Trekking po Flores

Day 1: Labuan Bajo - Ruteng

Departure from Labuan Bajo right after breakfast. After an eight hour car trip trough the tropical forest, we set off to walk down the deep valley.  

Having passed through the village, usually accompanied by the local children we go deeper into the rainforest, passing small rice fields from time to time.

After around a 1.5 hour walk we reach the river, which is hidden in the thicket. The steep walls create a dark canyon. When swimming you can get through a waterfall.

We are all surrounded by the tropical scenery.

After about 2 hours we return to the car, and drive towards Lembor, and then Cancar. There you can see the spectacular view on the spider web shaped rice fields, which is a traditional way of growing rice around Manggarai. Having arrived in Ruteng, it's time to do some sightseeing around the traditional Manggarai village.

Day 2: Ruteng - Bajawa

A visit to Aimere, where arrack (rice vodka) is traditionally produced - we recommend tasting it, but make sure you don't have too much. Alternatively, you can have a bath by the Aimere beaches. Afterwards we set off towards Bajawa. Through a bamboo forest we reach the Ngada people areas, where roofs are unusually shaped with bamboo hoods. Small terraces are surrounded by women, weaving ikats and chewing betel. When they smile you can see their spoilt, red teeth. In the villages background you can see the Inerie volcano. All the villages look like from a different century. Despite Catholic religion being around for years, it is hard to notice it - while the animism with sacrifice altars, old traditions and outfits can be seen everywhere. An interesting thing to know is that the Bajawa region is ruled by the matriarchy - women rule heir husbands, who have to leave their clan and join the one of the wife; there is a female inheritance system.

In the evening it is time for visiting hot springs in Soa and a rest after the hectic day.

Day 3: Bajawa - Moni

Early in the morning we visit Wowomuda, extremely interesting remainders after an unexpected volcanic activity back in 2001. The bottom of one of the caldera has been covered with a few lakes with a very intensive red color. According to volcanologists the area is "stoking right below the surface".
Next we visit a Bajawa fair, and afterwards set off to the east.

On the way we are accompanied by the shadow of Ebulobo, a huge volcano out of which sulphur fumes come out. We follow the route until it starts descending towards Ende. That's time for a rest by the green-stone beach, and a bath.

Day 4: Moni - Maumere

At dusk we get up and set off to one of Flores' wonders , a volcanoe with multicolored lakes in its three craters. It is a great place to admire sunrise.

After breakfast back in the hotel, we set off to a traditional Jopu village, on the way watching the stages of ikat production, since the moment of weaving the threads.
Upon return we take a refreshing bath at the waterfall, and then we go further east. Then a stop at the Paga beach, dinner, a bath and afterwards a walk through palm groves to Maumere.

Day 5: Flight back to Bali.

It is possible to extend the excursion with:

- volcano hiking (one volcano a day);

-a rest, or  a day of diving in the Maumere resort,

- Mt. Mbeliling trekking (2 days),

- a trip to Riung (at least 1 day),

- trekking around „wild villages" scattered around the Inerie volcano, with an accomodation in a traditional house (at least 2 days),

- diving safari around Komodo National Park, along with Rinca Island sightseeing (where the dragons - worlds' biggest living lizards).