guided walk through the surrounding area. You’ll visit a number of villages around Ubud where you’ll find several painters, sculptors and silversmiths. You might also be lucky enough to take a look inside a local house where you might see the village women busy making small incense bowls. Balancing precariously on the rims of the paddies, the local farmers will be hard at work harvesting the rice.At the bottom of the valley you’ll visit the mysterious royal tombs, hidden away among the dense green vegetation. You’ll arrive back at your hotel after lunch, so you can spend the rest of the afternoon wandering round the town centre or enjoying another relaxing massage. |
Day 3: Ubud - TirtaganggaThe next stop on your Indonesia adventure is Tirtagannga. Stepping through the gate you’ll see burly Balinese statues spouting water, immense fountains and little cobbled paths that you can hop across like stepping stones. The ancient Balinese rulers had a soft spot for ornamental waterworks, which also serve as an irrigation system for the surrounding rice fields.You’ll stay in a bungalow with a great outdoor bathroom in the palace gardens. The accommodation isn’t particularly luxurious but the settings are certainly remarkable. If you want to enjoy a little more luxury we can arrange an upgrade to one of the villas. There’s a fantastic view across the palace grounds from the restaurant, and the water reservoir is now used as a swimming pool. In the afternoon, you’ll take a guided hike through the rice paddies around Tirtagangga. Balancing along the little dykes between the rice paddies you can cross over to small, isolated villages. The local palm wine is delicious and you might be able to see how the wine is ‘pumped’ out of the palm trees. |
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Day 4: Tirtagangga - LovinaIt's day four of your Indonesia adventure and today you’ll be picked up by our driver and travel across the interior of Bali to Lovina on the north coast. It’s a 2 hour drive along small country roads, and you can request to stop off at one of Bali’s biggest Hindu temples - the Besakih. If you want to visit the temple just let your driver know, and keep a sarong handy as you’ll need to have your arms and legs covered when you enter the temple. In Lovina, you’ll check in to your bungalow set in a garden filled with exotic flowers and palm trees, within walking distance of the beach.The rest of the day is free for you to go as you please. |
Day 5: LovinaThis morning, you’ll get up early to continue your Indonesia adventure as you head out for a dolphin-spotting boat trip. The water is as smooth as a mirror this time of day. Luckily, the fishermen will know where the shrimp are hiding in the currents and before you know it you'll hear splashing alongside the boat as the first group of dolphins appear.After your dolphin trip, you can enjoy breakfast back at the hotel and spend the rest of the morning relaxing. In the afternoon you can choose to visit the hot springs (optional) where you can swim in the hot sulphuric waters. You'll be picked up around midday, returning to Lovina later that afternoon. |
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Day 6: LovinaYou won't need to set your alarm clock this morning, because there's nothing planned for day six of your Indonesia adventure. You can sit back and read a book by the pool, sip on an ice cold drink, and cool off with a dip in the water. You can spend your day walking barefoot along the black volvanic sand beach, stopping off every now and again for a fresh fruit shake at one of the restaurants along the shore. |
Day 7: Lovina - Maumere - MoniIn the morning you'll be picked up at the hotel for the 3 hour transfer to the airport, where you'll board the plane to Maumere in the east of Flores. At Maumere airport, you’ll be collected by your driver for your journey across beautiful countryside to the picturesque village of Moni. You’ll spend the night at a local homestay, where you'll receive an incredibly warm welcome.On your arrival you will have the rest of the day of your Indonesian tour to you to relax at your own leisure. You’ll stay in the guest quarters of the homestay separate from the family for one night in a simple basic room. You’ll have to make do without hot water, but it's completely worth it. |
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Day 8: Kelimutu Volcano - BajawaBefore dawn you’ll set off for the Kelimutu volcano to enjoy a spectacular sunrise across an equally spectacular panorama. On a clear day the Kelimutu volcano is one of the most amazing sights in the world.The three lakes change colour every now and then, depending on the mineral content in the water. Nowadays they range from black to dark green, although in the past the colours have been dark red, light blue and light green. People believed (and still believe) the lakes were the final resting place of the dead; one lake for the elderly, another for young people and a third one for witches. The climb up the volcano is fairly easy and you'll do most of it by car, leaving you with just one steep flight of steps to climb to the highest point, from where you can look out across the three crater lakes. On the way to Bajawa you’ll visit a small village with traditional wooden houses and high thatched reed roofs. This is where the typical ikats are made - intricately woven fabrics made up of individually dyed threads. Your next destination is Bajawa, where you'll arrive in the late afternoon. You’ll stay in a basic hotel in town where you'll probably have hot water. |
Day 9: BajawaIn the morning you’ll be going on a walk along the foot of the Inerie volcano, visiting several small villages on the way as you walk in the shade of the towering bamboo forest. This will prove to be a real highlight of your Indonesia adventure.One of the most authentic Ngada villages is Bena, where the houses with straw roofs are built in two rows, along a line of megalithic stones. The stones are still used for sacrifice to the spirits. Traditional rituals are upheld here more than anywhere else on Flores and you can still witness rituals being carried out at the “bhaga” (ritual houses) and “ngadhu”, a carved wooden sacrifice pole, usually to honour the ancestors. In the afternoon you’ll visit the hot springs at Soa where you can wallow in the warm water. The water from the spring is 40C, and mixes with the cooler water of a mountain stream just below the waterfall - which makes it the best place to take a dip. For many people, particularly the guides and drivers, this is the only place on Flores where they can find hot water. Later, you’ll drive back to Bajawa where you’ll be staying another night in your basic hotel. |
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Day 10: Bajawa - RutengOn day ten of your Indonesia adventure, you’ll drive from Bajawa to Ruteng, travelling through some isolated areas on the way, and if you want to see the area in more detail you can do parts of the route on foot. Your driver can drop you off and simply pick you up further down the road. Part of the journey travels along the south coast, where you could get out and take a walk along the dark, volcanic beach for a while.You’ll arrive in the cool town of Ruteng in the afternoon, which leaves you some time to explore the town on foot and visit the lively market, where you can buy colourful embroidered sarongs. You’ll stay in a simple hotel in Ruteng, which despite being one of the best in town, is still very basic. |
Day 11: Ruteng - Labuhan BajoIt's the eleventh day of your Indonesia adventure and today you'll travel mainly downhill to Labuhan Bajo, a small fishing village in a beautiful bay. The sunsets are wonderful here, with views across the tiny islands between Flores and Komodo.You'll stay in a charming bungalow with sea views in a eco-resort just outside the town, and there's also a pool. If you want to have dinner at the resort just let them know when you check in. |
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Day 12: Labuhan Bajo - Komodo National ParkToday you’ll board a small fishing boat for an exciting boat trip to the islands of Komodo and Rinca in the Komodo National Park, a brilliant part of your Indonesia adventure.Komodo Island is the popular for its main attraction - the dragons (as the locals call them) that carry the island’s name. During the trip, you’ll explore the area with a local ranger, walking through the arid area in search of the giant Komodos. They can be a bit difficult to spot in mating season but the ranger knows the area well and will do his best to find you a Komodo in its natural habitat. They’re not exactly dangerous but they’re not entirely harmless either - there are millions of bacteria in a Komodo bite - plenty enough to kill you. |
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The second largest island in the Komodo National Park is Rinca. The landscape here is greener and hillier than on Komodo, and again you can take a 2-hour walk across the island with a local guide. You’ll see some fantastic views across the sea and the island. With a bit of luck, you'll spot the odd dragon amongst the wealth of horses, deer, water buffalo and monkeys. Rinca has fewer visitors than Komodo, so your chances of spotting a dragon are much greater here. After your adventures in the Komodo National Park, ranked by many travellers as the highlight of their Indonesia adventure, you'll return to Labuhan Bajo. You'll stay another night in the pleasant eco lodge hotel, where you can enjoy a bit of comfort after the relatively basic hotels on Flores. |
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Day 13: Labuhan Bajo - SekotongOn day thirteen of your Indonesia adventure you'll fly from Labuhan Bajo via Denpasar to Mataram on Lombok, where you'll be collected at the airport and transferred to the small town of Sekotong on Lombok's south west coast. Sekotong is still a relatively undiscovered town with beautiful wideswept beaches and a coral reef at your door. In the nearby local village you'll find a handful of small restaurants serving amazing fresh fish. The little souvenir shops are a good place to stock up on traditional pottery and sarongs.You'll be staying in a charming resort with a ceiling fan and a terrace overlooking the glimmering sea. |
Day 14: SekotongToday is a lazy day of your Indonesia adventure. There's nothing planned, which means you can spend the day relaxing on the beach, snorkelling in the clear water and spotting fish darting in and out of the coral reef. If you fancy riding the waves yourself, you can rent a surfboard or book a surfing lesson close to the resort. |
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Day 15: Sekotong - TetebatuYour Indonesia adventure then continues to Tetebatu, a small village nestled at the foot of the Rinjani volcano surrounded by green rice paddies. In roughly 1-2 hours you can hike to two waterfalls that come crashing down the south side of the Rinjani into the valley below. The locals regularly visit the falls because they believe the water has healing powers. A steep path leads down to the pools where you can go swimming, just make sure you wear sturdy boots and take a bottle of water with you. It’s a strenuous hike, but there's a refreshing reward at the end.Towards the end of the day you’ll return to Tetebatu where you’ll stay in a small cottage amidst the rice paddies surrounded by tall, waving trees. |
Day 16: TetebatuOn day sixteen of your Indonesia adventure you'll visit a number of crafts villages. You'll travel on foot along the rims of the rice paddies, by cidomo (horse and cart) and by car to a small village where you'll see the women and children weaving colourful rugs. You’ll have lunch with the local guide who will show you around the village. This is a great place to buy a real Indonesian sarong, because it’s here that they’re actually made. Next, you'll visit a ‘pottery’ village where the locals make the most beautiful vases out of black clay, which are then intricately decorated. You’ll also learn about the different things you can make from bamboo and reed. You’ll stay another night in your bungalow in Tetebatu. |
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Day 17: Tetebatu - Gili MenoFrom Tetebatu, you'll head to the tiny island of Gili Meno for a couple of days of tropical white beaches and some fantastic snorkelling. The Gilis are a cluster of little islands just off the coast of Lombok, far enough from Bali to have maintained their laid-back atmosphere, but close enough to visit on your Indonesia adventure. The beaches are white, the sea is blue, the people are relaxed and the fresh fish is roasting on the barbecue...Your bungalow isn't exactly big, but it's charming, comfortable and close to the beach, with air-conditioning for some cooling relief when the winds drop in the evening. It takes just 1½ hours to walk all the way around the island, but you can also take one of the little horse-drawn carts. On the south side of the island you can buy beautiful Ikat hammocks, which may come in handy on Gili Meno. |
Day 18: Gili MenoThere are several fantastic snorkelling spots around Gili Meno, or you could take a boat trip to one of the other islands (Gili Air and Gili Trawangan) where you'll find even more coral reefs. The outer island - Gili Trawangan - has probably the best beaches of the three on its inner coast.You'll spend another night here on your Indonesia adventure in your cosy bungalow. |
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Day 19: Gili MenoToday is another day of your Indonesia adventure where you have nothing planned. Simply lie in your hammock and gaze out across the sea or spend the day exploring more of the underwater world around the island. In the evening you can lounge around on the cushions that are laid out on the beach. As the candles are lit on the beach-side tables, the sun slowly disappears beyond the horizon. |
Day 20 and 21: Gili Meno - Sanur - End of Indonesia adventureToday, it’s time to make your way back to Bali for the final day of your Indonesia adventure. You’ll take the fast catamaran back to the starting point of your trip - Padangbai - where you’ll be picked up by our driver and transferred to Sanur. You’ll spend your last night in this beach resort, popular with both locals and tourists. The beaches here are beautifully golden in comparison to the black volcanic sand you’ll find in most places on Bali. There are no excursions planned for today, so you can just enjoy this friendly little town, have some dinner in one of the many restaurants and do some last-minute souvenir-shopping.On the morning of Day 21, your Indonesia adventure comes to an end and you'll begin your journey home. The resort is conveniently close to the airport, which means that it won't take long to catch your flight back to the UK. |
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Indonesia adventure - Accommodation (Click to enlarge)
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