Sites of interest - archaeology, volcanoes, culture

Getting to and from Flores

Travel within Flores

Guided tours

Suggested iteneraries

 

 

VOLCANOES

There are 15 active volcanoes on mainland Flores. For a list, click here.

 

Of these, the following are most spectacular and/or interesting:

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EBOLOBU - this classic smoking volcano towers over the Soa Basin hobbit site near Bajawa. It is home to stories of the 'Ebu Gogo' little hairy people. It can be climbed with a guides in a couple of (strenuous) hours, and the view from the top is spectacular. Take a mask, the sulphur gas can be thick.

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INIERIE - this is another textbook volcano, best viewed from xxx traditional village xxx of Bajawa. It's another tough climb and an early start, but as always, fabulous when you reach the top.

 

KELI MUTU - the three coloured lakes of Keli Mutu are full of concentrated sulphuric acid, not water, so no swimming! It's best to stay overnight in xxx village and get a car to the top before dawn, with only a short walk to the lakes on formed paths. My daughter and I were invited to eat a giant native rat in this village once, read that tale here.

 

 

 

 

 

Air

Daily direct flights from Bali, Java and West Timor

TransNusa

Wings Air

Lion Air

Merpati

Garuda

 

Flores is incredibly mountainous. Main roads are in good condition, traffic is relatively light and the drivers are conservative (by SE Asian standards!). But there are virtually NO straight flat sections of road, and getting from A to B takes time. Average road distance covered is about 40 km per hour.

If you get car sick on windy roads - this is not the place for you! But if you enjoy amazing views at every bend, winding up and down volcanic ridges, you will love this spectacular island.

Travel options in Flores are:

Road

 

Air. Daily flights connect the main towns of Labuan Bajo, Ende, Maumere.

 

5 DAYS - busy trip: volcano; dig site; culture

 

Day 1

Fly Bali to Labuan Bajo then Ende; car/bus to Keli Mutu volcano lakes. Overnight at Moni village at base of volcano..

Day 2

Drive 6 hrs to Soa Basin, walk to Mata Menge dig site then back to Mangaruda hot springs. Overnight at Nusa Bunga village at base of Ebulobo volcano.

Day 3

Climb Ebulobo volcano, sunrise at summit; drive 3 hrs to xxx traditional village; drive 6 hrs to Ruteng mountain town. Overnight at Ruteng.

Day 4

Go to Liang Bua hobbit cave; drive 5 hrs to Labuan Bajo. Overnight at Labuan Bajo.

Day 5

Boat to Rinca Island; trek to Komodo Dragons; return to Labuan Bajo. Fly out to Bali.

 

10 DAYS - slower trip